Navigate Nature's Wonders on a Nat Geo Voyage
- SAMPLE ITINERARY
- Jun 4, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 27, 2025
A National Geographic Voyage is for those of us who dream in compass points and chase the raw, untamed edge of the map. Alaska’s not new—but it sure feels undiscovered when you’re skimming glacial bays, slipping through silent riverways, and stepping into pine-filled forests that look like they’ve never known a footprint.
Forget the floating buffet and poolside bingo. This isn’t your typical cruise, and thank goodness for that. You won’t be stuck with people chasing selfies and shrimp cocktails—you’ll be chasing wonder.
This is for those who actually want to see. Lock eyes with wild things. Breathe in salt air thick with mystery. Follow narrow passages into the heart of the unknown. And with local experts at your side, understand the land instead of just passing through it.
DESTINATION: THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST, ALASKA
We're highlighting the 'Voyage to the Great Bear Rainforest'—just one of the many expeditions you can choose from. It's a high-caliber adventure you’ll remember forever.
For the bold, the curious, and the quietly obsessed with the natural world—this is more than just a trip. It’s a chance to connect with nature in ways you never imagined.
A FEW STANDOUT MOMENTS
Glide by kayak or Zodiac into lush fjords and wildlife-packed shorelines, scanning for golden eagles, bears, river otters, and more.
Venture into some of the region’s most untouched forests—lands unreachable by road and stewarded by First Nations communities.
Experience the living traditions of the Kwakwaka'wakw people at Alert Bay’s Big House, where ancestral music, art, and cultural knowledge come vividly to life.
Navigate the remote eastern coastline of Princess Royal Island, keeping watch for the spirit bear—a rare and mesmerizing sight.
Trek through the San Juan Islands and cruise the surrounding waters, prime territory for spotting orcas as they hunt and play in the island-dotted sea.
Get eye-level with nature in Tracy Arm, where calving glaciers, ancient forest walls, and harbor seals drifting on jewel-toned icebergs surround you at every turn.
AT-A-GLANCE
Dates: Sep and Oct
Duration: 11-14 Days *
*duration varies depending on selected package and availability. The 14-day itinerary is presented below.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Juneau, Alaska / Embark Ship
Arrive in Juneau, Alaska’s capital, by early afternoon and step aboard your ship just in time for cocktails and a warm welcome from the captain, crew, and expedition team.
Meals Included: dinner
Day 2
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
Sail into Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm—two breathtaking fjords where waterfalls tumble down sheer, glacially carved cliffs. Get up close to the mighty Dawes or South Sawyer Glacier, then slip into a Zodiac for front-row views of drifting icebergs sculpted by time. Along the way, watch for harbor seals lounging on the ice, quick-moving porpoises, and the graceful flight of Arctic terns.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3-4
Exploring Southeast Alaska
Devote two days to exploring the northern reaches of the Alexander Archipelago, a wild jewel box of Southeast Alaska. Cruise along Chatham Strait with eyes peeled for orcas and humpbacks, then get closer to the wilderness by Zodiac, kayak, paddleboard, or on foot. A Forest Service Special Use Permit for Tongass National Forest enables guests to hike and kayak in these wild and remote areas of Southeast Alaska.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5
Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada
Wake in Prince Rupert, a harbor town perched on British Columbia’s wild northwest coast. Step into the Museum of Northern British Columbia—crafted in the style of a coastal longhouse—and immerse yourself in First Nations history through cedar-scented halls filled with carvings, weavings, ceremonial objects, and regalia. Later, explore the North Pacific Cannery Museum, where historic buildings in a pristine wilderness setting trace a century of the region’s cultural, economic, and natural story.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6
Lowe Inlet Marine Provincial Park / Cruising
Sail north through Grenville Channel, a narrow waterway between Pitt Island and the mainland where the passage pinches to less than a quarter mile wide and bends so sharply it seems to vanish into the hills. Watch for pods of killer whales slicing through the water and bears foraging along the shore before heading out by Zodiac to witness the salmon run at Verney Falls in Lowe Inlet Marine Provincial Park.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7-10
Lowe Inlet Marine Provincial Park / Cruising
Sail north through Grenville Channel, a narrow waterway between Pitt Island and the mainland where the passage pinches to less than a quarter mile wide and bends so sharply it seems to vanish into the hills. Watch for pods of killer whales slicing through the water and bears foraging along the shore before heading out by Zodiac to witness the salmon run at Verney Falls in Lowe Inlet Marine Provincial Park.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11
Alert Bay and Johnstone Strait, British Columbia
Visit the Big House in the First Nations village of Alert Bay, where the Kwakwaka'wakw people share their art, music, and deep regional knowledge. Then sail through Johnstone Strait, a dramatic channel flanked by mountains and islands, alive with marine mammals and remarkable birdlife.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12
Southern British Columbia
Explore British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, a haven for kayakers and small yachts. Drop anchor in calm, sheltered bays perfect for paddling into hidden inlets, then head ashore to hike through meadows and lush forest ecosystems.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 13
San Juan Islands, Washington, U.S.A.
Uncover the wild beauty of the San Juan Islands, a striking archipelago off northern Washington State. Kayak into hidden coves where harbor seals surface to watch you pass, and navigate dramatic shorelines by Zodiac. On land, hike rugged coastal trails beneath circling bald eagles as naturalists share the rich ecology and cultural history of this distinctive Northwest wilderness.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 14
Seattle / Disembark Ship
Disembark in Seattle and transfer to the airport for flights home.
Departure Time: Depart after 10:30 a.m. local time. Departure City: Seattle, Washington
Meals Included: breakfast
LOCAL GUIDES
Each expedition is guided by a team of experts—naturalists, historians, and regional specialists—ready to share their deep knowledge of the wildlife, landscapes, and cultures that define this corner of the world.
A National Geographic Certified Photo Instructor joins the expedition team on all departures.
WHAT TO EXPECT
As with any true expedition, flexibility is key. Each day’s schedule shifts with conditions and unexpected opportunities, ensuring the experience feels alive and unscripted. Activities can be tailored to your preferred pace—light, moderate, or a mix of both. Guests should be in good health, comfortable with extended walks on uneven ground, and able to step in and out of expedition landing craft. Depending on the day, you might join guided walks, explore historic or cultural sites, take on easy hikes, or opt for more active adventures like kayaking or longer treks. Every departure welcomes families.
SHIPS & CABINS
Sail aboard the National Geographic–Lindblad fleet, where the spirit of discovery meets effortless comfort. Each ship is a welcoming basecamp, offering thoughtful amenities, attentive service, and a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. Settle into comfortable cabins, browse a well-curated library, and savor regionally inspired cuisine crafted from fresh local ingredients. Out on deck, wide open views become your front-row seat for spotting and photographing wildlife at its most spectacular.
Interested in other voyages?
Here are just a few more U.S. based Nat Geo trips to choose from.
Baja California Mosaic: Magdalena Bay and Gulf of California - 8 Days
Exploring Southeast Alaska's ABC Islands - 8 Days
Discovering Channel Islands National Park - 5 Days
Alaska's Inside Passage - 8 Days
Alaska Escape: LeConte Bay, Wrangell and Misty Fjords - 6 Days
