Rare opportunity to kayak and camp in one of America’s most stunning national parks

This is one of the classic sea kayak expeditions in Alaska! Glacier Bay National Park has it all—glaciers that calve enormous icebergs, an ocean teeming with humpback whales, sea otters, orca, seals, and sea lions. This National Park is home to a healthy population of both black and brown bears.  The calm, glassy seas of the inside passage mirror and magnify the grand panorama of the Alaskan landscape. The National Park Service strictly limits camping—MTS holds these rare permits— making this a peaceful, spacious camping experience. This is a true expedition-style journey where we will pack our kayaks, move camp, and paddle 50 miles of Glacier
Bay’s diverse shoreline, experiencing new plant and animal habitats every day. And your first-class MTS guides will be there to enhance your understanding of this all too rare wilderness, making the magic of Glacier Bay come alive for you. So whether you’re an enthusiastic beginner or a seasoned paddler, this is a not-to-be-missed trip of a lifetime.

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Activities

6 days moderate sea kayaking, easy to moderate day hikes

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a sea kayaking expediton and wilderness camping in Glacier Bay National Park's West Arm
• Experience magnificent scenery and abundant wildlife, including the endangered humpback whale
• Paddle around icebergs and hike to the face of awesome tidewater glaciers
• MTS holds rare permits to camp inside of the national park

Duration: 7 days Start Location: Juneau End Location: Juneau

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Juneau to Gustavus

  Meet in Juneau, Alaska, and fly to Gustavus. Overnight in a quiet, cozy lodge. Dinner and pre-trip meeting.

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  Day 2 : Arrive in Glacier Bay

  Board a boat for a ride into the west arm of Glacier Bay National Park. In the afternoon, kayak lessons.

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  Day 3 : John's Hopkins Inlet

  Kayak through the dramatic iceberg and mountain landscape of John's Hopkins Inlet and the Saint Elias Mountains.

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  Days 4 - 6 : West Arm of Glacier Bay

  In depth exploration of the pristine  fjords of Glacier Bay by kayak and on foot. Look out for calving glaciers and wildlife that may include brown bears, mountain goats, humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, and a variety of sea birds.  Each day of kayaking brings new suprises as the landscape changes when we paddle farther away from the glaciers.

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  Day 7 : Boat return to Gustavus / Departure

  Following a morning hike or paddle, a charter boat transfer takes the group back to Gustavus. Fly to Juneau and depart.

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  Annie Mae Lodge

  Gustavus

  The Annie Mae Lodge rests on the banks of the Good River, surrounded by lush rain forest and overlooking the Icy Straits of Alaska's Inside Passage. Started by Annie Mae's 3 granddaughters and now run by her great-granddaughter, the aim of this family lodge has always been to provide traditional country hospitality in a place of exceptional beauty.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.
 

• Wade Panzich

  Wade Panzich, Alaska Discovery Kayak and River Guide: Wade has lived in Alaska for 7 years, 4 of these working for Alaska Discovery. During the fall, Wade travels the globe searching for the perfect wave. Winters are spent teaching snowboarding in Alaska. Spring and summer finds Wade kayaking and rafting beautiful southeast AK. He has also spent time on the water in the western U.S., Central and South America. All seasons he is an avid backpacker and an aspiring mountain man. Wade’s got some good stories to tell, from hitchhiking across the country to tropical subsistence living, a trip with him will never be dull.

• Maureen D'Armand

  Maureen D'Armand, Alaska Discovery Kayak & River Guide: It might be her childhood in Austria combined with her school years in Alaska that give Maureen her blend of sophistication, charm, and tremendous outdoor skills. She has traveled from pole to pole- from the Arctic to Antarctica. She is building a house in Haines, Alaska, but still lives in Juneau when she is not exploring the rest of the world. As for guiding, Maureen says, "I do not intend to stop anytime soon. My passion to explore is ever-growing."

• Shelli Ogilvy

  Shelli Ogilvy, Alaska Discovery Kayak Guide: Shelli was born and raised in Alaska. She grew up in Gustavus with Glacier Bay as her backyard. She has been guiding for Alaska Discovery as a wilderness leader since 1997. She has a deep love for this place and ecosystem, finding peace and joy through sharing the experience of the wilderness. When not guiding, Shelli tries to find time to paint and work on her cabin. She currently spends her winters in New Mexico skiing and eating green chilies.

• Tom Schwartz

  Tom Schwartz started guiding canoe, skiing and sea kayak trips in Southeast Alaska in 1997 with a non-profit organization for youth in Juneau. He joined the Alaska Discovery team in 2003 guiding trips to Berner's Bay, Pack Creek and Glacier Bay. His experience as a fine dining chef has inspired him to create excellent food in amazing places. Keep an eye out for a wilderness cookbook!

• Keith Thompson

  Keith Thompson, Alaska Discovery Kayak Guide: Originally from Pennsylvania, Keith left a job in medical research to pursue his love for travel and the outdoors. He's been involved in a rock and ice climbing business, worked as a bike guide, and traveled extensively throughout North and Central America, and Southeast Asia. In 1999, his travels led him to Alaska where he fell in love with his surroundings. Keith writes, "I found the pristine Alaskan wilderness an inspiration and guiding a way of sharing and learning about this special place." (Bonus: Keith is also a massage therapist.)

• Jeff Sloss

  Jeff Sloss, Alaska Discovery Kayak, Canoe, & River Guide: Jeff has been a lead guide for Alaska Discovery for over 20 years. He has helped set the high standards of quality and commitment that makes us a great company. Whenever we think of exploring a new area we turn to Jeff to make it happen. In the winter, Jeff teaches skiing and snowboarding in Juneau, works on film projects, and helps raise his two daughters. Jeff is an active conservationist and has lobbied Congress to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Jeff carries a deep love for Alaska onto all of his trips. Jeff writes, "Among the high points of this career are experiencing some of the world's finest places, and meeting new people as well as enjoying the company of returning guests that share an appreciation of this Great Land."

• Solan Jensen

  Born and raised in coastal Alaska, Solan works as a kayak guide, a kayak ranger, a boat builder, and a marine mammal emergency responder. He received a degree in Philosophy which led him directly to a career working outdoors in the cold regions of the earth. As a kayak guide he divides his time between Antarctica and Alaska. A highlight of his career, Solan was the co-leader of one of the first commercially guided overnight sea kayak expeditions in Antarctica. In his spare time Solan is a collector of bones, books, and vinyl records. He co-directs a small film production company and is a tireless student of the banjo.

photo credits: ©John Baston