Alaskan Wildlife Explorer: Inn to Inn in Southeast Alaska

Day 1: Juneau

Arrive in Juneau, where we'll be staying in a hotel downtown. Explore this historic Alaskan city on your own before a pre-trip meeting with your guide this evening.

Goldbelt Hotel - Juneau, AK

Day 2: Juneau – Tongass National Forest – Glacier Bay

Juneau boasts one of the most extensive network of hiking trails in all of Alaska.  Today we hike the trails of our country's largest national forest, the Tongass. There will be options to stroll along a gentle trail with incredible scenery and cool fresh breezes, or more ambitious hikes including a climb on a glacier. We will experience the power and the beauty of the northwest temperate rain forest.  After a day of exploring the Tongass, we will transfer on small charter planes to the bush town of Gustavus, gateway to Glacier Bay National Park.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Annie Mae Lodge - Gustavus

Day 3: Glacier Bay

After an early breakfast, we head out to the headquarters of Glacier Bay National Park. We board a high-speed catamaran boat with a park ranger, who will educate us about the geological wonders of the area. This all-day tour takes us to the farthest reaches of this spectacular park. Lunch is served aboard the catamaran. We’ll return to our B&B for another relaxing evening and a great dinner.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Annie Mae Lodge - Gustavus

Day 4: Point Adolphus

Today, we'll go sea kayaking with the humpback whales at Point Adolphus. Point Adolphus is the best place in all the North Pacific to have a chance to paddle a kayak with the endangered humpback whale. Every summer these giant creatures swim from Hawaii all the way across the ocean to feed on the rich marine resouces at this specific spot.  The protected north shore of Chichagof Island is a pardise for marine mammals and Bald Eagles.  Special conditions in the ocean currents make this one of Alaska's hottest wildlife zones.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Goldbelt Hotel - Juneau, AK

Day 5: Juneau

Life Zones are compressed in Alaska.  There are no more trees above 2500'.  From the charming downtown Juneau we hop aboard a tram that is operated by a Native American corporation and ride into the mountains.  We start our walk at the border of the trees and the alpine and soon we are in fields of wildflowers, above the fjords, and close to the tops of the mountains.  You may even get to play in some snow.   In the late afternoon, we'll enjoy a bird's eye view of the fjords on a flight to Wrangell.

Breakfast, Lunch / Stickine Inn - Wrangell, AK

Day 6: Wrangell

Aside from the rich Native American heritage, Wrangell is also close to Anan Bear Observatory. This is the primary reason we visit  this out-of-the-way small Alaskan town. Anan Bear Observatory is one of the best places anywhere to watch bears. A very large run of Humback salmon draws bears from many miles away to feed at this spot.  It is very unusual to take in both Brown Bears (a.k.a. Grizzlies) and Black Bears in the same sweep of the eye.  This is one of a few place this is possible.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Stickine Inn - Wrangell, AK

Day 7: Fly to Juneau and depart

After breakfast, we will board a small plane and fly north to Juneau. You may want to extend your stay in Southeast Alaska to take a quick trip over to Sitka, the old russian capitol on Baranof Island.

Breakfast

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.

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.

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.)

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."

Brock Tabor

Brock Tabor, Alaska Discovery River & Kayak Guide: For ten years Brock has been committed to a professional career as an outdoor educator and wilderness guide. His experience range from teaching skiing, sea kayaking, rock climbing, and river rescue to photographing the plazas of Ecuador. Brock has a strong background in natural history which he enjoys sharing. Of guiding for Alaska Discovery, Brock writes, "I enjoy the opportunity to interact with people in an unusual setting. The rewards people gain through these trips are contagious!"

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.