Important Note: Depending on weather and water conditions, our overnight kayaking expedition will be either in the Chilkat Inlet or Chilkoot Lake. Your guide team is made up of backcountry and kayaking experts and will make the decision on the final kayaking route on day 3.
Meet your guides in Haines before hiking to Battery Point
Welcome to Haines, Alaska! We meet our guides and traveling companions at our hotel this afternoon. After introductions we’re off on a scenic hike to Battery Point. Surrounded by vibrant green coastal rainforest, we’re quickly enveloped in the quintessential beauty of Alaska’s Inside Passage. After popping out of the forest onto a small rocky beach, were treated to spectacular views of Chilkoot Inlet, where we’ll scan the surrounding waters for possible sightings of harbor seal, Stellar sea lion and Humpback whale. Back in Haines we’ll enjoy our first dinner together before retiring to one of Haines’ most beloved and historic hotels. Lunch and dinner included.
Hiking: 4 miles, elevation gain/loss: ~500'.
Cycle from Haines to Klukwan before enjoying a scenic float down the Chilkat River
Our day begins with a bike ride along the historic Haines Highway. First used as a transport route for indigenous communities, the scenic highway also passes through the 48,000-acre Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. We’ll finish our ride with a picnic lunch at the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center, located in the Chilkat Tlingit community of Klukwan. We’re then off on a float down the Chilkat River. Surrounded by the Takshanuk Mountains to the north and the Takhinsha Mountains to the south, our guides will provide insight into how this remarkable landscape has been shaped by the movement of water and ice. All meals included.
Cycling: 21 miles on mostly paved highway with gentle undulations and curves, elevation gain/loss: ~500’. Scenic River Float: mostly class I and some class II rapids, 3-5 miles, ~2 hours in length.
Enjoy sweeping views atop Mt Ripinski or Mt Riley before exploring the town of Haines
Our hike-of-the-day will be determined by trail conditions on either Mt. Ripinski or Mt. Riley. On a clear day, both trails offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains, the Lynn Canal Fjord, and the Chilkat and Chilkoot river drainages. The final selection will be made by our guides, who will take several factors into consideration, including trail conditions and weather. Later this afternoon you’ll have free time to explore the town of Haines on our own or relax at the hotel. Guides will provide guests with their recommendations on their favorite sightseeing and dinner spots. Breakfast and lunch included.
Hiking: 7-8 miles depending on trail, elevation gain/loss: ~1,600-3,000’.
Paddle through turquoise blue waters and camp under the stars
This morning we begin a remarkable journey to one of the area’s most beautiful kayaking destinations. Before hopping in our kayaks your guides will provide a thorough orientation to our final route, our tandem kayaks, weather, gear, and will also provide a refresher on kayaking strokes, safety, and boat handling. Our final itinerary will be selected based off weather and water conditions. However, both routes offer a spectacular guided opportunity to explore the remarkable backcountry of southeast Alaska. This element of our trip will require group participation in portaging of personal gear and the setup of your tent. All meals included.
Kayaking: 3-7 miles, 3-4 hours.
Continue our on-water exploration before enjoying a celebratory dinner in Haines
After a hearty camp breakfast, we’ll pack our gear back into our kayaks and head out for another amazing day on the water. As we glide quietly past icy glaciers and towering mountaintops we’ll listen for the chatter of bald eagles and the splash of marine life. If we’re lucky we may even spot bear, otter, moose, or other land mammals strolling along the shore. Later this evening we’ll celebrate our adventure with our last dinner in Haines. All meals included.
Kayaking: 4-8 miles, 5-7 hours.
Hop in the saddle for a morning bike ride before bidding our new friends farewell
We’ll cap off our adventure in Haines with a morning bike ride to gorgeous Chilkoot Lake. Sitting at the head of the Chilkoot River, the lake and watershed is famed for its rich salmon habitat and breathtaking beauty. Lucky visitors are occasionally treated to the site of bears, which plant themselves above the Chilkoot Lake Weir to feast on salmon. Later this morning we’ll shuttle back to Haines where we’ll bid our new friends and beautiful Haines goodbye. Breakfast included.
Cycling: 18 miles on mostly paved highway with gentle undulations and curves, elevation gain/loss: ~500’.
