Private: Glacier Flightseeing With Chilkat Bald Eagle Raft Trip

Private: Glacier Flightseeing With Chilkat Bald Eagle Raft Trip Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

Enjoy this exciting private raft trip combined with a glacier flightseeing adventure!

Haines is a site of cultural importance to Tlingit Indians, as well as the home of the Bald Eagle Foundation. Haines is known as the "sunny spot of the Southeast" with only 60 inches of precipitation annually.

Combine three different means of travel- Alaska bush plane, scenic drive in a private vehicle and private rafting trip in the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve on this unforgettable adventure.

Your tour begins as you board your private Alaskan bush plane for a 50-minute glacier tour. Experience the grandeur of Glacier Bay National Park with this guided flight. Soar past the face of the Rainbow Glacier, a hanging glacier with an immense waterfall pouring from its face. Continue to the Davidson Glacier to look down upon the Davidson Icefall, crisscrossed with crevasses and ice towers. Cross over the Chilkat Mountains and explore the East Arm of Glacier Bay including the McBride and Muir Glaciers. Discover the textures, colors and light that make Glacier Bay one of Alaska’s premier attractions. Keep an eye out for mountain goats as you glide over a sea of ice on your way back to Haines.

Next meet your local guide and enjoy a riverside drive along the Haines Highway. The drive is incredibly scenic: glacier-clad mountains thrust to the sky, colorful wildflowers line the road, green riverside channels provide habitat for moose, bear and trumpeter swans. The highway was declared a National Scenic Byway in 2009. Arrive at the river in the heart of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, approximately 40 minutes away.

After boarding your raft, enjoy a scenic float down the Chilkat River through the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, home of the world's largest concentration of Bald Eagles. You are immersed in the Alaskan wilderness, floating the silent river. As there are no rapids (white water) on the river, it makes for a very relaxing float. Depending on the flow of the river, the float portion lasts about 1 1/2 hours.

Along the way, your professional guide will explain the natural history of the area, Chilkat Indian heritage, and share some exciting stories from life in the Alaskan wilderness. The number of eagles you will see is dependent on the food available to the eagles (i.e. the fish runs). During the early months of the summer season you will often see parent eagles sitting on nests, eaglets in nests and the parent eagles flying to the nest with food for their young. Thousands of bald eagles travel here to feed on salmon in the fall and winter. During very warm days, the eagles are often seen catching the thermals and soaring above the mountain peaks.

Paddling is not required, as your expert guide will push the raft along, explaining the intricate balance of nature that makes this a unique and special place. Don't leave your camera behind for this adventure! After rafting, enjoy a picnic lunch on your way back to Haines.

- Departure time will be assigned following purchase of this program. Departure times are variable and will coincide with your cruise ship's schedule.
- Dress in layers and bring an extra pair of warm socks, a hat, and rain gear.
- Life jackets, rubber boots, rain ponchos, and light gloves will be provided.
- A boxed lunch is included in the price and includes a turkey sandwich on organic whole wheat bread, fresh fruit, a freshly baked cookie, juice and bottled water. Vegetarian and gluten free options are available with advance notice.

- There is a minimum of 4 guests required, and can accommodate a maximum of 12 passengers.
- Children must be at least 7 years old to participate.
- Maximum weight is 250 lb per person.
- FAA requires guest's weight information.
- Each raft holds a maximum of 7 people. If there are more than 7 people in your group you will be in separate rafts. Please contact ShoreTrips if you have a larger group.

Days offered: 7 days a week

Departures:

• , duration: 5.5 hours