Your tour begins as you board a high-speed catamaran for a scenic 45-minute cruise along North America’s longest and deepest fjord to Haines. Along the way, you’ll witness spectacular views of waterfalls and ice-sculpted peaks as your guide points out marine wildlife along the fjord.
Upon arrival in Haines, you’ll board a motorcoach for a relaxing 40-minute drive up the Haines Highway, a National Scenic Byway, to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. You’ll see historic Haines and Fort William H. Seward on this narrated drive from expert naturalists. Watch for moose and swans in the marshlands as you head up the Chilkat River Valley on this excursion.
At the preserve, experienced raft guides await to begin your rafting adventure (not whitewater). You’ll float silently down the river aboard 18′ inflatable rafts – the best way to observe eagles drawn to feed on the plentiful salmon. Bears and wolves are also frequent guests at the feast. Not only rich in wildlife, the preserve is also a place of incredible beauty, with towering mountains, hanging glaciers and lush forests. Your tour will float past the Native village of Klukwan where the Tlingit people have lived for centuries on the bounty of this beautiful wilderness.
After your float, you’ll enjoy a riverside picnic. Your tour concludes with a return cruise aboard the catamaran back to Skagway. With Haines behind you, you leave with a myriad of unforgettable memories.
Note: We are able accommodate dietary restrictions with a minimum of 48 hours advanced notice, including gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, allergies, etc.
(~30 minutes) – Sign waivers, learn about tour and walk down to small boat harbor to catch fast ferry.
(~45 minutes) – Your friendly tour dock representative will meet you near the Skagway Small Boat harbor sign and restrooms. We will provide answers to any questions that you might have about your upcoming excursion and get you ready to board the ferry to Haines. We’ll help you board the comfortable ferry for the 45-minute narrated, scenic journey to Haines.
(~45 minutes) – Upon arrival in Haines, restrooms will be available and you’ll meet your guide and driver for a breathtaking drive up the Haines Scenic Byway to one of our rafting put-in’s.
(~40 minutes) – When you arrive at the put-in you’ll meet up the remainder of your guide team and swap out your shoes for rubber river boots. Your guides will provide you with a thorough safety briefing and you’ll don a PFD before boarding our stable 18’ rubber rafts for the float down the river.
(~90 minutes) – You’ll spend the next 90 minutes quietly exploring the scenic Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve by raft.
(~30 minutes) – Upon arrival at our river take-out you’ll be treated to a picnic style lunch with lemonade, hot cocoa and tea.
(~30 minutes) – A short drive back down the Haines Scenic Byway will bring you to the ferry for your comfortable and scenic ride back to Skagway.
(~10 minutes) – Arrive boat dock in Haines to board boat to Skagway.
(~45 minutes) – Scenic boat ride back to Skagway at the end of the excursion.
(~20 minutes) – Depart from the ferry and head to your boat.
