Chilkoot Canoe Wildlife Safari Tour

After meeting your tour representative in Skagway, you'll board a high speed catamaran for a 45 minute boat ride to the town of Haines. Upon arrival into Haines, we'll take a short tour of Fort Seward, a 30 minute drive from downtown Haines and then head up the Lutak Inlet to the Chilkoot River Valley. The Chilkoot corridor offers incredible wildlife viewing.  Brown Bears, eagles, mountain goats, and spawning salmon are commons sights. Our guides are expert naturalists and enjoy sharing their love and knowledge of the Alaskan wilderness.

Once at the Lake, we’ll head out onto Chilkoot Lake in stable motor assisted Voyageur Canoes. Our Canoes are built using similar dimensions as the canoes used by trappers and gold miners at the turn of the century. Powered by either paddle or motor, this tour offers guests the opportunity to paddle in the serenity of Chilkoot Lake, while also having the advantage of relaxing and taking photographs when it’s time to take a break from paddling. We’ll be out on the water for about 2 hours and explore the inlets, coves, salmon spawning streams and numerous waterfalls that spill off of the mountains into the lake. 

After enjoying the beautiful views on the lake, we’ll return to Haines and serve a picnic-style lunch at a private ocean beach location. Following lunch, we'll load up back onto the fast ferry for the return trip to Skagway.

(~75 minutes)
Your friendly 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 50-minute narrated, scenic journey to Haines.
(~60 minutes)
Upon arrival in Haines, restrooms will be available and you’ll meet your guide and driver. From here we’ll depart for an interpretive drive through historic Fort Seward and continue to Chilkoot Lake. Along the way, we’ll drive along the shoreline of the Lynn Fjord and the wildlife-rich Chilkoot River.
(~15 minutes)
When we arrive at Chilkoot Lake you’ll have the opportunity to meet your other guides and take in the stunning views of the pristine lake. Your guides will help you get fit with a PFD (life jacket), rubber boots and canoe paddle. You’ll then receive a thorough safety briefing and orientation before boarding the 31’ long voyageur canoe for your adventure.
(~90 minutes) –
We’ll spend the next hour and a half experiencing Chilkoot Lake while our stable voyageur canoes. It is an excellent way to take in the fantastic views by water and if the wind picks up or you’re ready to relax, we will use the quiet 4-stroke motor to move around.
(~15 minutes) –
Once back at the put-in we’ll trade your rubber boots and PFD’s back in for your shoes and you’ll have time to enjoy our private deck and spotting scopes to take in the views of the lake and surrounding mountains and waterfalls one more time.
(~40 minutes)
We’ll then board our transportation and head down to the ocean for lunch.
(~30 minutes)
At our private ocean side picnic area, you’ll enjoy a picnic-style lunch provides great views of the Lynn Fjord in a private setting.
(~50 minutes)
Once we wrap up with lunch we’ll head over to the ferry dock where you’ll have the opportunity to use the restrooms and take additional photos of Haines before enjoying the scenic ride back up the fjord to Skagway.
(~15 minutes)
Upon returning to Skagway, a short walk will bring you back to our original meeting point, just a few minutes’ walk or shuttle to downtown Skagway and all three cruise ship docks.

Where will I meet my guide?
Your guide will meet you 15 minutes prior to the tour start time to make sure all necessary paperwork is completed. If you are arriving by cruise ship, your guide will meet you at the end of the pier that your ship docks at. Otherwise the meeting location is the Small Boat Harbor sign. CLICK HERE to see a map detailing these locations in Skagway. Your guide will be holding a sign with the name of you tour.
Who are my guides?
You guides are experts in the industry. They are fun, well-trained and passionate about guiding and sharing their expert knowledge about the history and natural wonder of Haines and Skagway, Alaska with you! Our staff all go through extensive training and hold current first-aid (mostly WFR and WEMT) certification. Many of our guides also lead courses and guided expedition trips for us both in Alaska and throughout the world.
Is there a bathroom?
Yes – restrooms are available on the dock prior to departing for your tour, on the ferry during your travel to Haines and non-flushing restrooms at the start/finish of your paddle or float.
Do you cancel due to weather?
Our tours embrace Southeast Alaska’s unpredictable weather. Our tours run rain or shine. If in a rare instance weather does cause us to cancel the tour you will be refunded in full and provided with assistance with finding an alternative activity for the day.
How much will I paddle?
Everyone in the canoe will be provided with a paddle. Paddling is optional and each boat is equipped with a quiet 4-stroke outboard motor so if the wind picks up or you need a rest you can sit back and let your guide and motor do the work.
What kind of wildlife will I see?
Though wildlife can never be guaranteed, bald eagles, moose, all five types of Pacific salmon, brown and black bears frequent the area. Wildlife sightings depend on the time of the year and area within Haines where the excursion takes place. Your guides will choose the best locations to help you maximize your wildlife viewing opportunity.