Haines Private Chilkoot Lake Nature and Wildlife Viewing Excursion

Description

• Private round-trip transportation from your Haines cruise ship terminal!
  
• English-speaking certified guide!
• Guided visit to Chilkoot Lake State Park!
  
• Photo stop at Letnikof Cove Cannery and Rainbow Glacier viewpoint
  
• Keep your eyes open and camera ready for local wildlife sightings!
  
• A complimentary copy of Joe Ordonez's book: Where Eagles Gather, The Story of the Alaska Bald Eagle Preserve, Haines, Alaska!
• Escape the cruise ship shore excursion crowds and enjoy the unique sights of Haines and Alaska!

You will meet your expert naturalist Haines wildlife and nature sightseeing excursion guide right at the end of the cruise pier and set out along the Lutak Inlet on a drive to Chilkoot Lake State Park. The drive is very scenic: on one side, you have glacier-clad mountains scraping the sky, and splashes of colorful wildflowers along the road. On the other side, you have the Lutak Inlet, which is home to many types of marine life.

This park has it all: a turquoise lake surrounded by snowy mountain peaks, a salmon-filled river flowing into the sea, and important Tlingit cultural sites. Bald eagles, harbor seals, and brown bears are often seen here. In May, June, and July, the wildflowers are at their peak and eagles are busy caring for their young on the nest. Beginning in late July, the river fills with migrating salmon, while brown bears come down to the river's edge to feed. As the number of salmon in the river increases, the likelihood of seeing bears down along the river increases, with a good probability of bear sightings from early August through late September.

As you drive through the park, your sightseeing shore excursion guide knows the best places to stop for scenery and the possibility of wildlife spotting. Your guide is equipped with a powerful spotting scope to bring the wildlife in close and will help interpret the behavior of the local various animals and explain how the animals fit into Chilkoot's complex ecosystem. Make sure you bring your camera to take advantage of the numerous photo opportunities. 

On this private excursion, you will enjoy a scenic drive along the shore of a nearby river system, the Chilkat River. The mouth of the Chilkat River is broad (over one mile across) with dramatic glacier-clad mountains dominating the landscape. You'll make a photo stop at the Letnikof Cove Cannery and Rainbow Glacier viewpoint. Let yourself be surprised by the Rainbow Glacier which is a hanging glacier with an immense waterfall falling from its face. The landscape is simply stunning!

From here, you will return to downtown Haines along the scenic inlet road. Although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, keep your eyes open as some animals can be spotted along the road and marine life in the nearby inlet.

For group excursion pricing and availability, please click on the links below:

Haines Chilkoot Lake Nature and Wildlife Viewing Excursion (S1922)

Haines Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve River Floating Excursion (S1925)

What is included?

• Private round-trip transportation from your Haines cruise ship dock.
  
• Scenic drive and walk through the Chilkoot Lake State Park.
  
• Experienced Haines Nature and Wildlife Excursion guide
• Stops for photos at several scenic lookouts
  
• Stop at Letnikof Cove Cannery and Rainbow Glacier viewpoint
• Potential wildlife spotting.
  
• Private driver/guide who will introduce you to the history and breathtaking scenery of this area in Haines, Alaska.
  

Excursion Notes

• This private excursion is done by van or any other small vehicle, allowing stops at sites large buses cannot enter. 
  
• Restrooms are located in the park. They are limited and basic.
  
• Please pay attention to the restrictions and requirements for this excursion, no refund will be granted if requirements are not met.
  
• We recommend wearing layers with the top layer being waterproof. Sensible walking shoes are also suggested.
  
• We suggest you have cash on hand for refreshments, excursion staff gratuities, shopping, etc.

Where we meet

For this Private Haines Chilkoot Lake Nature and Wildlife Viewing Excursion, you will meet your local excursion guide right at the Haines cruise pier area. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.

Excursion Restrictions

• This excursion is not wheelchair accessible.
• Guests must be able to step in/out of the vehicle.
• There is walking over uneven terrain and slopes in the park.
• Pregnant women up to 10 weeks should check with their doctor before booking this excursion. Pregnant women 10 weeks or more should not participate.

Excursion FAQ

Cancellation

• Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
• Your ship skips/misses the port.
• Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
• A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
  
• Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
• Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.