You'll begin this journey with a short tour of Fort Seward and then will continue on with a 30-minute drive from downtown Haines which will lead us up the Lutak Inlet to the Chilkoot River Valley. Common sights along this drive include incredible wildlife viewing; look out for brown bears, eagles, mountain goats, and spawning salmon! Our expert naturalist guides enjoy sharing their love and knowledge of the Alaskan wilderness.
Once at Chilkoot Lake, we'll head out in a stable motor-assisted Voyageur Canoe. Similar canoes were used by trappers and gold miners at the turn of the century, but these are powered by either paddle or motor, giving you the opportunity to paddle in the calm of Chilkoot Lake, while also having the advantage of relaxing and taking photographs when it's time to take a break from paddling. With an hour and a half of time on the water, you'll have plenty of time to explore the inlets, coves, salmon spawning streams, and numerous waterfalls that spill off of the mountains into the lake.
Enjoy a delicious picnic-style lunch at a private ocean beach location once we return to Haines to conclude the tour.
Duration: 4 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal. )
Inclusions:
- Roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship terminal
- Picnic style lunch
- Equipment: Life vests, rubber boots, ponchos and paddles
Requirements:
- Minimum age: 8 years old
- Maximum Weight: 300lbs
- This is a physical activity and recommended for guests in able physical and mental states
- Liability Waiver
Duration: 4 hours. Tour times below are approximate:
- 50 minutes - meet your guide and transfer to Chilkoot Lake
- 15 minutes - safety briefing orientation and gearing up
- 1.5 hours - canoe time
- 15 minutes - gear removal
- 35 minutes - transfer to the private ocean for lunch
- 25 minutes - picnic-style lunch
- 10 minutes - transfer back to the dock
Meeting Instructions:
- This tour meets at the end of the pier. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.
ADA Accessibility of Tour:
- This tour is not wheelchair or limited mobility accessible.
Who are my guides?
Experts in the industry, your guides are fun, well-trained and passionate about guiding and sharing their expert knowledge about the history and natural wonder of Haines. The guides go through extensive training and hold current first-aid certification.
Is there a bathroom?
Yes, restrooms are available on the dock prior to departing for your tour and a non-flushing outhouse style restroom is available on-site.
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.
Does this tour cancel due to the weather?
This tour is set up to embrace Southeast Alaska's unpredictable weather and typically runs rain or shine. In the rare instance weather does cause a cancellation, guests are refunded in full and provided assistance with finding alternative activity for the day.
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Check out other frequently asked questions here!
Customer Reviews
Sep 2019 - Helen C.
Hayden, our guide was a delightful young man who shared his experiences with us throughout the trip. The wind was blowing at 30mph and at times the current was quite strong. Despite this he maintained a cheerful disposition. We spotted several eagles and large blue herons and were on a quest to discover bears. Due to the weather we returned to land a little early, but as we were leaving the area were unexpectedly rewarded with a sighting of two bears in the river alongside the entrance road. What a delight! Many others were eagerly taking photos along the river bank and we joined them. I took short video clips and was ecstatic to see the bears, as that had been my desire throughout the Alaska Trip! Hayden allowed us to stay as long as we needed to enjoy the frolicking of these two magnificent animals. Thank you, Hayden and Alaska Shore Excursions for providing us with two great guides and two well planned trips.
Aug 2019 - Kathleen B.
I was the only person to sign up for this excursion (similar to the guided hike I went on the day before) and again, I really appreciated the company taking me as a solo passenger. One other guide joined us and between the two of them, I learned a ton about the lake, the trees, the salmon (who wore spawning), and the environment in general. Like my hiking guide, I was super impressed with their knowledge. And it was a beautiful day with perfect temperatures so the trip couldn t have been better. Thank you!
