Private Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting

Day Trip, Private Tour

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Enjoy an exciting, private raft trip down the Chilkat River through the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, the world's largest concentration of Bald Eagles. You will observe an array of wildlife along your journey, followed by a picnic lunch.

Private Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting

This incredible private rafting and scenic driving tour through the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in Haines will be the highlight of your Alaskan cruise.

You will be greeted by your local representative directly at the pier area in Skagway and then begin a 45 minute ferry ride along the steep-walled fjords connecting Skagway to Haines. Over a dozen unnamed waterfalls drop hundreds of feet from the cliff sides on both sides of the boat. Marvel at the picturesque scenery and look for the chance to possibly spot humpback whales, harbor seals and a variety of seabirds.

Upon arrival in Haines, meet your local, knowledgeable expert 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 45 minutes away.

After boarding your raft, enjoy a scenic raft trip 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 approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.

Along the way, your professional guide will inform and entertain you with the natural history of the area, Chilkat Indian Heritage, and Alaskan stories. The number of eagles you will see on the Alaska cruise excursion is very 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 guide will push the raft along, explaining the intricate balance of nature that makes this a unique and special place. As they are experts in spotting wildlife, and you may observe brown bears, black bears, wolves, otters, trumpeter swans and moose. Don't leave your camera behind for this adventure!

After rafting, your guide will select a scenic spot to enjoy a picnic lunch on your way back to Haines. Once you have returned to Haines you will board the fast ferry returning to Skagway and your waiting ship with memories of an unforgettable, private shore excursion adventure.

Please Note: This tour can accommodate a maximum of up to 14 guests in total.

Interests
  • Adventure and Active
  • Safari, Animals, and Wildlife
Starting At
 
Tour Type
Private
 
Group Size
Private
 
Activity Type(s)
Rafting / Tubing
 
Tour Duration
6.5 Hours
 
Activity Level
Moderate
 
Tour Leaves From
If you are arriving by cruise ship, this tour departs from the Skagway Fast Ferry Terminal, which is an approximately 15 minute walk from the cruise ship pier. If you are staying in a hotel, custom pick-up is provided from hotels (within a 3-mile radius of downtown Skagway). Please enter your desired pick-up location above.
 
Food/Beverage Provided
A turkey sandwich on organic whole wheat bread, fruit, and a freshly baked cookie are included. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available with advance notice.
 
Special Instructions
We recommend wearing clothing in layers appropriate for changing weather conditions and temperatures. The outside layer should be waterproof. Rubber boots will be provided, and rain ponchos will be available. Guests should bring an extra pair of socks, and it is helpful to have hats and light gloves. A waterproof bag is suggested for cameras and other items you do not want getting wet. Please bring a reusable water bottle as water refills will be provided periodically throughout the tour.
 
Restrictions
Guests must be able to step in and out of raft without a railing. To reach the river is over uneven ground. Children under 7, and guests over 300 pounds cannot participate. For raft assignment, please indicate if there is anyone in your party that weighs between 250 and 300 pounds. All guests are required to sign a waiver before departing Skagway. This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Location Overview
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About Shore Excursions Group
Shore Excursions Group logo

About Us
Shore Excursions Group is the market leading and world's largest shore excursion company. Since 2008, we've provided cruise passengers with higher-quality, lower-priced, and smaller group shore excursions from a portfolio of nearly 4,000 tours in over 300 ports. Over the last 16 years, we've delivered more than 4.6M excursions with a 4.7 out of 5 star rating from more than 47k reviews.

Exceptional travel experiences are created by exceptional people. Our incredible team of cruise and travel experts has more than 100 years of combined industry experience, and we work in close collaboration with a network of exceptional tour operator partners dedicated to providing personalized and immersive excursions to cruise passengers in the ports they visit around the world.

Our excursions are higher quality, lower priced, and travel in smaller groups averaging just 12 guests per departure, allowing our guests to truly connect with the local culture and enjoy a more enriching travel experience. Our website provides a personalized shopping experience highlighting the top-rated and most popular excursions in each port of call with authentic photos, videos, and reviews from other guests.

Our proprietary itinerary search technology makes booking easy by displaying the excursions guaranteed to work for your ship's scheduled arrival and departure into each port of call. We also feature hand-curated multi-port packages with the top-rated excursion for each port bundled together at an additional discount.

Our Unique Approach
While the cruise lines and other companies also offer excursions, we are the experts and our experience and approach set us apart. Our exceptional excursions travel in smaller groups and visit more interesting and authentic locations, using more personalized tour guides.

Our team uses a comprehensive approach to select the leading guides and best tour providers around the world. Every excursion is carefully curated and closely monitored through quality control and customer feedback.

In today's fast paced world, vacations are an important way to relax, reconnect with family and friends, and discover new and interesting places - and our portfolio of the highest quality tours was created to provide authentic and rewarding travel experiences on your next trip.

High quality service is very important to travelers and leads to better experiences with higher satisfaction. We encourage you to call us, so our experts can answer your questions and help you select the best excursions for your cruise.

Our Exceptional Tours
Our priority is providing cruise guests with exciting and enriching tours with personalized service and smaller groups.

Our small group tours range from 2-12 people - far less than other tour companies with larger tours up to 50 people. We also offer outstanding private excursions - exclusive experiences for only you and your group with options to fully customize your tour.

Our "Scenic" tours provide up close and personal access to some of the most spectacular natural environments on Earth from majestic glaciers in Alaska to spectacular reefs in the Caribbean.

Our "Cultural" tours allow customers to experience local customs, entertainment and culinary delights ranging from tribal dances in Alaska to an outstanding local meal in Santorini, Greece.

Our "Active" tours offer a multitude of exciting and adventurous ways to experience our destinations. Kayak the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, hike to a spectacular waterfall in Hawaii, or bicycle through quaint villages in France.

Our "City" tours allow travelers to see the highlights of great cities around the world with unique insights provided by our expert tour guides.

Our Guarantee
We stand by our excursions, and we're committed to meeting your expectations. Our team and our guides are dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences, which we've achieved consistently over many years and millions of tours. To the extent you are in any way dissatisfied with the experience we deliver, we will work to resolve your concerns - up to and including a full refund of your tour price. For more information visit the Shore Excursions Group website.

Read More

About Shore Excursions Group

About Us
Shore Excursions Group is the market leading and world's largest shore excursion company. Since 2008, we've provided cruise passengers with higher-quality, lower-priced, and smaller group shore excursions from a portfolio of nearly 4,000 tours in over 300 ports. Over the last 16 years, we've delivered more than 4.6M excursions with a 4.7 out of 5 star rating from more than 47k reviews.

Exceptional travel experiences are created by exceptional people. Our incredible team of cruise and travel experts has more than 100 years of combined industry experience, and we work in close collaboration with a network of exceptional tour operator partners dedicated to providing personalized and immersive excursions to cruise passengers in the ports they visit around the world.

Our excursions are higher quality, lower priced, and travel in smaller groups averaging just 12 guests per departure, allowing our guests to truly connect with the local culture and enjoy a more enriching travel experience. Our website provides a personalized shopping experience highlighting the top-rated and most popular excursions in each port of call with authentic photos, videos, and reviews from other guests.

Our proprietary itinerary search technology makes booking easy by displaying the excursions guaranteed to work for your ship's scheduled arrival and departure into each port of call. We also feature hand-curated multi-port packages with the top-rated excursion for each port bundled together at an additional discount.

Our Unique Approach
While the cruise lines and other companies also offer excursions, we are the experts and our experience and approach set us apart. Our exceptional excursions travel in smaller groups and visit more interesting and authentic locations, using more personalized tour guides.

Our team uses a comprehensive approach to select the leading guides and best tour providers around the world. Every excursion is carefully curated and closely monitored through quality control and customer feedback.

In today's fast paced world, vacations are an important way to relax, reconnect with family and friends, and discover new and interesting places - and our portfolio of the highest quality tours was created to provide authentic and rewarding travel experiences on your next trip.

High quality service is very important to travelers and leads to better experiences with higher satisfaction. We encourage you to call us, so our experts can answer your questions and help you select the best excursions for your cruise.

Our Exceptional Tours
Our priority is providing cruise guests with exciting and enriching tours with personalized service and smaller groups.

Our small group tours range from 2-12 people - far less than other tour companies with larger tours up to 50 people. We also offer outstanding private excursions - exclusive experiences for only you and your group with options to fully customize your tour.

Our "Scenic" tours provide up close and personal access to some of the most spectacular natural environments on Earth from majestic glaciers in Alaska to spectacular reefs in the Caribbean.

Our "Cultural" tours allow customers to experience local customs, entertainment and culinary delights ranging from tribal dances in Alaska to an outstanding local meal in Santorini, Greece.

Our "Active" tours offer a multitude of exciting and adventurous ways to experience our destinations. Kayak the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, hike to a spectacular waterfall in Hawaii, or bicycle through quaint villages in France.

Our "City" tours allow travelers to see the highlights of great cities around the world with unique insights provided by our expert tour guides.

Our Guarantee
We stand by our excursions, and we're committed to meeting your expectations. Our team and our guides are dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences, which we've achieved consistently over many years and millions of tours. To the extent you are in any way dissatisfied with the experience we deliver, we will work to resolve your concerns - up to and including a full refund of your tour price. For more information visit the Shore Excursions Group website.

Read More

Prices are per-person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted.