Chilkoot Canoe Wildlife Safari (from Haines)
What your day looks like
After a short tour of Fort Seward, a 30-minute drive from downtown Haines leads us 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 at the end of the trip.
The experience, in brief
- Paddle and motor on the gorgeous Chilkoot Lake and be amazed at Alaska’s striking beauty
- Take photos, and search for wildlife in the inlets and coves on this magnificent canoe adventure
The journey, in full
(~50 minutes) – Your friendly guides will meet you near the Port Chilkoot Cruise Ship Dock in Haines. Before departing you’ll be able to ask any questions that you might still have about your upcoming excursion and use the restrooms before you embark on an interpretive drive through historic Fort Seward and continue to Chilkoot Lake. Along the way, we’ll drive along the breathtaking 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. (~35 minutes) – We’ll then board our transportation and head down to the ocean for lunch. (~25 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. (~10 minutes) – Once we wrap up with lunch, a brief trip will bring us back to our meeting point near the dock which is a short walk from downtown and nearby shops and restaurants.
Your day, step by step
Haines
Canoeing at Chilkoot Lake.
What to know before booking
Included
Clothing: Layers for warmth, rain gear
Restrictions
Medical Restrictions: This is a physical activity and it is the guest's responsibility to determine that they are physically and mentally able to participate in the activity.
Meeting & Pickup
Your guide will meet you 30 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. Please stay at your cruise ship dock if you are a cruise ship passenger. Your guide will be holding a sign that says with the name of your tour. FOR NON CRUISE SHIP PASSENEGERS, the meeting location is Chilkoot Indian Association (CIA) dock. 142 Beach Road Haines, Alaska 99827.
Languages Offered
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Planning Notes
Minimum age: 8 Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Automatic