Travel by ferry from Skagway and enjoy a scenic ferry cruise along the shores of Taiya Inlet and Lynn Canal to Haines. Along the way, you may be treated to views of marine mammals, waterfalls, and eagles. Once in Haines, your private, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic naturalist guides will escort you through the “Valley of the Eagles” (Alaska Bald Eagle Preserve), known for its exceptional populations of bald eagles who feed on the salmon runs in the Chilkat River. Experience Alaska’s magnificent nature and wildlife thriving in six different wildlife habitats and ecosystems: ocean, estuary, river, lake, muskeg, and rainforest.
The Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve lies along the Chilkat River and is the epicenter of prime eagle roosting and feeding grounds. This Preserve and its ecosystem are of national and worldwide renown for hosting the largest congregation of bald eagles in one location. The Chilkat River attracts more than 3,500 bald eagles annually within this 48,000-acre preserve as they feed on the late spawning salmon. And nestled between rugged, snow-capped mountains, the fertile Chilkoot Valley provides an abundance of potential wildlife highlights including brown bears, bald eagles, mountain goats, salmon, harbor seals, and whales.
After arriving in Haines by ferry from Skagway, together with your naturalist guide, you’ll travel along the Chilkoot Valley as your vehicle hugs the waterways and allows for stops at numerous points for you to get out and experience the area’s sights, sounds, and scents. Inquisitive visitors and bird watchers are fascinated by the abundance of migratory and resident birds like surf scoters, harlequin ducks, marbled murrelets, loons, and more. Photographers will enjoy capturing wildlife, cultural and scenic areas, and may even take photos through the spotting scopes.
At Chilkoot Lake, experience the temperate rainforest during a refreshing walk beneath magnificent old-growth trees, and muskeg. Your naturalist will interpret the environment along the way. Powerful spotting scopes and binoculars will provide you with close-range views of wildlife such as mountain goats in alpine meadows, feeding brown bears along the river, and nesting eagles.
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The scenery and wildlife photo opportunities were beyond awesome. Alaska Private Touring surpassed the concept of customer satisfaction, with each location notified of our arrival, and the hotels were well chosen and of high caliber. We recommend APT to our friends before even discussing our trip.
Jody