Chilkat Valley Scenic Drive
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Port
Haines (Skagway), Alaska, US
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Activity Level
Easy
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$104.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
2¼ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Two important rivers, the Chilkat and Chilkoot, meet the sea here at Haines. Along with a series of mountain ranges, these two rivers flank the town, whose population is just 2,500 residents. This 2.25-hour small-group tour (14 guests maximum) provides a chance to get to know both rivers.
Begin with a short panoramic drive through historic Fort Seward en route to the Pyramid Island Lookout. This wide delta is where the braided Chilkat River drops tons of glacial silt into the ocean every day. Continue along the water's edge to the Letnikof Cove Cannery Lookout. Here, Rainbow Glacier and the Chilkat Mountains provide a dazzling backdrop to the red buildings of this historic salmon cannery.
Retrace the route back to downtown Haines and travel to the mouth of the Chilkoot River. The road winds along the seafront. Keep your eyes open for bird and marine mammal sightings.
Where the Chilkoot River flows into the sea, all things Alaskan come together -- delta, ocean, mountains and forest -- the stuff of gorgeous postcards. Bald eagles are often spotted here, calling to each other as they soar above the spruce trees.
Return to Haines with a final stop at Picture Point to photograph your ship with the iconic white buildings of Historic Fort Seward in the foreground and the gleaming Chilkat Mountains as a backdrop.
Notes:
Tour consists mainly of sightseeing from the motorcoach with stops at panoramic lookouts.