day 1
Scenic Seattle Stopover
The trip commences in beautiful Seattle, home to breathtaking landscapes, high-tech and coffee giants, and of course, The Flight Academy.
Accommodations this evening will be at a first-class hotel on Lake Washington. Tonight we will gather for a champagne toast and a welcome dinner overlooking the water. This will be a nice opportunity to wind down after a day of flying, meet and mingle with your fellow travelers and sample some of the delicious regional flavors of the Pacific Northwest. You will also be able to meet your assigned flight instructor for the trip. One is required due to the diversity in weather, terrain and procedures in wild Alaska!
DAYS 2 - 3
Inside Passage & Juneau
Following breakfast at the hotel, we will gather in the lobby for transportation back to Renton Field for a flight briefing, where we will discuss the route of flight and check weather before departing for Southeast Alaska.
Due to the dynamic and unpredictable weather and topography in this part of the world your assigned instructor will be there to help answer any questions relating to weather, aircraft, avionics and local procedures to allow you to have the ultimate adventure. The flight portion of the trip officially begins with unprecedented views of breathtaking scenery. Fly up the majestic Inside Passage via the Canadian coastal route. View forests, wildlife, mountains and waterways along the beautiful and untouched British Columbian Coast and into the Alaskan Panhandle landing in Ketchikan, Alaska for fuel and rest stop before we head out on the second scenic part of the journey.
At the base of grand mountain peaks and the pristine waterfront of the Gastineau Channel is Juneau, Alaska’s capital city. Juneau is approximately 900 air miles North of Seattle and 600 air miles Southeast of Anchorage. Deemed the Alaska destination with the most diversity of sightseeing and active adventure, Juneau is quickly becoming a vacation destination for outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and romantics.
Juneau offers unparalleled viewing of magnificent glaciers, extraordinary kayaking, dog sledding, rafting, biking, hiking and glacier hiking. Traveling here is unlike any other place on earth, and after seeing them from a distance, you’ll get to experience the glaciers up close on our helicopter glacier excursion.
Accommodations for our stay are in beautiful downtown Juneau. Meals will embody the delicious local flavors and feature some of the exciting fare Alaska has become famous for.
During your second day in Juneau you will have the ability to view the glaciers from the perspective of a helicopter ride up through the lush valleys and onto the blue frozen
landscape of the glacier. You will have the ability to get out and walk around this immense frozen river of ice that will make for some fantastic pictures and memories.
After our return back to Juneau and lunch you will have a free afternoon for hiking, shopping or walking around this history waterfront city. Then join us again for a delicious dinner in town where we can share our experiences!
DAY 4
gUSTAVUS Fishing Lodge
On our departure from Juneau, the Flight Academy’s Juneau “flightseeing” excursion will take you to the peaks of breathtaking, snow-capped mountains and crystal glaciers (weather permitting). We will witness towering Mt. Juneau, fly over the deep waters of the Gastineau Channel, and gaze across the spectacular expanse of Juneau Icefield, which includes 40 glaciers extended over a 1500 square mile radius.
To conclude our flightseeing, we will fly to Gustavus, the Gateway to Glacier Bay National Park and home to our final destination - Glacier Bay's Country Inn. The Inn is a hand-crafted lodge that rests on 160 acres of Alaskan rain forest and beautiful meadows overlooking the snow covered mountains of Gustavus, Alaska and features award-winning accommodations, incredible activities and true Alaskan ambiance and hospitality - all with Glacier Bay National Park serving as it's backdrop.
You will enjoy your stay in this magnificent cedar lodge with its comfortable, home-style family atmosphere while being treated to spectacular scenery, first class fishing, and a gourmet chef preparing Alaskan cuisine each day.
DAY 5 - 6
Fishing & Exploring
The following morning begins early and a full breakfast will be waiting for you upon awakening. After breakfast, you will embark on the day’s fishing excursion (if you choose to partake, but it is quite the memorable experience). Your fishing boats are fully equipped Cabin Cruisers featuring ample deck space, a comfortable cabin, and the latest in navigational, fishing, and safety equipment.
Catches of the day could include King and/or Silver Salmon, Halibut, Ling-cod, and Red Snapper! A hearty boat lunch with snacks will be provided throughout the day. The Glacier Bay Country Inn's fish processor will be standing by upon arrival at the dock to cut your fish to your specifications. They will vacuum pack, flash-freeze, and store your catch for you to take home. At day's end, the chef will delight you with a hearty meal while you share stories from the day's adventure.
The last day of the trip is your day to explore everything Glacier Bay Country Inn has to offer. Enjoy the day hiking, whale watching, fly-fishing, searching for bears and touring the Glacier National Park. We will conclude this evening with exchanging our most favorite parts of the trip around a fire and enjoying being in such amazing wilderness.
DAY 7
DEPARTURE
Our final day will begin with breakfast, and a weather and route briefing. After breakfast, we will prepare for departure from Gustavus and say farewell before we head to Ketchikan, and ultimately home. We are here to assist you, whether you are continuing on to another destination or to your home base.
INCLUDED IN THIS TRIP:
Two guests
6 nights accommodations
1 night at a lakefront Renton hotel
2 nights at a Juneau hotel
3 nights at the Glacier Bay Country Inn in Gustavus
1 day of charter fishing
Heli-glacier excursion in Juneau
Breakfast each morning
Lunch each day
Dinner each evening
Ground transportation
Aircraft tie down fees
In-flight training with a CSIP instructor
Weather/Refund Policy:
The Flight Academy will not fly or sanction flight in weather that is unsafe or for which the Cirrus is not rated. The weather at our departure location and our destination must be above published minimums in order for us to launch.
In the event weather does not permit a flight to take place as scheduled, the Flight Academy will attempt to find an alternate route that allows for a safe execution of the flight. If the weather causes the trip to be cancelled, no refund will be offered. Any additional expenses incurred during the trip due to foul weather will be the responsibility of the customer.
Please note that deposits are non-refundable.