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At the base of grand mountain peaks and at the pristine waterfront of the Gastineau Channel is Juneau, Alaska's "Peak Experience." Located in Southeast Alaska, the Tongass Rainforest climate provides Juneau with lush terrain and vibrant wildflowers.Tlingit and Haida Indians were the first settlers to the area. Later settlers were miners lured by Alaska's gold rush and Russian fur traders.Juneau offers something for everyone and is Alaska as you can only imagine- scenery that lures, adventure that inspires, and heritage that fascinates.

We will be greeted on the pier and depart at 1:30pm by motor-coach to the awe-inspiring Mendenhall Glacier. This is the #1 most requested stop for visitors to Juneau. The glacier is 1.5 miles wide and is fed by the 1,500 square mile Juneau Icefield thus allowing it to be easily viewed from the Visitors Center. During the hour-long stop guests can visit the interpretive center, go for a short walk out to the photo point or talk to rangers about current bear activity.

After, we will be transported via private motor coach to Glacier Gardens. Soak in the magnificent views of the Gastineau Channel, Douglas Island, Chilkat Mountains and the Mendenhall Valley, all from one dramatic viewpoint.

Glacier Gardens is named because of its location on Thunder Mountain in a rainforest close to the Juneau Icefield, birthplace to 38 glaciers. The Garden’s trademark Flower Towers, created from uprooted trees, beautify the landscape that includes rhododendrons, azaleas, and a wide variety of flowers, as well as native plants such as Devil’s Club, Elderberry, Sitka Spruce, and Western Hemlock. As guests walk the garden paths, the sound of the water trickling and the scent of flowers provide an inviting and restful experience. You may also tour the 50 acre garden in a shuttle with a driver/guide.

During the visit, garden guides will escort the group through the lower garden, complete with a cascading stream, to a covered shuttle that will take them on a detailed viewing of the rainforest. Enjoy a ride up Thunder Mountain into the temperate rainforest bordering the property in the Tongass National Forest. At the 580 ft overlook at the top of the drive, stroll a scenic boardwalk offering dramatic views of the Mendenhall wetlands, the Chilkat Mountains and downtown Juneau.

After the tour of the gardens, a sumptuous buffet of Alaskan appetizers and regional specialties will be served in the garden Conservatory. Wine and Beer will be served, along with coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

We will return to the ship by 6:00pm.

Suggested Attire: Light, layered clothing with comfortable shores sunglasses and a rainproof jacket. Uneven paths and wet surfaces are to be expected.

PLEASE NOTE: All Virtuoso shore events are capacity controlled and require a minimum number of participants to operate. Events are subject to change without notice. Virtuoso events are individually tailored for each date and arrival. Your event could be different than what’s noted here; but it will be designed to be memorable and to bring you a traveler’s view that you will treasure, and would otherwise miss entirely. Final details will be outlined in program letters provided by your Virtuoso host aboard ship. Please note that ground operators and other suppliers are independently owned and operated, and are not controlled by Virtuoso or Virtuoso Discoveries. Your participation in this event serves as your acknowledgment that neither Virtuoso nor Virtuoso Discoveries is responsible for the acts or omissions of these third parties.