Our Lodge to Lodge Trip

Our Lodge to Lodge expeditions give you the best of both worlds: world-class wilderness kayaking by day, and your evenings spent at a cozy, welcoming guest lodge. These trips are designed for a single party, and are idea for a couple, family, or a group of friends. We’ll customize your itinerary based on your needs and time frame, but what you can count on is fantastic paddling and wildlife watching combined with the warm hospitality of locally-owned guest houses.

You’ll spend the night in Gustavus at the Bear Track Inn, a log-crafted lodge with superb views of Icy Strait and the surrounding mountains. The next day, we’ll take a boat to Point Adolphus, one of the world’s premier destination for watching humpback whales. Paddling out from the rocky shore, you’ll have a good chance of spotting these 50-ton wonders of nature as they feed on the rich population of fish and krill at the confluence of the Inside Passage and the Gulf of Alaska.

After a day of paddling and whale-watching our water taxi will scoop you up and bring you to Hobbit Hole Lodge on Inian Island. There you’ll meet innkeepers Jane Button and her husband Greg Howe, a commercial fisherman. Jane and Greg are welcoming, gracious hosts,  and while you’re there, you’ll be treated to fantastic home-cooked meals made from local ingredients: halibut, salmon and Dungeness crab harvested from the sea; salads, veggies, and herbs all picked that day from Jane’s garden; fresh duck eggs for breakfast; and scrumptious pies made from locally-picked berries. You’ll hardly want to leave Hobbit Hole after tasting Jane’s cooking!

But the fantastic paddling that awaits will tempt you out the door. Hobbit Hole Inn makes a perfect base for exploring the intricate coves and tiny islands of the Inian Island Wilderness. We’ll have more opportunities to watch for humpback whales, as well as porpoise, seals, and sea otters feasting in the kelp beds.

We’ll also venture to the outer-coast side of the islands, where we’ll find sea cliffs full of nesting cormorants, huge rookeries of barking sea lions, and paddling beneath dramatic sea arches. Depending on your schedule, we can add other excursions–including a rigorous but rewarding hike to the highest point on Inian Island with 360-degree views, or a paddle trip to the unique fishing community of Elfin Cove, with its wooden boardwalks and colorful local characters.

Then we’ll say a thankful goodbye to Jane and George for their hospitality and return to the Bear Track Inn in Gustavus. The next day includes a relaxing boat trip up to Glacier Bay, and upon our return another home-cooked meal and relaxing conversation by the fireplace.

If you’re looking for a private, customized trip that combines the adventure of wilderness kayaking with the comforts of local guest lodges, contact Spirit Walker to learn how we can create the perfect Lodge to Lodge trip that fits your needs.