You no longer need to be fearlessly courageous to venture into the unknown; you just need a bit of cash and to know the right people. For more than two decades, EYOS Expeditions has been curating bespoke, bucket-list luxury expedition itineraries across all seven continents for a rarefied group of adventurers. From heliskiing in Antarctica to swimming with sperm whales in Dominica, no dream is too big or too far-flung for the team to realise. These people have firsthand knowledge of some of the world's most remote and remarkable places, and the expertise to take you well beyond the usual routes.
Next summer, EYOS is charting a luxury Alaska expedition, navigating through Southeast Alaska's untamed wilderness, pairing genuine expedition with five-star treatment across sea and sky. There is even the option to venture into the Alaska Range for an exclusive stay at Sheldon Chalet, perched high amongst the silence of North America's tallest mountain. An adventure coddled in luxury.
As the largest and least densely populated state in the US, Alaska has an almost unfathomable abundance. And there is no better time to go than summer, when the golden sun sweeps across great plains of ice, drawing turquoise from ancient glaciers. Brown bears forage along rivers and coastlines, feasting on the seasonal salmon runs, humpback whales breach the cold, deep waters and eagles circle overhead. For a few brief months, long summer days offer endless opportunities to explore Alaska's spectacular wilderness.
EYOS is sending the rugged 48-metre expedition yacht Hanse Explorer – which has made something of a home in Antarctica over the past 15 years – into Alaska's glacier-carved fjords. Guests can marvel at cruising alongside great pods of humpback whales in their synchronised bubble-net feeding dance, corralling, trapping and feeding on schools of fish, as she gently arrives at the many hidden anchorages only accessible by expedition yacht.
“No other yacht is as comfortable in the ice as Hanse Explorer,” says EYOS CEO Ben Lyons. “She can spend full days navigating dense ice floes and get to where the wildlife is. She is an incredibly versatile vessel thanks to her recent refit and packs a ton of stuff in for a 48-metre.”
Having worked with EYOS for close to two decades, Hanse Explorer has become something of a family vessel, embodying the company's spirit of flexible itineraries. “We get so many repeat clients on Hanse Explorer,” adds Lyons. “People come back because they love the atmosphere that develops on board. Both captains have been with the yacht for years and the enthusiasm and excitement of the crew is infectious. The team truly loves what they do.”
Hanse Explorer comfortably accommodates 12 guests across seven cabins, supported by 15 crew and an expedition team. There is no shortage of creature comforts, from the Michelin-standard chef and world-class dive centre to a Finnish sauna and sun deck Jacuzzi, which are a welcome respite after a day in the wilderness. Generous exterior decks and large windows provide front-row seats to the ever-changing drama of the Alaskan landscape.
A pair of Zodiac tenders and a garage full of paddleboards and kayaks get guests into the thick of it, while the crew's expertise ensures no opportunity for discovery is missed. Navigate narrow inlets beneath towering granite walls, get up close to thundering tidewater glaciers as they calve into the sea, or venture ashore to hike through dense temperate rainforests with expert local guides. There are opportunities to learn about the heritage of the Tlingit people and meet local artisans, while flightseeing excursions reveal alpine lakes, glaciers and moraines from above.
As an optional addition, EYOS has partnered with Sheldon Chalet, a luxury retreat for just 10 guests, tucked into the heart of Denali National Park and so remote that the only way to get there is by helicopter. Perched on a rocky outcrop above the Ruth Glacier, the chalet is surrounded by an amphitheatre of soaring granite peaks, hanging glaciers and acres of pristine, powder-soft snow, where the only footprints are your own.
The chalet itself brings Nordic-style luxury and comfort 6,000 feet above sea level. Its unusual hexagonal design and expansive glazing frame uninterrupted vistas across the Don Sheldon Amphitheater and its snow-soaked peaks. Step into skis and explore the mountain glaciers and corn snowfields or venture out with expert guides for backcountry skiing and ice climbing. For the adrenaline-inclined, sledging offers another way to experience the alpine wilderness, while a custom-carved glacier lounge provides a picnic setting quite unlike any other. And for those who prefer to admire the wilderness at a gentler pace, there are few places where doing absolutely nothing feels quite so adventurous.
This is a chance to see a side of Alaska that very few even know exists, with a bespoke itinerary through sea and sky. The adventure could be yours. Pricing starts from $437,500 USD plus 35 per cent expenses for seven nights aboard Hanse Explorer and a three-night Sheldon Chalet buyout. Get in touch with the EYOS team to enquire at info@eyos.com.
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