Notice: Some corporations on this listing could have restricted operations as a consequence of COVID-19. Verify with operators about availability earlier than you ebook.
From its well-known glaciers and northern lights to its ample wildlife and majestic nationwide parks, Alaska provides a lot to see. However navigating its huge panorama is usually a problem with out the savvy steerage of a neighborhood. After consulting traveler opinion and knowledgeable enter, U.S. Information compiled a few of the greatest Alaska excursions to think about when planning your bucket listing journey. Whether or not you need to attempt your hand at canine sledding, fly over Denali or observe bears of their pure habitat, there is a tour for you.
Phillips Cruises – 26 Glacier Cruise
Cruise by way of Prince William Sound and see greater than 26 named glaciers aboard an expensive catamaran as you get pleasure from narration from the boat’s captain on this tour. With three decks and room for greater than 300 individuals, the catamaran provides each out of doors and indoor viewing choices with massive panoramic home windows. Cruisers additionally get pleasure from a sizzling meal, in addition to espresso, tea and water – all complimentary. (Alcoholic drinks can be found for buy.) Reviewers extremely suggest this tour, citing the crew’s information and attentiveness to security, in addition to the scrumptious meals, stunning surroundings and wildlife. Ticket costs begin at $159 for adults and $80 for teenagers ages 2 to 11. Infants youthful than 2 experience without spending a dime. Excursions depart at 12:45 p.m. Might by way of October and final 5 ½ hours. Cruises depart from Whittier, about 60 miles southeast of Anchorage. The corporate additionally provides a Glacier Quest Cruise.
Ketchikan Kayak Firm – Kayak Eco-Tour
On this small-group kayak tour with simply six kayakers, you will paddle by way of Clover Go in Ketchikan, trying to find wildlife like humpback whales, seals, sea lions, bald eagles and extra. The four-hour tour consists of about 2 1/2 hours on the water. Upon returning to the marina, you will get pleasure from smoked salmon and different snacks. Tourgoers say this can be a nice journey for households to find out about nature and that they see a number of superb animals and sea life. Ticket costs begin at $139 per particular person; the tour is just open to members 6 and older. Tour runs each day Might by way of August at 9 a.m., midday and three p.m. Journeys depart from Ketchikan Kayak Firm’s workplace in downtown Ketchikan, a metropolis on Revillagigedo Island in southeastern Alaska. This firm additionally runs an e-bike tour.
Alpine Air Alaska – Glacier Touchdown Tour
Spend 60 minutes in a helicopter seeing a few of the most stunning sights in Alaska on Alpine Air Alaska’s Glacier Touchdown Tour. Restricted to 6 passengers, the tour takes you over a number of glaciers with the possibility to spend about 20 minutes exploring one on foot. The corporate additionally has a free shuttle service with pickup and drop-off from Girdwood-area lodging. (Girdwood is about 40 miles southeast of Anchorage.) Reviewers describe it because the expertise of a lifetime and say the surroundings is jaw-dropping. Tickets begin at $399 per particular person, although infants who should not but strolling can sit on an grownup’s lap without spending a dime. Flights depart each day, year-round at a number of occasions a day. Alpine Air Alaska provides quite a lot of flights of differing lengths, in addition to a dog-sledding tour, a tour of Prince William Sound and extra.
Rust’s Flying Service – Uncover Denali Nationwide Park
Fly from Anchorage with an Alaska bush pilot to see Denali from the skies earlier than touchdown for a 15- to 20-minute photo-op. On the three-hour flight, you will fly over Alaskan wilderness – maintaining an eye fixed out for wildlife – to see glaciers, ice falls and lakes. The corporate additionally provides a free shuttle to Anchorage-area resorts in the course of the summer time months. Tourgoers describe this flight as superb and extremely suggest it, calling it a “should do.” Tickets begin at $445 per particular person, not together with transportation charges. Excursions depart most days at both 10 a.m., 11 a.m., midday or 1:30 p.m. This tour additionally has an choice to land on a glacier; charges begin at $525 per particular person. Rust’s Flying Service additionally provides excursions of Prince William Sound, Anchorage and an Alaska Glacier and Wildlife Tour.
Lazy Otter Charters – Better of Prince William Sound
Hop aboard this boat, restricted to only six passengers, to discover the attractive surroundings of Prince William Sound. Due to the small group measurement, the crew can tailor the tour to passenger pursuits, together with glaciers, wildlife or whales. You even have the chance to cease on a seashore to discover, in addition to get pleasure from an Alaskan-style lunch. Tourgoers extremely suggest this tour, noting the information of the workers and the superb panorama. Tickets price about $260 per particular person, and excursions usually depart at 9 a.m. each day Might by way of September. The entire expertise lasts eight to 9 hours. You might also have the choice to experience the corporate’s bigger catamaran, which may accommodate as much as 30 passengers. Lazy Otter Charters runs a number of different customized excursions, in addition to kayaking adventures within the Prince William Sound.
Time your go to for early winter for peak northern lights viewing.Getty Photographs
Alaska Wildlife Information – Arctic Circle & Northern Lights Tour
Alongside this 14-hour tour, you will cross the Arctic Circle, absorb Alaskan surroundings and wildlife, and presumably see the northern lights as you make your method to and from Fairbanks aboard a 10-passenger van. The tour provides pickup and drop-off from Fairbanks or North Pole lodging and features a bag lunch and a “Cross the Circle” certificates. Reviewers describe this tour as superb and reward their tour guides, describing them as educated and enjoyable. Tickets begin at $225 per particular person and depart most days (besides Sundays) at 2 p.m., returning about 4 a.m. August by way of mid-April. The corporate provides quite a lot of northern lights excursions, in addition to ice fishing excursions, snowmobile excursions and extra.
Rod’s Alaskan Information Service – Fairbanks Snowmobile Tour
Discover Fairbanks’ wilderness through snowmobile on this guided small-group journey. Maintain an eye fixed out for wildlife like moose, caribou, lynx and extra, which you’ll be able to greatest spot within the morning hours. Reviewers say that the snowmobiling is a number of enjoyable and that guides are informative and nice. Ticket costs for one-hour excursions begin at $139 for single riders or $189 for double riders; you can too go for a two-hour tour (tickets begin at $259). You should be not less than 5 years previous to experience and not less than 14 years previous to drive. Costs embody heated helmets, gloves, gaiters, jackets and boots. Excursions run November by way of mid-April at a number of occasions by way of the morning and afternoon. This firm additionally provides guided ice fishing excursions and canine sled excursions.
1st Alaska Excursions – 1-Hour Canine Sledding
On this tour, you will see the Alaskan wilderness by canine sled, using with a musher who competed within the Iditarod. Tourgoers describe the expertise as implausible, and extremely reward the guides, who guarantee members really feel secure. Reviewers additionally word that they’ve time to play and work together with the huskies. Optionally available round-trip transportation from Fairbanks lodging is accessible for a price. Tickets for excursions with out transportation begin at $125; excursions with transportation price roughly $160. Each excursions embody a blanket. Excursions run a number of occasions a day December by way of early April, although particular occasions fluctuate relying on the month and season. Brief on time? You may as well ebook a 30-minute tour.
SkyFire in Focus Excursions – Aurora Pictures and Viewing Tour
Discover ways to {photograph} the otherworldly aurora borealis on this tour exterior of Fairbanks. No images expertise is required and spectators (members who simply need to view the northern lights with little interest in images) are welcome to affix. Reviewers say the tour information is superb and very useful. Tourgoers additionally report capturing nice images. Tickets begin at $249 per particular person, however those that should not photographing could also be eligible for decrease charges. You’re inspired to convey your personal digital camera gear, as few units can be found to lease. Sizzling drinks and round-trip transportation out of your Fairbanks lodge are included. Excursions run from 9 or 10 p.m. to three a.m. on various days from late September by way of mid-April. The corporate additionally provides a Denali Freeway images tour, in addition to an Arctic Circle day tour.
Main Marine Excursions – 6 Hour Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park Cruise
On Main Marine Excursions’ hottest cruise, vacationers spend six hours in Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park, visiting an energetic tidewater glacier, whale watching, and recognizing wildlife like seals, puffins and sea lions. A sandwich lunch is included on the narrated cruise, together with round-trip transportation from Anchorage by prepare or coach bus. Tourgoers report recognizing a number of wildlife and describe the captain and crew as insightful and useful. Tickets price roughly $170 for ages 12 and older, $85 for ages 2 to 11 and are free for youngsters youthful than 2. Excursions depart at 11:30 a.m. each day Might by way of mid-September. Main Marine Excursions additionally provides a grey whale watching cruise, in addition to a shorter cruise of Kenai Fjords.
Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park has all kinds of rock formations.Getty Photographs/EyeEm
Kenai Fjords Excursions – Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park Tour
Cruise by way of Alaskan waterways and glaciers in Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park, recognizing wildlife as you go, on this six-hour tour with lunch included. Passengers describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime expertise and reward the affordable charges and boat facilities. It is a widespread journey, so the corporate recommends securing your spot nicely prematurely. Tickets price roughly $170 for members 12 and older and $85 for youngsters 2 to 11. Excursions, which depart from Seward, function Might by way of early October each day at 8 or 11:30 a.m., relying on the season. The corporate additionally provides a northwestern fjord tour and Resurrection Bay tour, amongst others.
Juneau Excursions – Juneau Whale Watch Tour
Spend two hours within the water looking for whales, each humpback and orca, in Auke Bay. The tour, which runs for a complete of three 1/2 hours, additionally consists of transportation from Juneau (on the Mount Roberts Tramway) to the harbor. Boats are restricted to both 24 or 49 individuals and have heated cabins with massive home windows and open decks. Reviewers say they admire being in a small boat, love seeing the whales and provides the workers excessive reward. Tickets begin at $145 for ages 13 and older, $130 for ages 2 to 12 and are free for infants youthful than 2. Excursions run a number of days per week from Might by way of September at 9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. The corporate has many excursions, together with an Ales and Whales tour and a visit that mixes a tour of Juneau with a visit to the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery.
Above & Past Alaska – Mendenhall Glacier Trek
Avid hikers could need to contemplate this eight-hour tour with Above & Past Alaska, which passes by way of Tongass Nationwide Forest to the Mendenhall Glacier. The corporate warns that this can be a strenuous 8-mile hike with steep, uneven terrain. The tour consists of round-trip transportation from Juneau in addition to all gear, reminiscent of trekking poles. Reviewers reward the tour and admire the period of time they get to spend on the glacier. Tickets price roughly $240 per particular person; members should be not less than 10 years previous. Excursions depart on numerous days of the week from Might by way of mid-September at 7:30 a.m. This firm additionally provides a Glacier Paddle Canoe and Trek tour, in addition to animal-themed excursions.
Seavey’s Ididaride Sled Canine Excursions – Wilderness Canine Sled Experience and Tour
Discover the Seward wilderness by canine sled on this 1 1/2-hour tour throughout 2 miles of rainforest. Afterward, spend a while within the canine kennels, enjoying with husky puppies and studying how this household trains its canines. Tourgoers extremely reward this tour, calling guides skilled and the puppies cute. Additionally they level out there are numerous nice photo-ops. Tickets begin at $74 for ages 13 and older and $37 for ages 2 to 12; kids youthful than 2 experience without spending a dime. Excursions run mid-Might by way of mid-September each day at 9 and 11:45 a.m. and at 1:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. (although occasions could fluctuate by month). The corporate additionally provides a Glacier Heli-Mushing Tour and a day tour of Alaska.
Alaska Railroad – Coastal Basic
Touring what’s oft thought of essentially the most stunning part of the Alaska Railroad, the Coastal Basic prepare departs from Anchorage, making its method to Seward, passing by way of the wilderness of the Kenai Peninsula and alongside Resurrection Bay. With a seven-hour layover in Seward, passengers can spend the time exploring the bay or Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park. Reviewers extremely suggest the expertise, praising the beautiful surroundings and the tasty onboard meal. The prepare runs late Might by way of early September with fares beginning at $86 for adults and $43 for youngsters ages 2 to 11, relying on the route. Kids youthful than 2 journey free when sitting on an grownup’s lap. Alaska Railroad has 5 completely different trains, working routes between Seward and Fairbanks.
With the precise information and correct precautions, bear viewing in Alaska is a secure exercise.Getty Photographs
Alaska Bear Adventures – Basic Day Journey
Do you know that 95% of brown bears in the USA stay in Alaska? If getting near bears and observing them of their pure habitat is a dream, contemplate this tour with Alaska Bear Adventures. The Basic Day Journey departs from Homer Airport with a 45- to 90-minute flight over the Alaskan wilderness earlier than touchdown on the coast of Katmai and Lake Clark nationwide parks. You then hike to a viewing level and spend as much as three hours viewing the bears within the wild. Journeys last as long as six hours. Tour-takers say each the flight and the bear viewing is superb and completely price the price. Additionally they extremely reward their guides. Ticket costs begin at $725 per particular person; there are a most of 10 individuals per tour. Members should be not less than 10 years previous. Excursions are supplied each day from the top of Might by way of early September usually within the early morning and afternoon primarily based on tides. Alaska Bear Adventures runs different excursions, together with multiday excursions.
On this one-hour trolley tour of Anchorage, guides will share details about town whereas taking you by a few of the prime sights – just like the Alaska Railroad, Earthquake Park and Westchester Lagoon – and most scenic views. They will additionally assist you to hold an eye fixed out for moose. Riders say the tour is an effective way to be taught in regards to the prime sights and the historical past of town. Tickets price roughly $20 for ages 12 and older, $10 for ages 3 to 11 and are free for youngsters youthful than 3. Excursions run hourly from 9 a.m. to six p.m. from early Might by way of roughly the third week of September. This firm additionally provides a Nice Alaskan Earthquake and Trolley tour that runs from June to September.
Alaska Tales – Mendenhall Glacier Excursions & Whale Watching
This 4 1/2-hour tour begins with a visit from Juneau to Mendenhall Glacier, the place you could have 45 minutes to discover the world, presumably taking a hike, visiting Mendenhall Lake or seeing a waterfall. Afterward, you will spend two hours whale watching with a naturalist who will clarify whale behaviors and reply questions. Reviewers say the tour is superb, with loads of time to see every part. Plus, members describe guides as glorious. Tickets price round $150 for ages 12 and older and $130 for ages 2 to 11; tickets are free for youngsters youthful than 2. Excursions, which embody complimentary snacks and drinks, run Might by way of September, with each a morning and afternoon tour each day. If you happen to’re brief on time, you can too simply ebook a whale watching tour.
K2 Aviation – The Denali Expertise
On this hourlong flight by way of Denali Nationwide Park, tourgoers fly previous the summit of Denali (relying on climate situations), see a number of glaciers, icefalls and different Alaskan surroundings. Have in mind: The airplane is small, with seating for 10 or fewer passengers. Reviewers extremely reward the workers at K2 Aviation and say the airplane experience is clean with stunning surroundings. The flight prices roughly $230 per particular person ages 13 and older, $180 for ages 3 to 12 and is free for youngsters youthful than 12. Excursions run each day Might by way of October at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., in addition to 1, 3, 5 and seven p.m. K2 Aviation additionally provides this flight with a touchdown on Denali, in addition to different routes by way of the park, together with the Denali Flyer and Denali Grand excursions.
Resurrection Bay is understood for its stunning colours.Getty Photographs
Sunny Cove – Resurrection Bay Kayaking
This four-hour journey consists of 2 1/2 hours of paddling by way of the turquoise waters of Resurrection Bay, with a possibility to see otters, harbor seals, eagles and salmon. To identify spawning salmon, ebook a visit between mid-July and mid-September. Reviewers suggest this journey, assuring it is appropriate for novice kayakers. Additionally they describe the surroundings as implausible and say guides are clever. Tickets price roughly $100 per particular person. Members should be not less than 8 years previous. Excursions run Might by way of mid-September at 7:30 and 11:30 a.m. each day. Sunny Cove provides many kayaking excursions, which embody a Resurrection Bay Kayak and Craft Beer Tour and a Caines Head Kayak and Hike, amongst others.
Denali Raft Adventures – Canyon Whitewater Run
Raft down 11 miles of the Nenana River, tackling Class III and IV rapids (reasonable and troublesome) on this roughly three-hour tour. If you happen to’re a first-timer, contemplate an oar raft, that means you’ll be able to sit, maintain on and benefit from the view whereas the information paddles. If you happen to’d moderately be a extra energetic participant, select the paddle raft, which suggests you will should comply with the information’s directions on when and how you can paddle. Tourgoers say that is one in all their favourite whitewater journeys and word that the corporate emphasizes security. Additionally they say guides are enjoyable and adept at navigating the rapids. Tickets price roughly $100 per particular person and embody pickup from choose Denali lodging. Members should be not less than 12 years previous. Excursions run each day from mid-Might by way of early September a number of occasions a day. Denali Raft Adventures additionally operates daylong rafting excursions and journeys that mix rafting with all-terrain car rides.
Denali Backcountry Journey
Take a guided bus tour of Denali Nationwide Park on the Denali Backcountry Journey, a 13-hour journey to see a few of the park’s greatest surroundings and wildlife. The tour consists of lunch at Miner’s Day Lodge and a possibility to attempt gold panning, take a botany stroll or get pleasure from a historical past tour. Reviewers report this can be a nice method to go to lesser-seen areas of Denali Nationwide Park, reward their drivers and say the views are implausible. Ticket costs begin at $199 per particular person, not together with the $15 park price. Kids ages 2 to 11 can be part of without spending a dime, however as a result of this can be a 13-hour journey, it is probably not appropriate for all children. Excursions run each day early June by way of mid-September and depart between 6 and 6:30 a.m. from space lodging. The mother or father firm, Pursuit, provides quite a lot of experiences all through Alaska.
Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour
Find out about crab fishing in Alaska from a crew who appeared on “Deadliest Catch” on this three-hour tour. Aboard the Aleutian Ballad, you’re going to get to observe the crew pull in crabs, get a glimpse of the ocean creatures that they launch again to the ocean and spot wildlife on close by land. You’ll be able to even buy purple king crab on board. Tourgoers say this expertise is a number of enjoyable and well worth the worth. Tickets price roughly $200 for ages 13 and older and $120 for ages 5 to 12 and consists of complimentary drinks. Vacationers should be not less than 5 years previous to take part. Excursions can be found most days Might by way of September at various occasions within the morning and afternoon. Journeys depart from Ketchikan. The Aleutian Ballad is docked on the similar pier because the cruise ships, that means further transportation is not essential.
