Alaska

Bus & Minivan Tours

You will depart from the tram area in downtown Juneau on a bus driven by a local tour guide through a scenic route to Auke Bay, where you board a comfortable jet boat. The captain and naturalist will lead the way on an unforgettable search for whales in Favorite Channel, Stephens Passage, Lynn Canal, or Saginaw Channel. Binoculars are provided so you can see the humpbacks, killer whales, Dall’s porpoises, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, black bears, and towering mountains better. With the growing abundance of whales in the area and their comfort with small boats, you are bound to see many! This tour is three hours total, including transfers between downtown and Auke Bay and two hours on the water. Included in the price of the tour are onboard refreshments including bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, and a small snack of locally caught Alaskan salmon spread on a fresh bagel.

Meet your guide at the cruise ship docks to start off this adventure. Hop in the van and listen to live commentary while driving through Juneau into the Tongass National Forest, the largest National Forest in the United States.  Once arrived at the lake you will have a meet and greet with the second guide who helps you put on the gear. You receive a rain jacket, rain pants, and rain boots. Along with everything needed to stay safe, including but not limited to paddling gloves, life jackets, helmets, trekking poles, and dry bags.  Your guides go over safety and paddling instructions before stepping into the canoe. This journey across the lake is a team effort, so it is not necessary to have paddling experience.  The Mendenhall Lake is a glacier-fed lake which is surrounded by mountains and the famous Nugget Falls. The wind coming off the Mendenhall Glacier will officially welcome you to the Alaska wilderness.  Once the canoe is docked on the beach, there is time for a quick break before starting the hike to the glacier. During the hike, you can learn about the history of the area and listen to all the information your guides can share. At the same time, there will be enough quiet moments to soak in the calmness of Alaska.  Once arriving on the rocky shore next to the glacier, follow your guides on an exploration trek around the rocky moraine to view the glacier up close. The professional guides are in the wild every day and thrive on showing off what nature has to offer. One of the most unique aspects of the trip is that the glacial environment is in a constant state of movement and change, meaning no one tour is the same as the next. After your hike back to the canoes, be sure to soak in your last moments with the Mendenhall Glacier as the group paddles back to the shore. Once arrived your guides will provide a hot beverage while you take off the gear. After a short drive back to the cruise ships, you will walk away with memories of Alaska that you will never forget.

Seamlessly combine two of Juneau's favorite activities on this whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier tour. Marvel at majestic humpback whales in the company of a naturalist guide, and select from a range of trails to discover Mendenhall Glacier, the world's only drive-up glacier. Upon check-in, you will either be escorted to one of the shuttles for a narrated 25-minute drive to the glacier, or to the boat harbor for whale watching. On the glacier section of the tour, you can choose to hike to Nugget Falls (1.5 hours round trip), take the Photo Point Trail (40 minutes round trip), look for wildlife along the Steep Creek trail, or stroll up the easy walk to the Visitor Center. Take your time at the glacier with flexible shuttles back to town every 30 minutes. During your time on the water whale watching, your naturalist guide will explain the feeding habits of these magnificent creatures and identify the many other kinds of wildlife that share these waters. Enjoy an enhanced experience on a custom-built boat with a warm heated cabin with large viewing windows, and two decks to hurry to when the captain slows after spotting the whales. There is a bathroom onboard and snacks are also provided.

This tour offers you the opportunity to visit an area with the highest concentration of bears in the world, at one to two brown bears per square mile. National Geographic has named the area Bear Island. The island has 10 different kinds of edible berries, stunning view of a muskeg, an old-growth forest, and, of course, the king of the island: brown bears. Using information on current bear movements, their feeding habits, and the temperature throughout the day, your experienced guide will take you to key points to scope out an amazing view of these captivating creatures. Your guide will also share information about the area and the Tlingit native population. During the tour you are likely to see a host of other wildlife including mink, marten, bald eagles, sea birds, red squirrels, otter, beaver, ducks, and Sitka black-tail deer. Be sure to bring your camera!

This full-day tour of the Turnagain Arm combines a drive along the scenic Seward Highway, a cruise to Portage Glacier, a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and a drive high into the Chugach Mountains. Start with a scenic drive along the Seward Highway down the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, one of the most beautiful places on earth. You will stop in the most picturesque places for photo opportunities and to look out for Dall sheep and Beluga whales. Drive to Portage Glacier for a 1-hour boat trip on board the MV Ptarmigan. The vessel was built especially for the lake and the ride, even in inclement weather, is smooth. A National Park Service Ranger will come on board to explain the local eco-systems and glaciology. Hear how the mountains were pushed up from Oregon! On the way down the valley, pause to watch the salmon run in season. The salmon spawn in clear water in the same place they were born in order to start their life cycle all over again. They come back from the ocean after 4 to 6 years depending on the species. When the salmon are at their highest numbers, Beluga whale chase. Depending on the whim of the whales, you might see them from late July through mid-August. Next you will visit the remarkable Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. In summer, baby musk ox, bison, caribou, and moose will warm the heart of the toughest of men. You will have the opportunity to watch and hear the stories of endangered wood bison, Alaskan brown bear, black bear, moose, caribou/reindeer, lynx, an eagle, great horned owl, and even a porcupine. On your way back enjoy a side trip high into the Chugach Mountains through local neighborhoods for incredible panoramic views of four mountain ranges including Mt. McKinley (weather permitting), Cook Inlet and the city. Learn about local life high above Anchorage on what locals call "the hillside". Lunch will be at a local lodge after the Portage Glacier Cruise (not included in price).  Your expert Alaskan guide will be on hand at all times to describe the phenomenal nature and ecological systems.

Experience the beauty and awe of the Matanuska Glacier on a full-day trip from Anchorage. Drive the Glenn Highway up the Matanuska Valley along the Matanuska River. The glacier is 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Anchorage, so there are vast open vistas to enjoy along the way when the weather is clear. Check in at the Glacier Park office and take advantage of the indoor restrooms before heading up to the trailhead. Drive up to the trailhead, where the initial view of the glacier is breathtaking. Collect your safety equipment - ice spikes/crampons for your shoes year-round plus helmets in the summer. Then head out with an experienced glacier guide. In winter (late November through April) you will load onto sleds and enjoy a slow, safe snow machine ride out to the magnificent blue ice. In summer (May through early November) experience a longer, more strenuous hike. After you leave the glacier, the lunch spot is seconds away. Glacier burgers, salmon salads and sandwiches hot chocolate, and other comfort foods are on the menu. Relax and take a nap or chat on the way back to Anchorage. This tour is a full eight-plus hours and operates snow or shine. If the weather in Anchorage is poor, the area near the glacier is often better. Other tours may say they'll deliver an experience of a lifetime, but this one truly does.

Begin the tour on a comfortable minibus for a scenic ride past the State Capitol Building, the Governor's House, and the Russian Orthodox Church. Make a stop at the Alaska State Museum where you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Alaskan culture and gain an appreciation for its rich and diverse history. Continue to Douglas Island for gorgeous views and photos of the Juneau coastline and Gastineau Channel. From there you will make a stop at the Macaulay Hatchery, commonly referred to as "DIPAC" by the locals. Learn about the salmon industry, observe various marine life, and watch the salmon run up the ladder, depending on the time of the year. Conclude your tour with a stop at the 50-acre Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure in the Tongass National Forest. Walk through this award-winning botanical garden and admire the flower towers as your guide fills you in on this region's varied ecosystem. Your tour will end near "Deckhand Dave's", the latest go-to food option in Juneau. Receive a voucher for a free serving of the signature rock-fish tacos. This new venue only serves locally caught fish in a fantastic creative way.

Your adventure begins with a three-mile rail ride through the scenic Alaskan wilderness. After gearing up, your certified guide will lead you along six sky bridges and seven thrilling zip lines, which includes the dual racer finale. The built-in hands-free braking system allows you to relax and enjoy the breathtaking mountain views. Challenge yourself by traversing to the top of the boreal forest on the uniquely designed ascending bridge tower. Soar through the trees and over the tundra on over half a mile of ziplines. End this once in a lifetime experience by racing to the finish zipping along side your friends and family.

Throughout history adventurers have been drawn to the extreme reaches of our planet. On this extraordinary day trip, you will have the chance to walk in the footsteps of explorers before you as you cross the Arctic Circle and enjoy stunning views of Alaska as you've never seen it before. The day begins at 8:00 AM from your hotel, where you will be transported to the Trans-Alaska-Pipeline. Here you can glance one of the world's largest pipelines, which stretches over 800 miles (1,287 km). It is a crude oil pipeline privately owned by the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, and here you will learn the engineering and building process of this epic land-crawling beast. After a short visit to the pipeline, stop for breakfast at a rustic truck stop sitting atop a lovely hilltop. After the meal, you'll cross the mighty Yukon River before arriving at Finger Mountain. Here you will enjoy a beautiful hike on a spectacular high plateau far above the tree line. Finally, arrive at the Arctic Circle. Here you will have your picture taken and receive your very own Arctic Circle Certificate. After some time in this lovely land, venture back across the Yukon River, where you'll have the chance to walk right up to its mighty banks. Have a nice dinner before checking out the Joy Alaska Arctic Circle Trading Post. You will arrive back in Fairbanks around 10:00 PM.

Enjoy a 6-hour sightseeing tour departing from Anchorage and a scenic drive south along the edge of the Turnagain Arm on the Seward Parkway. This road is considered to be America’s most beautiful and scenic road, crossing mountain passes and majestic valleys. Along the way, you may spot moose, caribou, eagles, and other wildlife. There are sure to be some fantastic photo opportunities. Arrive at Portage Glacier to learn how living glaciers continue to carve the landscape and shape life in Chugach National Forest. Although Portage Glacier is no longer visible from the Visitor Center, due to its retreat, the face of the glacier is still partially in Portage Lake. Find out why Portage Glacier is one of Alaska's most popular attractions. Cruise across Portage Lake on the MV Ptarmigan and stand just 300 yards from a relic of the Ice Age. Watch for fractures of ice breaking off the glacier and crashing into the water below. Afterwards, head to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here, you will safely be able to get close, observe and photograph some of Alaska's largest land animals, including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears muskox, wolves, small mammals, and birds of prey. During spring and summer, you can also witness the rehabilitation of orphaned baby animals of various species. After an informative visit through the Conservation Center with the largest of Alaska's wild animals, your tour will continue on towards Anchorage. Lunch can be purchased from one of the food vendors at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Later, you will ascend the Chugach Mountains for amazing and panoramic views of the Turnagain Arm and beyond.