Alaska Tours & Activities
The activities you choose can shape your entire Alaska experience. Whether you're hoping to watch brown bears in the wild, kayak through a quiet bay, take a scenic flight over Denali, or spend a day fishing, we'll help you choose experiences that fit your interests, travel style, budget, and itinerary.
Rather than trying to fit everything into one trip, we'll help you choose the activities that best match your interests, travel style, and the kind of Alaska you'd like to explore.
Below are some of the activities we regularly recommend and book for our travelers. Every trip we plan is personalized, so if there's something you'd like to experience that isn't listed here, just let us know. We'll help you find the option that's right for you and incorporate it into your itinerary.
Brown Bear Viewing
Ideal for travelers who want to experience Alaska's wildlife up close.
Seeing Alaska's brown bears in the wild is one of the most unique wildlife experiences the state has to offer. Most bear viewing tours depart from Homer and fly by small plane to either Katmai National Park or Lake Clark National Park, depending on the time of year, weather conditions, and where the bears are most active.
Once you arrive, you'll spend several hours on the ground with an experienced guide, observing bears in their natural habitat while learning about their behavior and the surrounding ecosystem. Every day is different, making each trip a unique experience.
If seeing brown bears is high on your wish list, we'll help you choose the best tour based on your travel dates, budget, and itinerary.
Read our Brooks Falls bear viewing guide to learn about the best time to visit and what to expect.
Duration: Approximately 7–9 hours
Good to know:
Requires a higher budget than most day tours.
Cancellation policies are generally stricter due to limited availability.
Passenger weight restrictions may apply on small aircraft.
Tours are weather dependent and may be delayed or canceled if flying conditions are unsafe.
Helicopter Flightseeing & Glacier Dog Sledding
Ideal for travelers who want to experience dog sledding on snow during the summer while enjoying a scenic helicopter flight.
This tour begins with a scenic helicopter flight to a summer dog sled camp located on a glacier. Once you arrive, you'll meet the mushers and their sled dogs, learn about the sport of dog mushing, and enjoy a dog sled ride across the snow. Many tours also give you time to meet the dogs—including the puppies, depending on the time of year—and take in the glacier surroundings before flying back.
If you'd like to experience dog sledding during the summer, this is one of the few ways to ride on snow. If you're looking for a more affordable option, land-based dog sledding tours using wheeled carts are also available and offer a great introduction to Alaska's dog mushing tradition.
Want to learn more? Read our guide to glacier dog sledding tours.
Duration: Approximately 1.5–2 hours
Good to know:
Helicopter flightseeing tours are also available without the dog sledding portion.
Some tours offer optional glacier landings.
Passenger weight restrictions may apply.
Tours are weather dependent and may be delayed or canceled if flying conditions are unsafe.
Denali Flightseeing with Glacier Landing
Ideal for travelers who want the best opportunity to experience Denali up close.
A flightseeing tour from Talkeetna offers one of the best opportunities to experience Denali up close. As you fly through the Alaska Range, you'll see glaciers, rugged mountain peaks, and vast wilderness that simply can't be appreciated from the road. Many tours also include a glacier landing, giving you the chance to step out onto the ice before returning.
If seeing Denali is high on your wish list, this is one of the activities we recommend most often. Because the mountain is frequently hidden by clouds, a flightseeing tour often provides a better chance to experience its scale and beauty than viewing it from the ground.
Want to learn more? Read our guide to Denali flightseeing tours.
Duration: Approximately 1.5–3.5 hours
Good to know:
Passenger weight restrictions may apply.
Full refunds are typically provided if your flight is canceled due to weather.
Flightseeing tours are also available from other locations in Alaska, including both airplanes and helicopters.
Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise
Ideal for travelers who want to experience Alaska's marine wildlife and glaciers.
A wildlife cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the activities we recommend most often. Departing from Seward, these cruises travel through glacier-carved fjords where you'll have the opportunity to see humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, Steller sea lions, puffins, and other seabirds. Depending on the route, you'll also get close views of tidewater glaciers along the way.
Cruises range from a few hours to a full day, allowing you to choose the experience that best fits your itinerary and interests.
If you're only planning one wildlife tour during your trip, this is one of our top recommendations.
Duration: Approximately 4–10 hours (most popular tours are around 6 hours)
Good to know:
Private and small-group cruises are available for travelers looking for a more personalized experience.
Smaller boats are more susceptible to weather-related cancellations than larger vessels.
If you're concerned about seasickness, we recommend choosing a shorter cruise that stays in the calmer waters closer to Seward.
Denali National Park Bus Tours
Ideal for travelers who want to explore beyond the first 15 miles of Denali National Park.
Private vehicles are only permitted on the first 15 miles of the Denali Park Road. To travel farther into the park, you'll need to join one of the National Park Service's bus tours. These trips offer one of the best opportunities to experience Denali's landscapes and spot wildlife such as grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves.
There are two main options: narrated tour buses and non-narrated transit buses. While the narrated tours include commentary from a driver, many of our travelers prefer the transit buses because they offer more flexibility. You can choose your departure time, get off to explore or hike, and reboard a later bus when you're ready to continue. We've also found that many travelers enjoy the flexibility of the transit buses more than spending several hours on a fully guided coach tour.
We'll help you choose the option that best fits your travel style and your itinerary.
Want to learn more? Read our guide to planning a trip to Denali National Park.
Duration: Varies by route (approximately 4–6 hours)
Good to know:
Morning and afternoon departures may be available depending on the route.
Some morning departures begin as early as 4:30 AM
Narrated tour departure times are assigned by the park and cannot be selected in advance.
Transit buses allow you to choose from available departure times and provide the flexibility to get on and off along the route.
Guided Fishing Excursions
Ideal for travelers interested in experiencing Alaska's world-class fishing, whether it's their first time or they're experienced anglers.
Alaska offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities throughout the summer. The two most common options we arrange are guided river fishing trips for salmon and ocean charters for halibut, although other types of fishing are available depending on the season and location. We'll help you choose the experience that best fits your interests, experience level, and itinerary.
All fishing trips are led by experienced local guides who provide the equipment, instruction, and local knowledge needed for a successful day on the water.
Duration: Approximately 4–11 hours, depending on the trip
Good to know:
Departure times and meeting locations, particularly for river trips, are often confirmed the day before.
Many fishing charters depart early in the morning.
Private charters are available for couples, families, and small groups.
A valid Alaska fishing license is required and can be purchased online or locally before your trip.
If you'd like to bring your catch home, professional fish processing and shipping services are available for an additional fee.
Guided Hiking
Ideal for travelers who want to explore Alaska's trails with the knowledge and experience of a local guide.
Guided hiking tours are a great way to experience Alaska's landscapes while learning about the area's wildlife, plants, geology, and history. Most of the guided hikes we arrange take place in the Denali area, where experienced local guides lead small groups through some of the region's most scenic trails.
Tours vary in length, difficulty, and pace, making it easy to find an option that matches your interests and ability level. Whether you're looking for a relaxed nature walk or a more challenging backcountry hike, we'll help you choose the experience that's right for you.
Duration: Approximately 3 - 6 hours, depending on the tour
Good to know:
No previous hiking experience is required for many guided hikes.
Tours are available for a variety of fitness levels and hiking abilities.
We recommend dressing in layers and wearing sturdy hiking shoes or boots.
Guided ATV Tours
Ideal for travelers looking for an exciting way to explore Alaska's backcountry.
Guided ATV tours offer access to places that are difficult to reach by road, taking you through Alaska's rugged landscapes with an experienced local guide. Most of the ATV tours we arrange take place near Palmer, where trails lead toward the Knik Glacier, or in the Denali area, where you'll explore scenic backcountry terrain.
Tours vary in length and difficulty, but no previous ATV experience is required. Before heading out, your guide will provide a safety briefing and instruction to help you feel comfortable behind the wheel.
Duration: Approximately 2 - 8 hours, depending on the tour
Good to know:
No previous ATV experience is required.
Drivers must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver's license.
Passengers are welcome on many tours, depending on the operator and vehicle availability.
Tours operate rain or shine, so we recommend dressing in layers and wearing closed-toe shoes.
Guided Kayaking
Ideal for travelers looking for a quieter, more active way to experience Alaska.
Kayaking offers a unique perspective of Alaska's coastline, lakes, and protected bays. Whether you're interested in a relaxing paddle on a quiet lake, exploring near glaciers and icebergs, or joining a guided sea kayaking tour, we'll help you choose an experience that matches your interests, comfort level, and itinerary.
We work with trusted local guides throughout Alaska who provide all the equipment and instruction you'll need, making kayaking a great option for both beginners and experienced paddlers.
Duration: Approximately 2–8 hours, depending on the tour
Good to know:
No previous kayaking experience is required for most tours.
All equipment is provided, including kayaks, paddles, dry bags, and safety gear.
Tours operate rain or shine, so we recommend dressing in layers for changing weather conditions.
Alaska Railroad & Glacier Float Trip
Ideal for travelers who want to combine one of Alaska's most scenic train rides with a relaxing float near a glacier.
This tour combines a journey on the Alaska Railroad's Glacier Discovery Train with a guided float trip near Spencer Glacier. After traveling through the scenic Chugach Mountains by train, you'll step off at a remote backcountry stop that's only accessible by rail. From there, you'll board a raft and enjoy a peaceful float past icebergs and along the Placer River while your guide does all the rowing.
It's a great way to experience Alaska's scenery from both the railroad and the water without requiring any previous rafting experience.
Duration: Approximately 5 hours
Good to know:
This is a gentle scenic float, not a whitewater rafting trip.
Your guide does all the rowing.
Suitable for all ages and experience levels.
Tours operate rain or shine, so we recommend dressing in layers for changing weather conditions.
Glacier Trekking
Ideal for travelers who want to experience an Alaska glacier on foot.
Walking on a glacier is a completely different experience than viewing one from a distance. Guided glacier treks allow you to explore the ice while learning about glacier formation, crevasses, meltwater streams, and the changing landscape from an experienced guide.
The Matanuska Glacier is one of the most popular locations for glacier trekking because it's easily accessible by road from Anchorage. Guided glacier hikes are also available in Kenai Fjords National Park and Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, offering different experiences depending on where you're traveling.
Want to learn more? Read our guide to visiting the Matanuska Glacier.
Duration: Approximately 3–8 hours, depending on the tour
Good to know:
No previous experience is required for beginner glacier hikes.
Private tours and more advanced trekking options are available.
Some tours include helicopter access to more remote areas of the glacier.
All necessary safety equipment is provided by your guide.
Looking for Something Else?
These are just some of the activities we regularly recommend and arrange for our travelers. If there's something specific you'd like to experience during your trip to Alaska, just let us know. We'll help you determine whether it's a good fit for your itinerary and, if possible, incorporate it into your personalized trip.
Please note: We specialize in designing complete self-drive itineraries and do not book individual tours or activities separately. Our services are focused on creating customized Alaska travel packages.
Ready to start planning your Alaska trip?
Head over to our Design Your Trip page and answer a few quick questions. We'll use your answers to create a personalized itinerary that's thoughtfully planned for you.