Top Alaska Culture - page 2

It’s not every day you get the chance to hike along the base of a 26-mile-long active glacier! Join the original guiding company on the Matanuska, founded over 35 years ago, and explore the awe-inspiring beauty of one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers on foot with NOVA’s new Family Glacier Tour—perfect for all ages! Our expert guides will tailor the experience to your abilities, ensuring that everyone from kids to grandparents enjoys a memorable and fun adventure on the Matanuska Glacier. This relaxed-paced tour offers the ideal way to share the beauty of Alaska’s glaciers with your whole family. You’ll be outfitted with the necessary gear and transported by vehicle to the glacier’s terminus at the edge of the park. From there, our guides will lead you through the rocky fields of the massive terminal moraine, all the way to the stunning 'Ice Falls.' Be sure to stop by the on-site coffee shop to warm up and unwind after your adventure.

Make the most of your time in port in Ketchikan and discover Alaska’s natural wonders and cultural heritage on this half-day small-group tour. Enjoy a guided walk through the rainforest, stopping to admire a waterfall and native flora. And visit a Totem Park: learn about the ancient Alaskan tradition, the cultural heritage of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people, and explore a magnificently carved clan house.

Get to know Fairbanks, called the ‘Golden Heart City,’ on this small-group guided sightseeing tour. Visit the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center for an intro into the city’s history and culture, and admire the architecture at the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North. Feast your eyes on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the world’s largest pipeline, and wrap up your day at the Santa Claus House in the North Pole.

Experience the thrill of Ketchikan with this lively shore excursion that blends local flavor, rich history, and adrenaline-pumping entertainment. Walk through historic Creek Street, then head to the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show to watch world-class athletes compete in axe-throwing, log-rolling, and more. With heated seating and nonstop action, this high-energy performance captures the rugged spirit of Alaska.

The Turnagain Arm in the Gulf of Alaska boasts abundant Alaskan wildlife within easy access of Anchorage. Learn about the local ecosystem from a guide with extensive knowledge of the area as you drive down the peninsula, with opportunities to spot wild animals in their natural environment as you go. Includes a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and a drive past the glaciers on Portage Glacier Road.

It’s not every day you get to hike along the base of a 26-mile-long active glacier! Join the original guiding company on Matanuska, founded over 30 years ago, and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of one of Alaska’s most accessible natural wonders on foot with NOVA’s popular Glacier Tour! This unique adventure offers an up-close look at a dynamic, ever-evolving landscape. Our expert guides will lead you through the rugged terminal moraine, sharing their knowledge of the region’s formation, natural features, and the forces that have shaped it over thousands of years. Along the way, you’ll encounter stunning ice formations, jagged seracs, deep crevasses, and flowing moulins. You’ll be outfitted with all the necessary gear and transported to the glacier’s terminus at the park. From there, you’ll hike across the moraine and into the breathtaking 'Ice Falls' area, where towering ice cascades over the rocky landscape—truly a memorable experience.

Discover the highlights of the Yukon and British Columbia and learn more about its history, nature and local culture. Visit key landmarks such as the Yukon Suspension Bridge and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and enjoy plenty of photo opportunities at cascading waterfalls, valleys and glaciers. Then, prepare for a big dose of cuteness at a dog sled camp where playful husky puppies await your cuddles.

The Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneau’s most impressive natural wonders, stretching over 13 miles (21 kilometers). On this half-day tour, enjoy spectacular views of the glacier from the viewing platforms and walkways, and learn more about the mighty glacier at the Visitor Center. Then, set sail on a thrilling whale-watching cruise along the coast and look out for humpback whales, as well as other wildlife such as bald eagles and blue heron.

Experience Alaska’s forests and tundra from the only zipline course in the Denali National Park region. Soar over the trees during a half-day ziplining experience just outside the national park. Guides lead you along a course with six suspension bridges and seven ziplines. Remember to pause and admire the landscape on this memorable tour that promises exhilarating thrills, incredible scenery, and a fun challenge.

Discover the picturesque scenery of Alaska aboard the Coastal Classic Train from Anchorage to Seward. Travel along the rugged coastline of the Turnagain Arm and then through Alaskan backcountry wilderness and watch for views of glaciers, steep river canyons, and waterfalls during the journey. The train arrives in Seward early in the day, leaving plenty of time to explore on your own or book other excursions.

Avoid the hassle of renting a car during your time in Sitka and take a private taxi tour of the area. Customize your itinerary and visit the places that interest you the most or let your driver suggest some off-the-beaten-path locations. Choose to visit the Fortress of the Bear, Totem Park, Baranof Castle, the raptor center, and much more.

Go on an outdoor adventure in Alaska with this small-group helicopter tour with glacier landing. Take off on a scenic flight and admire views of the Knik River on the way to the Knik Glacier. Land directly on or near the glacier (depending on the season) and set out on a guided glacier or ice formation hike before the return flight. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as moose, bears, and mountain goats.

Both the US and Canada have a rich history of logging and lumberjacking. Cheer on your favorite team as you watch Alaskan and British Columbian woodsmen chop, saw, roll logs, and throw axes as they compete in the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Then, join in the fun as you learn how to throw a double-bit axe for yourself, trying to best your fellow attendees.

Ride an electric bike to the end of Ketchikan's 'road to nowhere' and then hike thorough a wildlife-rich rain forest on this combo eco-tour. Pedal from the marina to the end of the island's paved road system on a battery-powered bike, and then dismount to trek through the wilderness of the Tongass National Forest, following a trail that passes an active salmon-spawning stream, a waterfall, beach views, and dense foliage that's home to an array of native Alaskan wildlife.

The Iditarod Trail is the longest and most famous sled-dog race in North America. Learn firsthand what it would be like to experience life on the trail on this 75-minute kennel tour and sled ride. Meet an Iditarod musher, learn some commands used for the dog team, and then go for a training ride in a wheeled cart.

Experience Anchorage through its local flavors on this small-group food and sightseeing city tour. Taste a sampling of some of the best dishes that Alaska has to offer while learning about the history of this great state and its hardy people and soaking up the best views in Anchorage.

Kick up your adrenaline with this guided ATV adventure in the backcountry of Denali National Park. Hop aboard a Polaris Side by Side ATV, accommodating two passengers, and rev off along the Alaska Range, speeding through stunning mountain scenery up to 25 miles per hour. On Black Diamond Peak, marvel at views of Healy Valley. After the ride, enjoy a full-service backcountry meal. Hotel transport is available for this 3.5-hour outing.

Soar over glacial waterfalls and stunning Alaska scenery on this ziplining excursion. Meet your guide at the dock and enjoy an entertaining trip through historic Skagway on your way to Dyea. There enjoy a ziplining orientation before strapping in and taking off.  The course features multiple ziplines and suspension bridges to give you views of the surrounding Tongass National Forest and allow you to soar over glacial waterfalls.

Discover the history and natural beauty of Skagway, Alaska and the Yukon in Canada on this half-day guided tour. Spot some of the incredible Alaskan wildlife before stopping to meet some of its more domesticated animals at Tutshi Sled Dog Camp. Enjoy some puppy therapy while learning about raising and training sled dogs from their handlers.

Denali National Park—roughly six million acres (2.4 million hectares) of raw wilderness—is easily accessible by bus, but visiting it from the air allows you to see much more of its tundra, peaks, and forests. This ‘flightseeing’ tour crosses over the Alaska Range to the tundra of Denali’s northern interior, passing river systems, icefalls, glaciers, and peaks along the way. Plus, you can opt for a glacier landing if you’d like.

The area surrounding White Pass is an ideal location to see Yukon’s famous scenery, but it’s nearly impossible to reach from Skagway without a car. This tour picks you up from your ship or hotel, saving you the hassle of navigation, and takes you to White Pass Summit and the Yukon Suspension Bridge. Afterward, you’re driven back to your port of call or hotel.

Discover the wildlife and native cultures of Ketchikan on this half-day nature excursion for your private party. Visit an old Native American village to learn about its culture and see the intricately carved totem poles. Learn about the edible plants of the region, see local wildlife such as salmon, whales, and eagles, and visit several of the area’s beautiful beaches.

Immerse yourself in the Alaskan wilderness on a cruise through the Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward. Aboard a warm and spacious vessel, cruise past alpine and tidewater glaciers among the fjords and try your luck spotting wildlife like whales, sea lions, and birds. Enjoy a delicious lunch onboard and visit the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge for great views of seabird rookeries.

Traverse the wild side of Yukon and British Columbia with a guide to lead the way on this group tour setting off from the Skagway Cruise Terminal. See Carcross Desert, Emerald Lake, the Welcome to Alaska sign, and Tormented Valley, along with scenic glacier and mountain views. Keep your eyes peeled for a chance to spot the area’s ample wildlife.