Top Alaska Nature and Wildlife Tours - page 4

When your ship anchors in Juneau port, get ready for a shore excursion pumped with adventure and incredible views. First, soar by helicopter over Juneau Icefield, and then land on Herbert Glacier to explore the remote landscape by foot. Learn about the surrounding Alaskan wilderness and capture memorable shots during your icefield walk. This tour includes hotel pickup and transportation to and from the helicopter facilities.

Learn about Anchorage’s history while cruising around town in a bus outfitted to look like a vintage trolley. Gain unique into the local history and culture of Alaska's most populous city from guides with generational ties to the region. You may even get to spot moose crossing the road and seaplanes descending on Lake Hood and Lake Spenard.

Few places on Earth rival the grandeur of Denali National Park. This 3-hour hike, led by a naturalist guide, is limited to just seven people for a more personalized experience. Perfect for the first-time visitor, the experience is offered in the morning, afternoon or under the midnight sun (twilight), allowing you to explore the boreal Alaska Range forest at a time that suits you best.

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 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.

Spend several hours exploring the highlights of one of Alaska’s southernmost cities on this immersive, multi-stop tour of Ketchikan. Meet your guide at your cruise ship dock. See city highlights, including historical Creek Street and a local salmon hatchery, before continuing out of town: you’ll visit totem parks, pretty tide pools and beaches, nature preserves, and more. As you go, learn all about the region’s indigenous heritage.

Hike with an experienced, naturalist guide and small group through the wilderness trails of Denali National Park. The 5-hour experience showcases the tundra, taiga and boreal forest that has made Denali a mecca for wilderness adventurers the world over. Listen to narration to understand the parks botany, geology and history as you focus on the nature all around you — not the logistics or your map.

Explore the sights of Ketchikan aboard a San Francisco–style cable car trolley. Traveling on this open-air vehicle, you'll see attractions such as the Fish Ladder and the Native American totem poles of Saxman Native Village, plus look for wildlife such as bears, seals, salmon, and bald eagles at the Herring Cove viewing area. This is a fully narrated and guided tour.

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.

While your ship is docked in Ketchikan, kayak around Eagle Island, part of Tongass National Forest, on this shore excursion. Enter the protected waters of Clover Pass and increase your chances of spotting wildlife such as bald eagles, seals, salmon, and even whales as you explore in a quiet, eco-friendly vessel. The tranquil waters provide a perfect opportunity for beginning kayakers and the more experienced alike to enjoy the Alaskan wilderness.

Stray from the beaten path and discover the Denali area on an ATV tour that takes you through the boreal forest of Alaska. Have the option to tackle the rugged terrain in a single-rider ATV or a multi-passenger utility task vehicle (UTV). Ride on trails that cars can't access and stop periodically for photo ops and wildlife sightings on a tour that includes guide, use of equipment, and transport from select locations in Denali.

Discover the best of Ketchikan on this full-day tour, featuring stunning wildlife and cultural highlights. Visit the salmon-filled Ketchikan Creek, explore Rotary Beach for sea creatures and potential whale sightings, and spot seals, eagles, and bears at Herring Cove. Conclude with a visit to Saxman Native Village to admire one of Alaska's largest totem pole collections and learn about indigenous traditions.

While in Seward, embark on one of Alaska’s most popular wildlife and glacier cruises during a pre- or post-cruise shore excursion through Kenai Fjords National Park. Stay warm as you sail past alpine and tidewater glaciers among the fjords, and heighten your chance of spotting whales, sea lions, and birds with the help of your captain, who puts the sights into context.

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.

Go ice fishing in Alaska at a remote spot outside the city of Fairbanks with a guide who provides fishing gear and tips. Stay warm in a cozy heated cabin next to the frozen lake, and snack on reindeer sausage on buns, and fresh grilled fish (that you catch). Includes use of fishing gear and cabin, guide, and refreshments.

Experience some of the best that Juneau has to offer on this full-day tour that combines whale watching and a salmon bake. Watch for the giant creatures breaching and playing in Auke Bay while learning about the ecosystem from a naturalist guide. Then, in a historic gold rush setting, enjoy freshly grilled Alaska salmon, part of an all-you-can-eat buffet.

If you don't have the time, or the expertise required, to go on a glacier expedition on foot, a helicopter tour is a great way to see the glaciers surrounding Anchorage. This tour takes you over spectacular scenery and makes three landings—one alpine, one on an ice wall, and one in the middle of Knik Glacier—where you can get out and explore with your guide. You also have the possibility of seeing mountain goats, Dall sheep, moose, and, in the summer months, bears and wolves. Note: in winter, the helicopter lands next to the glacier.

Alaska’s landscapes are ones to be remembered and this photography tour helps you capture its beauty. Meet up with your guide, who is a professional photographer, and learn how to capture panoramic views, reflective ponds, and local wildlife at top locations. No matter what type of camera gear you have—even camera phones are welcome—your guide provides one-on-one attention to help you capture the best photos. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Experience Mendenhall Glacier on this small-group shore excursion from Juneau. Travel by land and water on a combo adventure with canoeing and a short hike. Soak up views of icebergs, waterfalls, and cliffs as you paddle around Mendenhall Lake toward the glacier. Afterwards, get a close-up view on a short hike.

Go far off the beaten track on this small-group tour that takes you along one of the world's most isolated roads. Travel into the Alaskan wilderness along the Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to the edge of the Arctic Circle. On the way back, keep your eyes peeled for the northern lights, though the natural phenomenon cannot be guaranteed.

Discover the tradition of sled dog racing while in Alaska on this small-group tour. Head to a training ground for racing dogs and see what it takes for a puppy to become a champion. Enjoy a mushing experience on dry land and get a glimpse of what these dogs train for all year—the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. After your mush, enjoy playtime with the dogs, including the puppies.

Set out in search of the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis during your time in Alaska on this nighttime excursion. Depart from Fairbanks after dark and venture deep into the forest in search of locations with little to no light pollution. If you find the colorful, dancing lights, your guide captures photos of your group so you can cherish the moments forever. Hotel pickup from downtown Fairbanks is included for convenience.

Set out on a nocturnal adventure in search of the elusive northern lights with this photography-focused tour departing from Anchorage. Get picked up at your hotel and go in search of the aurora borealis with a small group. Learn new photography skills and try your hand at capturing the dazzling light show of the northern lights with your camera.

Explore beyond Fairbanks city limits—and enjoy an exciting but relaxing array of activities at the Chena Hot Springs Resort—on this small-group tour. Admire ice sculptures at the Aurora Ice Museum, unwind in the resort’s hot mineral springs, and upgrade to enjoy drinks or a meal on site. If the conditions are right, you can then cap off the experience with a northern lights viewing before returning to your hotel.