Top Alaska Sightseeing Tours in 2026

Calling all independently-minded travelers for a DIY Jeep tour into the Yukon. This tour, which includes a full-day Jeep rental and a narrated mile-by-mile audio guide, is a great way to venture along the Klondike Highway into the Yukon Territory. Pick up your Jeep at your convenience and travel at your own pace to Emerald Lake and back.

Escape the cruise crowds and experience authentic Alaska in one incredible day. On this small-group tour, you’ll journey from Anchorage—in luxury—to witness Byron Glacier's majesty with an easy, guided walk along the river. Then, you’ll get guaranteed wildlife encounters with bears, moose, and wolves at the Conservation Center. Local guides, hotel pickup, and thoughtful touches make this adventure effortless (and effortlessly unforgettable).

Explore the bays and islands of Alaska on a whale- and wildlife-watching excursion off the coast of Ketchikan. Locally owned and family-run, this company prides itself on knowing the best up-to-date whale watching locations in the area. This ensures the greatest chances of spotting whales on your outing (though sightings are not always guaranteed), as well as other wildlife like bald eagles, harbor seals, and a wide variety of seabirds.

Hop aboard a red trolley in downtown Anchorage during this deluxe city tour, focused on local culture and history. See top landmarks including Earthquake Park, Lake Hood Harbor, and the Alaska Railroad Depot. Get off the trolley at designated photo stops and ask your guide questions to learn more. Watch seaplanes land on Lake Hood and keep an eye out for wildlife like moose during the tour.

Don’t leave Alaska without witnessing its most incredible creatures: whales, otters, and more. On this 16-person tour—smaller than most local offerings—you’ll grab a seat in the heated cab or out on the deck, following your captain’s search for wildlife. Beyond the wild Alaskan scenery, you might spot humpback whales, orcas, seals, eagles, porpoises, and more.

Discover Sitka’s colonial architecture, splendid wildlife, and rich history with ease on this private half-day adventure. Soak up the stunning mountain scenery during the drive between Sitka’s top landmarks and natural attractions, including Starrigavan Recreation Area to spot wildlife both big and small, and Baranof Castle, where more epic views await. In Sitka itself, tell your guide what interests you most and they’ll tailor the itinerary accordingly.

Discover the highlights of Skagway and Alaska’s gold rush history on this tour. Wind through the downtown area and visit the Gold Rush Cemetery, where you hear tales about Frank Reed and Soapy Smith. Aboard a comfortable mini-bus with large windows, travel along White Pass Summit and soak up views of mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Marvel at the surreal landscape of Tormented Valley. Stop frequently along the way for photo ops and wildlife viewings. Please note that you will need your passport, don't forget it!

Spend 2 hours out on the Auke Bay Harbor's waters searching for humpback whales during this boat tour from Juneau. Listen to commentary from your guide and keep a lookout for other marine animals such as orca, bald eagles, and sea lions. Cap off the cruise with a 5-minute stop to snap photos of Mendenhall Glacier. Snacks, refreshments, and round-trip transportation from the Mt. Roberts Tramway in Juneau provided.

Get away from the crowds and experience Alaska’s grandest marine life from an intimate, 20-person vessel. Less disruptive to wildlife, you’ll get a front-row seat to the 49th State’s most beloved creatures—including whales, sea lions, eagles, and more. You’ll also get to scope out ice-blue glaciers, rocky shorelines, and hidden inlets from the comfort of the heated cabin or right from the catamaran's bow.

Stroll leisurely through the forest of Denali National Park. As you walk, listen to your guide talk about the plants, animals, ecology, geology, and more that make Denali unique. Taste the bounty of edible berries that pepper Denali's forests. Your guide is a true expert. Not a mid-rate guide who knows a few fun facts. They're a Naturalist who's prepared to answer any question you throw at them. They're ready for wildlife encounters with bear spray and good training. They have a Wilderness First Responder certification, making them better prepared than an EMT for an emergency in the backcountry. See? I told you they were an expert. This is your chance to experience Alaska up close and personal. Your chance to feel the peat moss that so few do. Taste the elusive and legendary cloudberries. This is more than a walk. It's an all expenses paid teleportation into the inner workings of Denali National Park. OH! And we donate 5% to conservation. You're helping Denali by taking this tour!

If you’re a fan of the Discovery Channel’s hit TV show 'Deadliest Catch,' you saw the Aleutian Ballad, a commercial fishing boat, escape a rogue wave in the Bering Sea. On this fisherman’s tour from Ketchikan, hop aboard the Aleutian Ballad and navigate through the waterways of the Inside Passage with a seasoned fishing crew. Touch some of the catch, take photos, and listen to entertaining sea lore.

This is not a run-of-the-mill sled excursion—it packs in several fun activities and concludes with a treat that’s hard not to love. Follow your guide on a short tour of downtown Skagway, hop on a Unimog—a multipurpose, all-wheel drive vehicle—for a ride up a mountain, and then take a sled ride with Alaskan huskies through Tongass National Park. Afterward, get a chance to spend time with husky puppies.

Alaska boasts astonishing biodiversity, and Ketchikan is a popular gateway to its rainforests, beaches, and wildlife—but with limited time on land, it can be tough to venture off the beaten track. Designed for cruise ship passengers, this private half-day tour takes you deep into Tongass National Forest—the largest national forest in the United States and home to salmon, bald eagles, and black and brown bears.

Venture off the beaten path in Alaska during this guided tour that takes you out in a climate-controlled search-and-rescue fat truck, ensuring your safety from the elements, bugs, and even wildlife. Embark on your ride to begin navigating steep mining trails, taking in views along the way. Plus, learn about history and the geological formations while exploring Denali National Park.

Auke Bay, with its harbor of whale watching vessels, lies about a half-hour’s ride from Juneau. This whale watching trip saves you the trouble of getting to the harbor and back with a round-trip shuttle directly from your cruise ship dock or a designated meeting point.

Increase your chances of viewing the magical aurora borealis on this guided tour in Anchorage. Enjoy expert photo instruction, portraits under the northern lights, and warm drinks while learning about the science behind the aurora. With snacks, hotel pickup, and forecasting services included, this unforgettable experience lets you witness nature’s most stunning light show.

Spend an incredible night on the hunt for the elusive northern lights with guides passionate about helping you make the most of your Fairbanks trip. Travel in a comfortable vehicle with included hotel pickup on this flexible journey and get complimentary photography if you finally see the aurora borealis to help make sure these are memories that will last a lifetime.

Voyage along the waters of Icy Strait to see Humpback whales, Steller sea lions, orcas, sea otters, bears, and other Alaskan wildlife. Captain Josh brings passengers along a journey into the wild waters of Alaska on his small, custom boat. Passengers can view whales from the outside deck or inside the protected cabin. This tour offers an exclusive look at whales in the wild with the help of a professional filmography drone.

Whale watching and visiting the Mendenhall Glacier are two of the most popular activities around Juneau — they're essential experiences for any local tourist that you won't want to miss. Check them both off your list on this half-day combo tour that includes flexible departure times and round-trip transportation from Mt. Roberts Tramway, making it ideal for a shore excursion or quick trip.

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.

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 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.

Venture away from the light pollution of Fairbanks, without worrying about navigating the snowy roads, with this aurora-chasing tour. Travel from your hotel in a heated van in search of the colorful natural phenomenon. Learn about the aurora and Alaskan culture from your guide, enjoy a twilight campfire meal, and even get tips on how to capture the northern lights on your camera.

See Alaskan wildlife on this whale-watching tour in Hoonah that takes you out onto the waters of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, where humpback whales arrive each year to feed before heading south for the winter. The Hoonah whale season is roughly May to September. From the boat, you may also spot orcas, seals, and sea otters.