Top Alaska Sightseeing Tours in 2026

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.

Get closer to nature than you could on your own during an adventure around Sitka Sound, home to majestic whales, brown bears, eagles, and many other rare species. Create lasting memories of seeing these wonderful animals in their natural habitats while learning more about them from the experts. Whether you’re calling at Sitka during your cruise or staying in town, this activity is an ideal introduction to the area for wildlife enthusiasts.

Look no further for a cozy, curated northern lights experience. Head to the cozy rustic Alaskan cabin, high on a ridge overlooking the Alaska Mountains. As you wait for the sky to light up in neon technicolor, keep comfortable with hot cocoa, coffee, and snacks. From there, all you have to do is enjoy the show (aurora sightings are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed).

Enjoy an experience most tourists miss and step off your cruise ship into a floatplane to admire the glassy blue lakes, waterfalls, and snowcapped peaks of Misty Fjords National Monument on this shore excursion from Ketchikan. Capture bird’s-eye views of varied landscapes and try your luck spotting eagles, bears, and plenty of other wildlife during the flight that includes a guaranteed window seat. It’s an ideal experience for nature-lovers.

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.

Treat yourself to an abundance of wildlife viewing with this 4-hour Kenai Fjords cruise in Resurrection Bay from Seward Harbor. Travel 55 miles (round-trip) along a rugged coastline and snap plenty of memorable photos as you sail past Bear Glacier. Sail close to sea lion colonies and seabird rookeries, and keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, eagles and mountain goats.

Journey deep into the Alaska Range on an unforgettable Castner Glacier adventure from Fairbanks. Travel the scenic Richardson Highway with stops at the iconic Trans-Alaska Pipeline and a breathtaking Mt. Hayes viewpoint. Watch for moose, caribou, bald eagles, and lynx along the way before hiking through Alaska’s wilderness to Castner Glacier and exploring the ice cave. An incredible day of glaciers, mountains and wildlife. Winter Castner Glacier Hike: During the winter hike, we walk on top of a frozen creek leading towards the glacier. The hike is approximately 3 miles round trip and usually takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on the group’s pace and weather conditions. Please prepare for extremely cold weather and dress accordingly with warm, insulated layers, winter boots, face covering ,gloves and a hat. Fall hike: wet, muddy, rocky terrain. Waterproof gear advised. Difficulty: Moderate Licensed by Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior permit #2025-00197

Leave Skagway’s bustling streets behind as you set sail on the Upper Lynn Canal and discover the region’s rich natural heritage. Come face to face with cascading waterfalls as you drift into America’s deepest fjord, and capture stunning photographs of the flora and fauna while hearing about the area’s history, geology, and legends from your local captain.

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.

Get acquainted with Anchorage without the hassle of planning transportation between its top attractions. This guided sightseeing tour connects key landmarks, scenic viewpoints, and cultural stops while your guide shares the city’s history and local insights. Keep watch for wildlife, including moose, as you explore beyond downtown for a broader look at Alaska’s largest city.

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.

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.

Journey north from Fairbanks along the Dalton Highway, one of the most remote and northerly roads accessible by vehicle, to the Arctic Circle. You’ll spend the day moving deeper into Alaska’s far north as forest thins and the landscape opens into wide valleys and tundra. We make several scenic stops at viewpoints for photos and short walks throughout the day, including time at the Arctic Circle sign (66°33′N). On the return, the late-night drive is timed for prime aurora viewing hours, with a chance to see the northern lights. Your guide uses real-time aurora forecasts to choose the best stops and timing. This is primarily a road-based experience with short, easy walks and ongoing commentary from your knowledgeable Alaskan guide. Non-smoking tour. Guests must be 15 or older. Groups limited to 6 guests in a new 11-passenger van fully outfitted for Arctic conditions, with guaranteed window seats, an unhurried pace, regular breaks, and flexibility, plus snacks, water, & hot drinks.

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!

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.

View Denali from the air on this small-group flight over the Alaskan wilderness, and see the rugged landscape from a whole new perspective that most tourists miss. Soar over rivers, valleys, and glaciers, and experience landing on and walking atop a glacier. Pickup, drop-off, headset, and live commentary are all included for an even more seamless experience.

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.

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.

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.

Grab your camera and prepare to see some of winter’s best work as you venture into the Alaskan Arctic Circle and go aurora hunting, without needing to lift a finger. Capture snow-capped forests, ice fields, and gushing rivers–and, of course, that obligatory photo at the Arctic Circle sign. As the sun and moon swap shifts, get ready for a spectacular display of aurora dancing in the night sky.

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.

Experience Alaska’s wildlife and landscapes without planning a complex route from Anchorage on your own. This group tour combines glacier views, mountain scenery, wildlife encounters, and historic stops into one well-rounded day through Chugach National Forest and beyond. Along the way, your guide shares local insight and photography tips to help you get more out of the experience and your photos.

Navigate the waterways and islands of Clover Pass on a small-group kayak eco-tour from Ketchikan. Along the way, spot native Alaskan wildlife that inhabit this protected region where the thick foliage of the Tongass National Forest meets the sea, from sea lions and migratory humpback whales to eagles' nests and exposed starfish colonies. Paddle with two guides and a small group for a more personalized wildlife-watching journey.

Explore the Alaskan wilderness by ATV from Denali. View Denali National Park landmarks such as Otto Lake, Healy Valley, and the Alaska Range, and look for wildlife including moose. Ride either an automatic single or double ATV through rugged terrain, splashing through water (weather permitting) and traversing rocky creek beds at speeds of up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour. Hotel pickup and drop-off from select hotels is included for convenience.