All Anchorage Tours & Excursions in 2026 - page 6

Comfortable transportation with a personable tour guide and an A+ glacier experience. My thoughts, after a few days: 1. PICK UP & DROP OFF It was super convenent to be picked up right at the door of my hotel and was not a problem when I asked to be dropped off at a nearby restaurant at the the end of the experience. 2. THE RIDE I was traveling solo. Rina, the guide, seemed more like an old friend than a stranger. Her conversational skills put everyone at ease. As a lifelong AK resident, she had loads of info to share but did not overwhelm us with talking. I get nauseous on car rides, but was ok in the 1st back seat row, with anti-nausea meds (I would've requested the front seat, but that spot was already taken by a woman with the same issue). The ride started with faster, straight urban(ish) roads, then was super rural, with twists and turns and lots of construction. We stopped twice for bathroom and stretching or legs. Oh and we saw a momma and baby moose! We were all keeping an eye out and Rina was totally willing to stop if/when we saw a moose and for photo oops of the beautiful scenery. 3. WHAT TO BRING/WEAR My visit was in mid-July. It was in the mid 50's and rainy in Anchorage, with less rain, but colder temps (40-50) expected at the glacier. I was concerned about what to wear so I didn't get too hot on the ride there, but also needed to bring layering options for the 2 hour ice hike. This is what worked for me (a 50ish female who is usually warm): moisture wicking sports bra/tank, button up cotton shirt, leggings, thin compression socks, blundstone leather boots. Once on site, there are ample bathrooms where you can add layers. I put on an under armour long sleeve under the button up shirt, wool blend hiking socks, a 2nd set of leggings that were a bit thicker and made of a more water resistant fabric. I wore a baseball cap (to help keep rain off my glasses) under the helmet they provided, and my lightweight raincoat/windbreaker. Rina advised us that it would not be colder out in the ice than the air temp at the base, and that we were likely to get warm and want to take layers off as we got going. Based on that advice, I left my fleece coat layer in the van, along with my winter hat. I did put thin winter gloves in my coat pocket but only ended up wanting them for a little bit at the beginning- still I was glad to have them. I didn't bring or use an umbrella and don't advise it. You want your hands free to help balance as you trek through cravasses and in case you slip. 4. SAFETY & THE HIKE ITSELF Our glacier hike guide was Sam. He had a good sense of humor and explained a lot about the science of the glacier itself, the dangers, and how deep a shallow looking "puddle" could be (30+ feet!!). Before getting onto the ice, we were fitted for crampons that were realtively easy to stretch over your shoes. Sam gave a quick lesson about the right and wrong way to go up and down an incline. Sam led the way, creating a path for us as we followed in a single file line. I got the sense that there are no set paths, but that the guide tailers the experience to the group. Our group didn't have anyone younger than 14, but I did see some families with younger kids and a dad carrying a baby on his back. It's definitely not a place for your kid to run around and explore. No real great physical prowess is needed but you need to be sure on your feet, be able to stomp your ice crampons into the surface so you don't slip, and have the endurance to finish a varied incline 2+ mile walk with an uphill trek back to the starting building. 5. LUNCH & RIDE BACK After our 2 hour glacier hike we stopped at a nearby restaurant for lunch. It was scenic, spacious enough, and had great food. We stopped one additional time on the way back for bathroom break. Some folks slept. Rina kept the conversation light on the return. Overall, everyone seemed to enjoy the experience. No one got injured. I definitely recommend it, above any of the other tours I embarked during my first trip to Anchorage. I will specifically look for Rina, this Thursday guide, for future endeavors around Anchorage.