It’s time to plan your epic Alaska vacation! Get ready to go on the very best Alaska excursions from sailing through the gorgeous fjords to dog sledding 🐶 on glaciers in the mountains.
We spent all summer exploring Alaska in our van last summer. I researched tours, sights, and hikes for months in advance. These 6 tours are my absolute favorites and I believe they are truly incredible ways to see these magnificent state!
Below you’ll find my guide to the very best Alaska tours. I recommend exploring the Kenai Peninsula, Denali, and the Anchorage area on your Alaska vacation. All of these tours are 8 hours or shorter, so you won’t need to plan for any overnight trips.
You Might Also Like These Posts:
- A Thrilling Tour: Matanuska Glacier Ice Climbing
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Table of Contents
Best Alaska Excursions
1. Matanuska Glacier Tours
Matanuska Glacier is one of the most incredible and accessible glaciers near Anchorage! There are a variety of tours that will take you out to explore this incredible landscape including glacier walks and ice climbing.
This past summer, we decided we wanted to learn a new skill, so we booked a tour to go ice climbing. It was one of our favorite things that we did! We went with MICA Guides, they provided all the gear, and were incredibly patient as we learned.
By the end, we felt like we had really picked up a new skill.
If you are less active or want to stick to a basic tour, then the day tours to the glacier are perfect for you! You’ll get to explore the incredible ice formations and learn more about glaciers.
Book your ice climbing or glacier tour here!
Matanuska Glacier Excursion Info:
😀 Company: 907 Guides or Mica Guides
💵 Price: $115-300 Depending on the Tour
⏱ Length of Time: 3-8 hours
📍 Location: Pick up in Anchorage or Meet in Glacier View, Alaska
🥾 Athletic Ability: Must be able to walk for at least a couple miles
2. Dog Sledding
You can’t go to Alaska, without trying the state sport: dog mushing.
If you’re going in the summer, then Alaska Helicopter Tours runs the very best tours. They’ll fly you out in a helicopter over the Knik Glacier up to Cascade Glacier. This is where the dogs live all summer long.
All of the dogs have either been in the Iditarod or are training for it. So, you know they’re incredibly skilled. You’ll get the chance to help steer the dog sled, ride a scenic loop, and meet the incredible puppies. It’s an unforgettable tour!
Book your dog sledding tour here!
Dog Sledding Excursion Info:
😀 Company: Alaska Helicopter Tours
💵 Price: $617 per person
⏱ Length of Time: 90 minutes
📍 Location: Palmer, Alaska
🥾 Athletic Ability: No athletic ability required
3. Glacier Paddleboarding
This was not only one of the best Alaska excursions we went on, but it may be my favorite tour of all time!
While Glacier paddleboarding is a bit of a splurge, it is absolutely worth it! You’ll take a helicopter from Palmer out to the Knik Glacier, change into a dry suit, and then get the chance to paddle in a bright blue glacial pool.
You’ll get the chance to paddle in the middle of a glacier with no one else around.
One of the best parts of the Glacier Paddleboarding tour is that it’s private. So, you’ll get to decide how long you paddle or if you just want to explore more of the glacier. It was the most amazing tour! Check it out here.
Glacier Paddleboarding Excursion Info:
😀 Company: Alaska Helicopter Tours & Alaska Sundog
💵 Price: $1000 per person
⏱ Length of Time: 4 hours
📍 Location: Palmer, Alaska
🥾 Athletic Ability: You do not need prior experience, but it is an active tour
4. Flightseeing Tours
With the most pilots per capita in the US, there’s no doubt that the ultimate way to see Alaska is by plane.
Many of the flights in Alaska are on small bush planes, which allow you to get up close and personal to the awe-inspiring landscapes. Also, there are very few roads and much of Alaska is only accessible by plane.
Some of the best flightseeing tours are those that go to Denali, Lake Clark, or to Katmai National Park.
I highly recommend Regal Air, because their customer service is some of the nicest I’ve ever experienced. Also, many of my friends have flown with K2 Aviation and say they’re incredible! So, book a flight with them to see Denali!
Flightseeing Excursion Info:
😀 Company: Best Providers are K2 Aviation & Regal Air
💵 Price: $350 (K2) or $525 (Regal Air)
⏱ Length of Time: 90 minutes (K2) or 3 Hours (Regal Air)
📍 Location: Talkeetna (K2) or Anchorage (Regal Air)
🥾 Athletic Ability: No athletic ability required
5. Denali Wilderness Tour
If you have plans to go into Denali National Park, then you’ll definitely want to book a bus ride.
The main road is closed to the public past mile 42, so it’s the only way to get deep into the park. There are a number of options to choose from, but all of them are operated by Reserve Denali.
On our 5.5 hour Wilderness Tour, we were able to see multiple caribous, a fox, smaller mammals, and a grizzly bear! Every time we saw something the bus stopped and the tour operator told us about the various animals.
Denali Wilderness Tour Info:
😀 Company: Reserve Denali
💵 Price: $141 per Person
⏱ Length of Time: 5.5 hours
📍 Location: Denali National Park
🥾 Athletic Ability: No athletic ability required
6. Kenai Fjords Boat Tour
For yet another incredible National Park tour and one of the best Alaska excursions to take part in if you’re coming from a cruise, is the Kenai Fjords Boat Tour.
This boat travels from the shores of Seward into the heart of Kenai Fjords. As you sail, you’ll have the opportunity to see stunning glaciers, incredible wildlife, and gorgeous mountains.
On our trip we saw a super pod of orcas, tons of seals, puffins, a mountain goat, and a raft of otters. It was one of the most magical experiences and we were beaming the whole time!
Choose one of their boat tours here!
Kenai Fjords Tour Info:
😀 Company: Kenai Fjords Tours with Alaska Collection
💵 Price: $180 per person
⏱ Length of Time: 6 hours
📍 Location: Seward
🥾 Athletic Ability: No athletic ability required
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Josefine says
I would LOOOOVE to go on one of those flightseeing tours!! 😮
lita t says
They’re absolutely incredible!!