At Alaska Tours, we’ve spent over 30 years helping travelers navigate the vast landscapes of the Last Frontier. Since our team lives and works right here, we know the logistics required to build the best Alaska tours for independent travelers.
We’ve curated our “Official Alaska Bucket List” featuring nine must-do activities. We have hand-picked these experiences because they define the true spirit of the Great Land. How many can you check off on your next trip?
1. Watch a Brown Bear Hunt Salmon
Standing just a few feet away from a wild bear creates a memory you won’t soon forget. You can watch these powerful animals stand in rushing falls to snatch salmon directly from the air.
Pro Tip: Wondering what the difference is between a Coastal Brown Bear and an Interior Grizzly? It’s all about the diet!
2. Take a Denali Flightseeing Tour
Denali stands as the highest peak in North America, reaching 20,322 feet into the sky. While mountaineers spend weeks climbing it, you can admire the snowy mountain on a flightseeing tour. Seeing the sheer scale of the Alaska Range from a bush plane window puts the entire wilderness into perspective.
3. Photograph a Breaching Whale
Alaska’s nutrient-rich waters draw in Humpbacks, Orcas, and Gray whales. Success here requires a quick shutter finger. You’ll watch for the “blow” of a whale surfacing for air, then wait for the massive splash as thousands of pounds of muscle launch out of the Pacific Ocean.
4. Hook and Reel In a Wild Salmon
Whether you aim for a King, Silver, or Sockeye, hook a majestic salmon in our rushing rivers for a true Alaska workout. Our fishing tours include professional guides who teach you the best techniques. Once you land your catch, you can have it processed and shipped home to fill your freezer.
5. See the Northern Lights
The aurora borealis paints the night sky in glimmering shades of neon green and violet. While you’ll need to visit during the darker months (fall through spring) and brave the chilly (or freezing!) night air, the sight of the lights dancing provides a natural light show that defies description.
6. Take a ride with Sled Dogs
Sled dogs are the legendary athletes of the North. You can meet these friendly, high-energy racers at a local kennel and learn the mushing commands used in the Iditarod. Whether you’re gliding over snow or using a wheeled summer cart, feeling the power of a synchronized dog team is a rush.
7. View the Midnight Sun at 11:59 PM
In the height of summer, the sun barely dips below the horizon in many areas of Alaska. Alaskans take advantage of this extra daylight hours by hiking, fishing, and gardening late into the night. Experiencing it proves just how much our long days shift your sense of time.
8. Capture a Calving Glacier on Video
Board a glacier cruise and listen for “white thunder.” This deep cracking sound signals that a massive chunk of ice is about to break off and crash into the sea. Keeping your camera steady during the splash is the real challenge!
9. Sample Authentic “Eskimo Ice Cream”
Known locally as Akutaq, this traditional Alaska Native treat tastes unlike anything you’ll find in a grocery store. The recipe varies by region but traditionally features whipped whale fats, local berries (like salmonberries or blueberries), and sometimes even local fish. It’s a literal taste of Alaska’s rich cultural history.
Ready to start checking items off your list? Contact us, and we can build a custom itinerary that fits all nine of these challenges into one seamless trip.