Alaska tour news & travel advisory  

Wildlife

Whale Watching, Bear Viewing, and Birding Tours

Wildlife viewing is among the most popular activities in Alaska. From whale watching for orcas or humpbacks to brown bear viewing and Alaska birding tours, your friends and family will delight in meeting Alaska animals of all shapes and sizes.

Learn about Alaska’s “big five,” their habits and habitats, and their hunting and feeding behaviors, and then grab your camera or video and photograph away. Take a cruise to view seacoast and marine wildlife at home in Alaska’s many fjords and bays. With abundant animals in all regions of the state, your ticket to mind-blowing Alaska wildlife viewing is simply choosing what you want to see and book a day tour or overnight adventures.

You can also visit many educational centers throughout the state to learn more about Alaska wildlife:

  • The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Anchorage)
  • The Kodiak Brown Bear Center (Kodiak)
  • The Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center (Homer)
  • The Murie Science and Learning Center (Denali National Park)
  • The Alaska Raptor Center (Sitka)
  • The American Bald Eagle Foundation (Haines)
 

Choose from 76 vacations in Alaska related to Wildlife

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Grand Alaska Guided Bus Tour

Great option as a stand-alone touring program or as a comprehensive land tour before or after an Alaska cruise. There is spectacular mountain scenery every day, with local sightseeing insights from a professional guide the entire tour—first, journey through... Browse tour

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Alaska by Rail Tour

Travel the entire Alaska Railroad in just nine days! Take the train from Anchorage to Seward, Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks. Cruise to an active glacier, jet boat on the Talkeetna River, view wildlife in Denali National Park and enjoy... Browse tour

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two people on the deck of a tour boat looking at a tidewater glacier

Glaciers and Wildlife Tour

Combining Anchorage, Seward, Talkeetna, and Denali, this tour provides wildlife viewing opportunities and scenic touring throughout. You travel by the Alaska Railroad to Seward and cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park, well known for glacier scenery and viewing whales... Browse tour

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a GMC vehicle and a moose on a paved road in Alaska

All Alaska Classic Self Drive Tour

Explore three of Alaska's National Parks: Denali, Wrangell - St. Elias, and Kenai Fjords. Excellent wildlife viewing opportunities throughout. Travel on four designated National Scenic Byways showcasing Alaska's natural beauty with its jagged mountain peaks, lush alpine meadows, and... Browse tour

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Great Alaskan Road Trip

Explore Denali, Seward, and the Matanuska Valley with the freedom of a rental car. These three destinations complement each other with natural beauty from mountains to valleys to coastlines. The bus tour into Denali National Park is a great... Browse tour

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a woman and two children sit on the shore of a glacial lake admiring Spencer Glacier

Family Fun Vacation by Car

An excellent family itinerary designed to allow for a leisurely travel pace with plenty of time for family-oriented activities. Top destinations include Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks. Touring highlights include riding aboard a "whistle stop" train operated by... Browse tour

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a moose stands in front of a mountain

Turnagain Turnaround Tour

On this Anchorage day tour, travel with a small group along Turnagain Arm, one of the most scenic drives in Alaska. Your driver will pick you up from your Anchorage hotel and take you south along the Seward Highway... Browse tour

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Katmai and Brooks Falls Bear Viewing

Fly from Anchorage to one of Alaska’s most famous bear viewing destinations, Katmai National Park and Brooks Falls!  Depart Anchorage early on a scheduled flight to King Salmon (approximately 1.5 hours).  On arrival, a local representative will transfer you... Browse tour

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a caribou on a dirt road in front of a tour bus

Denali & Glacier Experience

By train, travel along the scenic Seward and Portage Glacier Highways before entering the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the second-longest tunnel in North America. On arrival in Whittier, embark on the 26 Glacier Cruise with lunch. Enjoy viewing massive... Browse tour

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an alpine glacier in front of a paved highway through a mountain pass

Alaska Highlights Self-Drive Tour

This independent Alaska self-drive tour features many of the state's most popular attractions and scenic roadways. Visit Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park and the cities of Anchorage, Fairbanks, Valdez, and Seward. The circular self-driving... Browse tour

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Chinitna Bay Bear Viewing

Depart from Anchorage by wheeled plane for a 90-minute scenic flight southwest over Cook Inlet toward the Chigmit Mountains. Enjoy spectacular views of the Alaska and Aleutian Mountain Ranges and two active volcanoes – Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Iliamna... Browse tour

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Circle Alaska Adventure Tour

Ride the Alaska Railroad, explore Denali National Park, search for gold, meet a sled dog team, and much more! Travel abroad on the Alaska Railroad to Denali and Fairbanks and by car to Valdez, Seward, and Anchorage. We have... Browse tour

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Alaska National Parks Guided Bus Tour

The Alaska National Parks tour is a guided Alaska group tour by bus and by the Alaska Railroad featuring two amazing iconic parks: Denali National Park and a cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park! Enjoy stunning wilderness scenery as... Browse tour

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Bear Glacier Kayaking Tour (Half-Day)

On this Alaska kayaking tour from Seward, you begin your adventure with a 30-60-minute jet boat journey to Bear Glacier. Keep your eyes open along the way for wildlife! After arriving at the remote, low-footprint cache at the glacier, you... Browse tour

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Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

On this exciting day cruise from Seward, hop on this unforgettable glacier and wildlife boat trip into Kenai Fjords National Park! This Alaska national park boasts abundant wildlife, alpine and tidewater glaciers, and breathtaking scenery. As you cruise through... Browse tour

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Northwestern Fjord Glacier and Wildlife Cruise

Travel from Seward on this day trip deep into the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park to the magnificent Northwestern Fjord on this full-day Alaska whale watching, wildlife, and glacier cruise. Watch for wildlife while cruising through Resurrection Bay... Browse tour

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two people kayaking in a glacial lagoon in front of an Alaskan wilderness lodge on shore

Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge

Transfers to the lodge are from Seward via a cruise tour. The sailing route offers many of the same highlights as the popular Kenai Fjords National Park day cruises. Along the way, learn about the region's natural history while... Browse tour

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a woman and two children look out at Alaskan scenery from the viewing platform of a passenger train

Alaska by Rail and Car Tour

This rail and road trip takes you from Anchorage to Fairbanks on a classic Alaska train trip aboard the Alaska Railroad with an independent tour by car from Fairbanks to Valdez, driving the scenic Richardson and Glenn Highways. The... Browse tour

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Unique Itinerary

Alaska’s National Parks Tour by Car

Visit 4 National Parks: Kenai Fjords, Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias and Katmai (or Lake Clark National Park for bear viewing). Plus, an add-on opportunity for a 5th national park with a visit to Gates of the Arctic National Park (please... Browse tour

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two women, one pointing, on the viewing platform of an Alaska Railroad train

Alaska Railroad Adventure

Touring Alaska by train is a relaxing way to experience all that the Great Land has to offer. Designed for independent travelers and train enthusiasts this tour utilizes several segments of the Alaska Railroad. This round trip itinerary from... Browse tour

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the small cruise ship "Wilderness Explorer" in calm water by a rocky shore

Alaska Fjords and Glaciers Cruise

Beginning in Juneau or Ketchikan on Alaska's Inside Passage, this adventure cruise sails through Dawes Glacier, the Wrangell Narrows, Behm Canal, and Misty Fjords National Monument. Guests enjoy daily guided opportunities to experience the wildlife and landscapes of the... Browse tour

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Redoubt Bay Bear Viewing (Half Day)

Depart Anchorage on a half-day bear viewing trip to Redoubt Bay Lodge. Redoubt Bay is one of the most straightforward and accessible locations for bear viewing from Anchorage. You will travel by seaplane for a one-hour flight along a... Browse tour

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two people in a sea kayak; a small cruise ship and snow-capped mountains in background

Glacier Bay National Park Adventure Cruise

Discover Alaska on this seven-night adventure cruise round trip from Juneau. Destinations include Glacier Bay National Park, Icy Strait, Tracy Arm and Frederick Sound. Guests enjoy daily guided opportunities to experience the wildlife and landscapes of this impressive region... Browse tour

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Alaska’s Glacier Country Cruise

This seven night adventure cruise in Alaska's Inside Passage sails round trip from Juneau. Destinations include Glacier Bay National Park, Icy Strait, Kuiu Island, and Frederick Sound - a prolific summer feeding ground for humpback whales. Guests enjoy daily... Browse tour

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people on a train looking at Alaskan scenery through dome-car windows; one woman holds a map of Alaska

Relax Alaska

Great for travelers looking to explore Alaska at a relaxed pace. This tour starts in Anchorage and combines travel by train and motor coach between Seward and Fairbanks, ending with a scheduled flight from Fairbanks returning to Anchorage. Guided... Browse tour

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tour boats docked at the Seward Boat Harbor in Seward, Alaska; mountains in background

Discover Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula by Car

A relaxed driving tour of the Kenai Peninsula and a day cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. Enjoy unlimited mileage in your midsize rental vehicle. Overnight stops in Seward, Homer, and Soldotna provide opportunities for world sport fishing,... Browse tour

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UNIQUE Experiences
two canoes at a dock in Pederson Bay in Kenai Fjords National Park

Alaska Lodge Driving Tour

Travel to off-the-beaten-path locations, including overnights at wilderness lodges and inns that offer options for hiking, kayaking, and canoeing adventures. The touring route includes a spectacular flight into the expansive Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve and the better-known... Browse tour

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Unique Itinerary
a person standing next to a wooden sign reading "Arctic Circle, Dalton Highway, Alaska, Latitude 66, 33"

An Alaskan Odyssey

This unique itinerary takes you from the North Pacific waters of Prince William Sound to the Arctic coast near Prudhoe Bay. This itinerary is for independent travelers seeking a chance to see the incredible diversity of Alaska, from the... Browse tour

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a Kodiak brown bear sow and her cub

Kodiak Brown Bear Center

The Kodiak Brown Bear Center in the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge was developed to offer unparalleled opportunities to observe and learn about the legendary Kodiak Brown bear. Enjoy deluxe private cabins with all meals while at the lodge. Each... Browse tour

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a group of people photographing a brown bear in front of mountains and a glacier

Katmai Wilderness Lodge Bear Viewing

Enjoy one night exploring Kodiak Island. The next day board an Alaskan bush plane and fly to the remote Katmai National Park coast. On landing, lodge hosts assist with the transfer to the lodge. With various food sources for... Browse tour

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the mountain of Denali; a dirt path in foreground

Alaska’s Gems Tour

This tour provides Alaska travelers with many key Alaska highlights, combining travel by train and by deluxe motorcoach. Enjoy opportunities to view towering glaciers up close and perhaps catch a glimpse of a glacier "calving" into the waters below... Browse tour

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People at a log-cabin lodge watching a float-plane take off from an adjacent lake

Redoubt Bay Lodge

Departing from Anchorage's Lake Hood, it is just a 50-minute flight by seaplane over Cook Inlet to the entrance of Lake Clark Pass. Nested in a 171,000-acre critical habitat area, Redoubt Bay Lodge has three rustic cabins and a... Browse tour

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Evergreen trees and a wooden sign on a lodge reading "Glacier Bay Lodge | National Park Service Visitor Center"

Glacier Bay Lodge

Glacier Bay Lodge offers visitors a concentrated glimpse into many of the natural wonders found in southeast Alaska. Glacier Bay is part of a World Heritage Site and exploring this rugged mountain coastline by boat brings guests to tidewater... Browse tour

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Alaska’s Finest Self Driving Tour

This Alaska self drive tour is designed for independent traveler's seeking the best available accommodations Alaska has to offer while road touring. Enjoy spectacular mountain, glacial and coastal scenery while visiting several must-see locations such as Prince William Sound... Browse tour

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Spring Wildlife Cruise in Resurrection Bay

On this Seward day tour and whale-watching cruise in the Spring, witness the incredible annual migration of California Gray Whales, traveling over 5,000 miles from Baja California to the nutrient-rich waters of Alaska’s Bering Sea. This 4-hour Alaska wildlife... Browse tour

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The small cruise ship 'Safari Endeavour' near a rocky coast; snow-capped mountains in the distance

Northern Passage and Glacier Bay Cruise

Seven nights of adventure cruising aboard your "floating lodge." Destinations include Chichagof Island, Icy Strait, and Glacier Bay National Park, where a national park ranger comes on board for a day. Guests enjoy daily guided opportunities to experience the... Browse tour

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Tracy Arm Fjords Glacier Cruise

On this Juneau day trip, you’ll cruise through some of Alaska’s most picturesque fjords and glacier viewing. Tracy Arm is one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets, rivaling other, better-known Alaska attractions. Hundreds of seals and pups laze on the icebergs... Browse tour

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Experience Kodiak Island

Fly from Anchorage on a scheduled flight, then embark on an excursion aboard a classic seaplane to enjoy a bird's eye view of the Island's scenic coastline and soaring mountain peaks. Kodiak is the second largest Island in the... Browse tour

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Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise

Enjoy a day cruise from Whittier, Alaska, on the calm waters of Prince William Sound for a once-in-a-lifetime glacier viewing and marine wildlife experience. Home to an abundance of glaciers and wildlife, Prince William Sound is one of Alaska’s... Browse tour

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a log cabin lodge with chairs on a deck and steep mountain cliffs behind

Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge

The lodge is reached via boat from the Seward harbor. Positioned on the shores of Fox Island in Resurrection Bay, a stay at the lodge offers a scenic cruise in Resurrection Bay, private cabin accommodations, and a guided kayaking... Browse tour

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Orca Adventure Lodge

Start in Anchorage with a scheduled flight over glacier-carved Chugach mountains to Cordova's quaint historic fishing town. On arrival, transfer to the lodge and settle into one of the 40 cozy guest rooms for two nights. The lodge is... Browse tour

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The Alaska Railroad rolls past forested mountains on it's way north out of Anchorage

Greatland Explorer Tour

Starting in Fairbanks, enjoy the scenic ride by train to Denali National Park and then to Anchorage. With two nights at Denali National Park, there is ample time to experience one of Alaska's most popular destinations. The Tundra Wilderness... Browse tour

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several wooden rocking chairs on a wooden deck overlooking the Kenai River in Alaska

Kenai Riverside Lodge

Transfer provided to Cooper Landing, just a 2-hour scenic drive from Anchorage. The lodge sits on the upper reaches of the Kenai River, a world-renowned for wild salmon and trophy trout fishing. This riverside retreat is the perfect base... Browse tour

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an aerial tram labeled 'Alyeska Resort' over snowy mountains

Winter Turnagain Turnaround Day Tour

Take a small group Winter day tour from Anchorage on this guided bus tour along Cook Inlet’s Turnagain Arm, one of the most scenic drives in Alaska. Your driver will pick you up from your Anchorage hotel and take... Browse tour

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Tonsina Point Kayak & Hike Combo Tour

This Seward day trip kayaking and hiking, takes you to explore the beauty of Resurrection Bay during a 7-hour Alaska adventure tour. Meet your transfer at Seward Small Boat Harbor, then depart from Lowell Point and paddle your two-person... Browse tour

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Resurrection Bay Kayaking Tour

This kayaking tour from Seward is a fun and adventuresome way to explore the spectacular beauty of Resurrection Bay!  Your kayaking tour starts with a transfer from Seward Small Boat Harbor to Lowell Point, where you board your kayak... Browse tour

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Denali Heli-Hiking Tour

This Denali area heli-hiking day tour from the Denali National Park Entrance allows visitors to experience the backcountry of Alaska with a brief helicopter flight followed by a guided hike through Yanert Valley. A naturalist guide will lead you... Browse tour

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two people in a tandem kayak along a rocky coast

Duck Flats Kayaking Tour from Valdez

On this guided Alaska kayaking tour from Valdez, you will kayak into the calm protected waters of the Valdez “duck flats.” This kayaking day trip will follow a chain of small islands recognized for their nesting birds and sun... Browse tour

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Shoup Glacier Kayaking Tour

This Valdez kayaking tour to Shoup Glacier offers an intimate experience at one of Prince William Sounds’ many calving tidewater glaciers. This day trip is perfect for both beginner and experienced kayakers. Climb aboard a motor boat for a... Browse tour

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Columbia Glacier Kayaking Tour

On this Valdez day tour, search for wildlife such as whales, sea otters, and sea lions as you cruise for two hours to the Columbia Glacier by water taxi. This is Alaska’s second-largest tidewater glacier. Since the early 1980s,... Browse tour

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Columbia Glacier Cruise

This Valdez day tour with a glacier and wildlife cruise through Prince William Sound features a visit to Columbia Glacier. On board, you can view Prince Williams Sound’s diverse wildlife, including sea lions, sea otters, and whales. Learn about... Browse tour

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Meares Glacier Cruise from Valdez

This Valdez day tour takes you on a 110-mile glacier cruise through the majestic waters of Prince William Sound to Meares Glacier. On board, you can spot and photograph Prince William Sound wildlife, including sea otters, harbor seals, sea... Browse tour

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Whale Watching Cruise from Juneau

Your Juneau whale-watching adventure begins with a narrated transfer from the Juneau cruise ship pier (downtown Juneau) to Auke Bay. Here you will board the state-of-the-art jet boat, custom designed for Juneau whale watching, with large windows and an... Browse tour

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Anan Creek Bear Observatory Tour

Anan Creek is located in Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska, 35 miles south of Wrangell. A 45 to 60-minute jet boat ride will bring you from Wrangell through the Eastern Passage to Anan Creek. Seals, Stellar sea lions, dolphins,... Browse tour

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a man on a fishing charter boat holds up two halibut

Halibut Fishing in Homer (Full Day)

The Alaska city of Homer is known as the “Halibut Capital of the World” and offers some of Alaska’s best halibut fishing from mid-May to September. The boat trip itself on this Homer fishing trip is a treat –... Browse tour

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Halibut Fishing in Homer (Half Day)

Enjoy fishing in Kachemak Bay from Homer, known as the “Halibut Capital of the world,” This half-day fishing charter reaches nearby fishing grounds for halibut.  This Homer fishing adventure is recommended for families or those who only have a... Browse tour

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Kachemak Bay Kayaking Day Tour

Homer, Alaska, is surrounded by picturesque mountain peaks, remote fjords, and abundant wildlife, making Homer’s Kachemak Bay a premier destination for sea kayaking. Begin with a water taxi ride from Homer across scenic Kachemak Bay to the protected waters... Browse tour

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a caribou stands in front of the Alaska Range and Denali mountain in Denali National Park

Visit Denali from Anchorage

Great opportunities to view wildlife and the incredible scenery Denali is so well known for. You'll travel by motor coach from Anchorage to the Denali park entrance and spend two nights there. There is enough free time built in... Browse tour

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Glacier & Wildlife Flightseeing Tour

Enjoy a day tour from Anchorage with flightseeing from Lake Hood over the majestic Chugach State Park! You will soar above the expansive Knik or Triumvirate Glacier on your flight, rimmed with spectacular hanging ice formations. With a birdseye... Browse tour

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Nome & the Bering Land Bridge by Car

This unique itinerary takes you to the remote Seward Peninsula. Included is round trip air travel from Anchorage to Nome for three nights and three days car rental to explore this diverse region independently. The Nome area offers an... Browse tour

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the mountain of Denali; a dirt path in foreground

Alaska “On A Dime” Self-Drive Tour

Explore two of Alaska's most famous national parks (Denali and Kenai Fjords) at your own pace in only one week. This affordable driving tour is designed for travelers with limited time and budget. This trip includes a guided bus... Browse tour

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a blue and yellow 'Alaska' train at a depot surrounded by trees in fall colors

Denali Express Train Tour

After an overnight in Fairbanks, meet the train departing to Denali National Park. This afternoon take a guided excursion into Denali National Park and learn about the history and geology of the park, stopping when there is an opportunity... Browse tour

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