Alaska Cruises: Excursions

Travel the route of the “Trail of ’98” in a four-wheel drive Jeep Wrangler®. Your small group of explorers will set out into the Yukon Territory via the same routes taken by the hardy gold prospectors in the late 1800’s. Your tour guide in the lead Jeep will entertain you with the lore of the gold rush era by interactive radio. Amazing vistas accessible only by off-road vehicle await you on this adventure. You’ll want to bring a camera to capture them.

There are several points along your route that drivers can rotate including Pitchfork Falls, Moore Bridge, Dead Horse Gulch, Bracket Wagon Trail, and Tormented Valley en route to the historic village of Carcross. Drive up Montana Mountain for a panorama view of the Carcross Desert, the smallest desert in the world!

Note: This excursion enters Canada and all participants are required to carry a valid passport. Drivers must be at least 25 years of age, provide a current driver’s license and must sign a liability/insurance waiver. Participants must be at least 5 years of age. We provide a booster seat for children 5 through 8 years upon request and subject to availability. Canadian citizens may not drive the vehicles into Canada due to current regulations. Both parents must accompany minors across border or a signed letter granting permission from non-participating parent may need to be presented to Customs and Border Protection. The tour is approximately three hours with approximately one hour of off-roading.

Get ready for an Alaskan wilderness adventure on the Takshanuk Mountain Trail in Tongass National Forest! ake the wheel of a 4X4 Kawasaki Mule and join your guides as you journey through spectacular mountains and forests. Start with a scenic cruise aboard a high-speed catamaran down North America’s longest and deepest Fjord to the town of Haines. After your safety briefing, you’re ready to board your 4X4 and start your adventure.

Get your camera ready to snap the breathtaking scenery including mountain streams, a cascading waterfall, a scenic alpine lake, and the occasional eagle or bear! At the meadow, take in the panoramic view of Lynn Canal, Chilkoot Lake and the snow-capped mountains. Stop at mountaintop lodge for a freshly prepared meal of Halibut and chicken meal, with all of the fixings! (Vegetarian meals are available with a 24 hrs. notice). Make your way back to the trailhead and board your bus for a short tour of Haines and Fort William H. Seward.

Note: Participants who are going to drive the Mule must be at least 21 years of age and must provide a valid driver’s license. Pregnant women or guests with back or neck injuries are not able to participate.

Sit back, strap yourself in,and hit the accelerator for the off-road adventure of a lifetime! Mountain trails through a timber harvested area offer the perfect venue for off-road challenges. Learn about the history and culture of Ketchikan as you are transported by motorcoach to this rainforest wilderness. At the Adventure Kart base camp, you’ll receive a safety briefing and gear up in preparation for the exciting, 1 1/2 hour guided trek. Your caravan of karts sets out to explore the remote back country along several miles of forest trail, with your guide in the lead ATV. Feel the rush of adrenaline at the start of your journey as you navigate an obstacle course in a custom designed Tomcar that tests your ability to traverse through the remaining wilderness. A comfortable pace is maintained as you thread your way around steep curves, climbing to reveal unparalleled views of the Tongass National Forest, Behm Canal and Alaska’s fabled Inside Passage. Stops are made along the way to soak up the grandeur and beauty of this lush land. Enjoy a snack and beverage, then drivers and passengers have the opportunity to switch positions for the return trip. Be prepared to watch for wildlife along the way where eagles, deer or bears are frequently sighted. Note: Participants must be at least 50" tall and weigh between 40 and 300 lbs. All drivers must provide a valid driver’s license. Karts accommodate two guests. Not recommended for guests with neck or back problems or expectant mothers. A damage deposit will be collected at the beginning of the tour by way of credit card or automobile insurance. less

After disembarking, enjoy a drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest combined-use rail/highway tunnel in the United States. At 2.5 miles, this is the Whittier's only overland link to the rest of Alaska. The first stop on your excursion enroute to Anchorage is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Here you'll see orphaned and injured moose, bears, musk oxen, wolves, and more. The gift shop houses a unique collection of items, many made by local artisans. Next, continue north on the Seward Highway towards Girdwood, Alaska. This quaint ski town houses Alaska's largest winter recreation area, Alyeska Resort. Take the resort's comfortable 60-person tram up to the 2,500-foot level of Mt. Alyeska for views of Turnagain Arm and the surrounding valley. You'll have free time to enjoy lunch on your own at one of the resort's restaurants or snack bars. Once the snow is gone, short hikes on the Winter Creek trail from the base of the tram, or from the top of the tram terminal are also possible. After exploring the resort, your driver-guide will provide commentary on the history of Turnagain Arm and Anchorage during the one-hour drive to the Anchorage airport, and an additional drop-off at the downtown Hospitality Center. less

Ketchikan’s finest bear viewing accessible by road! Visit the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary for this unique opportunity to see black bear in their native habitat. Your tour begins with a narrated city tour and eight mile coastal drive to the sanctuary. Your naturalist/guide will bring the rich forest to life as you meander along a trail, leading to a series of elevated bridges and platforms. Watch for bears from the safety of these above ground platforms which maximize your viewing and provide protection. To limit resource impact, only a limited number of small groups have access to this exclusive bear viewing area. Leaving the private elevated wildlife viewing system, the rainforest trail transforms to a boardwalk perched over grassy wetlands alongside Eagle Creek,home to a rich run of spawning salmon. Where bears and seals come to fish for Alaska’s abundant salmon. Bald eagles and other birds wait for scraps in the estuary. After taking in the sights at more choice wildlife viewing locations, your guide will lead you to feed Alaskan reindeer. See a bald eagle and a Great Northern owl up close in the raptor center, where a wildlife specialist explains the habitat and heritage of America’s national symbol. Be guided through the historic Herring Bay Lumber Company Sawmill before you observe a master native carver crafting a large totem pole. Your tour ends with a visit at our General Store for shopping and some complimentary snacks. This is a great tour for photographers and nature lovers. Note: Participants must be at least 12 years of age, must be able to stand for up to 1 ½ hours and negotiate 1 mile of terrain. Layered clothing recommended, rain ponchos available. Bear viewing is guaranteed and you’ll receive a partial refund ($80 per person) if the group does not see at least one bear. A bear sighting is defined as anyone in the group seeing a bear. less

Wildlife is everywhere in Alaska! Crabs, eagles, whales, octopus, sea lions, porpoise, wolf eels, sharks and seals are all frequent visitors on the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour. Come aboard the Aleutian Ballad for the adventure of a lifetime! The Aleutian Ballad was made famous in season two of Discovery Channel’s award-winning TV series Deadliest Catch. But there are no rough seas here! You'll set out in the calm, protected waters of the Inside Passage to witness first-hand the amazing way of life of commercial fishermen. Marvel at the scenic beauty that surrounds you from the comfort of the heated and sheltered stadium-style seating lower deck or the open-air top deck. Watch as the skilled crew haul and set long line, barrel pots and huge 700 lb. king crab pots to reveal the catch of the day. The amazing marine life is placed in an on-deck aquarium so everyone can get up close with these unique creatures of the sea. This fascinating, educational and interactive experience is perfect for all ages and is packed with stories and adventures shared by the men and women who risk their lives fishing the Bering Sea. NOTE: This tour does NOT go out into the rough waters of the open ocean. It remains in the calm protected waterways of the Inside Passage surrounding Ketchikan. Participants must be at least 5 years of age. less