Top Alaska Half-day Tours

The Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneau’s most impressive natural wonders, stretching over 13 miles (21 kilometers). On this half-day tour, enjoy spectacular views of the glacier from the viewing platforms and walkways, and learn more about the mighty glacier at the Visitor Center. Then, set sail on a thrilling whale-watching cruise along the coast and look out for humpback whales, as well as other wildlife such as bald eagles and blue heron.

Whale watching and visiting the Mendenhall Glacier are two of the most popular activities around Juneau. Check them both off your list on this half-day combo tour that includes flexible departure times and round-trip transportation from Mt. Roberts Tramway, making it ideal for a shore excursion or quick trip.

Discover Alaska's capital city! Nestled between stunning mountain vistas and winding waterways, the modern city of Juneau is reminiscent of the old west. From the colorful port, to the busy capitol building, to the famous whale statue, this unique city has a surprise around every corner. Join us for a colorful narrated tour! The crowning point of the tour is Juneau's natural treasure, the Mendenhall Glacier. One of 38 glaciers flowing from the massive 1,500-square-mile Juneau Ice field. At this stop you can explore this glacial wonder from a variety of perspectives like Nugget Creek Falls and Photo Point Trail, which winds along Mendenhall Lake to an unobstructed view of the glacier's face. There you can also visit the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center for an elevated view of the glacier as well as interactive geological exhibits explaining glacier formation.

Let an insider lead the way around Anchorage on this half-day tour of the city, featuring stops at must-see attractions like Ship Creek and Alaska Wild Berry Products. Gain a deeper understanding of local culture as you learn the history and folklore behind key Anchorage attractions on this joint walking and driving tour of the city.

When your cruise stops at Juneau, see whales in their natural habitat on this whale-watching boat trip, all without the fuss of organizing shore transport. Prebook to secure your place, board a comfortable boat with outdoor decks and heated cabins, and cruise Alaska’s waters to see marine life in the wild. Then, enjoy guaranteed sightings of humpback whales, with a naturalist providing commentary on their behaviors as you cruise.

Make the most of your time on land with this shore excursion of Canada’s Yukon Territory. Go through White Pass to the Carcross Desert, Emerald Lake, and Caribou Crossing, visit a dog mushing camp, and look for wildlife such as bear, moose, and caribou. Includes lunch

Get out of the city and deeper into the Alaskan wilderness than is typical on a sightseeing tour. This tour takes you to Chugach National Forest, Beluga Point, Portage Glacier, and more to spot brown bears, wolves, bison, and belugas. Enjoy live commentary and learn about the unique landscapes of Alaska from your expert guide.

Treat yourself to an abundance of wildlife viewing with this 4-hour Kenai Fjords cruise in Resurrection Bay from Seward Harbor. Travel 55 miles (round-trip) along a rugged coastline and snap plenty of memorable photos as you sail past Bear Glacier. Sail close to sea lion colonies and seabird rookeries, and keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, eagles and mountain goats.

Combine a sightseeing tour and a glacier cruise into one full-day itinerary with this excursion from Anchorage. Climb aboard a comfortable coach for a narrated journey along Turnagain Arm Drive. Continue the tour on a catamaran for a smooth, scenic cruise that navigates through narrow fjords and right up to the face of massive glaciers. Admire views of Prince William Sound during the tour.

Watch the Alaskan wilderness awaken on this 6-hour morning cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward. Aboard a warm and spacious vessel customized for comfort, cruise past alpine and tidewater glaciers among the fjords and take in a bounty of wildlife sightings, including whales, sea lions and birds. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board, and visit the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge for great views of seabird rookeries. Don’t miss one of Alaska’s most popular wildlife and glacier cruises!

Experience Alaska from the only zipline course in the Denali National Park region. Soar over the trees during a 3-hour ziplining experience just outside Denali National Park, with expert guides who lead you along a course with six suspension bridges and eight ziplines. Fly through the boreal forest and over the tundra on this memorable tour that promises exhilarating thrills, incredible scenery and a fun challenge.

Take a comfy seat aboard a cable car for this 1-hour Anchorage tour by trolley. As you roll along in the city, delight in sights like moose (safely) crossing the road and seaplanes descending on Lake Hood and Lake Spenard. Gain unique into the local history and culture of Alaska's most populous city from guides with generational ties to the region. Trolleys run regularly and your wallet-friendly outing comes with a complimentary coupon booklet with some $200 in travel savings.

Travel the Seward Highway without the hassle of renting a car and driving. This small-group tour takes you to most scenic spots along Turnagain Arm, over mountain passes, and past jagged peaks, forests, crystal-clear lakes, and the Pacific Ocean.

Journey deep into the Alaskan wilderness on this full-day cruise from Seward through Kenai Fjords National Park. Aboard a spacious vessel customized for comfort, travel past alpine and tidewater glaciers among the fjords and take in a  bounty of wildlife sightings, including whales, sea lions and birds. Visit the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge for great views of seabird rookeries. Enjoy an onboard lunch and stop at a private lodge on Fox Island for a delicious dinner.

The Turnagain Arm boasts abundant Alaskan wildlife within easy access of the city of Anchorage. Learn about the local ecosystem from a guide with extensive knowledge about the area as you drive down the peninsula, with opportunities to spot wild animals in their natural environment as you go. A visit to the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and a drive past the glaciers on Portage Glacier Road are also included.

Discover the beautiful scenery of North Anchorage during this 90-minute helicopter and dogsled tour. Soar over the Church Range and Knik Glacier in a helicopter as you make your way to the Troublesome Glacier. Here, a team of 40 sled dogs is waiting to transport you across the glacier for a true Alaskan experience. Keep an eye out for native animals such as moose and mountain goats throughout your tour.

With this incredible tour, you’ll start with a helicopter flight over the ancient glaciers of the 1,500-square-mile Juneau Icefield. After seeing this marvel of Mother Nature from above, you’ll land at a remote glacier camp for yet another ride on the wild side: zooming across the Alaskan tundra—high, rugged mountains surrounding you—pulled by a rambunctious group of Alaskan huskies. It’s truly an only-in-Alaska experience.

While in Skagway port, spend half a day discovering the wild beauty of Canada’s Yukon territory via a mini-bus. This tour travels along the Klondike Highway, with mountain and waterfall scenery that will take your breath away. Wind your way up to White Pass summit and feast eyes on the dramatic landscape of Tormented Valley. Spot wildlife along the way, and don’t forget to take a commemorative shot at the Yukon border sign. Note: bring a current, valid passport.

Explore the Alaskan wilderness on a 2.5-hour tour by ATV from Denali. Stop to view Denali National Park landmarks such as Otto Lake, Healy Valley, and the Alaska Range, and look for wildlife such as moose. Ride either an automatic single or double ATV through rugged terrain, splashing through water (weather permitting) and traversing rocky creek beds on an ATV that can reach speeds of up to 30 mph (48 kph). Includes guide, use of equipment, and pickup and drop-off at select hotels.

While in Skagway port, spend the day discovering the treasures of the Yukon, Canada's westernmost territory. This comprehensive tour travels along the Klondike Highway by minibus, with mountain scenery that will impress you. Many photo stops are made and wildlife sightings are a good possibility. Once in Carcross area, visit the Caribou Crossing Trading Post, with its wildlife museum and a dogsled camp. Enjoy soaking up the wild beauty of southeast Alaska, the northern tip of British Columbia, and the Yukon Territory on this Skagway shore excursion. Note: All travelers must bring their valid passport.

Ride an electric bike to the end of Ketchikan's 'road to nowhere' and then hike thorough a wildlife-rich rain forest on this combo eco-tour. Pedal from the marina to the end of the island's paved road system on a battery-powered bike, and then dismount to trek through the wilderness of the Tongass National Forest, following a trail that passes an active salmon-spawning stream, a waterfall, beach views, and dense foliage that's home to an array of native Alaskan wildlife.

Get off the beaten path on this utility-task vehicle (UTV) tour to Mahoney Lake. Ride mountainous off-road trails along the George Inlet Fjords, Tongass National Forest, and Mahoney Lake, a small lake north of Beaver Falls. Along the way, stop to soak up views spot wildlife, and lunch on smoked reindeer links on a bun with hot chocolate and coffee.

Discover the Denali area on a 3.5-hour ATV tour that takes you through the boreal forest of Alaska. Have the option to tackle the rugged terrain in a single-rider ATV or a multi-passenger side-by-side ATV. Reach speeds of up to 30 mph (48 km/hr) as you ride for about 2.5 hours on trails that are challenging for all experience levels. Stop periodically for photo ops and wildlife sightings on a tour that includes guide, use of equipment, and transport from select locations in Denali.