Glacier Bay Backcountry Explorer

Arrive independently to Juneau, Alaska, and transfer to your hotel on your own, either by private taxi or via the complimentary hotel shuttle. Use this day to independently explore Alaska’s remote capital—a quaint, walkable town. Watch floatplanes take off and land from a waterfront seafood restaurant, or perhaps take the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway up 1,800 feet for expansive views of Gastineau Channel. This is Southeast Alaska’s only aerial tramway, and one of the world’s most vertical.

Choose your helicopter-accessed adventure today: either a glacier trek or a dog-sledding adventure. Both excursions begin with a scenic Alaska helicopter flight over the incredible Juneau Icefield, birthplace to many of the region’s glaciers. On the way, witness the landscape change from the lush forests at sea level to the granite peaks that surround the Juneau Icefield.

If glacier-trekking is your choice, then meet with professional glacier guides who will teach you basic mountaineering skills and proper use of an ice axe, crampons and other equipment. Then you’re led on an exhilarating hike across the ice. No experience is necessary.

The dog-sledding option has you in the company of famed Iditarod and Yukon Quest dogsledder Sebastian Schnuelle’s camp of 80 Alaskan huskies. Hear his exciting dog sledding accounts, with ample photo opportunities as you can dress up in original Iditarod Trail dogsled gear and finishing bibs. Then a team of 12 to 14 dogs will pull the dogsled while you either ride the runners or sit comfortably on the sled as you glide across the Alaskan backcountry.

After your morning adventure, return downtown to explore, shop or relax on your own.

Enjoy a spectacular scenic flight over Alaska’s Inside Passage to Gustavus, the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. Upon arrival in this quaint homestead community, you are met by a local representative and transferred to a family-run wilderness lodge. You’ll appreciate sitting by the roaring fire enjoying views of Icy Strait. The afternoon is open to explore the surrounding wilderness. Tonight enjoy a delicious dinner made from scratch with local ingredients.

Across Icy Strait from Glacier Bay lies Point Adolphus, one of the premier humpback whale watching sites in the world. Nutrient-rich currents from Glacier Bay attract these magnificent cetaceans. Each year they gather here to feed on krill and herring. You may also see minke and orca whales, porpoise, seals, sea lions and sea otters sharing in the bounty. The rich waters and pristine forests also attract numerous bald eagles and seabirds, brown bears and deer. Return to the lodge for lunch and a free afternoon to relax or explore.

Spend the day actively exploring Alaska’s wilderness up close with a 6-hour kayaking excursion. Sail to Point Adolphus in a kayak-outfitted day boat for drop-off in the morning. Your kayak guide knows the best locations for natural history exploration including whale watching, birding or marine mammals. Point Adolphus is a rich summer feeding ground for humpback whales but sightings may also include killer whales, minke whales, porpoise, sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles and more. The vessel picks you up in the afternoon for your return to the Bear Track Inn for dinner.

Board the M/V Baranof Wind to cruise 70 miles up Glacier Bay’s beautiful West Arm where you will witness a spectacular congregation of tidewater glaciers. Take time to imagine how this entire bay must have looked just 200 years ago, when it was completely filled with ice. Since that time, Glacier Bay has endured the fastest retreat of glaciers in recorded history, some 70 miles. Throughout the journey you will be witness to the succession of habitats from old growth temperate rainforest at the bay’s mouth to bare rock near the glaciers’ face. Watch for resident wildlife en route to the glaciers including whales, harbor seals, otters, bears, mountain goats and moose. This evening fly back to Juneau and transfer to your downtown hotel.

Transfer on your own to the Juneau International Airport, either by private taxi or via the complimentary hotel shuttle, to catch your flight home or begin more Alaska adventures.