Why Visit Alaska?

Alaska is a state like no other, and the list of reasons why it can be considered the best state is long! Visitors love Alaska for its beauty – the breathtaking mountain ranges, windswept arctic beaches, and snow-covered tundra – and for the wildlife that populates these areas. Moose, bald eagles, bears, lynx, caribou, whales, and more – you name it, Alaska has it! There are a ton of places to explore and things to see in this great state, as well as activities for people of all ages.

Alaska’s cities provide an incredible amount of cultural activities and historical places to explore for those looking for a more relaxed vacation. But for those who prefer a wild adventure, Alaska nature tours will deliver! There are so many ways to get out and see Alaska’s natural beauty, and some of the best ways to do so include Alaska tours with a small group.

Best Alaska Adventures #1 – Alaska’s National Parks

Alaska is home to eight national parks and preserves that cover 54 million acres! This includes 50 National Historic Landmarks, 16 National Natural Landmarks, 24 official National Park Service Units, and nearly 100 state park areas! For those seeking Alaska nature tours, visiting a national park (or two) is a great option!

Each park is different and offers visitors something special. From the brown bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve to the caribou of Denali National Park, to the Nabesna Glacier at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park to the vast and untouched wilderness of Gates of the Arctic National Park. An outfitter that is experienced in Alaska tours for a small group can help organize and plan your trip so that you don’t have to worry about getting there, finding lodging, or food. For some of the more remote parks, this option is the way to go and will provide one of the best Alaska adventure tours you’ve ever had! Local guides are also experts on flora and fauna and can take you off the beaten path for a hiking adventure of a lifetime.

Best Alaska Adventures #2 – Alaska Northern Lights

The Northern Lights is arguably one of the biggest attractions in Alaska, but it can also be one of the most elusive! Contracting with a reputable Alaska tour for small groups is the best way to guarantee a sighting of the Northern Lights. Since Fairbanks is one of the most popular destinations for visitors who want to see the Northern Lights, booking with a tour operator that knows this area is a great way to ensure one of the best Alaska adventures. Try reserving your trip during the time when the lights are most active – from August 21 to April 21.

Since peak viewing season is in the weather, it’s a great idea to have a guide that can help you plan additional Alaska nature tours during the day, and organize fun activities like dog sledding or hiking for you. But the best thing about having a guide on a trip like this is the wake-up calls! You can sleep peacefully each night knowing that if the aurora borealis appears in the night sky, your guide will wake you up for the show.

Best Alaska Adventures #3 – Alaska Wildlife Viewing

Alaska is one of the wildest places on earth, and one of the best places to see a variety of wildlife in their natural surroundings. Finding Alaska tours for a small group is best for wildlife viewing. Why? Small groups allow for a more immersive experience with an expert guide and often are able to book at a remote camp or lodge far away from tourist-heavy locations. From bear viewing to moose sightings to whale watching and eagle viewing – wildlife viewing in Alaska is one of the best Alaska adventure tours you can have in this great state.

Many tour operators guarantee wildlife sightings, too. They do so because they know when and where to find each species, and how to lead a small group to the best viewing locations. From hiking trips into the backcountry to small boat cruises along the coastline through bays and inlets, there’s nothing better than Alaska nature tours that let you see Alaska’s wildlife on their own turf.

Best Alaska Adventures #4 – Alaska Glacier Hike

Alaska has many accessible glaciers across the state that allow visitors to experience a frozen wonderland even in the height of summer. Booking a guided glacier tour will allow you to see these formations up close! These tours include glacier hiking and climbing trips (with proper instruction) or the chance to raft and kayak through a sea of ice to the face of a tidewater glacier. Some tour operators will even take visitors on a trek across an ice field on a multi-day climbing workshop.

One of the best ways to experience Alaska nature tours is by combining a glacier-hiking adventure with a trip to Denali National Park. Denali’s vast acreage is covered in glaciers, including the Peters Glacier, the Kahiltna Glacier, and the Ruth Glacier. With an experienced guide, you can experience the serene beauty of the Alaska Range and scour the rugged landscape for a glimpse of a moose herd.

Best Alaska Adventures #5 – Alaska Small Boat Cruise

When you think of a cruise ship, you most probably think of a luxury liner with thousands of people on vacation. But Alaska tours offer small group cruises for those who want a more immersive experience. These small ships reach places that the big ships cannot go, which means you’ll be able to see remote bays and isolated inlets, along with the marine life that lives there. Small boat cruises also offer immersive Alaska nature tours, with programs that include naturalists or experts who can give you background on the wildlife you see on the cruise.

Many small cruises also offer passengers the opportunity to disembark – not to shop – but to kayak along the coastline to view the natural surroundings and wildlife that live there. Some of the perks to these types of trips are that the boat will make unplanned stops when wildlife appears! This type of trip is perfect for the nature enthusiast looking for a hands-on experience in remote locations.

When you book one of the many Alaska nature tours operated by Alaska’s many guide services, you can be sure that you are going to have one of the best Alaska Adventure tours out there! Alaska tours for a small group have been gaining in popularity, so make sure to call well in advance to reserve your spot. Alaska is calling, and adventure is around the corner. So make your reservations today!