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Alaska Adventure Tours

Alaskan Fjord Discovery Trip

Wildlife to wilderness, Denali to Kenai Fjords, Alaska is made for exploring. Our Alaska adventure vacations take you into the heart of it all.

Alaska is a land best experienced by doing. Alaska adventure tours invite you to hike craggy mountains, kayak pristine waters, and cruise next to a calving glacier, waiting for the sharp glacial “crack!” that will echo in your memories for years to come. An ideal destination for families or adults, Alaska is America’s last great frontier and primed for exploration and discovery.

Top Alaska Adventure Tours for Adults

North America

Kenai Fjords Adventure

4.82

  • Duration 6 days
  • Activity Level Level 3 
    • Activity Level 3

      Earn Your Lunch

      I stay active on vacation and love the feeling of relaxing after a busy day on the go. I season my trips with a little fresh exercise.

    Read more about the Active Range

 ADULT ONLY

Experience the best of Alaska’s wilderness and wildlife on this six-day, all-inclusive adventure through the 650,000-acre Kenai Fjords National Park.

Trip Start: Anchorage, Alaska Trip End: Anchorage, Alaska

North America

Kenai Fjords & Denali Adventure

  • Duration 8 days
  • Activity Level Level 3 
    • Activity Level 3

      Earn Your Lunch

      I stay active on vacation and love the feeling of relaxing after a busy day on the go. I season my trips with a little fresh exercise.

    Read more about the Active Range

 ADULT ONLY

Seek out epic scenery, thriving wildlife and untamed beauty on this Kenai Fjords and Denali National Park 8-day adventure. Raft the Kenai River Canyon, hike to the Exit Glacier, explore the rugged Denali Highway, and more.

Trip Start: Anchorage, Alaska Trip End: Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska Trips for Families

North America

Kenai Fjords Family Vacation

  • Duration 6 days
  • Activity Level Level 3 
    • Activity Level 3

      Earn Your Lunch

      I stay active on vacation and love the feeling of relaxing after a busy day on the go. I season my trips with a little fresh exercise.

    Read more about the Active Range

 FAMILY VACATION

Spend six days exploring the Kenai Peninsula at a comfortable pace. Embark on your dream Alaska family vacation where you’ll enjoy a scenic train ride, kayak Resurrection Bay, hike Exit Glacier, cruise Kenai Fjords, and more!

Trip Start: Anchorage, Alaska Trip End: Anchorage, Alaska

What guests say about our Alaska Adventure Tours

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Kenai Fjords Adventure - September 2021

Amazing Trip!

"I've wanted to go to Alaska for years, but I'm not a cruise person. … read more

"I've wanted to go to Alaska for years, but I'm not a cruise person. This Active Adventures trip let us experience part of this beautiful state in the ways I like best. I loved the hiking and biking, the Kenai Fjords tour was incredible, and the guides could not have been better. We're usually ready to go home at the end of the vacation, but we were not even starting to get tired of our adventure, our guides, or our other group members. Before we were home, I was already checking to see if Active traveled to other parts of Alaska, because I would like to explore the Inside Passage. read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

Kristin, United States

Kenai Fjords Adventure - September 2021

Favorite US vacation

"This was my favorite US vacation. The mix of scenery, outdoor activities, and animal viewing… read more

"This was my favorite US vacation. The mix of scenery, outdoor activities, and animal viewing was beyond expectations. I shared many pictures with my associates at work, and many of them mentioned a desire to travel to Alaska and asked for my itinerary. read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

Jim, United States

Kenai Fjords Adventure - September 2021

Alaska Awesome

"A fantastic trip that checked off all the must-see and do’s in Alaska. Our guides,… read more

"A fantastic trip that checked off all the must-see and do’s in Alaska. Our guides, Gabrielle, Liz and Nicco did a great job tending to our every need and found solutions to all the itinerary challenges (weather, restaurant closures, flat tires). read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

Jay, United States

Kenai Fjords Adventure - September 2021

Caribou Alaska Trip

"Liz, Nicco and Gabrielle were fantastic guides who worked really well together. They were always… read more

"Liz, Nicco and Gabrielle were fantastic guides who worked really well together. They were always checking on us to make sure we were ok and bent over backwards to ensure we had a great time, were enjoying our trip and were well fed. Our accommodations were excellent and I especially liked that we stayed in one spot multiple nights. I highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for a spectacular Alaskan experience! read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

Sherri, United States

Kenai Fjords Adventure - July 2021

Trip of a lifetime!

"Well organized with super fun guides! Spectacular scenery everywhere we went be it hike, bike… read more

"Well organized with super fun guides! Spectacular scenery everywhere we went be it hike, bike or boat. read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

Susan, United States

Kenai Fjords Adventure - June 2021

Great way to explore South Central Alaska!

"This is my fourth trip with Active Adventures, and the first time with their partner… read more

"This is my fourth trip with Active Adventures, and the first time with their partner company Austin Adventures. Just like Active, Austin Adventures didn’t disappoint! The booking process was very easy to navigate, the guides were all very attentive, and there was plenty of opportunities to explore through various activities such as hiking, biking, and kayaking. After the last year we’ve all had, it was great to finally be able to get back out and travel again, and having a company like Active/Austin Adventures plan out everything for you made the entire experience much less stressful and all that more enjoyable! read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

Kevin, United States

alaska vacation 2

Alaska Hotels & Dining

All guests booked on land tours visiting the Kenai Peninsula will stay at the Harbor 360 Hotel in Anchorage and the luxurious Alyeska Prince Hotel in Girdwood with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

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When is the best time to visit Alaska?

While each of the four distinct seasons offer their own special surprises (even the short “shoulder” seasons of spring and fall), the months of May and September are the best times to visit Alaska for adventure travel because you can advantage of the longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures. 

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Packing for your Alaska Adventure Tour

Packing for Alaskan adventure vacations can be tough because no matter what time of year you travel, you need to prepare for sunshine, rain, wind, and maybe even snow – sometimes all in the same day! Don’t worry, we’ve got a few great tips below for packing efficiently for your adventure.

If it’s waterproof, pack It.

We are not exaggerating when we say it can rain anytime on your Alaska vacation. This big, beautiful state is a true adventure destination and the weather (both the sun and the rain) is a big part of that! We recommend bringing along your waterproof hiking boots and a waterproof/breathable rain jacket and pants. Also, extra socks are a good idea – you very well could go through two pairs in a day if they get soaked early (nobody likes to hike in wet socks)!

Layers are ideal.

It may sound like you need to pack your entire wardrobe to prepare for unpredictable Alaska weather, but a handful of layers ought to keep you warm or cool, depending on the temperature. You will want to bring both pants and shorts (it can get quite warm in Alaska) as well as a variety of tops for layering. Bring multiple undershirts but just one or two of the following tops to layer: moisture-wicking long sleeve shirt, heavyweight fleece pullover or jacket, and a waterproof rain jacket or shell. A pair of long underwear is nice to have too. You’ll want to refer to the Packing List you’ll receive before your trip for further recommendations on what to pack.

Leave the formal wear at home.

Alaska restaurants are pretty casual and there’s no need to pack along your tuxedo or fancy clothes. In most restaurants, you can wear just about anything you would have worn on the trail that day (assuming it’s not dirty or wet!). Jeans and a button-up or polo shirt are perfect for an Alaskan dinner.

You’ll need protection from the elements.

We already discussed protection from rain, but you’ll also want to bring along a lightweight, brimmed hat (for sun and rain), sunscreen, as well as sunglasses with UV protection. On the flip side, it can also be very cold (especially when you’re on any kind of boat moving at a brisk pace), so we recommend packing a warm hat, gloves, and some sort of scarf or balaclava for face protection.

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Travel Tips for your Alaska Adventure Tour

Our Alaska adventure tours are among our best-selling vacations and rightfully so! Alaska has earned its reputation as an adventurer’s paradise because it has everything a traveler looks for in a vacation destination: mountains, wildlife, ocean, a wide variety of activities, and friendly locals.

When you head “Up North,” a few travel tips from your travel professionals at Austin Adventures may come in handy:


Watch for wildlife around every corner.

Alaska is a wildlife mecca, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you’re sure to spot many of the fauna that call this big state home. Not only can you spot Alaska’s typical land creatures such as bears, moose, mountain goats, bald eagles, and more, but you also have a wide array of ocean life to spot like whales, otters, sea lions, puffins, seals, etc. Your guides will teach you about the wildlife you spot and will help you see, photograph, and observe (at a safe distance!) the exemplary range of species that Alaska is famous for.

Zero in on your ideal vacation destination

Alaska is an enormous state (over twice the size of Texas), and it can be difficult to know what you should see and do on your Alaska vacation. Because Alaska is so huge, it’s much easier to focus on small regions that deliver tremendous adventure potential. We can help pick what’s best for you!

Prepare for unpredictable weather

We can’t emphasize enough to prepare yourself for any kind of weather (sun, wind, rain, sleet, even snow!). While this can be tough since you can’t pack your whole closet; packing layers that you can pile on or take off will allow you that extra room in your suitcase for some much-needed accessories (like a hat, gloves, and long underwear). You’ll want to remember your waterproof gear (coat, pants, boots, and extra socks) as it can rain at any time of the summer!

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Secure Your Spot Now, Pay the Rest Later

As members of the Active Adventures family, Austin Adventures offers booking assurance that allows you to secure your spot with a deposit now and pay the rest later. Plus, if your plans change or you can’t travel, you can transfer your booking or request a refund on any additional funds paid (less deposit) up to 90 days from your original trip start date.  

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Meet Your Alaska Adventure Guides

FAQs About Alaska Adventure Tours

Do you recommend buying travel insurance?

As an Austin Adventures traveler, it’s highly recommended you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of travel delays, missed connections, medical expenses or injury, or lost baggage for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Protection page for more in-depth information and our recommended insurance provider.

What's included on your North America trips?

Accommodation

We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, perfectly-located, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of North America. We offer a wide variety of accommodations on our trips ranging from locally run inns and first-class hotels to resorts, dude ranches and historic national park cabins. Accommodations are selected for their location, unique charm and history, and offer a true feel for the region. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.

Transport

We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimise your vacation for adventuring in the great outdoors. Our average driving time is just over two hours a day, and we make plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and sightseeing along the way. We use modern, comfortable 15-passenger vans for all of our transfers and a second van is added to most departures to provide more flexibility and more room to spread out while seeing the sights! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Picture more of a road trip with family complete with good music, tasty snacks, and plenty of guide-supplied fun facts along the way to keep you entertained!

Meals

Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Austin Adventures in North America. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - breakfasts are typically eaten at your hotel on your own time in the morning before meeting up with the group. Lunches feature everything from elaborate picnics to roadside cafes to sandwiches trailside. Dinners are usually eaten at our hotel's dining room or a local restaurant with plenty of options to choose from. We easily cater to vegetarians, picky kids, and people with particular dietary needs. All our guides have food safety certificates and are well-practiced in the art of food prep and serving while on-the-move. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!

All Guiding Services

Each trip features two or three incredible guides and our average guest to guide ratio is 6:1. Our guests are often drawn to North America by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, though what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with your fellow tripmates, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.

Activities

Any activity described in our itinerary, such as hiking, rafting, horseback riding, kayaking and biking, are included in your trip cost. Our itineraries are pretty jam-packed to maximize our time spent exploring in these amazing places, and your guides will make it clear if there are additional activities available (at your expense).

How many people are there on each of our North America trips?

We get a real variety of people on our trips and they all seem to have one thing in common – a love of the outdoors! Our trips can accommodate up to 22 guests, depending on each departure. Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years and generally feature a mix of singles, couples and friends, and our family departures require a minimum age of 6 years to join (7 years on our Alaska Family Adventure) and are a great way to meet other like-minded families who like to get outside.
Please note child rates apply to children 12 years and under.

Do you charge a forced single supplement if I'm a solo traveller?

We regularly accommodate single guests on our group trips and there’s no forced single supplement if you don’t mind sharing a room (you might even get a room to yourself sometimes). If you prefer not to share a room at all, you can upgrade to a single room.
PLEASE NOTE: If you book within 90 days and you’re a Forced single, you’ll be required to pay for your own room.

If I book a trip with my children, will I be sharing a room with them?

Active Adventures & Austin Adventures family vacations are naturally about spending time with family and as such, most families opt to share rooms on our trips. At time of booking, families consisting of four guests with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at the guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

What if I need a special diet?

We’re accustomed to catering to the following special diets:

  • vegan (no meat or animal products)
  • vegetarian (no meat products)
  • pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
  • no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
  • no pork (eat chicken & fish)
  • gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
  • lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
  • picky kids (send us a list of what your child will eat and we'll make sure to have it!)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in your travel wallet. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online travel wallet.

 

How much luggage can I bring on the North America trips?

You'll need one piece of luggage, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage can be a soft sided duffel or a suitcase with wheels, and you'll need a good quality 18-24 liter daypack to carry with you throughout the days on the trails.

As far as extra luggage goes, if there's not too much (such as one small extra bag per person) then it shouldn't be a problem to fit it in our luggage trailer during the trip. If you've got more than that, then all major airports have luggage facilities available on a weekly basis, or if you are staying at a pre-trip hotel they may be able to store it for you until you return too.

How much spending money should I bring and where do I get cash?

You'll be able to find a reliable ATM once you arrive to start your trip, within the township or at the airport you land in, as national park ATM locations are sparse at best. Aside from tips for your guides, you could bring $200 and go home with change though some people like to bring some cash to cover a round of drinks, a few souvenirs, and dinner on "night on your own", although you could just as easily use a credit card for these purchases too.

What are your recommended guide gratuity guidelines?

You will have 2-3 guides on your Austin Adventure (depending on group size) and we recommend $15-25 per day, per guest, per guide. Typically, gratuities are offered by check or cash in local currency on the final morning of the trip and can either be given to each guide individually or to one guide to be equally distributed. Most of our guides these days also accept gratuities via Venmo (please note this app does not work in Canada). All dining, housekeeping and activity tips are included in your trip price.

Is there a number to call in an emergency? How can my family, friends or colleagues contact me

Please contact our office using the details below. If the office is unattended (outside of business hours), dial the extension for the emergency line. If no one immediately responds, please leave a message so we can pick it up and return your call as soon as we can.
Free phone 1 800 661 9073
Email: service@austinadventures.com

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Alaska Adventure Tips & Blogs

Why travel with us

benefit group size

Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path

With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience with the perspective of an insider.

benefit guides

Award-winning guides lead the way

It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, are experts in motivation, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!

benefit inclusive

You’ll never need to sweat the details

When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. Every detail is handled; all you need to do is show up!

benefit safety

Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely

Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted vendors and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides and our seasoned operations team at headquarters.

benefit family

Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best

Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries and sustained relationships for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.

benefit wow

"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary

For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience. If we’ve done our job, they’ll have you saying “wow!”