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 Tours for Adults
Top Alaska Tours for Adults
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.
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.
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!
FAQs About Alaska Adventure Tours
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 optimize 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!
Guides
Our trips are all led by experienced guides who are very proud to work with us and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. 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.
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.
We generally take up to 18 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!
Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years 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.
You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can be anything from a duffle bag to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. You’ll also want a good quality backpack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days.
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 in your Account.
Moments from Alaska
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Why Travel With Us
Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.
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, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
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. All you need to do is show up!
Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.
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 for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
"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.
