Ketchikan

Bus & minivan tours

Relax aboard a San Francisco cable car trolley and take in the sights and sounds of this bustling fishing and logging community, once known as the salmon capital of the world. On this 2.25-hour tour, explore the native village of Saxman with its 29 authentic hand-carved totem poles, a master carving center, and village store. Watch master crafters at work and learn the history and traditions behind this practice. Next, head south to Herring Cove for wildlife viewing. In the summer during salmon spawning season, hungry bears, bald eagles, blue herring, and harbor seals can often be spotted in this beautiful riverside cove.  

Broaden your horizons with a private shore excursion tour of Ketchikan, Alaska, led by a local guide. Learn about the stories and lives of the Haida and Tlingit people, and see wildlife in their natural habitat. Meet your guide and set off on a tour of Ketchikan. Spot wildlife at 3 stops, including looking out for bears, salmon, and eagles. Learn about the meanings and stories behind the iconic totem poles of Alaska as you visit the Totem Heritage Center. Hear legendary stories that have been passed down since the beginning of time. Travel through the rainforest in a comfortable van and learn about the medicinal plants and berries that are edible.

Delight in a hearty Alaskan three-course lunch at the rustic yet elegant George Inlet Lodge. Relax and savor delicious Dungeness crab in the warmth of the lodge while hearing local tales from your informative host. Meet your host in Ketchikan and travel south to the Lodge which sits on the scenic shores of the George Inlet Waterway. Learn all about the history of the building which was formerly an old cannery bunkhouse built in the 1940s.  Be entertained with stories about the area while you relish your delicious food offerings: Salad with an Asian-style dressing, steaming hot Dungeness crab and mouth-watering cheesecake complete with blueberry toppings! Be ready to enjoy a lively lunching experience which has been described as a "rowdy good time!"

Join an eco-exploration of the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary in Ketchikan that includes a guided nature hike, bald eagles, an on-site totem park, and a historic sawmill at an exclusive reserve in the forested mountains at rustic Herring Cove. Follow a naturalist guide along a trail through the dense forest, among tall stands of hemlock, spruce, and cedar, stopping at viewing points. Observe bald eagles, black bears, seals, and a variety of birds and other species attracted by the major salmon runs in the marine estuary. At a protected, open estuary, follow Eagle Creek along an elevated wooden boardwalk overlooking grassy wetlands. Major runs of salmon return to spawn here. Listen to the symphony of bird activity in this spectacular setting. Seasonal ecosystem changes result in varying levels of wildlife activity. Take a 0.75-mile trail walk that will bring you to the historic Herring Bay Lumber Company sawmill. Spend time in the carving center learning about Native culture and traditions before heading out to view the amazing collection of Tsimshian totems. Finally, shopping opportunities await you in the General Store before the scenic drive back to the ship.

Discover the beauty of Ketchikan on this sightseeing boat tour. Stay cozy with the boat's blankets and get a closer look at wildlife like eagles and seals with the use of onboard binoculars. Search for humpback and killer whales in the Tongass Narrows and Nichols Passage. Check-in with staff and board the comfortable boat that has an onboard restroom. Once you depart the dock, begin to see eagles, seals, sealions and many species of wild birds that Alaksa showcases during the summer months.  Get help from the crew who will keep a look out for wildlife and tell you fun facts about these creatures. Have the chance to see the magnificent humpback whales that frequent the waters of Tongass Narrows, Nichols Passage, and other nearby water ways during the spring and summer months.  Enjoy photo opportunities with sights like a humpback whale breaching or bubble feeding. Search the waters for killer whales, which can reach a length up to 30 feet and have a dorsal fins that span up to 7 feet. Help yourself to complimentary drinks like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, flavored soda water, and bottled water and snacks like fresh pastries, crackers, and assorted chips. Stay outside and enjoy more of the scenery while wrapped in a blanket. 

Take to the skies over the stunning Misty Fjords National Monument on a floatplane tour from Ketchikan. Admire the lakes, sheer cliffs, and waterfalls of Misty Fjords, a part of the Tongass National Forest covering more than 2 million acres (900,000 hectares) of alpine wilderness. Meet your pilot in Ketchikan and climb aboard your 6-passenger floatplane. During the flight, hear your pilot’s commentary and a musical soundtrack via your headset. Ascend over Tongass Narrows, a body of water located between Ketchikan and Gravina Island, and fly past Ketchikan. Take in the beauty of Tongass National Forest as you soar over Revillagigedo Island to Misty Fjords National Monument, about 40 miles/64 km east of town. Traveling through a low-hanging mist that gives the region its name, enjoy views of fjords, cliffs, and rock walls jutting out of the water. Witness waterfalls cascading down narrow granite passages, and dense forests of hemlock and sprucing cover the vertical slopes. Fly over Rudyard Bay, getting a fantastic vantage point of New Eddystone Rock, a remnant of early volcanic activity. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like wolves, bears, deer, and eagles, ending the adventure with a drop-off back in Ketchikan.

Ketchikan is now home to the most dynamic experience in Alaska, combining culture, history, excitement, and cuisine. This tour is in scenic downtown Ketchikan in the Thomas Basin historic district, home to the salmon fishing fleet and crab fishing boats. You will be hosted at the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show Arena and Harbor Haus Pavilion, landmarks of industry, food, and entertainment. Your tour starts at the historic site of the Spruce Mill, once the largest Sitka spruce mill in the world, and now the home to the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. This world-famous Lumberjack Show has world champion athletes in a rowdy, no-holds-barred competition with 12 events, including chopping, climbing, sawing, axe throwing, and log rolling. Hang on to the edge of your seats for a rowdy good time. Just a few steps away, the Harbor Haus will be your destination to experience the most pristine Dungeness crab feast. While looking out over the harbor filled with commercial fishing boats, watch as the daily catch is brought to the docks. Enjoy an all-you-can eat Dungeness crab feast accompanied by salad, baby red potatoes, and carrot cake. After the tour, you are in downtown Ketchikan, surrounded by totem poles, Creek Street, jumping salmon, and shopping.

Get well off the beaten path and speed along muddy trails to the remote Lake Mahoney on this guided UTV tour. Follow off-road trails along the George Inlet Fjord and through the Tongass National Forest. Arrive back to basecamp where a delicious lunch awaits you! Start your adventure in downtown Ketchikan, where you will meet the guide and travel out to the White River base camp. Learn about the history of Ketchikan as you pass sites like the Ward Cove Pulp Mill. After a short UTV training session at base camp, gear up and head out onto the trails. Be prepared to get muddy as you tear along 5 miles of off-road paths, through a beautiful wilderness of fjordland and temperate rainforest. Reach the peaceful shores of Mahoney Lake, then head back to basecamp where a warm lunch awaits you. Enjoy a well-deserved meal and a hot drink looking out over the peaceful water, far away from tourist crowds.

Journey into the heart of Southeast Alaska and the Tongass National Forest on a boat cruise through the wilderness. Watch as crab pots are pulled up from the waters surrounding Revillagigedo Island, then head to the George Inlet Lodge for a feast centered around Dungeness crab. Meet your host in Ketchikan near the cruise ship docks and hop into an air-conditioned van that will take you to the starting point for your cruise. Once aboard your sightseeing cruise, travel through the Tongass National Forest and Gorge Inlet. Breathe in the fresh air and spectacular scenery as your crew shares stories and the history of this magnificent waterway. If you're feeling adventurous, make sure to volunteer to pull up crab pots from the abundant waters surrounding Revillagigedo Island, overflowing with delicious Dungeness crab. Your cruise brings you to a remote location, where a crab feast awaits at the rustic yet elegant George Inlet Lodge. Sit down to a meal featuring fresh Dungeness crab served with a Romaine salad with homemade dressing. And don't worry, your hosts will be on hand to demonstrate the easiest way to crack your crabs. Sip a complimentary glass of wine or beer along with your meal and round out your feast with a scrumptious cheesecake with blueberry topping for dessert. Your Alaskan wilderness experience comes to an end with a return journey back to the meeting point in Ketchikan. 

Mountain trails through a harvested timber area offer the perfect venue for an off-road challenge. Learn about the history, culture, and economy of Ketchikan as you are transported first by motor coach to the rainforest wilderness and the Adventure Kart base camp. Listen to a safety briefing and gear up in preparation for your exciting, one-and-a-half-hour guided trek. The caravan of karts sets off to explore the remote backcountry along several miles of improved forest trail, with your guide in the lead ATV. Feel the rush of adrenaline at the start of your journey in a 2024 RZR 1000XP Ultimate that tests your ability to traverse through the wilderness. A comfortable pace is maintained as you thread your way around steep curves. The road climbs to reveal unparalleled views of the Tongass National Forest, Behm Canal and Alaska's fabled Inside Passage. You'll stop along the way to soak up the grandeur and beauty of this lush land. Drivers and passengers(18+) have the opportunity to switch positions for the return trip. Watch out for wildlife along the way -- eagles, deer or bears are frequently sighted. Notes: Two people per kart typically, if a family wants to go together, up to 4 can fit in a vehicle. Guests must be able to get in and out of karts without assistance. Karts are not recommended for anyone with neck or back problems or expectant mothers. This activity takes place in a rustic location. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed. Tour conditions are affected by the weather and your drive may be muddy or dusty. Closed toed shoes and layered clothing are recommended. The weather can change quickly. Rain gear and a helmet are provided. The drive may be muddy or dusty.