Private Cruise Shore Excursions in Skagway Skagway, the jumping off point for the 1898 Klondike Gold rush, is a charming gold rush town steeped in colorful history. But with a population of under a thousand souls and just one main street, it can get very crowded when more than 10,000 people come pouring off the cruise ships on a busy summer day! Our collection of private tour options are designed to allow you to take in all that Skagway has to offer without getting lost in the crowds! Renewing your wedding vows, celebrating your anniversary, birthday, honeymoon or retirement? This spectacular flightseeing tour is for you! This exclusive tour (4 guests maximum) provides you with an opportunity to explore Glacier Bay National Park and celebrate your special occasion in a unique, remote wilderness setting. Your experienced local guide will greet you dockside and transfer you to the Skagway airport. You will meet your pilot, Drake Olson and his Cessna 206. Drake has been exploring the mountain passes around Glacier Bay since 1995. Take to the skies and marvel at the dozens of waterfalls which pout out of the steep mountainsides. Your guide will explain the geologic forces at work as you cross the rugged Chilkat Mountains and soar over massive glaciers, cobalt blue lakes and iceberg-filled bays. Most flightseeing tours from Skagway limit themselves to exploring Alaska from the air. This trip takes you one step further. You will land at a remote airstrip – no towns, no sign of civilization –just you, your guide, your pilot and the vast Alaskan wilderness. You will enjoy the clean air and take a short walk. You will also enjoy a deluxe snack and raise a glass in celebration of your special occasion! Return to Skagway filled with memories and re-board your ship filled with memories and photographs from an unforgettable adventure. Duration: Approximately 2 hours. Rate: $640 per person based on 2 – 4 Guests Includes: All transportation, 1 hour flightseeing, ½ hour on the ground and a deluxe smoked salmon snack. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. This premium tour gives you a chance to experience the best of Alaskan nature. Start your tour in Skagway where you meet your bush pilot to begin your 50-minute glacier flight. You’ll travel above the waterfall-strewn cliffs, peer down at the massive ice towers of the Davidson Icefall, and marvel at the Rainbow Glacier, a hanging glacier with an enormous waterfall pouring from its face. Land in Haines where you’ll meet your experienced naturalist guide. Travel by comfortable van to Chilkoot Lake State Park, a popular fishing and bear viewing area for local residents. This park has it all, a salmon-filled river flowing into the sea, a pristine lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and a healthy brown bear population that comes down to the river in the evening to feed. Beginning in August, the pink salmon are running and the chance of seeing bears increases substantially. Although we cannot guarantee bears, we will make every effort to give you the bear-viewing experience of a lifetime. Return to town for a deluxe lunch at the Lighthouse Restaurant, overlooking Haines’ small boat harbor. Enjoy the freshest seafood available– halibut, red snapper and/or salmon served with seasonal side dishes and dessert. Board a high-speed catamaran for your journey back to Skagway. Return to your ship filled with memories and photographs from an unforgettable adventure. Duration: Approximately 6.5 hours. Rate: $860 per person based on 2 Guests Includes: All transportation to and from the cruise ship terminal, 50 minutes flight time and guided tour with lunch as described. Return transport to Skagway either via fast ferry or small plane. Please note: For most reliable bear viewing, this tour is offered from August 1st through the beginning of September. Order of activities may change based on the day. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. Get away from the crowds of Skagway and visit a true naturalist’s paradise-Haines, Alaska. Cradled at the base of the Chilkat Peninsula, flanked by the Lynn Fjord and Chilkat River, Haines boasts some of the most pristine wild country in Southeast Alaska. Your expert naturalist guide will share their knowledge of this area’s unique plants, animals and ecosystems. The trip begins with a 35-minute catamaran ride along the steep-walled fjords, which connect Skagway to Haines. Your guide will acquaint you with the natural history of Lynn Canal as you look for humpback whales, harbor seals, and a variety of seabirds. Upon arrival in Haines, begin with a seaside drive to Chilkoot Lake State Park. This park has it all–a turquoise lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, important Tlingit cultural sites, and a salmon-filled river flowing into the sea. Watch for wildlife; migratory birds, brown bear and harbor seals. In May, June and July, the wildflowers are at their peak and eagles are busy caring for their young on the nest. Your guide will set up a powerful spotting scope to bring you eye to eye with a majestic bald eagle. In August and September, the brown bear come down to the river’s edge to feed. Your guide will do their best to give you the bear-viewing opportunity of a lifetime, while keeping you and the bears safe. Continue out of town for a scenic ten-mile drive along the Chilkat with a photo stop at the historic Letnikof Cove Cannery, with the Rainbow Glacier as its backdrop. Here you guide will identify the wildflowers and seek out moose and bear, frequent visitors to the area. Return to town for a deluxe lunch at the Lighthouse Restaurant, overlooking Haines’ small boat harbor. Enjoy the freshest seafood available–shrimp, halibut, and/or salmon served with seasonal side dishes, and salad. You’ll return to Skagway via high-speed catamaran. There is no better way to see this special place than up close and personal with your own guide in a private vehicle. Duration: Approximately 6 hours. Rate: $740 per person based on 2 Guests Includes: All transportation to and from the cruise ship terminal, private guided tour and deluxe seafood lunch. Please note: Wildlife sightings are not a guarantee. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. This custom itinerary will explore the best of Skagway by train and sea. You’ll be met by your local guide, an expert in Skagway’s nature, wildlife, and rich history. First head to the small boat harbor for some exploration of the marine habitat surrounding Skagway. We’ll board a small sightseeing boat (5 passenger maximum per vessel) and spend the next two hours looking for wildlife. Mountain goats, bald eagles, harbor seals, and humpback whales are often sighted here. We’ll maneuver the boat to the base of an amazing waterfall, where you can smell the fresh air and take pictures to your heart’s content. Return to Skagway and continue to Jewell Gardens for a visit to their organic flower and vegetable display garden. Marvel at the incredible variety of flowers and plants that thrive because of the long Alaskan daylight hours. Enjoy a deluxe lunch, including wine, with a fantastic garden view. After lunch, we’ll continue our exploration by boarding the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad for an unforgettable journey. Travel this historic narrow gauge railroad to the summit of the White Pass, and enjoy the spectacular scenery and history that makes this trip a classic. Your guide will be there to highlight the natural and historic points of interest along the way. Return to your ship filled with memories and photographs from an unforgettable adventure. Duration: Approximately 7 hours. Rate: $620 per person based on 4 Guests Includes: All transportation to and from the cruise ship terminal, private guided tour, deluxe lunch and admission to the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. Please note: This tour is limited to a maximum of 5 Guests per vessel. Passport required. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. This exclusive tour provides you with an opportunity to do what few are able to do–land on a remote beach of Glacier Bay National Park with your private bush plane. Meet your guide Joe Ordonez, a renowned Alaskan naturalist guide with over 20 years experience. Transfer to the Skagway airport to meet Drake Olson, your bush pilot. Drake has been exploring the mountain passes and beaches in and around Glacier Bay since 1995. Drake’s classic Cessna 180 has oversized wheels specifically designed for remote beach landings. With Drake at the wheel and Joe narrating, you will have two of Alaska’s top guides at your side. Joe will explain the geologic forces at work as you soar over the massive glaciers feeding Glacier Bay National Park. You will get a complete overview of Glacier Bay including both the east and west Arms, Mt. Fairweather at 15,300 feet above sea level and numerous tidewater glaciers calving icebergs into the bay. Next your pilot will head to the seldom – visited outer coast. Drake will land on a wide stretch of beach where a glacier feeds directly into the Pacific Ocean. You’ll have the beach to yourself. Wolf, bear and moose tracks crisscross the sand. The odds of seeing one or more of these massive creatures is high. Breathe in the salt air, listen to the sound of the crashing waves, and stroll and explore at your own pace. There are endless discoveries to be made. Enjoy a snack of Alaska’s finest smoked salmon before returning to Skagway. With two hours of flightseeing, a remote beach landing on Glacier Bay’s Lost Outer Coast and two of Alaska’s top guides at your side, this is the Ultimate Wilderness. Duration: Approximately 4 hours (Includes up to two hours beach time for independent exploration). Rate: $1,070 per person based on 2 Guests Includes: All transportation, private naturalist guide, exclusive flightseeing and snack. Please note: This tour is limited to 2 Guests. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. This trip combines glacier flightseeing, hiking, and kayaking for the ultimate Alaskan adventure! Start your adventure in Skagway, where you meet your bush pilot and head off to explore the glacier-studded country by air. You’ll pass by the face of the Rainbow Glacier, a spectacular hanging glacier with an immense waterfall pouring from its face. Look down upon the Davidson Icefall, crisscrossed with crevasses and ice towers. Keep an eye out for mountain goats as you work your way along the waterfall-strewn rock cliffs of the Lynn Fjord. Land in Haines and board your private vehicle for a tour along the ocean’s edge to Chilkoot State Park. This park has it all–a turquoise lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, important Tlingit cultural sites, and a salmon-filled river flowing into the sea. Arrive at the lake, take in the scenery and climb into your sea kayak. Sea kayaking is easy to learn and your expert guide will show you the basics of paddling. Outfitted with the proper gear, you’ll be gliding silently along the shores of the lake in no time. Leave the road behind and keep an eye out for brown bear, eagles, and even harbor seals that follow the spawning salmon into the lake. After paddling, head to the rain forest to begin your hike. Your guide will help you to identify the various plants along the way. After about one hour of walking, step out of the forest and on to a pristine beach with stunning views of the sea and the glacier-studded mountains. Relax and enjoy a picnic lunch in this spectacular setting. After lunch, hike back to the vehicle, return to Haines and board a high-speed catamaran for a 45-minute journey back to Skagway. Experience the natural history of Lynn Canal as we look for humpback whales, harbor seals, and a variety of seabirds. Reboard your ship filled with memories and photographs from an unforgettable adventure. Duration: Approximately 7 hours. Rate: $600 per person based on 3 – 9 Guests Includes: All transportation to and from the cruise terminal, private guide, scenic flight from Skagway to Haines, guided sea kayak instructions and tour, guided hiking and picnic lunch. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. Combine the excitement of flying over the icefield near Skagway with a landing on the snow-covered ice for an introduction to the world of “mushing” and the art of dogsledding! An event for all ages, this tour enables you to meet the professional guides and friendly dogs that make the dog races of Alaska and the Yukon so famous. This is truly a North Country experience you’ll never forget! You’ll be on the ice with the dogs for about an hour. Approximately half the time will be taken up with instruction and being introduced to the dogs and the other half riding in the sled. Duration: Approximately 2 hours (1.5 hours on the glacier). Rate: $830 per person based on 6 Guests Includes: All transportation to and from the cruise ship dock, overshoes and safety vests provided. Flights are private and dog camps shared. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. From Skagway, this excursion begins with a greeting at the pier in Skagway and a 35-minute catamaran ride along the steep-walled fjords, which connect Skagway to Haines. Your guide will acquaint you with the natural history of Lynn Canal as you look for humpback whales, harbor seals, and a variety of seabirds. Upon landing in Haines, your knowledgeable guide will take you in your private van for a beautiful drive through “The Valley of the Eagles” to your put-in point at the Devil’s Elbow on the gentle braided waters of the Tsirku River. Named for a sharp and dramatic bend in the river, this special place is only accessible by small vehicles and is far above the crowds that raft the lower river system. As you float quietly along, your professional river guide will help spot the many animals that call the Preserve home, including grizzly bears, wolves, moose and, of course, the bald eagles. This private unhurried tour has the flexibility to stop and watch all that Mother Nature has to show – there are no groups behind you on the upper river – it is quite literally your private wilderness! Thousands of eagles make their home here, feeding on the salmon that spawn throughout the summer, fall and into winter. At the end of the float, enjoy a delicious riverside picnic-style lunch before returning to board the fast ferry back to Skagway. This is a gentle “float” through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve – there is no whitewater. Please join us for a visit to one of Alaska’s best kept wilderness secrets! Duration: Approximately 7 hours (round trip from Skagway- Fast Ferry is shared). Rate: $680 per person based on 2 Guests Includes: All transportation, round trip fast ferry to and from Skagway, picnic-style lunch along the river and a city tour of Haines and Fort Seward, including a locally smoked salmon snack in addition to lunch. Approximately 1.5 hours for rafting exploration. Please note: Guests must be able to walk on or over uneven terrain for short distances. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. Enjoy this version of the popular White Pass Summit Railroad and highway combination tour with a bonus- you are escorted the entire time by a local, professional guide knowledgeable in Skagway’s unique gold rush history, wildlife, and natural history. Begin your exploration by boarding the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad for an unforgettable journey. Travel this historic narrow gauge railroad to the summit of the White Pass, and enjoy the spectacular scenery and history that makes this trip a classic. Your guide will be there to highlight the natural and historic points of interest along the way. Upon reaching the summit, disembark the train and board your private vehicle for a delightful descent back to Skagway. Unlike the train, your private vehicle has the flexibility to stop when and where you want, so that you can capture the incredible photographic opportunities along the way. There are many highlights along the way including rushing waterfalls, pristine lakes, and views of the glaciated peaks and forested valleys. Once back in Skagway, you will stop at the Gold Rush Cemetery for a short hike to Reid Falls. Top the tour off with a fully narrated tour of downtown Skagway, where your guide can drop you off for independent exploration or continue back to your ship. Return to your ship filled with memories and photographs from an unforgettable adventure. Duration: Approximately 4 hours. Rate: $775 per person based on 4 Guests Includes: All transportation, guide/escort to the train depot, guide to accompany your group on the train, private vehicle and driver with guide for sightseeing. Train cars are shared, return transfer with sightseeing is private. Passports are required for this tour. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. Break away from the crowds of Skagway for some kayaking in a true naturalist’s paradise – Haines, Alaska. The trip begins with a 35-minute catamaran ride along the steep-walled fjords, which connect Skagway to Haines. Your guide will acquaint you with the natural history of Lynn Canal as you look for humpback whales, harbor seals, and a variety of seabirds. Upon arrival in Haines, begin with a seaside drive to Chilkoot Lake State Park. This park has it all–important Tlingit cultural sites, a salmon-filled river flowing into the sea, and a turquoise lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Your guide will watch for wildlife. Migratory birds, brown bear, and harbor seals are often seen here. Your guide will set up a powerful spotting scope to bring you eye to eye with a majestic bald eagle. Arrive at the lake, take in the scenery and board your sea kayak. Sea kayaking is easy to learn and your expert guide will show you the basics of paddling. Outfitted with the proper gear, you’ll soon be gliding silently along the shores of the lake. This pristine lake is uncrowded, and the scenery is spectacular. Huge waterfalls spill off of the cliffs surrounding the lake, lush green forests crowd the shoreline, and wildlife abounds. Pause at the base of one of these waterfalls where your guide will reveal the secret workings of the rainforest. Beginning in July, sockeye salmon spawn in one of the clear streams that feed into the lake. Eagle and bear are often attracted to this spot, and you’ll be able to view all the activity from your kayak. In May, June and July, the wildflowers are at their peak and eagles are busy caring for their young on the nest. Your guide will set up a powerful spotting scope to bring you eye to eye with a majestic bald eagle In August and September, the brown bear come down to the river’s edge to feed. Your guide will do their best to give you the bear-viewing opportunity of a lifetime, while keeping you and the bears safe. Return to town for a deluxe lunch at the Lighthouse Restaurant, overlooking Haines’ small boat harbor. Enjoy the freshest seafood available–shrimp, halibut, and/or salmon served with seasonal side dishes and dessert. Board a high-speed catamaran for your return journey to Skagway with memories and photographs from an unforgettable adventure. Duration: Approximately 6.5 hours. Rate: $560 per person based on 2 Guests Includes: All transportation, round trip fast ferry from Skagway to Haines, private instructions and deluxe lunch. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. The pristine beauty of Haines and the Chilkat Valley has served as an inspiration for craftsman and artists through the centuries. This exclusive tour will give you a chance to meet and converse with local artists to gain insight into their unique perspective on life in small-town Alaska. You will learn about traditional Native as well as contemporary art and will have an opportunity to purchase directly from the artist that produced the work. The trip begins with a 45-minute catamaran ride along the steep-walled fjords, which connect Skagway to Haines. Your guide will acquaint you with the Tlingit native culture as we look for humpback whales, harbor seals, and a variety of seabirds. Begin with a drive through Fort William H. Seward, the first army base in Alaska. The former Army hospital has been transformed into Alaska Indian Arts (AIA), a local non-profit center where Native totem poles, masks, and jewelry are created. Contemporary glass, neon art, and Tlingit carving have been successfully combined in a unique fusion of traditions. You will be welcomed by Lee Heinmiller, director of Alaska Indian Arts and will enjoy a personalized tour through the facility. Continue with a seven-mile scenic drive along the Chilkat River to the artist’s enclave of “Mud Bay.”. Haines was recently recognized as hosting an unusually high number of professional artists in residence, particularly in the “Mud Bay” neighborhood. Visit the Extreme Dreams Art Studio, owned by artists John and Sharon Svenson. John, a painter, glass worker, and mountain climber, welcomes you upon arrival. The handcrafted timber- frame art gallery is filled with unique and unusual creations by local Haines artists. This is a working art studio as well as gallery. John demonstrates his technique as he works and answers any questions you have about his creative process. Leave the art studio and head down to the water’s edge at Chilkat State Park. This seldom-visited park sports a fantastic view of the Rainbow Glacier, a hanging glacier with an immense waterfall pouring from its face. We’ll keep a keen eye out for moose and bear, frequent visitors to the area. Top off the tour with a deluxe lunch at the Lighthouse Restaurant, overlooking Haines’ small boat harbor. Enjoy the freshest seafood available– halibut, red snapper and/or salmon served with seasonal side dishes. You’ll return to Skagway via high-speed catamaran. Duration: Approximately 6.5 hours. Rate: $740 per person based on 2 Guests Includes: All transportation to and from the cruise ship terminal, private exclusive tour with guide, and deluxe lunch. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. Leave all traces of civilization behind and experience the infinite beauty of Alaska’s remote glaciers. Lift off from the historic Skagway waterfront and head into a rugged region of sheer mountains, majestic valleys and massive glaciers. Jagged peaks towering over the Chilkat Glacier, cascading waterfalls, surrounding the Ferebee Glacier, or the spectacular “river of ice” known as the Meade Glacier, may be among the wonders you encounter. Flight routes and landing zones are selected daily to ensure that you receive the best that the area has to offer. Once you have reached your destination, you will be given the rare opportunity to explore one of Mother Nature’s greatest marvels. Enjoy a walking tour of a lifetime as your experienced glacier guides answer all of your questions and work to explain the awesome forces at work. Duration: Approximately 2 hours. Rate: $1,150 per person based on 2 Guests Includes: All transportation to and from the cruise ship terminal and glacier boots. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. Break away from the crowds of Skagway for a unique custom tour to the remote Porcupine Gold Mines! Thousands of gold miners passed through Skagway in 1898 on their way to the Klondike but no gold was ever found there. The nearest gold mine to Skagway is the Porcupine Gold Fields, located 20 miles north of Haines. Your knowledgeable local guide will meet you in Skagway and acquaint you with the gold rush history of this small town. The trip begins with a 45-minute catamaran ride along the steep-walled fjords, which connect Skagway to Haines. Enjoy the scenery as you look for humpback whales, harbor seals, and a variety of seabirds. Arrive in Haines and drive along the banks of the Chilkat River, through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve and along the historic Dalton Trail. You will have plenty of opportunity for photo stops along the way. In 1905, Porcupine was a thriving town of 2000 people, with retail stores and a post office. Little evidence remains of the town, but the lure of gold is still strong. Arrive at the John Schnabel’s Big Nugget Mine, recently featured on the Discovery Channel. You will learn the history of the area, see how gold is mined today, and even have a chance to pan for gold. The gold you find is yours to keep! Enjoy a light lunch before returning to Haines and back to your ship in Skagway. Duration: Approximately 6.5 hours. Rate: $460 per person based on 4 Guests Includes: All transportation to and from Skagway, private guide and light lunch. To learn more about this experience please contact one of our travel planners. |