Glacier Bay Tours: Juneau & Sitka, Alaska

Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay National Park is a homeland, a living laboratory, a national park, a designated wilderness, a biosphere reserve, and a world heritage site. From the marine park sheltering humpback whales, seals and puffins, past its emerald–green forests to its snow-capped mountains and spectacular glaciers, the Glacier Bay wildness is remote, dynamic and intact. It is located in the northernmost section of the Alaskan panhandle, between the Gulf of Alaska and Canada, nearest to the city of Juneau, the capital of Alaska. This tour visits three locations – Juneau, Glacier Bay and Sitka.

Alaska by Boot and Boat:

We start the tour in Juneau, the state capital.  There is no road access to Juneau, which keeps the city isolated and unique.  The Juneau Icefield towers above the city, and our first hike will take us to see a finger of the icefield reaching down towards the sea in the Mendenhall Glacier.  Next day, we will fly or ferry (depending on current schedules) to the town of Gustavus, considered the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Glacier Bay Lodge is the crown jewel of the Mission 66 initiative to build roads, hiking trails, visitor centers and lodges in America’s National Parks. The architecture reflects the cultural and scenic heritage of Glacier Bay and its Tlingit influence. This will be our home for two nights, as we explore by boat and by boot the surrounding wilderness and waterways that make up the national park.

A thrilling seaplane flight will take us to our third location, Sitka. The town has renown for its gorgeous scenery, and is also the site of some fascinating history. The native Tlingit people clashed with the Russians for more than a century, until the sale of the Alaskan Territory from Russian to the United States took place at Sitka.  We enjoy a sea kayak excursion along with some spectacular hiking options in the Tongass National Forest, along with a walk through the Sitka National Historical Park.  The combination of these three sites where nature, history and modern life intersects, provides a fascinating exploratory tour.

The departure from this tour is from Sitka.  An early morning flight from Sitka to Juneau is available on day 1, and an evening flight back to Juneau is available on day 6, if you have booked round trip tickets to Sitka or Juneau.

See our detailed itinerary here, or contact us for more information! Timberline Adventures offers guided hike and bike tours across the U.S. and Canada, and our experts across the country are ready to guide you in your outdoor experience.

View Timberline Adventures’ other Alaska hiking tour offerings.