You don’t have to go days without washing or sleeping under a roof to enjoy Alaska’s great outdoors. Several companies run day excursions and guided tours that offer the chance to explore the wilderness during the day and return to a comfortable room for a good rest at night. The Alaskan adventures below offer a dose of the rugged side for nature-seekers.
Bear watching by float-plane
Getting to some of Alaska’s best bear habitats on foot can take days of trekking. One of the best places to get a view of Alaska’s spectacular topography is from the air. A float-plane delivers you into bear-country all the while being introduced to the “bear necessities” by a knowledgeable expert.
Zip-wire through the forest
Flying might offer a great perspective of Alaska’s expansive beauty, but it hardly allows you to experience the natural space up close and personal. That’s where zip-lining comes in. A series of 135-feet-high cables speeds thrill-seekers through the upper canopies of the lush Tongass National Forest. The spruce, hemlock and cedar sap creates a heady aroma as you whizz through the tall trees.
Wilderness sea kayaking
The wilderness pretty much equates to tranquility anyway, but there’s something particularly therapeutic about the sound of a kayak being paddled through the water. Admittedly, the paddling itself isn’t always that relaxing, but you can always pair-up with someone who looks strong in a two-person kayak.
Helicopter sight seeing and guided glacier walk
The Mendenhall Glacier has to be one of Alaska’s most arresting sights. Its deep blue crevasses, carved peaks and spectacular icefalls are really cool…ahem…in both senses of the word. And you know what else is cool? Landing on the slow-moving river of ice on a helicopter before going for a guided walk on it with an experienced mountaineer.
Gold panning
Alaska’s capital city, Juneau, has a rich gold-rush history. Visitors can retrace the route used by legendary prospectors Joe Juneau and Richard Harris in their search for gold close to one of the world’s largest hard rock mining operations at Alaska – the Juneau gold mine. Here, you can pan for gold yourself – a chance to end up with the world’s best souvenir!
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Image: blmiers2)
