Price from
3990 USD
Duration
6 Days | 5 Nights
Level
2
Average Ride
Tour Alaska's Panhandle by Bike, Boat & Kayak
5.0
5.0
| 5.0 |
Majestic glaciers, spectacular mountain ranges, and scenic coastlines routes, our Alaska Inside Passage bike, ferry, train and kayak adventure has it all. Cycle through small towns alive with cultural and culinary treats while exploring the remote and untouched wilderness of North America by bike.
Alaska’s Inside Passage offers an unforgettable cycle touring experience through one of America's most spectacular scenic treasures.
Overview
A breathtaking journey by rail, water and two wheels from Haines to Skagway, concluding with a kayak at Mendenhall Glacier outside Juneau. A cyclist and nature lovers' dream. Pedal past remote alpine lakes and through subarctic forests, enjoy the tranquility of floating through nature preserves, and explore the funky charm of gold rush era towns to sample local craft beers and ciders. On our final day kayak to the face of Mendenhall Glacier - where the icecap meets the sea.
Our popular Alaska Inside Passage bike touring adventure offers an astounding array of wilderness, wildlife, native culture, and local hospitality, all brought alive by expert guides offering the attention to detail and local connection you've come to expect from Grasshopper Adventures.
Total Cycling 134mi / 215 km (longer route options are available on several days)
Biking the Inside Passage - Flat coastal roads give way to rolling terrain. Spectacular scenery abounds when cycling the coastal regions of southern Alaska. Our route follows mostly paved roads with some sections of loose gravel riding. The riding is suitable for anyone who is comfortable on a bike.
A limited number of E-bikes are available on a first-come basis - E-bike Surcharge: $390.
Highlights
- Bike the stunning wilderness areas of the Inside Passage
- Kayak to the face of Mendenhall Glacier
- "All Aboard" Skagway's historic railroad
- Float pristine waters of America’s largest bald eagle preserve
- Wander Alaska’s most famous ghost town!
- Experience the hospitality & cuisine of Haines & Juneau
Inclusions
- Grasshopper's own Naturalist, Steve Grace
- Local Alaskan bike tour guides
- Comfortable hotel accommodation
- Bikes and all recreational equipment
- Fresh, healthy snacks on tour
- Meals: All Breakfasts, Lunch x5, Dinner x3
- Transfers and entry fees in the itinerary
Introducing Naturalist & Author - Stephen Grace
We are excited to have Steve join our tours in Alaska. An author, naturalist and environmental educator, Steve has wandered the world exploring unique ecosystems and habitats and is quick to point out that one of the planet’s most interesting and biodiverse is right in our backyard.
His passion for nature stems from his first stay in Alaska, which makes both the state and its natural surroundings close to his heart. On tour he will be your go-to expert for all things wild and wonderful, opening up a whole new dimension to what is already a spectacular setting.
Day to Day
The tour begins at 2pm in Haines. Your Grasshopper guides will be on hand to assist with a bike fitting, orientation and then lead our first ride to Chilkoot State Park.
Haines is unique geographically, as several coastal mountain ranges converge in this area, providing views of both open waters and beautiful peaks. We’ll pedal to Chilkat State Park, as trails here offer us close-up views of two nearby glaciers: Rainbow and Davidson. Commercial fishing started in Haines in the 1880s, and by the early 1900s several canneries lined the town’s waterfront, visible as we make our way back to town.
Tonight we'll enjoy a welcome group dinner and you can get to know your fellow travelers a little better.
This morning's ride takes us along the Chilkat River to the Tlingit village of Klukwan. The town's name, Klukwan, means "eternal village.” Unlike other Tlingit communities, Klukwan is governed exclusively by a traditional tribal council. This modest town has a small school, a health clinic open two days a week, a community garden, and a small grocery store.
In 2017 the tribe celebrated the opening of a new Cultural Heritage Center with the hopes of attracting tourists to support their community. Inside the center, you’ll find colorful totems and traditional weavings on display.
Following lunch we’re in for an unbelievable experience: floating through the world-famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, boasting the largest nesting area of bald eagles in the world. This is a calm journey (no whitewater), and we’ll be on the lookout not only for eagles, but also for bears, moose, even wolves, all drawn to the preserve by the spawning salmon.
Our day ends back in Haines with time for you to explore the small town’s big food reputation as you wish. Guides will offer their recommendations.
There's time this morning for a ride to Chilkoot Lake, approximately 14 miles from town. We'll end the route back in Haines and board a private ferry taking us along the Taiya Inlet to Skagway, gateway to the Klondike.
The name Skagway is a Tlingit idiom that refers to the rough seas of the inlet caused by strong north winds. Founded in 1897, a year after gold was first discovered near Dawson on the Yukon River, Skagway served as a base of operations for thousands of prospectors during the Klondike gold rush of 1897-98. For a while it was the largest city in Alaska.
Skagway today looks like a Hollywood movie set, only the history here was real. A ranger-led walking tour of the historic downtown will get us away from the tourist shops and offer an oral history of this remarkably resilient community.
A pleasant hour of cycling brings us to historic Dyea, once known as Skagway’s sister city. In 1897 Dyea boasted over
150 businesses, including the Olympic Hotel, a three-story structure billed as “the largest in Alaska.” Change came quickly though, with the building of the Whitehorse & Yukon Railway, and by 1903 the town was being abandoned.
We will bike back to town with time to explore the historic center of Skagway. Tonight your dining options are open again, guides can help with suggestions.
This morning you’re in for a real thrill, a ride aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Railway. The train route was closed in 2021, so we're looking forward to being able to welcome you on board this year as we follow the route of the early gold prospectors to Fraser, British Columbia.
With a picnic lunch en-route, once we’re off the train we’ll hop on our bikes for a scenic downhill ride back to Skagway. Tonight we’ll have dinner in the private dining room of Skagway Brewing. We’ll meet the brewing team, sample their award-winning beers, and also tour their state-of-the-art indoor hydroponic gardens.
A morning Fjordland fast ferry heading south offers an opportunity for dramatic and up-close encounters with the marine life of the Inside Passage. We like to think of this as our whale watching excursion, gliding over the inland sea to the tip of the Glacier Highway, north of Juneau.
Our cycle route follows Alaska Route 7, through the Tongass National Forest. At sixteen million acres, it’s America's largest forest preserve. From Echo Cover we’ll skirt Point Bridger State Park on a route offering up views that will likely have you off the bike at regular intervals for photos.
Tonight we enjoy our final evening dinner together in lively Juneau. Surrounded by spectacular scenery and famous for its welcoming attitude, this is a capital city unlike any other in America.
No visit to Alaska should be complete without experiencing the grandeur of a glacier from the seat of a kayak. Our final day begins with a pedal to North Douglas Island. Nearby we meet our kayaking guides and paddle to the face of Mendenhall Glacier, a 13 mile-long river of ice.
This magnificent wilderness setting features snowcapped mountains, rushing waterfalls, pristine forests, and the tranquil waters of Mendenhall Lake. Paddle the glassy waters of the lake, gliding past glowing icebergs, drifting up close to the glacier while spotting an amazing range of wildlife, including nesting gulls and arctic terns, mountain goats, river otters, beavers, bald eagles, and possibly black bears. Few glacier tours in Alaska are as accessible and beautiful as this one!
Picnic lunch en-route and we'll be back in Juneau by early afternoon bringing our Alaska Adventure to a dramatic conclusion.
Dates & Price
EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price*
*Not applicable with guaranteed, private, or self-guided tours, other discounts, trip credit, or special offers
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
Your tour is not just about ticking the highlights, its about having an unforgettable travel experience. On our active-escapes in North America, you'll enjoy a stimulating variety of activities, getting off the worn tourist routes and into nature, while also meeting local experts and learning along the way. Your experience will leave you feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, and genuinely connected to the people and place.
