Alaska tours discovery guide
Consider this: Towering peaks, icy fjords, and spectacular wildlife are closer than you think. On our guided Alaska tours, you might sail past blue-tinged glaciers, ride the rails through snowcapped mountain passes, or chase the northern lights deep into the winter night. Prefer summer? Think endless daylight, blooming wildflowers, and forest trails teeming with life. Alaska delivers an epic journey that feels worlds away—without leaving the continent.
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What to know before you go
POPULATION
Alaska has one of the smallest populations in the United States—a little more than 730,000 people—but it’s the largest state by land area, making it the most sparsely populated. Nearly 40% of residents converge in Anchorage, while vast stretches of the state remain wild and untouched. Alaska is also home to a rich Indigenous heritage, with more than 15% of the population identifying as Alaska Native or Native American.
CAPITAL
Juneau, Alaska’s quirky capital, is full of surprises—you can’t drive there (seriously, no roads in or out), but you can spot humpback whales and explore a glacier all in one day. Tucked between towering mountains and icy waters, this gem blends remote wilderness with small-town charm. (We’ll get you there on our Denali National Park & Wild Alaska Cruise.)
CULTURAL QUICK TAKE
Alaska is home to more than 200 federally recognized Native tribes whose traditional practices are still very much alive. Life here is also shaped by Alaska’s remote geography—self-reliance, resilience, and a can-do attitude are central to the state’s culture.
WHAT TO GO FOR
Alaska stuns with glacier-carved fjords, endless evergreen forests, and wildlife sightings that feel straight out of a nature documentary. Cruise through icy bays, stand in the shadow of Denali, and watch for bears, moose, and breaching humpbacks—all without ever leaving the U.S.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ON TOUR
Hike pristine national parks, don a pair of snowshoes for an exhilarating winter trek, and watch the northern lights ablaze in purples and greens across a darkened sky.

Alaska Northern Lights: Anchorage to Fairbanks
Experience the thrill of the aurora borealis, snow-dusted forests, and soaring mountain ranges. This winter escape takes you deep into Alaska’s wild Interior, from charming Talkeetna to rugged Denali and north to Fairbanks. Ride a glass-domed train through hushed wilderness, meet musk ox and reindeer up close, and learn about the state’s ecology from local experts. With fewer crowds and a higher chance of seeing the northern lights, it’s the perfect season to see America’s last frontier in a new light.
Plan your trip to Alaska with a little help from the experts (that’s us!)
You could wait for inspiration to strike—or find some with our tried-and-true travel advice, sightseeing tips, and more.
The most beautiful places to visit on a guided tour of the US
You don’t have to travel far to see some of Earth’s most spectacular sights. Plenty of them are right here, no passport required. From New Hampshire’s White Mountains to Alaska’s Glacier National Park, these are some of the most beautiful places to visit in the U.S.
The best places to see the northern lights in 2025
Iceland and Norway may top the list, but did you know you don’t have to venture across the Atlantic Ocean for a glimpse of the northern lights? Read more to see why Alaska should be on your list as you chase this elusive natural spectacle.
Signature experiences for your memory vault. Why don’t you...

Snowshoe through a forest in Talkeetna
Set off into the quiet wilderness on a guided snowshoe trek through pristine boreal backwoods, ending at a stunning viewpoint of the Alaska Range and, on clear days, Denali. Try it on our Alaska Northern Lights: Anchorage to Fairbanks tour.

Uncover Indigenous Alaska’s living history
Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center on the shores of Lake Tiulana to explore Indigenous cultures through traditional villages, art, and storytelling. Try it on our Alaska’s National Parks: Denali & the Kenai Fjords tour.

Walk on the wild side of Denali National Park
Embark on a naturalist-led walk where you’ll learn about the park’s abundant flora, teeming wildlife, glacial past, and how life adapts to Alaska’s subarctic climate. Try it on our Alaska’s National Parks: Denali & the Kenai Fjords tour.

Prance in the snow on a reindeer ranch
Head to a reindeer ranch where you’ll meet these gentle Arctic animals up close. Stroll through the snowy pastures and observe the reindeer in their wintry environment. Try it on our Alaska Northern Lights: Anchorage to Fairbanks tour.
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While you’re deciding what to take, we’ll be busy arranging your hotels, meals, tickets, and more tour essentials. That’s what going guided is all about.
Go far (and get rewarded)
Take off on your big adventure— but why stop there? Every trip you book with us earns rewards that you can use to keep expanding your horizons.
What travelers are saying about our Alaska tours
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Fredrick
E F Tours provided the best tour director, transpotation, lodging and excursions. We had a great time with Judy. She made our travel experience something special.
Traveled in May 2025 on Denali National Park & Wild Alaska Cruise
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Jenny
Our tour was amazing! It was made special by our awesome tour guide Janet! We never had to worry about one thing! We were blessed with amazing weather and a group of people who...
Traveled in May 2025 on Denali National Park & Wild Alaska Cruise
5 out of 5 stars
4th-time traveler Kay
I was so greatful to be able to see the un touched land. Did see too many animals but I know they were there. As always I felt very taken care of. I learned so much from...
Traveled in Sep 2024 on Denali National Park & Wild Alaska Cruise
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Janice
We saw so many wonderful sites from Fairbanks to Seward. The state is vast with varied wildlife and flora and fauna from Denali’s tundra desert to Seward’s temperate forest. I...
Traveled in Aug 2024 on Alaska’s National Parks: Denali & the Kenai Fjords
5 out of 5 stars
2nd-time traveler Susan
This has to be my favorite vacation ever! Alaska is simply amazing and beautiful! Pictures do not do it justice! This is one that you must see with your own eyes! Just do it!!!
Traveled in Aug 2024 on Denali National Park & Wild Alaska Cruise
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Diane
As a solar Traveler for the first time I was nervous. It was well organized that I felt confident at each step. The tour Director (Sara) was absolutely Fabulous! Our Driver...
Traveled in Aug 2024 on Alaska’s National Parks: Denali & the Kenai Fjords
5 out of 5 stars
2nd-time traveler Diane
Superb tour that covers many highlights of Alaska and its wonders. Especially enjoyed the tour of Denali National Park, hiking to the Exit Glacier and the Kenai Fjords boat trip....
Traveled in Aug 2024 on Alaska’s National Parks: Denali & the Kenai Fjords
5 out of 5 stars
2nd-time traveler Anonymous
Positively well done until the IT glitch stranded everyone. I was disappointed the EF 24hr on tour support could only tell me that this was not their problem and I had to work...
Traveled in Jul 2024 on Denali National Park & Wild Alaska Cruise
Even more to see, do, and oooh over in the lower 48
If you like keeping your adventures a little closer to home, there’s much more of North America to explore.
Travel tips for Alaska trips
The best time to travel on an Alaska tour is between June and September when the weather is milder. The days are longer, too. In fact, you might even experience 24 hours of daylight.
Longer days mean more time for sightseeing. June and July are the best months to see wildlife in Alaska, too. Keep an eye out for bears, sea otters, seals, and whales.
Communities across the state tend to celebrate more during the summer, so you might even get to attend a festival or other cultural event while you’re there!
Here are some of the best things to see while on tour in Alaska:
- Denali National Park, for some of the most majestic landscapes and wildlife sightings
- Kenai Fjords National Park, where you can even hike a glacier
- Hubbard Glacier, North America’s largest tidewater glacier, which you’ll see from a boat
- Mendenhall Glacier, which is 13 miles long and strikingly blue
If you’re looking to add an excursion to your Alaska tour, consider the Ketchikan & Totem Bight State Park tour on our Denali National Park & Wild Alaska Cruise. Ketchikan is known for its charming harbor, Native American culture, and jaw-dropping scenery. You’ll get to walk along the historic boardwalk where colorful homes line the Inside Passage—it’s one of the state’s most scenic waterways. Then, you’ll head over to the Totem Bight State Park to learn about how the U.S. Forest Services and Native American people worked together to preserve important Native American monuments. You’ll even get to see restored and perfectly reconstructed totem poles and a replica of a traditional chieftain’s house. This Alaska group tour ends with a visit to a nearby lookout point, where you’ll see a waterfall and maybe even spot bald eagles, seals, salmon, deer, whales, and bears.
Here are a few items we recommend packing to help make your Alaska tour that much more enjoyable:
- A heavy winter coat. You can’t visit Alaska without it.
- Hiking boots. You’ll want a lot of traction as you hike on snowy, or sometimes slippery, paths.
- Rain gear. The rainy season also occurs during summer, so don’t forget to pack a raincoat and quick-dry pants for our summertime trips.
- Binoculars. We recommend bringing binoculars on all Alaska land and sea tours for a better view of the incredible wildlife.
- A sleep mask. Since it’s not uncommon to experience only a few—if any—hours of darkness at night, you’ll want to pack a mask to help ensure a restful nights sleep.
The first thing to know is that Alaska is really, really big—bigger than most people realize. That means it can take longer than you’d expect to travel between places. When you explore Alaska on a guided tour, we provide comfortable transportation to help get you from place to place, so you can focus on the scenery around you.
Exploring Alaska on a guided tour has so many benefits, but perhaps the biggest perk is that our travel experts do all the planning for you. We arrange comfortable transportation, accommodations, local guides, and many meals, so all you have to do is enjoy your Alaska vacation!