Chilkoot Wilderness and Wildlife Viewing Tour from Skagway

Wildlife & Wilderness Excursion in Haines from Skagway, Alaska
4.5 Stars4.6 / 5  |  17 ReviewsReview This Tour
Price: $252.00
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Summary
Shore Excursion Size ? Small
Shore Excursion Type Scenic, Active
Shore Excursion Duration 6 Hours 30 Minutes
Activity Level ? Moderate
Shore Excursion Leaves From ? If you are arriving by cruise ship, this tour departs from the Skagway Fast Ferry Terminal, which is an approximately 15 minute walk from the cruise ship pier. If you are staying in a hotel, custom pick-up is provided from hotels (within a 3-mile radius of downtown Skagway). Please enter your desired pick-up location above.
Food/Beverage Provided A turkey sandwich on organic whole wheat bread, fruit, and a freshly baked cookie are included. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available with advance notice.
Recommended Dress For all tours in Alaska, we recommend dressing in layers with the top layer being waterproof. Sensible walking shoes that may get wet are also suggested. Please bring a reusable water bottle as water refills will be provided periodically throughout the tour.
Restrictions Tour is not wheelchair accessible. There is walking over uneven terrain, and steps to board transportation.

Chilkoot Wilderness and Wildlife Viewing Tour

Leave the crowds of Skagway behind and visit Chilkoot Lake State Park in Haines. Your Skagway tour begins with a high-speed catamaran ride along the steep-walled fjords which connect Skagway to Haines. Over a dozen unnamed waterfalls drop hundreds of feet from both sides of the boat. Upon arrival in Haines, you will meet your expert naturalist guide for a drive to Chilkoot Lake State Park.

This park has it all: a turquoise lake surrounded by snowy mountain peaks, a salmon-filled river flowing into the sea, and important Tlingit cultural sights. As you drive through the park, your guide knows the best places to stop for scenery and the possibility of wildlife spotting. Your guide is equipped with a powerful spotting scope to bring the wildlife in close, and your guide will explain how the animals fit into the Chilkoot's complex ecosystem. Make sure you bring your camera to take advantage of the numerous photo opportunities.

Wildflowers bloom profusely in May, June, and July, while bald eagles nest along the verdant river. The pink salmon flow up the Chilkoot River to spawn starts in August. Pink salmon are the smallest and most common variety of Pacific salmon. This is the best opportunity to see brown bears as they are often witnessed feeding along the banks of the river. Bring your camera so you can take advantage of all the photo opportunities.

Please Note: Depending on the ferry schedule between Haines and Skagway, you may also have some extra time to explore the quaint downtown area of Haines. Round-trip fast ferry cost is included in the price of all departures of this tour. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. This tour requires a minimum number of 2 guests to book and can accommodate 14 guests in total.

4.5 Stars4.6 / 5  |  17 ReviewsReview This Tour
Plenty of Eagles
September 10, 2019
We really enjoyed the ferry ride to Haines and our tour with our guide/driver Barb. She shared many interesting facts about Haines and the Chilkoot River. She was also well prepared to answer questions. We were able to view numerous Bald Eagles and some spawning salmon, but no bears. I appreciate that Barb had plenty of binoculars and also set up a spotting scope. The brown bag lunch was delicious.
Reviewer: Darrell Beaver
4 Stars
Spectacular scenery
August 26, 2019
A ferry ride from Skagway brings you to the quaint, non-commercialized, town of Haines. The the tour quide picks you up at the dock and takes you to some beautiful scenic wilderness areas around Haines. A bag lunch is provided and bottled water. We did not see much of any kind of wildlife except eagles. I think if I went again I would do the Keyaking instead. It was beautiful but not really very exciting. Just a van ride around the Haines area.
Reviewer: Lashbrooks
3 Stars
Didn’t see any wildlife but tour guide was very ni
August 24, 2019
Well we did see A couple bald eagles I guess but that was it. Our tour guide did her best to show us the landscape. She was very knowledgeable about the area and of course had no control of the animals. The tour was very organized. When you get off the boat you are met just where instructed. Nice to see s little town fairly exemp from the tourist traps of the cruise ship.
Reviewer: Judith Anderson
4 Stars
Great Guide
August 07, 2019
The your was a disappointment due to the heavy smoke in the area. Jen the guide was great and she really made a bad weather day positive.
Reviewer: James Hager
4 Stars
Chilkoot wilderness
April 03, 2019
You are a wonderful company!
Reviewer: Sary Carbonell
5 Stars
Chilkoot Wilderness and Wildlife Viewing
September 17, 2018
We docked in Skagway and a SEG representative was at the pier to direct us to the fast ferry to Haines. The ferry ride through the Lynn Canal was beautiful. Once docked in Haines, we met our guide to go into the Chilkoot wilderness where we saw eagles and other birds but the highlight was a momma brown bear with 3 cubs. We watched them eat and play for 30-45 minutes as they wandered up the river. We left to see other sights and eat a box lunch at the beautiful lake. Then we returned revisit the bears who had wandered up the river close to our new viewing location. We were close enough to get great pictures - even with cell phones. After watching them there for another 30-40 minutes, we left for a quick drive through Haines and another photo op before having to head back to the fast ferry and back to Skagway. It was a beautiful, warm day and a great excursion.
Reviewer: Charlotte Scroggs
5 Stars
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