What is the best way to see Mendenhall Glacier?

On the Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure tour, you can paddle across Mendenhall Lake, taking in the waterfalls, wildlife, and mountain peaks, then hike within arms reach of the Mendenhall Glacier. Enjoy a small group and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

How far is the Mendenhall Glacier from Juneau?

The Mendenhall Glacier is in Juneau and a short ride from downtown. This tour includes round-trip transportation from the cruise terminal and is a perfect Juneau shore excursion.

Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour

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276 reviews

Excursion Overview

The ultimate Juneau adventure!

This exclusive Juneau tour will take you on a canoe paddle over an iceberg-filled lake on your way to explore the Mendenhall Glacier. Experience its immensity and effects on the landscape as you trek alongside the edge of the glacier ice. Every portion of this tour boasts stunning views and unforgettable environments. With extremely limited capacity, this adventure is Juneau's most sought-after adventure tour.

This adventure starts with a scenic drive from the cruise ship terminal in downtown Juneau to the Mendenhall Glacier. With your professional guides, you will paddle with a small group in a canoe across Mendenhall Lake which is surrounded by towering waterfalls, wildlife, and massive mountain peaks. Along the way, your guides will entertain you and share their knowledge about the glacier's history and the unique Alaskan environment.

Once arriving on the shore next to the glacier, you will be led on a hike through the rocky moraine to view the impressive ice features. Marvel at the deep blue-hued ice exposed by crevasses, moulins, and other glacial formations. While taking in this remote Alaskan wilderness, your guides will provide you with an in-depth interpretive experience about your surroundings.

Continue to enjoy the dramatic scenery as you paddle back across the lake where you will be greeted with hot beverages before your return transportation. On this small group adventure, you will be one of the few to visit this unique location for an experience of a lifetime!

The Mendenhall Glacier is, in part, famous for the Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves, but those are rarely seen on tours. Mother nature determines when an Ice Cave is formed and there is no way to predict when this will happen. Cave formation is not dependent on time of year or weather.

This tour operates under a permit with the Tongass National Forest and is an equal opportunity provider.

Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:

Roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship terminal
Bottled water and a light snack
Gear/equipment: Waterproof rain jackets, rain pants, rubber boots, helmet, trekking poles, and life jacket

Requirements:

Minimum age: 12 years old
Minimum weight: 90lbs
Maximum weight: 240lbs
Not recommended for guests with back or hip problems
Pregnant guests will not be allowed on this tour
Full use of limbs for up to 2 hours canoe paddling and 1-1.5 hours of trekking
Ability to hike over steep uneven terrain for approximately 1 mile
Signed liability waiver
Please note that tour guides may deny participation on the day of the tour if they are made aware of any physical problems that would compromise the group's safety or progress

Duration: 5 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal.)

30 minutes - transport to the glacier launch site
30 minutes - equipment and safety briefing
1 hour - lake canoe paddle
1~1.5 hours - trekking and exploration near the glacier terminus
1 hour - lake canoe paddle
30 minutes - gear unload and snack break
30 minutes - transport to the cruise ship terminal

Meeting Instructions:

This tour meets in front of the Goldbelt Mt. Robert's Tramway building. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

This tour is not wheelchair or limited mobility accessible.

Refund Policy:

You may cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund.
Please see our Refund Policy Page for complete details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! When arriving on the Norwegian Bliss or Norwegian Jewel, you will be greeted by our tour guides in front of your cruise ship. It is important that you are ready to exit the ship upon arrival in order to have ample time to meet your guides.

Due to the intensity of this tour, we recommend that injured guests do not take this tour. Tour guides may deny participation on the day of the tour if they are made aware of any physical problems that would compromise the group's safety or progress.

Yes! We will be using a native-style paddle canoe and everyone is expected to paddle along with the guide.

Each canoe carries 8 guests. A maximum of 2 canoes are used at a time.

Due to recent flooding and glacial ice erosion, this tour no longer includes walking on the glacier. Instead, the tour will explore the areas directly in front of the glacier.

Bald eagles, herons, shorebirds, artic terns, and waterfowl are all common sights, however, this is not a designated wildlife tour and specific wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

The temperature really depends on the weather, but expect the temperature near the glacier to be 5-10 degrees cooler.

Yes, small bags will be allowed during this tour.

Food and drink are allowed during this tour, but there are no waste bins, so you are responsible for transporting your own garbage.

Yes, a complimentary bottle of water is provided along with a light snack and warm beverage at the conclusion of the tour.

Minimum weight is 90 lbs, maximum weight is 240 lbs. You must have full use of limbs to get in and out of the canoe and to assist in paddling the canoe across the lake. You must be able to endure approximately 1 mile of hiking on uneven terrain and 2 hours of canoe paddling.

Weather depending, you are encouraged to wear gloves and light layers. We'll provide you with waterproof jackets, pants, and boots.

Guest Reviews

Anjali G

On Sep 2023

Wondeful experience...our guides were very good and helpful....

Edward L

On Aug 2023

We were the only people on the water!!!! It was unbelievably gorgeous. You get an up close view of the Glacier that no one else can get. There are only two tour companies that do this and none of them are with the cruise lines. Do this tour!!! Book with Alaska Shore Excursions!!! Alec, Ben and Mark were knowledgeable and so accommodating! Ben knows his stuff!! They provide all of the rain gear and anything you need from your feet to your hands. It s my favorite thing we did in Alaska! More than the helicopter ride!!!

Brittany L

On Aug 2023

A very cool way to see the glacier as an active participant! Guides were great and we learned quite a bit while taking in the amazing beauty of the glacier, waterfall and lake. Highly recommend.

Jitin P

On Aug 2023

Both guides were awesome! Great experience.

Chris H

On Jul 2023

Great Tour!

$359.00

Best Price Guarantee!

$359.00

Duration: 5 hours

Best Price Guarantee!

Duration: 5 hours

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(90-240lbs)

Adult (90-240lbs): $359.00

Minor (12 to 17 90-240lbs): $359.00

Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour

Excursion Overview

The ultimate Juneau adventure!