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Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour

5.0
321 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

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.

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.

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.

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

Yes, a complimentary bottle of water is provided along with a light snack and warm beverage at the conclusion of the 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, small bags will be allowed during this tour.

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.

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

 

Guest Reviews

5.0

321 total

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Brent H

On Aug 2025

What a great tour! It was amazing canoeing on the water right in front of the glacier. Gear provided kept us completely dry!

Tina S

On Aug 2025

One of the guides picked us up in a van and drove to the launching site. On the way, he provided interesting information about the area. Once there, we were given all the equipment needed to keep us safe and dry. They were very good at what they do and extremely knowledgeable with a good sense of humor. This was an amazing excursion that didn't disappoint.

Brian K

On Aug 2025

What an amazing day. Our guides (Ryley and Jordan) were fun and knowledgable, moving us across Lake Mendenhall, and towards the glacier. They did a fantastic job explaining the geology of the glacier, as well. The chance to get that close in such a unique way was a highlight of the trip for me and my boys (15 and 13).

Christy R

On Jul 2025

I would highly recommend this Rod and Jonathan! They were amazing and very knowledgeable.

David B

On Jul 2025

Awesome, both guides were professionally and terrific!

$359.00

Best Price Guarantee!

$359.00

Duration: 5 hours

Best Price Guarantee!

Duration: 5 hours



Weight must be between 90-240lbs

Adult (18+): $359.00

Weight must be between 90-240lbs

Minor (12-17): $359.00

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