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Ketchikan Private Saxman Native Village & Creek Street Tour

4.6
17 reviews

Excursion Overview

Learn firsthand about Alaska Native culture, customs, and modern lifestyles

Enjoy a uniquely Alaskan experience on a private tour of Saxman Native Village, one of Ketchikan's most popular attractions. Home to descendants of the Saanya Kwaan, the revered “People of the Southeast Wind”, the village offers an immersive introduction to local lifestyles, heritage, and storytelling. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed in the Tlingit dialect before being guided into the impressive Beaver Clan House, where the Cape Fox Dancers share powerful traditional songs and dances enhanced by rhythmic drums, fragrant cedar, vivid lighting, and authentic regalia.

Following the performance, head over to the Carving Center for an intimate look at the intricate craftsmanship behind totem pole building, from carving techniques to paint making. The experience concludes at the famed totem pole park, where visitors can explore towering totem poles rich with symbolism and learn the cultural significance behind each carved figure. After departing Saxman, guests have the opportunity to explore historic Creek Street, enjoying additional shopping and the chance to spot local wildlife. This immersive cultural journey offers travelers a meaningful connection to Alaska’s Indigenous traditions and a deeper understanding of the Tlingit people.

Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:

  • Roundtrip transportation
  • Private 14-seater transit van with driver guide
  • Access to Saxman Native Village, carving center, and totem park
  • Private performance by the Cape Fox Dancers
  • Shopping Opportunity at Creek Street
  • Alaska snack sampler and bottled water

Requirements:

  • Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • Please wear comfortable walking shoes
  • You are welcome to bring collapsible medical equipment with advance notice, but all guests should be able to transfer 2-3 steps to ensure safe loading into the tour van

Duration: 2.5-3 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal. Guests docking at Ward Cove will be picked up and dropped off at Ward Cove)

  • 15-20 minutes - transportation to Saxman Native Village
  • 1.25-1.5 hours - access to Saxman Native Village, including the Beaver Clan House, Carving Center, Totem Park, and a private performance by the Cape Fox Dancers.
  • 30 minutes - explore Historic Creek Street and Ketchikan Creek
  • 15-20 minutes - return transportation to Ward Cove and Downtown Ketchikan

Meeting Instructions:

  • This tour meets inside the Ketchikan Visitor Center at Berth 2 in downtown Ketchikan. Guests docking at Ward Cove will be picked up there and do not need to take the shuttle. If you are staying locally, pick-up can be provided from local hotels, the airport, or other locations in town. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket voucher.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

  • This tour is fully accessible for guests with wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers who can transfer 2-3 steps. Most vehicles used have the space to accommodate collapsible equipment. There is a chairlift available upon request in advance. Please let us know at checkout if you will be bringing any medical equipment or will require the use of the lift.

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

Dress warmly in layered clothing appropriate for the weather. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

Definitely, arrangements of tours for groups larger than 14 are possible. Please contact us at [email protected] with your group requests.

This tour includes roundtrip transportation from Ward Cove. Guests should not take the shuttle to downtown Ketchikan. Please refer to the finalized ticket voucher for additional details on meeting the guide at Ward Cove.

Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult however, there are no age restrictions.

Yes! If you have more than 14 passengers in your group, you can book more than 1 van.

 

Guest Reviews

4.6

17 total

71%
24%
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Larry P

On Aug 2025

Great excursion but very disappointed that we had be dropped off back at the ship instead of being dropped off in downtown Ketchikan at the end even though we did not book via Norwegian. We still had 3 hours before the ship departed.

Christopher M

On Aug 2025

The guide at Saxman Native Village was fabulous! He conveyed the stories of the totems in an engaging and interesting way, as well as a quick tour of the carving area. The "Ketchikan Highlights" portion was really more like a shuttle ride to Saxman Village and back downtown. The native dancing was ok, but would have preferred to just have more time with the totems.

Michele M

On Jul 2025

Enjoyed the native dance and totem explanations. Neat to see the totem workshop.

Sharon H

On Jun 2025

We enjoyed this tour. There was good communication, and the driver was polite, knowledgeable, and helpful. The guide at Saxman was awesome! Great energy, engaging and accommodating of everyone in the party. We left with a much better understanding of the native culture and totem poles.

James H

On May 2025

Tour guide was knowledgeable and communicated well. I appreciated the opportunity to view and interact in a human way with native American culture and traditions.

$750.00

Best Price Guarantee!

$750.00

Duration: 2.5-3 hours

Best Price Guarantee!

Duration: 2.5-3 hours



14 Passenger Vehicle: $750.00

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