Sitka Premium Scenic Tour: Fortress of the Bear, Raptor Center & Totem Village | Same Day

See Sitka’s top three attractions in one amazing tour!

View rescued brown bears and eagles up close on this premium tour of the Fortress of the Bear, the Alaska Raptor Center, and Totem Village in Sitka.

After a quick shuttle ride into the town of Sitka, guests will begin their small group tour from the Visitor Center. A comfortable and smaller capacity van will transport guests throughout their expedition in Sitka; positioned at the edge of Baranof Island towards the end of the Inside Passage.

A local guide depicts everyday Sitka life on the way to the first stop along this extensive tour, Silver Bay. The stunning beauty of the region reveals itself with every turn of the road south. The van will stop for an incredible photo opportunity along the way and there is always the potential wildlife spotting along the way; eagles, whales, sea lions, and salmon are among the common sightings along this region.

The next stop brings guests to the popular Fortress of the Bears; a naturalized habitat offering visitors opportunities for up-close viewing (within 25 feet!) of local rescued brown bears. Set along the National Forest, the 3/4 acre environment is the largest bear dwelling in North America. Skilled rescuers will share their experience, care and knowledge of a generally feared, yet revered forest dweller. Guests will learn the challenges these rescuers face in the pursuit to protect these amazing creatures.

The intimate small group tour will continue onto the Raptor Center, a 17-acre habitat against the Tongass National Forest and the Indian River; its mission to rehabilitate injured and/or ill birds of prey like hawks, eagles, owls, and falcons. Being the largest rehabilitation center in Alaska, and one of the largest in North America, it takes in between 100 and 200 birds each year. Many of the birds are recovering from gunshot wounds as well as trauma related to traffic incidents. It is the goal of the center to heal and introduce the birds back into the wilderness. Guests will learn about the part of that healing process that focuses on retraining the birds to fly within the expansive flight training center. While birds that can no longer return to the wild are often sent to wildlife centers and zoos throughout the country, a few do remain as permanent guests. Visitors can often view more than two dozen winged inhabitants who aid in the public education mission of the Raptor Center.

Guests will then be transported within their small group to the final stop along the tour and Alaska's oldest national park, Sitka National Historical Park. A stunning stroll through the Tlingit and Haida totem poles among spruce and hemlock trees awaits each guest on the breathtaking coastal trail. Joining a guide on a scenic walk looking out over the Indian River will educate guests on the salmon life cycle, and midseason opportunities to observe spawning. As the tour concludes, guests are given the option of riding back to town with their guide or staying longer and strolling along the beautiful Sea Walk back to town (about a 15-20 minute walk to the ship shuttle).