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Mendenhall Lake Kayaking Adventure

4.77
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3 ½ Hours Duration
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From pick-up to drop-off
First-Timers Welcome!
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No kayak experience necessary
Small Group Setting
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Up to 8 guests per tour
Exclusive Experience
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Not available through most cruise lines

Description

No visit to Juneau is complete without experiencing the grandeur of the Mendenhall Glacier, a 13.6-mile-long river of ice that lies just 12 miles out of town in a magnificent wilderness setting of snow-capped mountains, rushing waterfalls, pristine forests, and the tranquil waters of Mendenhall Lake. The Mendenhall Glacier Kayak tour takes you out onto the glassy waters of the lake, where you’ll enjoy three hours of scenic splendor while gliding past glowing blue icebergs, drifting up close to the looming face of the glacier, and spotting an amazing range of wildlife, including nesting gulls and arctic terns, mountain goats, black bears, porcupines, river otters, beavers, and bald eagles. Few tours in Juneau Alaska are as stunning as this one! Permits for guided trips on Mendenhall Lake were allowed for the first time in 2016, so you could be among the first people in the world to experience this awe-inspiring Alaskan adventure!

Convenient pick-up from the Mount Roberts tram near the cruise docks is included in the tour price, as is transport to the kayak base at Auke Harbor, where you’ll be fitted with gear and equipment. Your small group and guide will then be transferred to the kayak launch station on the west side of Mendenhall Lake. You’ll receive an in-depth safety orientation before launching your two-person kayak for a 5 ½-mile loop around the lake, where you’ll take in views of the towering Tongass National Forest, the grand peaks of the Coastal Mountain range, Nugget Falls, and, of course, the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier itself. The Mendenhall Glacier Kayak tour is a family-friendly shore excursion suitable for all levels, with no previous kayaking experience required. One of the most exclusive tours in Juneau Alaska, this excursion is sure to be a highlight of your Alaskan adventure!

 

If you’re looking to explore atop the glacier itself, you might consider the stunning Mendenhall Glacier Trek.


What's Included

Round Trip Transportation
Knowledgable Guides
Hearty Snack
Raingear, Life Jackets & Rubber Boots are Provided
Guide Gratuities

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are on this tour?
There can be up to 8 passengers on this trip, and there is a minimum of 2 guests for the trip to operate. With advanced notice, we can accommodate larger groups on private tours.
Will the trip still operate if it is raining?
All of our tours operate rain or shine. Much of SE Alaska lies in a temperate rainforest, and we would never do anything if we stopped for rain! With that said, if weather conditions are unsafe, the trip will be canceled, and we will provide a refund. This can happen on kayaking or canoeing trips from time to time and will be typically related to sea or lake conditions, not rain.
Do I need previous kayaking experience?
Previous kayaking experience is not required with this trip as long as all participants meet the minimum physical requirements of the tour.
What if our cruise ship's schedule is canceled or delayed?
We will try our best to work with you to reschedule the tour to a later time. If that is not a possibility or your ship doesn't make it into port, then you will receive a refund, less any non-refundable fees.
Are restrooms available during the tour?
You'll have a chance at the kayak base to use the restroom, but after that we will be entering the great outdoors. We recommend all guests follow 'Leave No Trace Principles' and should the need arise, we request packing all trash from the trip including toilet paper. If this is of concern for you, we recommend bringing toilet paper and a ziploc bag for easy packing.

Know Before You Book

Minimum Age: 5 years old • Minimum Weight: 40 lbs • Maximum Weight: 275 lbs
Subject to cancellation if departure minimums are not met.
Not wheelchair accessible. Moderate to good physical condition required.
Small group size.
Cancel up to 14-days before the tour for a refund. No refund is available if canceled within 14-days of the tour. If for any reason your tour is canceled, or if your cruise ship's schedule changes, you will receive a refund. Refunds do not include any non-refundable fees. Contact us by phone or email to request a cancellation.

Quick Facts

City
Juneau

Duration
3h 30min

Adult Rate
$269

Child Rate
$209


Itinerary • 3h 30min • 5 activities

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Your guides will meet you at Mount Roberts Tramway, a short walk from the cruise docks, for narrated transportation to Mendenhall Lake.

Duration
30 minutes
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Once you reach the launch site for the tour, your guides will outfit you in rain gear & life jackets before running through a quick safety briefing for your kayaking.

Duration
15 minutes
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You'll then hop in your tandem kayaks to paddle across Mendenhall Lake & venture within a safe distance of the face of Mendenhall Glacier before stopping at Nugget Falls for a snack break.

Duration
2 hours
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At the end of your paddling, you will take a short time to return your kayaks, remove your borrowed gear, and hop back in the vans.

Duration
15 minutes
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At the end of the tour you'll be driven back to Mount Roberts Tramway where you can either hop back on your cruise or go explore the nearby downtown area.

Duration
30 minutes

Customer Reviews 65

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4.77
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