Chugach Adventures

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  vanessa cochran
7 months ago
We can't say enough good things about this experience and Chugach Adventures. Planning to the trip itself (from afar) was easy and they were extremely helpful. We did the Spencer Glacier Float excursion with the AK railroad (great for kids). Our guide Ben was OUTSTANDING. These guys/and gals do so much work, hard physical labor making these trips safe and amazing for tourists. Yes, you should TIP them. And do them a favor and don't fall into the glacier water ;). It's a trip I won't forget and I highly recommend them to anyone old or young considering booking. The only thing I would change is that they send out an email prior to the trip with a detailed itinerary-there is a little bit of logistical organizing that needs to be figured out prior to the trip, especially if it's you're first time. They did many behind the scenes things that made sure our trip was safe and enjoyable, rain or shine. It doesn't matter if it rains because the views will blow you away.

  Rita W
6 months ago
My husband and I went to Alaska for our 25th Anniversary. This is a tour we did not stop talking about. We went to the conservation center with Sarita and enjoyed it very much. She was so knowledgeable and just a great tour guide. After the tour she brought us to a great bagged lunch she made for everyone on the tour. Sandwich, snacks and hot cocoa. Was so good. Sarita handed us off to Mitchell for the glacier float tour. Our group of 5 were taken out on the water by Mitchell who also was knowledgeable, funny and just awesome. So close to glaciers was amazing. The entire experience is unforgettable thanks to these two guides and started our two week adventure off positively. If you are going to Alaska this is a great excursion.

  Kenneth J Ken Kiwicz
6 months ago
I had an amazing experience with Chugach Adventures in Girdwood, Alaska! The kayaking tour to the Spencer Whistle Stop was truly unforgettable. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly, making the trip both educational and fun. The stunning Alaskan scenery and the thrill of kayaking in the pristine waters made it a highlight of my trip. I highly recommend Chugach Adventures for anyone looking to explore the beauty of Alaska in a unique and exciting way!

  Tina Doddridge
a year ago
We went on the Comet Heli Hiking & Rafting Tour. It was incredible!! The helicopter ride was thrilling! We landed on the tundra overlooking Spencer's glacier! Our guide was Kyle and he was very knowledgeable and patient! He expertly guided us down the mountain, through a black bear encounter, around the chunks of ice and then down the river! Truly an unforgettable day. The highlight of our trip!

  Abigail Polacek
a year ago
We experienced the Spencer Glacier Float down the Placer River. The views were beyond incredible! The blue ice was surreal and the trip down the River gave us excellent views of the nearby mountain ranges. Ben was our raft guide and he was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable about the glacier, the animals, and the surrounding area. Perfect for all ages. We had a group of 7. Highly recommend this amazing adventure.

  Alexandria Johnson
9 months ago
Wow this was so incredible. We did the whole day tour; helicopter ride, hike, kayak and train ride. It was SO BEAUTIFUL AND SO FUN! Really breathtaking. Our guide was John from Pennsylvania and he was so great! He was really funny and informative about everything. I really learned a lot about Alaska and he made our experience perfect! This was our favorite part of the trip. Definitely recommend this and John as your guide!!

  ankit shah
2 years ago
Surely one of the best experiences I've ever had! Abby and Ben were fantastic guides, thanks for making the glacier Kayaking experience such a memorable one. A must-do adventure when visiting Anchorage!

  Sumerae Riese
4 years ago
We had the best tour guides Brooke and Corey!! They made the whole experience unforgettable and fun. They were kind and knowledgeable and great conversationalists. We left feeling like we had made some friends. They answered our constant questions and shared stories about their experiences in the area. We felt confident we were in good hands. They allowed us time to pause and take in the absolute beauty of spencer glacier. What a fantastic time!! So glad we opted to to the kayak and the rafting experience. Seriously the best tour of our trip!!

  Wade Butin
8 months ago
I have never been to Alaska and this was my first stop. I didn't really know what to expect. I spoke to Ari who was very friendly and informative. He also happened to be our guide on the raft. We had a great time. The views were spectacular of the glacier. The trip back on the raft wasn't too rough which I appreciated so I could take plenty of pictures along the way with my nice camera. This was a great start to my week long introduction to Alaska. Not only did I appreciate their professionalism, they all enjoy what they do. It's important to love your job and love it in front of others. It makes you curious and helps you learn to love it as well.

  Bacon & Cheese Productions
5 years ago
Awesome experience. Cant believe we can do rafting, helicopters & train right out of Girdwood. Would reccommend to all off those with semi active family visiting. The activity and scenery (just a couple or 20 glaciers in view!!) are world class

  Alyssa Schorer
7 months ago
This was a fun tour! We did the bears, trains, and icebergs tour with 3 adults, a 5 year old, and an 8 month old. Honestly the wildlife center was a little underwhelming, so I may recommend one of the other tours unless your kids are highly interested in bears and moose. But our guides for both the wildlife center and rafting were friendly, informative, and fun. Everything was organized and on time. They are also working hard to be as sustainable as possible. Overall, highly recommend!

  Sherry Onesti
8 months ago
We had the absolute best experience with our tour guide Alex and all the other guides on our Spencer Glacier tour. Every one of our guides were so knowledgeable and enthusiastic to share information and stories about their adventures. We were truly appreciative of not only the expertise they shared about the glaciers, the flora and the Fawna, but also their authenticity and friendliness. The love for the environment and enthusiasm for adventure emulated from every one of them. Also the salmon bake dinner was absolutely wonderful! Best salmon we ve ever had!!

  Linda Hershberger
2 years ago
Great day exploring the Spencer Glacier. Our guides were awesome. Very experienced and informative about the area and history.

  Yael Zinberg
7 months ago
We loved this kayaking adventure! Our guides Ian, Rebecca and Jon were amazing: knowledgeable, responsible and super fun! Whole day was great with them and the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful!!

  Griffin312
a year ago
Awesome guides, awesome experienceWe opted for the Glacial Salmon Bake. Our guides, John, Alex and Roe were awesome. They are all Alaskans and easily conversant on the neighboring ecosystem as well as local birds, flora and fauna. The adventure started by rafting out to Spencer Glacier. As you raft towards the glacier, John shared the history and current status of the glacier. He also provided us with insight on how glaciers are formed as well as their internal composition. While you do not land on the glacier itself, you do raft in a lake formed by past glacial movement. You raft amongst fairly large pieces of the glacier that have broken off, all with Spencer Glacier as the backdrop.When we return to shore, we were served a wonderful Alaskan Sockeye Salmon dinner.Great guides, great vista, great food.

  Alan Cahn
a year ago
Our three generation family of 6 went on the glacier and river raft experience. Starting with the train ride there and ending with the train ride back it was superb. The guides are knowledgeable, friendly and capable; the views are spectacular and the entire adventure was awesome. A special shout out to twin guides Ian and Becca. Go on this adventure if you want a safe, up list experience of the Spencer s Z glacier and a fantastic float down the Placer

  Steve Wastek
2 years ago
We did a kayaking tour of the Spencer Glacier and it was amazing. The age of our group ranged from 21 to 73 and we all had a great time. The guides, Abby, Yoder and the rest of the group were very professional, helpful and knowledgeable. They obviously enjoy their work and were a lot of fun to be around. We were all surprised by both the high quality and quantity of food they served. This is a unique and fun experience.Service: Group tours

  Ed N Tish
a year ago
We enjoyed the most amazing morning glacial kayak trip with our guides Alex, Isaac, and Ryan. The company supplied excellent equipment, well-trained and enthusiastic guides, and an amazing lunch in the midst beautiful setting. The Grandview train tour was also a fabulous experience. Can't say enough about our adventure!!

  Debbie Thompson
a year ago
We went on the Spencer Lake Kayaking and the Train ride from Anchorage.It was absolutely gorgeous. We had such a wonderful time. Our guides were wonderful. Ian, Quinn, Johnny and Robert, It was an amazing trip and I would highly recommend it.

  Kenneth Lininger
2 years ago
Awesome tour with Ben on the Glacier kayak and hike. The views were amazing.

  Val Yu
a year ago
The rafting tour on lake is not as cost effective as a cruise tour on sea. I thought raft will allow me to be closer to iceberg and touch it, just like their website picture shows, but in my experience not. Our guide is too careful to be close to ice. I trust his professionalism but their advertise should match that. They should also be more clear that visitor only takes train from Portage to Spencer Lake, not Anchorage or Girdwood. Instead they provide shuttle to Portage from those place. On their website they should provide a choice for people willing to drive to Portage by themselves

  Chuck R
3 years ago
Great experience on the rafting tour with Sadie.. Close up views of icebergs with a stunning back drop of a glacier..

  Geo Geovis
a year ago
We did the heli, hiking, rafting and train activity.The Heli was AMAZING! . You see the most spectacular views including a few glaciers...Our pilot was good as well. The hiking was superb! Our guide Kyle was awesome!!! We will recomend him always! He made sure that we had a great time.About hiking... we were very disappointed that the company did not inform that there was not hiking in the snow anymore... sadly it was not snow left ...all had melted in June so we did not hike in the snow. I wish the company let you know that in advance.Even with the disappointment of not snow... our guide Kyle made up for that . He took us hiking through different terrain like rocky, muddy, foresty. It was sooo good! We even had our lunch in the middle of the forest. We saw waterfalls, beautiful views from spencer glacier and we ate wild berries. Kyle was had so much patience since we love to take lots of pictures. Kyle is amazing! About the rafting....it total SUCKS!You float for 7 miles in an extremily slow pace...and it was painfully boring! Our friend fell sleep during that time and I was so bored I had to start playing with my cell phone. it was torture of 2 hours. They say it is level 1-2... it was not even 0.25... The only part we like about the rafting is that you go between the Iceberg for like about 20 min. But you can do that on a kayak and honestly spend more time there.I wish we knew that we can do kayaking instead of rafting. I would NOT recomend the rafting at all. HORRIBLE!The train was ok. It is cool but It is a very short distance about 15 min...so it was ok. You can say that you took the train in Alaska. I was going to give 3 stars because we loved the Helicopter and we enjoyed the hiking. And take 2 stars away because of not notifiying people about not able to hike in the snow since June (now Is August) and for the rafting part (waste of time honestly)However Kyle was such a good guide that we decided to give 4 starts.

  tom margerum
2 years ago
The Spencer Glacier raft and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center tour was excellent. Our guide Kyle was personable, knowledgeable and very good with my mobility impaired wife. We smiled the whole experience.

  Chris M
4 years ago
We went out for the 20 Mile Glacier Heli Camping trip. This was such an incredible experience. First we rode a helicopter into the glacier, an amazing hike at the glacier, then to sleep next to the glacier, and finally raft down the river the next morning. Our guides Sadie & Robert were the best! They took care of everything and we had nothing to worry about. And our dinner at the glacier was one of the best experiences ever!

  Paul Frangin
3 years ago
This trip was easy, accessible, and breathtaking. You get onto the train from downtown Anchorage (it's very easy, there's only 1 train). On board you are greeted by the tour company and they personally check in with you to review your itinerary for the day. Meanwhile you pass some of the most picturesque views along the Seward highway until you eventually arrive in parts of Alaska that are only accessible by train and by plane. Now in the remote part of the state, you get to see bald eagles, moose, and perhaps other wildlife if you are lucky. A guide meets you on board to take you to the wildlife conservation center - and they actually guide you through the center (the know the names of the animals, their backstories, and other information you wouldn't get if you just visited on your own). We took a break for lunch (they prepare a sack lunch that is actually a substantial sandwich, healthy sides, several treats, and even hot cocoa/tea/apple cider). You then get on the train and head to a remote glacier where the guide rafts you through a glacier with ice bergs and down a glacial river. Truly it is my favorite memory of Alaska and it was breathtaking. It is absolutely worth the money, it is very accessible to children, adults, and even older adults (there was a 70 year old woman on my raft and she did great the whole time). The guides truly do all of the work - all you have to do is make sure your camera battery is charged so that you can snap pictures.

  Caitie Higginbotham
4 years ago
Glacier Blue Kayak & Grandview Train TourMy husband and I had a great time on our kayaking trip with our guide Sadie! I was concerned about how strenuous the paddle & hike would be because I was recovering from an injury, but Sadie and Ari (the owner) were great communicators and were super helpful and accommodating! Our Spencer Glacier experience was well worth the time and money and I would use Chugach Adventures again.

  Jason Tolsma
3 years ago
Did the kayak + glacier trek tour. Illya/Emily were amazing guides. Best experience we had of everything we did in Alaska. Don't regret the high price tag, it was worth every penny.

  Sriram Sundaramoorthy
5 years ago
Overall GREAT experience. Ari and his team were great during the email exchanges prior to booking. Erin and her team were great during the trip. They even found my misplaced gloves and mailed it all the way to Florida. Great people, great trip. I will definitely use them again.

  Tracey Jewell
4 years ago
Great experience and great customer service! We did the magic Spencer double kayaking and rafting combo. Took train from Anchorage and our guide Robert got on the train in Girdwood. He found us immediately and let us know where to get off of the train and what to do next. It seems that Chugach assigns one guide per party to make sure everyone is taken care of. Kayaking was spectacular! It s a tandem kayak, so we were in the same boat. It s suitable for beginners and they talk you through everything. Only thing to be aware of is that you have to do the work to get across. Not hard if you are in reasonable shape and they let you set your own pace. We are late 40s and not power athletes and did just fine. Arms a little tired, but totally worth it for the experience of paddling around giant icebergs and seeing a glacier from the water! Did a short hike on the moraine hills next to the glacier. Lots of loose rock and up and downs, but totally doable. I have had three knee surgeries and Robert told me to take it slow and stop if I got uncomfortable. Made it just fine, as did the two kids under 10 that were in our party. Dress warm! It was July when we went and high 70s in Anchorage that morning, but glacial winds on the lake made it high 40s. We were happy to have our windbreakers, gloves and hats. You do need bug spray for the lakeside launch. Rafting was fun and relaxing. Not hard to get in the boat. River was a little high, so we did get a few splashes in the front that got our pants wet, but most of the seven mile trip is pretty smooth water. You don t have to do anything but ride and enjoy. We were the youngest in our raft, so it s really suitable for all adults. Robert provided lots of info about the glaciers and the river throughout the day, so it was a fun history and science tour, too. Pretty cool to get picked up by a train at the end in the middle of nowhere! We would do this trip again in a heartbeat and ask for Robert. He was attentive and always made sure we knew what to do and what came next. Felt very well taken care of.