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Highlights
- Start an memorable half-day journey that combines scenic floatplane flights over remote Norris Glacier wilderness, packrafting across glacial waters, and trekking with expert guidance.
- Experience convenience with round-trip van transfers from your meeting point to the flight at Norris Lake, where a 15-minute floatplane ride awaits. All logistics are carefully managed by seasoned staff.
- Navigate the landscape by paddling single or double packrafts across Norris Lake before continuing on foot along the glacier under professional guidance.
- Be fully equipped for the adventure with essential gear including paddles, rainwear, US Forest Service permits, and all necessary technical equipment to ensure a safe excursion.
- Travel alongside wilderness-trained guides who oversee route planning and glacier safety. Enjoy snacks during your journey and receive a souvenir water bottle as a keepsake.
Your Experience
This adventure begins with a 15-minute flight on a scenic floatplane ride that takes you directly to the remote Norris Glacier. After landing at Norris Lake, start an exciting packrafting journey across glacial waters and enjoy a guided hike over the glacier's surface.
Getting started
Your adventure kicks off at a designated meeting point where you'll check in with your professional guides for a quick overview of what lies ahead. From there, board a round-trip van that will take you to the floatplane base. After receiving safety instructions, prepare to board the aircraft bound for Norris Lake.
Norris Lake and Floatplane Flight
Experience smooth transportation with a 15-minute scenic flight on a small floatplane to Norris Lake. This remote glacial lake is nestled near Norris Glacier, offering stunning views of an alpine landscape sculpted by ice as you fly over glacier-fed terrain.
Features
- Savor the 15-minute scenic flight: Fly with your pilot to Norris Lake, soaring above glacial landscapes before landing on the lake's surface beside the ice.
- Enjoy comfortable transport: Benefit from round-trip van transportation that ensures smooth transfers between your meeting point and the floatplane dock, all pre-arranged for your group.
- Rely on expert guidance: Your professional guides are certified in wilderness safety and first aid. They assess weather conditions and route options to ensure a safe journey within the tour's physical requirements.
- Permits included: Enjoy access to designated areas around Norris Glacier with US Forest Service permits, ensuring legal compliance with local regulations.
Packrafting on Norris Lake
The adventure continues as you paddle across glacial waters in compact pack rafts. This part of the tour involves paddling toward the glacier's edge for approximately one hour round-trip, depending on conditions and group ability.
Features
- Navigate glacial waters: Use single or double-passenger pack rafts to paddle across Norris Lake under your guide’s direction. The duration is subject to weather and the group's pace.
- All equipment included: Use all necessary paddling gear, including paddles, personal flotation devices, and glacier-specific equipment designed for cold conditions on the lake.
- Rain gear provided: Stay dry with rain gear that includes a hooded jacket, rubber boots, and pants to protect against splashes from glacial meltwater during your paddle.
- Hearty snacks included: Enjoy hearty snacks along the way and receive a souvenir water bottle as part of the experience.
Norris Glacier Hike
Upon reaching the glacier's edge, transition from packraft to hiking on its surface. This segment covers up to 2 miles over uneven terrain, with time spent on ice varying based on group pace and weather conditions.
Features
- Tackle adventurous terrain: Hike across the glacier's surface as your guide selects a route that matches current conditions and fitness levels. The exact duration on the ice is variable, ensuring safety first.
- Safety gear provided: Wear essential glacier safety equipment including helmets, micro-spikes, harnesses, and trekking poles for secure navigation over snow, ice, and exposed rock surfaces.
- Guidance ensures a safe journey: Follow your professional guides as they lead the moderate to strenuous hike. They ensure that any additional features like ice caves or moulins are accessed only when conditions permit safely.
The tour concludes with a return packrafting trip across Norris Lake, followed by another scenic floatplane flight back to base and van transport back to your starting point.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- 5-hour guided tour featuring a floatplane ride to Norris Lake, followed by hiking on the glacier surface and packraft paddling.
- Professional guides accompany you throughout the experience.
- Enjoy a scenic 15-minute floatplane journey directly to Norris Lake.
- Explore the unique terrain with a hike across the glacier's icy expanse.
- Experience thrilling packrafting on pristine glacial waters.
- Convenient round-trip van transport is provided from your meeting point.
- All necessary paddling equipment and specialized glacier gear are included.
- US Forest Service permits required for access to Norris Glacier are arranged in advance.
- Essential rain gear, including a hooded jacket, rubber boots, and pants, will be supplied.
- Snacks are provided during the tour to keep you energized.
- Safety is prioritized with glacier-specific safety equipment such as helmets, micro-spikes, harnesses, and trekking poles if necessary.
- A souvenir water bottle is included for your memories.
- Professional photo services
- Tips
This product offers multiple ticket options. Some items above (like transfers or fast-track access) may only apply to specific options — confirm what's included when you select yours.
Must Know
- Dress in clothing suitable for getting wet and changing weather conditions throughout your glacier adventure.
- Inform the operator of any medical conditions, allergies, or physical limitations before departure to ensure a safe experience.
- Provide accurate body weight information for each participant when booking to guarantee proper equipment fitting.
- Note that children under 10 years old are not permitted on this tour due to safety considerations.
Ticket Delivery
- Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
- Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.
- Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 72 hours before the experience starts.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to the most common questions travelers ask before booking this experience.
13 answered
Booking FAQs
Wear clothing suitable for getting wet and for changing outdoor weather conditions throughout the glacier adventure. Inform the operator of any medical conditions, allergies, or physical limitations before departure. Provide the correct body weight for each participant when making your booking.
Modifications or deletions to any section of the required liability waiver are not permitted. Children under 10 years of age cannot participate in this tour.
This experience is not suitable for guests who cannot meet the required paddling and hiking demands. Participants should be prepared for approximately 1 hour of round-trip paddling and up to 2 miles of hiking over uneven terrain. Pregnant guests are not permitted to join due to the physically demanding nature of the tour.
This adventure combines glacier trekking, sightseeing, and a scenic floatplane flight. All participants must sign a Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Form before departure. The complete experience lasts approximately 5 hours. Participation is limited to guests aged 10 years and older. The tour is rated moderate to strenuous in difficulty. A weight limit of 250 lbs applies per passenger for the flight; additional fees may apply for guests exceeding this limit. Passengers may be weighed by the floatplane operator before boarding. The primary operating season runs from May through September. Tours operate in all weather conditions unless ABAK determines conditions to be unsafe. Time spent on the glacier varies depending on weather conditions and the pace of the group. Access to glacier features such as ice caves and moulins cannot be guaranteed. Participants will be assigned to either single- or double-passenger packrafts at the operator’s discretion. Your guide will evaluate current conditions and determine which glacier areas are safe to access. Residential pickup service is not available. Avoid scheduling other excursions immediately before or after this experience, and notify the operator if you have another excursion planned on the same day. Tours may be canceled due to low enrollment, unsafe conditions, or participants not meeting the required physical standards. If ABAK cancels the tour before departure, a full refund will be provided. Tours canceled because of cruise ship schedule changes that cannot be accommodated with a reschedule are fully refundable. The floatplane used for this experience accommodates up to six passengers.
Yes. This experience includes 5-hour guided tour with a floatplane ride, a hike, and packraft paddling.
Your booking includes 5-hour guided tour with a floatplane ride, a hike, and packraft paddling, Professional guides, 15-minute floatplane to Norris Lake, and Hike on the glacier surface.
The experience is listed as 15-minute.
Reach the remote Norris Glacier wilderness by floatplane, combining a scenic flight, packrafting on glacial waters, and glacier trekking in one guided half-day adventure.
Begin at the designated meeting location, where you check in and meet your professional guides for a brief overview of the day.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.
Accessibility.
The listed exclusion is Professional photography and Gratuities.
This activity takes place in Juneau.