Since such a large part of Alaska is not accessible by road, often the best way to really see Alaska is by air. Helicopter flightseeing tours are a great way to do just that. Helicopters are used across the state for oil exploration, fighting fires, logging, and of course flightseeing tours. Cruise ship passengers in southeast towns like Juneau tour by helicopter often landing on glaciers, and some tours even of combine helicopter tours and glacier dog sled rides. Heading north, Alaska helicopter tours are available in towns like Valdez and Anchorage, but the most popular spot for helicopter flightseeing is almost certainly Denali National Park. Era Aviation is the exclusive helicopter tour operator in Denali, and they offer a number of flights including tours with glacier landings and heli hiking. They have been operating helicopters in Alaska since the 1940's and have an impeccable safety record in helicopter tourism flights. Below is a sampling of our favorite Denali Park helicopter tours.
Denali Helicopter Glacier Expedition
This 75 minute flight seeing trip takes of with a spectacular view of Denali
National Park from your helicopter. Discover first-hand how glaciers continue
to shape the great land. A tour highlight is landing on the massive Yanert Glacier.
Step out onto the glacier with your pilot-guide and view the ice falls, moraines,
ice bridges and glacial streams. Continue on to the base of Mt. Deborah, towering
12,339 feet, before glimpsing breathtaking views of the West Fork of the Susitna
and Nenana glacier. Watch for wildlife such as Dall sheep, moose and bear on
your return flight. Snow boots are provided for glacier landing.
Denali Heli Hiking
This four hour flight seeing and heli hiking tour begins with an exhilarating
helicopter flight that takes you to a ridge overlooking the Yanert and Moody
river valleys where spectacular vistas of the Alaska Range dominate the landscape.
On your hike down the ridge Mt. McKinley towers on the western horizon and Mt.
Deborah provides as impressive backdrop to the east. Your naturalist-guide pauses
frequently to explain the flora and fauna. You may see a variety of Alaska wildlife
including Dall sheep, caribou, moose and bear.
Denali Helicopter Excursion
This 50 minute flight seeing trip will take you to unexplored areas of Denali
National Park accessible only by helicopter or airplane. You will see spectacular
mountain ranges and glaciers, and have a good chance to view some of Alaska's
wildlife such as bear, moose, caribou and Dall sheep. If the weather is cooperating,
you will even see majestic Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America
and the crown jewel of Denali National Park.
For more information, including exciting options in Seward, go to the Alaska Tour and Travel web site.
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