Flightseeing and Fly-in tours
For such a big place, Alaska doesn't have many roads. Access to many remote areas is only by bush plane; small aircraft with bush tires, skis or floats that can land almost anywhere.
The airplane is so important to Alaska that many people learn to fly before they learn to drive! We have over 8000 small planes, 14 times the number of aircraft per capita than the rest of the U.S.
It's not surprising that Anchorage's Lake Hood is the busiest sea-plane base in the world.
Flying is a great way to get to a remote camp, access a high mountain base camp, see some spectacular scenery or look for wildlife.
A flight of any kind will certainly add to the cost of your trip but just remember that
Flying could be the highlight of your Alaska tour.
Talkeetna Air Taxi does scenic flights
around Denali, including glacier landings. Also supports fly-in expeditions
in the Alaska Range.
www.talkeetnaair.com
Rust's Flying Service provides service from Anchorage
for flight seeing, bear viewing, remote camps and fishing.
www.flyrusts.com
Exposure Alaska offers several fly-in expeditions and
can include flight seeing and bear viewing on custom adventure travel
trips.
www.exposurealaska.com
Flying is weather dependent!
You'll want to have some flexibility in your schedule if you're planning a flightseeing tour or a fly-in expedition. Your tour could be cancelled or your pick up delayed...sometimes by several days!
You have to trust the judgment of your pilot. Rest assured that you would much rather be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than in the air and wishing you were on the ground!