2.5 Hour Tour in Ketchikan on the Tongass Trolley
Description
Are you looking to see the best of Ketchikan in a short time with hopes of wildlife? The Tongass Trolley tour is for you! Enjoy the sights while your Guide shares Ketchikan's colorful history in a replicated 1800's cable car trolley. You begin the journey with a short drive past an eagle's nest to Saxman Native Village where you will see a collection of Tlingit and Haida totem poles. Your Guide will share the rich cultural history while we pass through the village. After a drive down the coast your first stop is a small cove for an opportunity to see wildlife. Of course, wildlife is never guaranteed, but there is a good chance of sightings at this location. On to Rainbow Falls where you will stop to enjoy a photo op in front of the beautiful falls. After the scenic coastal drive back to town, we will stop at the Totem Heritage Center to view authentic native artifacts, regalia, totem poles and carvings. We will end the tour where we began, or at the historic district of Creek Street.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will disembark in Herring Cove for the opportunity to see black bears, harbor seals, eagles and salmon swimming upstream. Wildlife is never guaranteed because they are wild, but we have a good chance to see them here.
As we arrive back in town, we are happy to drop any guests at the historic Creek Street for a little shopping if they would like, or we will take you back to the location we picked up at the Vistors Center on Front Street.
Learn about the five different species of Salmon we have in Ketchikan, while viewing the Salmon swimming and jumping up a raging creek to reach their spawning grounds to lay their eggs.
We will stop at Rainbow Falls known for its mist caused by the raging waterfall. If it is a sunny day the mist creates a rainbow across the falls, hence the name. It is a fantastic photo opportunity.
City Park used to be a hatchery with small wading ponds where the fish were grown until large enough to make the swim around the Pacific Ocean and return back to the creek where they were born.
Totem Heritage Center is on the National Register of Historical Places for its collection of authentic 19th Century totem poles. In addition, the Center maintains a collection of carvings, baskets, regalia and photographs. to show case the heritage of local native tribes.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(281)
We had a wonderful tour of Ketchikan thanks to Amanda. She was knowledgeable, patient and friendly. Our family of 3 were lucky to be the only passengers in the van and had an amazing time with Amanda. She asked us at the beginning what we most wanted to see and she delivered on that aspect. She went out of her way to stop for us to view the wildlife, specifically the local whale, Phoenix. Thanks to Amanda and her knowledge of where the local whale would lost likely be, we were lucky enough to spot him 3 times coming out of the water and getting great views. She took us to a local family’s stand where they had great smoked salmon and homemade jams. She was so patient and friendly that my son who is on the autism spectrum felt so comfortable with her and was able to relax and enjoy the tour too. The stop at the Totem heritage center was a fantastic experience and we’re really impressed by the museum. The owner Tim was also great communicating with us the day before and sending us info about where to meet Amanda. We had an amazing time and highly recommend Amanda and this tour company.
Chris was an amazing guide! Hilariously funny and full of knowledge.
This was an amazing introduction to Ketchikan. Our driver and guide, Amanda, was absolutely terrific! She had so many interesting stories and tidbits to share about Ketchikan and Alaska - and this being our first port in the state, it was a wonderful introduction. She took us to some amazing overlooks where we saw Salmon spawning and lots of Bald Eagles. We had a stop to try smoked salmon, and to visit the Ketchikan Totem Museum. We would highly recommend this tour - especially for first time visitors to Alaska.
Chris did great job Ato Z. Thoughtful, help us with wildlife spotting, knowledgeable.
Fun tour. Very informative we did not see any wildlife. Loved the waterfall. Also enjoyed the bridge stop. The roadside stand has super fresh smoked salmon.
We were a little skeptical at first because they were down a driver for the trolley due to family emergency. So they texted the night before to ask if we wanted to wait for the next trolley time 9:30 or ride in a 14 person large transit van at our scheduled time 8am. We decided to keep our scheduled time 8am and take the van. Amanda was our tour guide and was fantastic! Our group was only 8 people. She was very personable and full of Ketchikan history. We definitely recommend asking for Amanda.
Great tour! Christopher,our guide, was informative and funny. Stopped at Ketchican highlights and still had plenty to shop and stroll downtown
Our guide was Juan, and we really got personal service with only six of us in a van. Juan was very knowledgeable about the city and its attractions, as well as being super friendly. We saw the salmon ladder, a waterfall, eagles, a bear in a stream, and the totem pole museum. We also went for a drive outside the city along the water.
This was a lot more fun then I thought it would be. Saw many Eagles, birds and a bear! The driver was excellent!
Do you learn a lot about the town trolley stops you can get off walk around take pictures beautiful waterfalls
