Bears, Trains, & Icebergs Tour

Chugach Adventures saved our day! We were on the train, about 3/4 of the way, when the train lurched, slammed on the brakes and came to a stop. Turned out the track had washed away and derailed the 1st engine on the train ): The train personnel tried to tell us they could not do anything, that we couldn't leave the train (literally could see the highway not 20 yards from us), that they would be backing the train up with the one engine left back to Anchorage and it would take 3 hours. Everyone was upset - one of the other passengers called Chugach Adventures, explained what had happened and asked if they could work something out with the railroad. About a 1/2 hour later, they had it worked out. The train backed up to a spot where Chugach Adventures could pick us up in a sprinter van and off we went.. They really went above and beyond for us. Although our trip to the Conservation Center was quick we did still see it, had a nice lunch and was still able to do a raft trip although not the glacier one since the train was needed for that. We were all just so happy we were not stuck on a train! So grateful they were accommodating and helpful. They even drove everyone back to their hotels afterward in Anchorage! Special shoutout to Olivia who was our guide/tour leader and had so much enthusiasm and good cheer!

This tour is the perfect "goldilocks" of multiple adventures! The train ride is perfect - I think I'd get bored during a full day on the train. Amazing views, and informative commentary. After disembarking the train, the guided experience at the wildlife center was one of my favorite things we did (especially because we didn't see ANY other 4 legged wildlife in 565 miles driving to Seward and Talkeetna). The rafting experience was SO cool, getting to go up close to the glacier and icebergs. The sack lunch was seriously so good! I remember seeing that in another review and it is true! Last but certainly not least, our guide, Caroline, was fantastic! She got our whole group talking and joking and interacting, which made the whole experience way more fun. 10/10 Caroline! She did a great job, and clearly communicated safety info before rafting.

+4

The trip was fantastic, I think you under sell it, particularly in the rafting section. That was the absolute highlight and frankly the bigger part of the tour. That needs more hype around it . The guides the entire experience whilst on the raft was one of the best things we have done in anchorage

Beat day ever! It was a very fun day. We really enjoyed it. The guides were fantastic! Highly recommend!

A great day of everything Alaska!

The trip was great. An experience of a lifetime. Our guides were young, knowledgeable, skilled and very personable!

Super fun float with Kaycee! Loved the train ride too.

The Spencer Glacier Float is a not to be missed experience. As amazing as Alaska is, this was the most beautiful scenery we saw on our entire trip. Floating among the icebergs at the beginning was absolutely breathtaking. Our guide was terrific. Safety-oriented, personable, and knowledgeable. I wish I could remember his name (maybe Ryan?) so I could give him a shout out. Safety is clearly a priority. Before you leave, everyone receives a detailed safety briefing. In addition to being given a life jacket, a staff member personally checks that you have put it on correctly and tightened it enough. They even had an XXXL life jacket for one person in our group who needed one. We were in two rafts. One raft stayed completely dry, but ours did not. There were eight passengers plus our guide in our raft, and most of the eight passengers had at least one leg soaked. In my case, one leg got completely soaked, and cold water ran down into the rubber boots provided by the company, leaving my foot freezing cold for the rest of the trip, even on a beautiful sunny day. It did not ruin the experience, but I strongly recommend wearing rain pants over your regular pants no matter what the weather and wearing the rain pants over your boots so any water runs off instead of into the boots. Don't let that discourage you. This trip was wonderful, and you do not need to be athletic nor brave (I am neither!). The guide rows during the first part of the trip, and the second half is a peaceful, scenic float down the river. The company says children and older adults can do this trip, and I agree, with a couple of qualifications. Children should be able to sit calmly without standing or squirming for about two and a half hours. Older adults should be able to walk independently on uneven ground and get in and out of a bathtub without assistance, since getting in and out of the raft requires similar mobility. The logistics confused me before the trip, so here's how it actually works. You check in and are fitted for the company's rubber boots. I recommend bringing an extra pair of wool socks to wear over your regular socks because the boots can be roomy and the extra insulation helps if your feet get wet. After trying on the boots, you put your own shoes back on, carry the boots with you, and board the train. When the train reaches the rafting area, you leave your belongings on the train. (Ignore the announcement of what time you have to be back at the stop; that doesn't apply to people on the rafting trip.) You put on the rubber boots, walk a short distance down to a bus, take about a five minute ride to the launch site, and then walk a few more steps to the raft. When your float is finished, the train stops right where you finish, in the middle of nowhere, and picks you up there. You simply get back in your assigned seat, and anything you left on the train will still be there waiting. You cannot bring personal belongings on the raft, so leave your backpack, snacks, and water bottle on the train (and maybe a spare pair of socks just in case). They'll be waiting when you return. (I kept my wallet with me in a zippered pocket inside my rain jacket the whole time just to be sure) . I wasn't sure what to do with my phone because I didn't want it to get wet, so I kept it in the zipper pocket with my wallet and ended up not taking any pictures, which I regret because the scenery was incredible. Several people had their phones in waterproof cases worn on a lanyard around their necks, and that seemed like the ideal solution. Dress warmly in layers, and definitely wear a rain jacket and rain pants no matter what the weather. This was one of the highlights of our Alaska trip and I think everyone would love it.

Be dressed for the weather. It rained 90%of our day. On the plus side there were no mosquitoes We had a great time riding the train in the morning, riding in the van with 2 enthusiastic young lady guides. Lunch was plentiful and yummy. Then we got in the rafts and one of our drivers also was also our paddler. She was great. My 86 year old Mom was a bit nervous, but Jess made her very comfortable. Fun trip, despite the rain. But better than sunny, humid and mosquitoes

We had an incredible experience on the Bears, Trains & Icebergs tour during our trip to Alaska! It truly felt like an all-inclusive adventure and was the perfect way to experience so many of Alaska’s highlights in a single day. The scenic train ride alone was worth it. As we traveled through breathtaking landscapes, the conductor shared interesting history and facts about the area, and we even spotted wildlife and charming local towns along the way. Once we arrived at our stop, our tour guide was waiting for us immediately, making the transition seamless. She stayed with us throughout the entire excursion and was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. Our first stop was the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where we saw an amazing variety of animals, including bears, moose, reindeer, bison, owls, and more. From there, we headed out on a glacier rafting tour, which offered absolutely stunning scenery and was one of the highlights of our Alaska trip. The thoughtful details really made this tour stand out. Lunch was included, and each meal was individually packaged in reusable Tupperware and a cloth lunch sack, which gave it a very personal touch. On the raft, they also had hot tea and hot cocoa available to help keep everyone warm in the chilly weather—such a small gesture that made a big difference. If you’re looking for a tour that combines wildlife, history, incredible scenery, and outstanding hospitality, this is it. It was the perfect introduction to everything Alaska has to offer, and I would absolutely book this tour again. Highly recommend! Only recommendation for TripAdvisor specifically: if you book through TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor did not provide detailed information about how to pick up the tickets for the train and what station to stop at once embarking. I called the number on the email to speak with the tour company and they forward me the email with all the information. The company responded very promptly, this is just an issue with TripAdvisor specifically.

+6