Private Ketchikan City Totems & Wildlife Van Tour: Explore Alaskan Native Culture
5.0
19 Ratings
Ketchikan
Immerse yourself in the rich Alaskan Native culture on a private van tour in Ketchikan. Visit totem parks, beaches, waterfalls, and learn about traditions.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park - Totem Bight State Historical Park sheltered
    in a lush, temperate rainforest rich in Native
    history and art, beaches with waterfront
    views, and indigenous plants and animals—it
    is the top pick for visitors and residents alike. you will also visit Potlatch Park next door (Totem Poles, Clan House, Carving Center, Antique Cars, Gun Museum, Shopping) 10 Miles North $5.00 park entrance not included
  • Herring Cove - Herring Cove where you have chance to see my fishing grounds, salmon swimming upstream, eagles are usually abundant and possibly black bears & Seals, (when in season) 8 Miles South
  • Ketchikan Rainbird Trail - offers great views of downtown Ketchikan, the Tongass Narrows, and the neighboring islands beyond.
  • Creek Street - Creek Street is a historic boardwalk perched on pilings along the banks of Ketchikan Creek in Ketchikan, Alaska. A former Red Light District where both men and salmon swam upstream to spawn. It is now a quaint place to tour Dolly’s House museum, view totem poles, shop at locally-owned stores and galleries, enjoy local art and culture. In the summer months salmon gather by the thousands to spawn upstream; seals and otters are never far away with eagles perched in the trees above.
  • Ketchikan - Ketchikan Creek served as a summer fish camp for Tlingit natives for untold years before the town was established by Mike Martin in 1885. He was sent to the area by an Oregon canning company to assess prospects. He established the saltery Clark & Martin and a general store with Nova Scotia native George Clark, who had been foreman at a cannery that burned down.[10]

Ketchikan became known as “Alaska’s first city” due to its strategic position at the southern tip of the Inside Passage, connecting the Gulf of Alaska to Puget Sound.

In 1905 a mission house was built, which in 1909 became the Yates Memorial Hospital. In 2020, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the former hospital as one of America’s most endangered historic places.

  • Saxman Native Village - Saxman Native Village is known for their collection of Native American Totem Poles, the largest collection of standing Totem Poles in fact, but that’s hardly the end of it! There is a gorgeous Clan House, Native Carving Shed, Gift Shop, a short walk through the rainforest, and active eagles next just across the street. Saxman is one of the top Ketchikan Totem Pole Parks and is a must-see during your visit!
What's Included
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Pick-up and drop-off service upon request
What's Not Included
  • gratuities
Additional Information

Situated at the southmost gate of Alaska’s renowned Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Alaska, truly marks the start of the unspoiled frontier. This passage comprises a multitude of waterways winding through some of the planet’s most spectacularly mesmerizing wilderness. Ketchikan is most famous for its vibrant salmon, picturesque landscapes, and immensely rich Alaskan Native heritage. As Native Americans, we take immense pride in our culture and are eager to impart its richness to you. This tour is completely customizable to suit your group’s preferences. Potential activities may include visits to totem parks, beaches, waterfalls, or going for a hike. Meanwhile, we will enlighten you about our Alaskan Native customs and heritage.

  • we can accommodate a small collapsible wheelchair
Location
Totem Bight State Historical Park
9883 N Tongass Hwy
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(19 Ratings)
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Lauren_f
Jun 2, 2024
Scenic, historical and fun - Art was a great tour guide. He is a native himself and was able to provide such a great history of his people, the totems, klan house, and his town in such a short amount of time. Ketchikan was one of our favorite stops on our cruise and I wish we got more time to explore. There is so much to do there. Art was very prompt and picked us up from the cruise terminal and dropped us off downtown per our request, but showed us how to make our way back in time so we didn’t miss our ship. He recommend a great restaurant Annabel’s where we had some delicious salmon chowder and crab wontons. We also tried some plants native to the island and that was so neat. Would love to come back and experience the later season with fishing and bears. Thank you Art for giving our family such a great tour.
Review provided by Viator
465colleenj
May 30, 2024
Extremely knowledgeable local! - Art has an amazing wealth of knowledge of Ketchikan. He was born there and raised his children, Native Alaskan from one of the local tribes. Cannot say enough about our 3 hours with him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Natalie_j
May 28, 2024
Pick Art for a great tour - Our family had the best time with Art. He is from Alaska and knows so many interesting facts about Ketchikan. He could answer any question and his love fo his state was refreshing.
Review provided by Viator
Evelyn_s
May 19, 2024
Ketchikan tour - Art, was such a good tour guide. Was open to take us where we wanted to go and offer suggestions. Very knowledgeable.
Review provided by Viator
Kristie_t
May 6, 2024
Great tour of Ketchikan! - Our tour with Rick was fantastic! Very convenient pick up and he was really knowledgeable and share a lot about Ketchikan that we would not have learned had we just wandered around on our own. He took us to the popular spots, but also off the beaten path to make our adventure more customized. I highly recommend booking the Private Ketchikan City Totems & Wildlife Van Tour!
Review provided by Viator
Kevinbq8910sb
Nov 2, 2023
Phenomenal! Locally owned small business - Our experience with this local small business was truly exceptional. Art and his wife provided excellent communication and were accommodating, even going out of their way to fulfill a special request during our tour. Art's local insights added depth to our adventure, and we were treated to remarkable sightings, including a brown bear, two totem parks, salmon-filled rivers, a pristine beach, and a breathtaking waterfall. We wholeheartedly recommend this company for an unforgettable local experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Charissa_p
Oct 9, 2023
Art is the best tour guide in Ketchikan - Art is a phenomenal tour guide. He is very knowledgeable about the land and very personable. He is easy going and will take hikes, fishing, viewing totem poles and museums, watch for bears, etc. He works around what you want to do on your tour!!!
Review provided by Viator
Pclark0715
Sep 15, 2023
General sightseeing - Art was fantastic, very eager to make us happy and he tried oh he tried to find us a bear unfortunately the bears didn't cooperate but you could still see Art's passion for his island. Very fair prices as well. Could only give you 5 stars but he was worth many more.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Galina_z
Sep 12, 2023
Memorable and fun - This is an excellent tour to take if you want local perspective and 'off the beaten path' experience in Ketchikan. Our driver-guide Art was knowledgeable, accommodating and fun, shared some personal stories and connections to the places we visited. Seemed like he knew everybody in town! On one of our stops we met a bear, Art knew that the bears were coming to the place to fish, and there it was! This tour was probably the most memorable experience with everyone in our group, everybody had only good words to say about it. Was also a good price for our group of six.
Review provided by Viator
Gail_m
Sep 10, 2023
Best tour we have ever had ever! - Our guide, Art, was wonderful! He took us to see the salmon spawning in the river where we also saw two bears. He explained what the stories meant for the totem poles we saw. We had a real treat when he took us to a little restaurant, Alava’s, for the best halibut and chips we have ever had! We would highly recommend him for a tour in Ketchikan.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 6 guests
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June 2024
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