Southside Explorer Flightseeing Tour: Enjoy Unmatched Views of Denali from Talkeetna

Experience the Southside Explorer Flightseeing Tour from Talkeetna and witness breathtaking views of Denali and the Alaska Range. Add a glacier landing for an unforgettable adventure.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Talkeetna Air Taxi - You will start your excursion by checking into our log cabin office at the Talkeetna State Airport 45 minutes prior to your flight departure. Be sure to bring your sunglasses, light jacket (in the summer) and plenty of memory on your camera.

Board our ski-equipped aircraft and enjoy your pilots’ commentary about the geological history and local wildlife on your individual headset.

Continue your flight above Talkeetna and over the river systems of the Susitna valley as you enter into an incredible landscape of icefalls, glaciers and snow peaks. You’ll be awed by the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier, filled with a 4,000 foot thick river of ice, making this one of the deepest gorges in the world.

Add a glacier landing onto your trip for a highlight of your Alaska vacation. This will add 30 minutes onto your trip time for this chance to bask in awe inspiring scenery.

What's Included
  • Covered all local taxes
  • Expert pilot live narration
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Entrance fees to Denali National Park (only if Glacier Landing option selected; USD$ 15 per person)
Additional Information

Experience unparalleled vistas of Denali through a flightseeing trip from Talkeetna. This tour serves as an extensive introduction to Denali and the Alaska Range. Trace the river systems of Talkeetna across the Susitna Valley and marvel at the amazing landscape of icefalls, glaciers, and snow-capped peaks. Include a glacier landing in your flightseeing tour for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

  • Local transfers are available within Talkeetna to the airport. Please call to arrange your pick up location and time. Passengers who are outside a 3 mile radius of Talkeetna must come to the Talkeetna airport where our office is located. Physical address is 14212 E. Second Street, Talkeetna AK, 99676
Location
14212 E 2nd St
East 2nd Street
We are located at 14212 East Second St. All of our flights depart from our office.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(43 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Mandybc8212yf
Jul 1, 2024
Highly recommended - It was a super great experience with insanely beautiful views...calm flight in the best weather and super pilot who explained everything to our satisfaction...is definitely worth every penny
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Judith_f
Jun 27, 2024
AWESOME! - It was absolutely WONDERFUL! Beautiful views of Denali and all the mountains! One of my favorite highlights of my Alaskan adventure!
Review provided by Viator
Abbydl17
Jun 19, 2024
The views were amazing - We went with our 6 year old twin boys. We all loved it. The staff was so nice and knowledgeable and you really can't beat the views. It was such a cool experience landing on a glacier
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shettinger22
Jun 9, 2024
Great flight. Great pilot. - Our pilot, Dan was fantastic. He knew everything about every glacier, mountain, river and the history of the area. He also climbed Denali 6 times so he had the perspective also. I would highly recommend this company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Theresa
May 19, 2024
Incredible views - This was my first time in a small plane. The pilot was great and I wasn't nervous at all. We were lucky enough to have a clear day. We flew very close to the mountains and glaciers. The views were stunning. My photos didn't do them justice.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tdkes
Sep 4, 2023
Southside tour - My brother-in-law and I were originally booked on the early morning Grand Denali tour with glacier landing. That tour was cancelled due to the weather, so we were rebooked for later that day. The weather also caused that tour to be cancelled, but we were offered the Southside tour with glacier landing while being cautioned that the chance of landing was low. Although we were disappointed, we accepted the offer. Were we ever happy we did! Although clouds prevented us from seeing Denali, the views we did see were amazing. Before boarding, our pilot (Asa) asked if anyone wanted to sit in the co-pilot’s seat, and I got lucky - so my view was especially incredible. We travelled up Ruth Glacier, and down Tokositna Glacier, and Asa turned the airplane so that everyone could see the sights regardless of the side they were sitting on. We were unable to make a glacier landing, but in the end it didn’t matter - both of us were very happy with the tour we received. Also, we received a refund for the difference between the cost of the original tour and the tour we took immediately. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_d
Aug 7, 2023
Up close and personal experience! - Absolutely the best part of our trip to Alaska. The pilot took us up close to Denali. Make sure you reserve the package with the glacier landing. The extra money is well worth it. This outfit is first class and highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
Kerid
Jul 28, 2023
Surpassed my High (pun intended!) Expectations! - Words can't even begin to describe this experience of a lifetime! I had high expectations and they were surpassed! Our family of 9 felt very safe the whole time... except for the moments when we were so close to the mountains that we thought for sure that the pilot wasn't looking... but nope... we were supposed to be that close! We lucked out on a beautiful, sunny day, so we got to see so much. The pilot was great about pointing out different things about the mountains and ice fields and plains and trees and glaciers and water and even the residence ON the mountain range! It was gorgeous! I typically get motion-sickness so I took a dramamine before the ride and I did fine. It wasn't bumpy or anything - very smooth ride!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Divyas188
Jul 13, 2024
Amazing experience!!! - The views were amazing. They are ever cooperative. We had to reschedule twice due to bad weather but they accommodative. Unfortunately, we were not able to get the tour we booked due to weather (we booked Grand Denali and ended up doing south side) but, they refunded the difference. Staff is very friendly, views are amazing and breathtaking. I seriously recommend to do it. Only reason i have 1 star less is because the headsets for my wife was not working during the flight. And she was not able to listen to any narration/music. Tip: book early in the day so even if the weather is bad, you can reschedule. If you want to sit on co-pilot seat, you can. Ask your pilot, 🤓. (We did not do it)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bertilda_c
Jun 2, 2024
Enjoyable - My husband was nerves at first but enjoyed it. We all had great time not bumpy I you would this again. Don’t miss out!
Review provided by Viator