This was our second helicopter tour in Alaska, and compared to the first tour with a different company, this one was by far the worst experience—from beginning to end.
First, they told us we needed to pay a $150 surcharge because one of our five friends weighed 268 lbs, which is over the 250 lb limit. When I booked online through Viator and confirmed over the phone, I was told the surcharge would be around $20, not $150.
What upset me even more was the reason for the charge. They claimed it was because they couldn’t sell another ticket due to the total weight limit of 600 lbs per helicopter. However, here’s the issue: the booking rules state that you can’t book the tour as a single person—you need at least two people. We were a group of five and booked two helicopters for the same time slot, so they wouldn’t have been able to sell any additional tickets anyway.
They also mentioned that the total weight for each helicopter couldn’t exceed 600 lbs for three passengers. However, our group’s weights were 101, 110, 117, 149, and 268 lbs. Even with two helicopters, none of the combinations would have exceeded the 600 lb limit. It seemed like they were just trying to take advantage of us for extra money. Charging $150 just because one of us was 16 lbs over the limit is not a fair resolution.
After this experience, I checked with the previous helicopter tour company we used and another company we booked for the next day. Both have a 290 lb per person limit, and as long as the total weight for three passengers doesn’t exceed 600 lbs, there’s no surcharge. That’s the fair rule they should be following.
And this was just the beginning. After the flight, the guide hardly interacted with us or provided any explanations—it felt more like a taxi ride than a tour. The landing site, which was the most important part for us, was also a huge disappointment. It was nothing like what we had experienced on other helicopter tours, hikes, or boat tours, where the guides were engaging and informative.
We were also supposed to have better helicopters, but they told us they didn’t have pilots to fly them, even though we paid for the top-tier experience.
One extra tip: always ask the guide how long each landing will last so you get the maximum time you’ve paid for. On our 2-hour tour, everything felt rushed, and they didn’t even explain the itinerary properly.
Please do your research before booking this tour. There are much better options in Alaska with more reasonable prices and a better overall experience. I will definitely never book with this company again, nor will I recommend them. For $3,600 plus a $150 surcharge, this was the worst experience we had in Alaska.
We drive 4 hours round trip hoping for the best experience and turn out the worst experience.
The only positive point of this tour was the smooth piloting of the...
Read moreIt's an absolute blast. Joining this tour is the best decisions we have ever made. The whole experice, including transportation from anchorage, the one night stay we had, the tour, and the shuttle back, is flawless.
We got picked up right in front of our hotel on time, and got dropped off RIGHT OUTSIDE our cabin which is on the 3rd floor. We briefly stopped at a view point close to the lodge, the view there is awesome.
We got a call from the tour one day in advance, going over the carry-on instructions and what to wear.
Our tour guides Micaiah and Kinley are incrediblely kind, responsible and knowledgeable. We barely need to do anything ourselves. They showed up with all the well-organized equipments, helped us buckle up the complicated helicopter seat belt, carried our camera bag, toke photos for us and said yes for all of our requests. I could not show you how caring they are unless you experienced it yourself.
When we get off the helicopter, they got off first and helped us put on the spikes, our shoes did not touch the glacier a sec without the spikes. When we saw the beautiful lake but forgot our camera, they ran back and brought the camera to us; When my mom showed concern to the paddling experince because it was her first time, one of the tour guide got on the paddleboard as she requested and paddled with her and the other one took photos for us on the ground; When I accidentally fell into the water while paddling, they reacted incrediblely fast and instructed me to get back on my paddle board; When my mom is getting used to walking on the glacier, they held my mom's hand and told her where is safe to place her foot... There was not a single sec we felt left out within the glaciers. We felt so safe and so card that we kept regreting that we did not tip them as generously as they deserved because of a time crunch.
Everything is so smooth here, we did not have to worry about a thing. Highly recommend to stay-over for one night, because the cabins are tidy and comfortable with spatacular views.
We will come back again during winter if we have time.
Please let me know if anyone in the photos are uncomfortable with it being here, or you wish an original version of...
Read moreA Memorable Adventure for the Family!!!
I recently had the incredible opportunity to experience the Alaska Glacier Helicopter Tours with my two children, and I cannot recommend this adventure highly enough! As a widowed single mom, I am always on the lookout for unique experiences to share with my kids, and this outing exceeded all expectations.
From the moment we arrived, the staff was welcoming and friendly, making us feel at ease and excited for our adventure. Our pilot, Michael, was not only skilled but also engaging, sharing fascinating information about the breathtaking landscapes we were flying over. His steady hand and calm demeanor made the flight enjoyable and safe, allowing us to truly soak in the beauty of Alaska.
One of the most magical moments of our journey was spotting black bears with their adorable cubs on three separate occasions! It felt like we were part of a nature documentary, witnessing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. The anticipation and thrill of seeing them in the wild added an extra layer of excitement to our experience.
As luck would have it, the clouds cleared just in time for our landing on the glacier, where we embarked on our dog sledding adventure. The sight of the pristine, icy landscape was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Our musher was fantastic, guiding us through the experience with passion and expertise. The dogs were lively and friendly, making the ride unforgettable for both my son and daughter.
The helicopters themselves looked brand new, and the views from above were simply stunning. Each moment felt like we were gliding through a postcard, with jaw-dropping vistas unfolding beneath us.
While I must admit that this experience is on the pricier side, I wholeheartedly believe it’s worth every penny. The joy and memories created during this adventure are priceless treasures that I will cherish forever.
Thank you to the entire team at Alaska Glacier Helicopter Tours for providing such an extraordinary experience. You have given my children and me memories that will last a lifetime, and I am truly grateful for that. If you’re considering this adventure, don’t hesitate – it’s an experience you won’t...
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