Exit Glacier Guides — Local services in Seward

Last Sunday, I took a trip with liquid adventures for a bear glacier kayak in Alaska. And while my experience with their sister company exit glacier guides for an ice climbing trip was amazing, the experience I had in my kayaking trip was the worst. I was paired on the kayak with some person I didnt know. And I had to kayak 80% of the time as all he did was take pictures and selfies, and would not contribute to the kayaking. We were left behind the rest of the group most of the time as everyone maintained a pace, and this person did not contribute to kayaking, and it was very difficult for me to kayak for both of us. I dont think the guide cared at all about this. I had paid a lot of money to this company and put my faith in them to make sure my experience was good. I am not responsible for some random stranger whom I didnt even know. I took a week to speak over the email to the Kayak Manager James, and he seems to think that since I was taken to the glacier and came back, the trip is completed. Also he thinks that I should book a private tour, as they can pair me with anyone they want, and this is a beginners kayak trip, so no experience is needed, hence its totally okay if one person just sits and the other person has to do all the work. I am sure this is what they do, so this might be just another incident they ignored. Not only was this experience unpleasant, the person whom I was paired with, had zero common sense. He was so busy taking photos that our kayak collided with icebergs 2-3 times. One time, one iceberg completely toppled and the guide asked us to be careful. But it was not possible for me to handle the kayak alone, and this person on my kayak wasnt participating, and when he was kayaking, he was doing it with so much force that we would collide with a fellow kayak or the rocks or an iceberg. I hope everyone knows how dangerous the glaciers can be. The company made me sign a waiver, but I did not take responsibility of any other person's stupidity whom I didnt even know.

The kayak manager James says that they are unable to provide refunds because of someone's social media. I think he misunderstood my request for some reimbursement as I had a very unpleasant and unsafe trip. Just because I have a couple of followers doesnt make me special, I deserved the same experience as the others who were on that trip. An instagram doesnt make me rich so that I can take a private tour as he suggested in the email.

I thanked James for making me understand that just because I was on a solo trip, I dont deserve the same experience as others who were in a group. I mean, after all, I am not rich enough to book a private tour, so why should I have a good experience? Its totally okay that I had to kayak while the other guy just took pictures, and then I had to take pain medication at night coz my hands hurted so bad.

Also, I know now the company will definitely make some comments to make sure I look like a liar and to disregard my claims. But If I am investing so much time to write this long review, its just so that someone doesnt go through the terrible experience I did.

A "sorry" doesnt bring back my money. I live so far from Alaska that I have to wait for 2-3 years again to be able to plan a trip there. I hope you guys understood what that experience meant to me.

Save your money, and invest it with some other company who care more about guest satisfaction than just payments.

I have attached screenshots of the mail. So everyone please decide for yourself how you would feel if you paid 350$, had a terrible trip, and all you...

Our family of four did 3 excursions with EGG/ Liquid Adventures in late June 2021, package deal. First, we did a Resurrection Bay paddle with guide Tekla, boat pilot Jess, and deckhand Max, all born and raised in Seward. (We were scheduled for the Aialik Kayak Explorer but seas were too high and stormy beyond the bay. They refunded us the difference in trip price.) Fortunately other tourists cancelled that day so we had a private tour and got to go at our own pace. Saw sea otter, sea lions, puffins, pillow basalt cliffs, and even a couple whale spouts. Nice boats, easy paddle. The water pick-up on Jess’s boat was neat. Next day we did the Exit Glacier ice climbing with guides Trevor, Catherine, and Cameron, aka “The Ice Mantis.” There were our four plus 5 other climbers. All fine company. Hike was sweaty as it should be, glacier was cold as expected, plus liquid sunshine all day. Crampons and ice picks are amazing! The guides rigged 3 rope set ups and we all took turns and were satisfied with amount of climbing. Super fun. You don’t need experience— the guides teach what you need to know and are very aware of safety. The next day our family of four did the Helicopter/ ice climbing package and Cameron was our guide. He found us great spots to climb and helped us get a little better at it. We were fortunate to make the trip as we were the first ones out from 9-1. There were a couple groups supposed to come later but those trips were scuttled due to cloudy flying conditions in the canyon. All in all we felt lucky to do these trips and they were certainly highlights of Alaska for us. Guides were friendly and patient and company did their best to work around the weather. I will say we were hopeful of rebooking the Aialik trip for later in our stay but they were way too busy. There was no space to rebook. So if you get a chance to do something take it. Highly recommend this group. Seems expensive perhaps but...

I do not possess the linguistic skill to state how glad I genuinely am to have booked 2 trips with this place. Absolutely worth the money and worth working in on your vacation! Best money spent on this trip so far and such a unique experience. The guides take excellent care of their charges and ensure safety and compence during activities. That being said, do no book this tour expecting someone else to pull the weight. If you book the Kayaking tour you WILL be on charge of paddling. Out on the ice of the glacier and hiking up to it and back down you ARE responsible for your own safety, following instructions, knowing your limits, and establishing clear communication during the trek. I have mad respect for the folks running this place and the folks they have in charge of the tours genuinely do care and are kind and helpful. I felt seasick and, despite my motion sick medicine I brought, they gave me some Chimes to chew on and told me the best place to sick to stave off the nausea. I accidentally whacked myself in the knee with the ice tool while climbing the glacier (an exceptional pain, for the record) and they gave me time and patience to get my wind back and offered me the chance to go again without the pressure of making me do it. Overall, I have so many good things to say about this company, they have been truly exceptional and I'm so grateful that they gave me the opportunity to see parts of the Kenai Fjords that I wouldve never witnessed otherwise. A truly...