Take Flight Alaska

Flight Seeing

Where Adventure Begins

City of Anchorage Tour

See the city of Anchorage like you have never seen it before. Departing from our office location on Merrill Field, you will see the entire city of Anchorage below surrounded by the waters of Cook Inlet and the mountains of the Chugach Range. On a clear day, you can see Sleeping Lady and sometimes Mt. McKinley way off in the distance, while Potter's Marsh, Eagle River, and many of the outlying areas of Anchorage will be within camera range. Anchorage, Alaska's largest and most populated city.

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Iliamna Lake Tour

This grand tour begins with a quick hop west across scenic Knik Arm towards Whale Island, where you can hope to spot Beluga whales gliding through the water. After passing Big River Lakes, fly into the mouth of Lake Clark Pass, where a beautiful, deep canyon awaits you. Cruise through the canyon to the gorgeous Lake Clark, home of the unique religious settlement, Port Allsworth. See several renowned sport fishing areas before reaching the southernmost point of your trip, the awe-inspiring Iliamna Lake. Iliamna Lake is home to a large population of seals, as well as the mysterious Iliamna Lake monster. To finish the adventure, fly east through Bruin Pass and up the breathtaking west shore of Cook Inlet, which is dotted with fishing villages and exquisite scenery.

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Knik Glacier Tour

Leave Merrill Field and fly northeast to Eagle River with a view of Goose Bay and wildlife along the way, then up the Eagle River valley to the blue ice of the breathtaking Knik. See Eagle Glacier, and then hop across to Whiteout Glacier, following it down to George Glacier and Lake George. Keep your eyes peeled around Mount Palmer; you may see moose, sheep or bear. Continue to look for sheep and goats on the nearby mountainsides, and have your camera ready! Your pilot will maneuver the airplane to give you good picture-taking opportunities. Beyond Lake George is the expansive Knik Glacier, which you will follow down to fly low-level over the broad Knik valley. Look for moose in and around the meadows, streams, and pools in this glacier carved area. Bringing a camera on this scenic Alaskan adventure is a must; you never know what new sights you'll see. Landings for a picnic are available for a slight additional charge.

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Extended Knik Glacier Tour

A short extension of your Knik Glacier Tour will allow for viewing some of the glaciers and scenic vistas in the Prince William Sound area. Your pilot will hop over to College Fjord where the Harvard and Yale Glaciers terminate at water level and produce numerous icebergs. Look for whales and sea otters in the waters and wildlife on the hillsides. Photo opportunities are abundant! Landings for a picnic are available for a slight additional charge.

"Awesome sight. More wildlife than I could have imagined."
Barbara Stober, Rottweil, Germany.

"I am going to recommend this flight to all of my friends that will be coming to Alaska!!"
Rich Little, Las Vegas Nevada, TV Star, Comedian, Impressionist

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Kenai Fjords Tour

Your picturesque journey begins after departing from our office on Merrill Field and watching the City of Anchorage pass below. You will fly south to the Turnagain Arm area, which is commonly inhabited by Beluga whales, then on to Swanson River oil field. On your way to the striking Skilak Glacier and Harding Ice Field, you might catch a glimpse of the rugged Skilak Glacier Goats. Nearing the Holgate Glacier you may see incredible calving icebergs. Heading north, fly over Bear Lake where puffins, sea lions and seals often bask in the summer sun. You will then fly over the historic city of Seward, Kenai Lake, and Devils Pass, where great Alaskan moose and bears wander about. On your return trip to Merrill you will see Gold Gulch, a fascinating mining area.

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Prince William Sound Tour

From Merrill field fly along the majestic foothills of the Chugach Range, then east to the spectacular Knik Glacier. The toe of Knik is frequently visited by wildlife including curious moose and bears. Next, soar over Cataract Glacier, followed by a spectacular show of constantly calving icebergs and many dazzling waterfalls near Harriman Fjord. Cruise over the mysterious Pirate Cove Rock on your way to Black Stone Glacier where killer whales and sea otters play in the surrounding waters. Nearing the end of your journey, see Girdwood, home of the world famous Alyeska Ski Resort.

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Mt. McKinley/Denali Tour

Your flight to Mt. McKinley departs the beautiful city of Anchorage from the largest civil aviation airport in Alaska, Merrill Field. As we become airborne, you will see the city unfold below surrounded on three sides by water with the Chugach Mountains to the east. During the summer months, the Beluga whales can be spotted below us in the Knik Arm as we head northward to "The Great One" Mt. McKinley. On extremely clear days, the mountains can be seen immediately after lift-off giving a splendid example of how the mountains of the Alaska Range slice through the Great State of Alaska. As we speed northward up the Susitna Valley, your pilot explains to you the geology and geography of the area, as well as a bit of the history behind the settlement of the Valley and the importance that "gold fever" played in the early development of the Valley. Climbing into the mountains, you will see the splendor of Mt. McKinley surrounded by the many foothills that nestle around it. We will pass over the Climber Base-Camp where almost all of the climbing expeditions originate. On clear and calm days, we are afforded the opportunity to completely circumnavigate McKinley and see the mountain climbers on the glaciers making their way up and down the mountain. As we arrive on the eastern side of McKinley, we begin to descend into the Don Sheldon Memorial Amphitheatre, the largest natural amphitheatre in the world, and have a look at the cabin that he built. During the summer months, the skiers and climbers can be seen on the glacier as we begin our flight into the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier. Here in the Great Gorge, you will see mountains on both sides of the aircraft that are over a mile high and ice in the Great Gorge that is over 4000 ft. thick and the Great Gorge itself is the deepest in the world at over 9000 ft. deep. After leaving the mountain range behind, as we begin to head back toward Anchorage, we frequently see moose, bear, and swans, as well as an occasional wolf or coyote, so look for them. A camera and lots of film is a must!!

"The most unforgettable experience of my life. It was the highlight of my whole vacation to Alaska!!!"
Jane Maas, Chairman Emeritus, Earle Palmer Brown, N.Y., N.Y.

"The avalanche we saw, and the Glaciers, were the most magnificent things I have seen in my life. I am coming back again, and again. It was like being in Heaven on Earth."
Philip Brady, Victoria, Australia, Host: "Good Morning Australia" and "Nightline"

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Columbia Glacier Tour

The beauty and splendor of an Alaskan air adventure will begin only minutes after departing Anchorage for our flight to the magnificent Columbia Glacier. As we depart from Merrill Field and enter the Chugach Range, the mountains and glaciers almost immediately surround us as we look for the magnificent Dall sheep and Mountain Goats that inhabit the area. Also, watch for bear on this flight, as they freely roam the area below our flight path. Flying eastward past the Knik, Colony, and George Glaciers, we descend into the College Fjord to get our first glimpses of the tidal glaciers that calve into the fjords of Prince William Sound. Your pilot will begin to fly low-level over the Sound to look for whales, sea lions, seals, and sea otters. Within minutes, you will arrive at the Columbia Glacier. As you fly over the Columbia you will witness the massive movement of the glacier evidenced by the countless crevasses opened up by the expansion of the ice. Departing the Columbia for the return to Anchorage and flying low-level over the Sound, many whales may be spotted along the way as they follow the salmon that are heading for their spawning grounds. Enroute, many fishermen and boats are seen working their nets. As we pass Whittier and arrive in Turnagain Arm be sure to look for the Alyeska Ski Area, famous for its world-class skiing. After passing the historic gold mining area of Hope, you will see the city of Anchorage unfold below, completely surrounded by water.

"The pod of 15-20 Orca Whales that we saw was magnificent. It was a great flight!"
Mr. and Mrs. J. Gossard, Ellicot City, Maryland.

"I can't wait to go again."
Sarah Stephens, Phoenix, Arizona.

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Mt. McKinley-Columbia Combo Tour

A full-day adventure for a real Alaskan experience. This tour is two exciting Airventures in one. Depart Anchorage in the morning for the majestic Mt. McKinley, where the glaciers abound. We will pass over the Don Sheldon Memorial Amphitheatre, the Climber Base-Camp, and the mountain climbers on the glaciers making their way up and down the mountain. On clear days and weather permitting, your flight will circumnavigate McKinley. As you descend the Kahiltna Glacier you will arrive in the historic gold mining area of Cache Creek. Here you will land for a delicious picnic on the banks of the creek, and experience for yourselves how the early prospectors panned for gold. Your pilot/guide will provide you with a goldpan and the expertise to try to find the "Mother-Lode" all on your own. After the picnic and gold panning, your flight departs for the beautiful Columbia Glacier of Prince William Sound. Along the way you will view some 30 different tidal glaciers calving into the Sound. Flying low over the Sound, you may see whales following the migrating salmon, fishermen on their boats working their nets, and the world-famous Alyeska Ski Resort. You will experience a full-day Alaskan adventure, and truly the highlight of anyone's vacation. An optional 1.5 hour stop in the village of Talkeetna, the starting point for most Denali climbers, or a landing in a remote location with a picnic lunch, are available for a slight additional charge. The flight may be altered due to weather or the special desires of the guests.

"I have never had a more enjoyable experience in my life. Our pilot taught us about geology, geography, and the history of Alaska that I never could have dreamed was here."
Margareth Sousa, Brazil

"It was the highlight of our entire vacation to Alaska!!"
Akiko Eto, Tokyo, Japan

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Custom Tour

Custom tours can be developed to fulfill your desires for an Alaskan adventure of a lifetime. From beach landings to picnics next to a glacier, remote cabin drop-offs complete with mountain bikes and fishing gear, remote camping complete with food and gear, fishing, hunting, hiking, kayaking, rafting, rock and ice climbing, Take Flight Alaska can customize any of our tours to suit your desires. Call or email for details and prices. Your personalized Alaskan adventure of a lifetime is only a phone call or mouse click away!!!

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(907) 274-9943

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