Because people have a variety of budgets and physical abilities, I have chosen the best Alaska land tour for three separate categories: the best budget tour, the best adventure tour, and the best overall tour.
THE BEST BUDGET TOUR
My selection for the best budget tour is the Mt. Roberts Tramway in Juneau.
The tramway terminal is located literally right next to the cruise ship docks.
You simply get off your ship, buy your tickets, and you are off on your tram to a peak some 2000 feet above Juneau.
It just doesn't get any easier than that!
The tram costs a very reasonable $21.95 per adult, $12.60 per child (ages 7-12) and is free for ages 6 and under.
Other tours can run anywhere from $50 to $500 or more per person.
Given that many people are on tight budgets, this can be an excellent way to experience the natural wonders of Alaska up close without breaking the bank.
Once you are atop Mt. Roberts, you are immediately greeted with a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Juneau, the channel, Islands, fjords, glaciers, and snow capped mountain ranges.
A network of trails begins at the tramway. There are trails for people of all ages and abilities, leading across ridge tops, rainforest, and mountain peaks.
Wildlife atop the tramway includes marmots, eagles, wolves, bears, mountain goats, and deer.
Mt. Roberts makes a perfect Alaska cruise land tour for families, young adults, seniors, or anyone on a budget.
ANOTHER INEXPENSIVE OPTION
If you'd like an even more adventure-packed day, you can do what I did on my first cruise ship stop in Juneau.
After spending the morning atop Mt. Roberts, (I actually got up at 5:30 AM to get have an early breakfast - an extremely rare event for me!) I hopped on an inexpensive bus to the nearby Mendenhall Glacier.
The buses run all day from the ship and are really very reasonably priced.
You can explore the lake at the bottom of the massive glacier and even catch some wildlife (I saw a couple bears feeding in the stream).
I got to see the best view of the cruise atop Mt. Roberts and then hike at the bottom of a glacier - all for under 30 bucks. Not a bad deal at all!
