Ketchikan is a city in Alaska embellished with towering fjords, lush rainforests, and abundant wildlife.
Ketchikan helicopter tours encapsulate Alaska’s essence from a perspective that pumps you with a pure adrenaline rush.
Most participants can participate in these tours and bring alive their Alaskan fantasies.
This article will explain everything you need to know before booking a Ketchikan helicopter tour.
Table of contents
Cost of helicopter tours in Ketchikan
Helicopter rides can be a costly affair.
So, it is important to know the tour costs in advance to plan your trip and factor it in with other considerations.
But there is no doubt that an Ketchikan helicopter ride is nothing short of a ride through heaven.
The cheapest Ketchikan helicopter ride will cost approximately US$253 per person.
The most popular helicopter tour of Ketchikan costs US$285 per person.
And at the higher end is the Helicopter Combo Tour in Ketchikan, the tickets of which can go up to US$432 per person.
Prices of Helicopter tours in Anchorage depend on many factors. For instance:
- Airtime
- Off or peak season
- If the helicopter ride is part of a combo tour. For example, a helicopter tour with a dog sled ride
Best Ketchikan helicopter tours
Below, we have curated a list of some of the best helicopter tours in the city, which also happen to provide the most value for your money.
Ketchikan Helicopter Tour
This helicopter tours in Ketchikan takes you and makes you feel on “top of the world.”
After imbibing 360-degree views of the Canadian Rockies, Pacific Ocean, Ketchikan, and the Tongass Narrows, you get to land on a 1,800-ft (549-meter) mountain top.
Sip on a cup of tea or coffee in the tranquility of the stunning remoteness.
Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes with 20 to 30 minutes of flight time
Timings: 8 am to 5.30 pm, every 30 minutes
Cost: US$285 per person
A great alternative to helicopter tours is a floatplane tour, which lands in the water after flying you over the beautiful city of Ketchikan. Check out the Misty Fjords National Monument Floatplane Tour.
Ketchikan Helicopter Tour, Mahoney Falls
This helicopter tour of Ketchikan takes you over the Tongass National Forest for views of pristine mountain lakes.
You will also see the 1,500-foot Mahoney Falls on the way to which you may also spot eagles, mountain goats, and deer.
Duration: 50 minutes with 20 minutes of flight time
Timings: 8 am to 5.30 pm, every 30 minutes
Cost: US$253 per person
Ketchikan Helicopter Tour, Mountain Lakes
This helicopter tour in Ketchikan is a treat for nature lovers who find solace in the earth’s natural beauty, like mountains, lakes, wildlife, and more.
Taking you over alpine mountains and lakes and giving you a glimpse into the Alaskan biodiversity sets this tour apart.
The tour also comes with an optional 20-minute landing by a lake or remote beachside.
Duration: 1 hour with 30 minutes of flight time
Timings: 8 am to 5.30 pm, every 30 minutes
Cost:
Optional 20-minute landing: US$415 per person
Mountain Lakes Tour: US$372 per person
Helicopter Combo Tour in Ketchikan
Fancy the idea of two helicopter tours in one to save time and money?
This flight brings the best of Alaska in one tour by flying you over the Mahoney Falls, George Inlet, Canadian Rockies, and Prince of Wales Island.
Eventually, you’ll soar over the Tongass Narrows and Ketchikan and spot native wildlife before landing.
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes with 30 minutes of flight time
Timings: 8 am to 5.30 pm, every 30 minutes
Cost: US$432 per person
Timings of the tour
Helicopter tours of Ketchikan take off at 8 am and continue until 5.30 pm.
While most of the tours operate daily, they may get affected by the weather conditions.
There are multiple take-offs daily, so book early to get your preferred time slot.
Most tour operators prefer their participants reach the meeting point 30 minutes before the aircraft’s departure.
Departure point
Hotel transfer facility is available for Ketchikan helicopter tours.
Alternatively, you can also head directly to the meeting point.
Your group will be picked up in a tan Chevy Astro van at the Liquid Sunshine Gauge in front of the Ketchikan’s Visitor’s Center at Berth 2.
You can contact the tour operator’s office if you have any trouble finding the meeting location or if anything changes.
If you are a Norwegian Cruise Line passenger, you may take the NCL shuttle bus to town, and you will be picked up on Berth 4.
There are multiple take-offs daily, so book early to get your preferred time slot.
The tour ends back at the meeting point.
Restrictions strictly followed
Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable helicopter rides in Ketchikan, Alaska. Total weight per passenger must not exceed 300 lbs/ 136 kgs.
A minimum of two and a maximum of four passengers are required on these tours, failing which, it will be canceled.
Infants and children are allowed onboard, but infants must sit on the caregiver’s lap throughout the flight.
Tours are not wheelchair accessible.
A valid passport is required.
No pets are allowed onboard except service animals.
Check in at least 20 minutes early.
Flight times are approximate based on winds, weights, and conditions.
Seating arrangements may often be in the hands of the tour organizers for a safe and stable flight.
Exclusions of the air tour
Ketchikan helicopter rides do not include Souvenir photos, comfort surcharge, and personal expenses.
Your ticket price also excludes gratuities.
Is Ketchikan, Alaska, worth visiting?
Absolutely!
Ketchikan is a picturesque coastal town perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and tucked away in the southeastern corner of Alaska.
Boasting towering mountains, pristine wilderness, and the tranquil waters of the Inside Passage, Ketchikan offers a majestic blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
From the towering totem poles and small-town charm to the misty fjords and Tongass National Forest, every facet of this town tells a story waiting to be discovered.
For souls with a thirst for adventure, a myriad of activities, from fishing in the pristine waters and hiking to kayaking or embarking on helicopter tours, are offered.
Cancellation Policy
Ketchikan heli tours are non-refundable, irrespective of the circumstances.
However, these tours require good weather.
If a tours is canceled due to poor weather or non-fulfillment of the minimum number of passengers, you may be offered a different date or a full refund.
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