Excursion planning

Question

After a year's planning, this just may be my last question to this forum. Your replies have helped me so much and I thank you! I have all flights, rental car and lodging secured (stays in Anchorage, Seward, Moose Pass, Girdwood, Palmer, Denali and Talkeetna). Thus far I have reserved a Major Marine 7 1/2 Tour, Seavey's Ididaride Tour, the Spender Glacier Train & Float Tour and Denali East Fork bus reservations. I find myself having FOMO and therefore have a few more questions.

#1 Would doing the 26 Glacier tour be overkill since I'm doing the Major Marine tour?

#2 Definitely want to do a flightseeing tour w/ glacier landing out of Talkeetna - any particular company? Best time of day? Helicopter vs plane? Specific trip to select?

#3 Comments on possible Scenic Mountain Air Float Plane tour out of Moose Pass.

#4 I had originally hoped to do a Matanuska Glacier tour but may not be able to squeeze it in - will I forever regret it or will landing on a glacier be an okay substitute?

Thank you in advance for your input. . .

Answer

It sounds like you’ve built a wonderfully diverse Alaskan itinerary! Let’s break down your questions carefully.

#1: Is the 26 Glacier Tour overkill if you’re already doing the Major Marine Tour?

The Major Marine tour typically focuses on wildlife viewing, coastal scenery, and glaciers from a boat perspective, whereas the 26 Glacier Tour is more about dramatic glacier landscapes and the fjord itself. While there is some overlap in scenery, the experiences are different enough that doing both isn’t necessarily overkill—especially if you enjoy photography and want varied perspectives. The main consideration is energy and timing, since both are multi-hour excursions.

#2: Flightseeing tour with glacier landing out of Talkeetna

Companies: Talkeetna Air Taxi and K2 Aviation are well-reviewed for glacier landing trips. They have experienced pilots and a variety of aircraft options.
Time of day: Morning flights tend to have calmer winds and clearer skies, though mid-day is also acceptable. Check weather forecasts closely, as glacier landings can be canceled if conditions are unsafe.
Helicopter vs. fixed-wing plane: Helicopters offer more flexibility for landing locations, often closer to icefalls, while fixed-wing planes can be smoother and sometimes more comfortable for longer flights. If glacier landing is a priority, many people prefer helicopters for the precise landings.
Trip selection: Look for trips that specifically advertise landing on a glacier and include photo opportunities. Some tours combine glacier hiking or ice climbing, which is a more immersive experience.

#3: Scenic Mountain Air Float Plane tour out of Moose Pass

Float plane tours from Moose Pass offer breathtaking access to remote lakes, rivers, and mountains not reachable by car. Scenic Mountain Air is reputable, and a float plane flight can provide unique photo ops and a different perspective from your other excursions. This is more about sightseeing and landscape than glacier landings, so it complements rather than duplicates other trips.

#4: Matanuska Glacier vs. glacier landing substitute

Matanuska Glacier is a driving-accessible glacier that allows for some walking and exploration on the ice. If you’re unable to include it, a helicopter or fixed-wing glacier landing will still give you the thrill of stepping on a glacier, but without the driving and hiking experience. Many visitors find a glacier landing to be a satisfying substitute; you may miss the scale and hands-on exploration of Matanuska, but the aerial experience is stunning and memorable in a different way.

Overall, your planned excursions provide a variety of experiences: marine wildlife, glacier fjords, flightseeing, and remote float plane landscapes. If you want to minimize “overlap” and maximize diversity, consider spacing out the glacier-focused tours and balancing them with wildlife and scenery-oriented trips.