Ketchikan, Alaska Native Cultural and Wildlife Adventure
Description
Broaden your horizons with Clan House Tours: We are an Alaskan Native (Haida) owned and operated guide service in beautiful Ketchikan, Alaska, specializing in small group tours that will enhance your knowledge about the rich culture and history of the Haida & Tlingit people. You can’t experience Ketchikan without spotting some wildlife, so we have 3 stops just for possible sightings of bears, salmon, and eagles. You will also learn all about the history behind the iconic totem poles of Alaska as we explore the Totem Bight Historical State Park and hear legendary stories that have been passed down for generations. All our vans are equipped with microphones so everyone can enjoy the great narration of everything Ketchikan and Haida. We will also show you what medicinal plants and berries are edible as we travel through the Rainforest in our comfy van. Traveling with us means no questions are left unanswered and that you leave Ketchikan satisfied with your cultural experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Ketchikan City Highlight's
Walk with us beneath the Tongass rainforest canopy on the short trail to the Clan House, where the forest itself becomes part of the story. Along the way, your guide will bring the rainforest ecosystem to life—towering trees, native plants, fungi, and the salmon that nourish this land and its people. Keep watch for ravens and eagles, who are often seen and heard in this area. At the Clan House, you’ll step inside a traditional home of a Clan leader and extended family, where history, identity, and teachings were passed from one generation to the next. Outside, the totem poles stand as carved stories in cedar. Here you’ll hear the story of the Devil Fish Pole and the Raven-Fog Woman Totem Pole, including how Fog Woman gave the people the gift of returning salmon each spring, summer, and fall. This is more than a walk through a historic site—it is a living story of forest, family, and culture.
This famous bear viewing area is the perfect place to spot black bears and eagles fishing for salmon. There are many mother bears that bring their cubs here as well so be on the lookout!
Possible Whale sightings with tidal poles at low tide. Scenic view of Nicholes Passage and the Gateway to the Gulf of Alaska.
A short stop at Creek Street with Historical facts of days gone before statehood.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Must be able to get in and out of a transit van with relative ease, a step stool is available
Reviews(305)
Travelers should request a truly local guide. Our guide could not answer questions and only pointed out two totems. Disappointing. She responded saying she’d need to ask a”local guide”. That’s what we paid for but did not get.
Our guide, Meta (?spelling) was very knowledgeable and willing to answer all of our questions about her culture and the Tlingit society. The tour of the Totem Bight Historical Park as well some nature and waterfall stops were enjoyable and allowed us close access to some beautiful bald eagles, unfortunately no sightings of black bears despite our best efforts! The tour was very personal as it was just us and another couple and therefore was like having a local friend show us the sights around town!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! Metacwill be so happy to hear how much you enjoyed your time with her. She loves sharing her culture, the history of the Tlingit people, and the beauty of our island in a personal and meaningful way. While we always hope the bears will make an appearance, wildlife has a mind of its own! We’re glad the eagles, waterfalls, Totem Bight, and the small-group experience made your day special. Our goal is for our guests to feel less like they are on a typical tour and more like they are exploring Ketchikan with a local friend. Thank you for choosing Clan House Tours and spending part of your time in Alaska with us!
Echo Hawk was our guide. She had a quiet patience while waiting for wildlife to show up. We managed to see a bear and eagles up closer than I have ever seen before. The island where Ketchikan sits has the most magical rain forests you could imagine. While walking through the totem park, Echo Hawk gave us so much knowledge about local native life both historically and today. Her stories will linger in my heart for a long long time.
Thank you for such a heartfelt review. Echo Hawk will be deeply touched to know that her stories and the time you spent together stayed with you in such a meaningful way. She has a quiet, patient spirit and a special way of sharing our culture, our island, and the wildlife that calls it home. We’re so happy you were able to see a bear and eagles up close and experience the beauty of our rainforest. Reviews like yours mean more to us than you know. Thank you for choosing to spend part of your time in Ketchikan with our family at Clan House Tours.
Our guide was very knowledgeable about the culture and the wildlife. We had a great time and leaned so much about the indigenous people.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you had a great time and enjoyed learning about the Indigenous culture and local wildlife. It means a lot to us that your guide made the experience both fun and informative. Thank you for choosing Clan House Tours! Kind regards Dan
Amazing experience! Was 7 plus whales including a calf. At one point we had 3 come up with in 15 feet of the boat. The entire group was cheering and was in disbelief. Also saw seals and sea lions. Both tour group leader and captain Jared we awesome! Would definitely recommend!
The experience was a good one, unfortunately we didnt see the bears. The tour leader made the experience more interesting.
Thank you for joining us! It was a pleasure having you on board. While wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, we’re glad to hear you still had a good experience and that your tour leader helped make the trip more interesting.
Our guide Meta was informative and friendly. It was wonderful to have an indigenous Alaskan interpret what we were seeing and share her stories with us. And the small group experience with so much better than being on a bus with 70 people! I highly recommend this tour.
Thank you for joining us and for sharing such kind words about Meta. We’re glad you enjoyed the small-group experience and the opportunity to learn from an Indigenous Alaskan perspective. It means a lot to us that you would highly recommend the tour.
We didn’t get to take the tour because the tour guide left us behind. And gave horrible directions, just go straight are not directions. Luckily the guide called us later and said the company would refund our money. The person at the visitor center said she had complaints about this company before during the day.
The meeting place is listed on your ticket. We did our best to assist you by phone while my daughter provided directions, and we held the tour for an additional 20 minutes in hopes of accommodating your arrival. At the same time, we needed to be mindful of the other guests who arrived as scheduled. We have issued a refund, and we truly appreciate your understanding.
Excellent tour from Alaska native. She provided experience outside of routine tour guide by giving more in depth info about Alaska culture!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the deeper insight into Alaska Native culture. Sharing our local knowledge, stories, and traditions is what makes this experience special, and we’re grateful you chose Clan House Tours.
Echohawk was our Indigenous guide. She was very knowledgeable and interesting! We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her. We learned a lot about the culture of the area and about totem poles.
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad you enjoyed your time with Echohawk. She brings a deep knowledge of the Indigenous culture, history, and stories of the area, and we’re happy to hear you learned so much about the totem poles and local traditions. We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again in Ketchikan!
