Simply Amazing Sitka Tour: Fortress of the Bear, Alaska Raptor, & Totems
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Skip the big buses and long lines with this small group tour narrated by a local guide. This is Sitka's only tour option to include only the 3 top ranked stops in our beautiful town. This gives you the opportunity to see the top spots and still have time to explore our city. Come join us and see the Alaska you have always dreamed about through the eyes of a local.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
PLEASE NOTE: AS of 2025 The Sitka Sound cruise terminal is now requiring guests to reserve seats on their complimentary shuttles to and from downtown Sitka in order to improve wait times and thus the overall experience when visiting Sitka. Priority boarding will be given to those holding reservations and it is imperative that reservations are made well in advance in order to ensure that you are on time for your tour departing from downtown Sitka. To reserve your seat(s) on the complimentary shuttles between the Sitka Sound cruise terminal and downtown Sitka. When making reservations, it is HIGHLY recommended that you plan to board the shuttle AT LEAST one hour prior to the scheduled tour departure time shown above, and book an earlier time if that is not available at the time you make your reservations. For your return trip to the Sitka Sound cruise terminal, it is recommended that you book a seat on a shuttle departing AT LEAST one hour prior to your scheduled cruise ship departure.
What To Expect
Harrigan Centennial Hall
This amazing tour leaves nothing on the table, covering 4 of Sitka's top destinations. Our tour begins at the Harrigan Centennial Hall where you'll come aboard a comfortable full-size passenger van. We'll head south on Sitka's road system. Along the way we might spot bald eagles in the treetops and Sitka Black Tail deer grazing on brush. We’ll contour Silver Bay, a body of water surrounded by high mountains. In the later months Humpback and Minke whales can sometimes be seen here. With time and weather permitting we’ll stop here for photos. Near the end of the road system we'll arrive at The Fortress of the Bear. This non-profit rescue facility is home to seven Alaskan bears. Here we'll get up close and personal (on a platform we view them from a safe distance) with our six rescued beautiful Alaskan Coastal Brown Bears and three Black Bears--the only black bears on Baranof Island. Our next stop is The Alaskan Raptor Center. This rehabilitation center for birds of prey has a state of the art flight room and home to multiple rescued Eagles, owls and other birds of prey found in Southeast Alaska. The we'll travel to Sitka National Historical Park; this protected area of temperate rain forest stretches out to a peninsula and offers multiple, easily accessible trail loops that contour Indian river and the Eastern Channel waters. Totem poles punctuate these trails. This park is also the site of a battle between the Sheetka Kwan Kiksadi Clan and Russian American troops, during the 19th century. Our guests can choose to walk through the park or a visit to the park’s amazing cultural center, which offers its own onsite interpreters, as well as exhibits and demonstrations for traditional techniques such as carving, working with fur, beading, and metal working. To cap off this tour our final stop will be for refreshments. This locally owned and operated pub is located right in the heart of historic downtown Sitka and offers a variety of beers. Enjoy flavors from all around Alaska on their ever-changing taps. Depending on taste (and age ), non-alcoholic beverages are also available. Enjoy both in this family friendly establishment.
Alaska Raptor Center
Growing from a backyard, volunteer-run operation, the Alaska Raptor Center has become Alaska's foremost bald eagle hospital and educational center, as well as one of the state's premier visitor attractions.Each year, the Alaska Raptor Center provides medical treatment to 100-200 injured bald eagles and other birds. Our goal is to release our patients back into the wild; some, however, are injured so severely they could not survive in the wild even after rehabilitation. These birds may join our Raptors-in-Residence, providing excitement and education for more than 36,000 annual visitors and for the 15,000 schoolchildren we reach through the Adopt-A-Raptor program and Classroom Presentations around the country.The Alaska Raptor Center's 17-acre campus borders the Tongass National Forest, a temperate coastal rainforest, and the Indian River in Sitka, Alaska, and features award-winning natural habitats for our 19 Raptors-in-Residence.
Options
Simply Amazing Sitka Tour
Admissions : Skip-The-Line Access; Fortress of the Bears & Alaska Raptor Center Duration: 2 hours: this tour is 2.5 hours
What‘s Included
Admission to Fortress of the Bear
Admission into the Alaskan Raptor Center
Air-conditioned vehicle
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
404 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent tour and guide
RosiBeachy,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a great tour which takes you to some of the main highlights in Sitka. Grace, our guide, was informative and gave us plenty of time to view the animals and the totems. I highly recommend it!
Spectacular guide
Katie F,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Out tour guide “Katie” was exceptional.. She is a native of Sitka, she was so full of knowledge. My husband and I believe she made the experience so enjoyable. 10/10
A Highlight of Our Vacation
BL G,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My son and I both loved this tour. It provides a quick hit / highlights of each stop - all of which were very good. We particularly loved the bears and bald eagles! Although we could have spent a bit more time at each stop, our tour guide Ritch was fabulous. He helped us maximize our time at each location and knew more than many of the employees about the Raptor Center history and animals. At the Totem Park he introduced us to the master carver who was in the workshop and he was connected and had great relationships with the park rangers, senior staff at each stop, etc. At his request, the park ranger brought out a sea otter pelt for us to feel. Driving between stops he regaled us with interesting local history and stories. Another wonderful feature of this tour was the small group size (6-8). Five stars!!
Book it
Tara R,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00This was a great little tour. I think our tour guide, Christian, did a fantastic job! Wish we could have spent more time at each spot
Great time!
Collette L,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a truly enjoyable experience! We loved being able to get so close to the bears and learn more about them. It was both exciting and educational, and we left with a greater appreciation for these amazing animals.
Mike was the best
glU5567OL,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful experience. Mike from Baranof Tours was the best ever, thank you Mike.
Amazing staff & experience
Kami P,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a wonderful excursion with very knowledgeable staff. They were able to provide extra nuggets of info along the way and were very friendly and kind. Don't miss out on this experience...or this staff!
Good Combination of Sites in Small Group
Hugh F,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Small group with personal guide who has flexibility. Visits 3 important and interesting sites, though a bit briefly. At end of tour, option to stay at National Park site and do an easy and picturesque walk 16 minutes to center of Sitka. Tours start in Central location with cruise tenders or shuttles connecting. Fortress of the Bears is unique and fun too.
Our tour guide Jim...
Christopher H,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide Jim matched our vibe perfectly. Best excursion. Had a group of 11 and had the tour to ourself rather than a large group.
Darcie is the best!
Dena C,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Perfect amount of walking. Took the free mobility shuttle to the tour meeting spot. Then rode in a large passenger van to each stop. Only 8 in our group! Darcie was the best driver and full of information. Highly recommend.
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Operated by Baranof Tours