Planning a flightseeing tour with K2 Aviation from Talkeetna? One size does not fit all. Whether you’re on a tight schedule, traveling with kids, seeking summit-level views, or looking for a glacier landing, we offer several tour options built to match your time, appetite for adventure, and budget. Read on to discover which Denali experience is the perfect fit for you, and how to choose the one you’ll look back on as the highlight of your Alaska trip.

Choose Your Adventure – K2 Aviation Tour Options

Separated by 15 minute increments, each of our Denali flightseeing tours highlight more or less of the Alaska Range depending on how much you want to see. The right one for you depends on how much time you have, how much adventure you want, and your budget.

Denali Experience Tour – 1 hour – $305 per person

A great choice for first-time visitors and for anyone short on time or watching their budget, this tour gives you a solid introduction to Denali’s southern side. You’ll fly past sweeping glaciers and get a sense of the mountain’s massive scale. This route forms the base for all of our Denali flightseeing options.

You’ll come within about six miles (10 km) of the summit before flying into the dramatic Great Gorge. Along the way, you’ll see the Tokositna and Ruth Glaciers, the sharp ridgelines of Mount Huntington, and the iconic formation known as the Moose’s Tooth.

Denali Flyer Tour – 1.25 hours – $370

This is our most popular tour for a reason. On the Denali Flyer, you’ll see everything included in the Denali Experience, and with the 15 extra minutes from the Denali Experience,  you’ll get a closer look at the 45-mile-long Kahiltna Glacier, the longest glacier in Denali National Park. You’ll fly past Little Switzerland, Kahiltna Base Camp, and the impressive east face of Mount Foraker.

It’s the perfect amount of time in the air for families and travelers of all ages, including those flying with kids.

Denali Grand Tour – 1.5 hours – $445 per person

The Denali Grand Tour adds about 15 extra minutes to the previous route, and that extra time lets you do something unforgettable—circle the tallest mountain in North America. This flight combines the Denali Experience and Denali Flyer paths, giving you a full view of every side of “The Great One.” You’ll see the historic routes used by Denali’s earliest climbers, soar past the massive Wickersham Wall, nearly 14,000 feet of vertical relief, and look down over Kahiltna Pass and the Peters, Muldrow, and Traleika Glaciers stretched out below.

Because of the altitude and length of the tour, it’s not recommended for children under 8.

Top of the World Tour – 2 hours – $510 per person

The closest you can get to the summit of Denali without climbing it, the Top of the World Tour is built for travelers looking for a truly high-altitude adventure. This flight provides an unmatched perspective of Denali National Park and North America’s highest peak, soaring up to 20,310 feet, right alongside the mountain’s upper slopes.

Because the aircraft is not pressurized like a commercial jet, guests are provided with oxygen masks, which may be worn for up to 30 minutes during the tour. The combination of altitude, clear-air views, and proximity to Denali’s upper ridges makes this one of the most unique flightseeing experiences in Alaska.

Operating May 15 – September 15, this tour is offered twice daily and is one of our most exclusive, fast-selling excursions. It is especially breathtaking during climbing season in May, June, and early July, when you may even spot climbers making their summit push.

Glacier Landing Add-On – .5 hour – $130 per person

With our optional Glacier Landing, you can step out onto one of Denali’s snow-covered glaciers. Your aircraft, fitted with skis, touches down smoothly on the ice, surrounded by steep mountain walls rising all around you. It’s the best way to experience the heart of Denali National Park and stand in wilderness the size of Massachusetts.

You can toss a few snowballs, make a snow angel, take photos, and listen for the quiet creaks and pops of the glacier moving beneath your feet.

When to Fly: The Best Time for Denali Flightseeing

Summer brings long daylight hours, visible glacier moraines, and the chance to add a glacier landing to your tour. Fall arrives with golden birch trees and deep red tundra, our pilots favorite time of the year to fly! Winter often brings the most stable weather of the entire year. Clear days are common, and sunrise and sunset can stretch across the horizon in long bands of pink and red. On our winter Grand Tour, there’s an added bonus you can only see from November through January: Denali casts a 50-mile shadow across the north side, a rare and striking sight you won’t forget.

Each season offers something different, and every flight gives you a new way to see the mountain.

Pro Tip: Book your flight early in your Talkeetna visit, that way, if weather causes delays, our team can easily rebook you for the best possible weather window.

Experience Alaska’s True Perspective

There’s simply no other way to understand Denali’s scale than to fly beside it. From glacier-carved valleys to towering ridgelines and endless snowfields, K2 Aviation offers a front-row seat to Alaska’s most awe-inspiring landscape.

Whether you’re standing on a glacier at 7,000 feet or soaring above the Great Gorge, one thing is certain, a flight with K2 Aviation will be a highlight of your Alaska journey.