Juneau: Alaska Native Totem Tour & Mt. Roberts Tram Combo

Summary

Totem stories, mountain air and native wisdom in Juneau

You’ll step among ancient totems in Juneau with a local guide sharing real family stories, ride the Mt. Roberts Tram up through misty forest, and taste fresh Alaskan flavors over lunch with mountain views. It’s not just sightseeing—it’s feeling history under your fingers and hearing it in someone’s voice.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel nervous stepping off the cruise dock—maybe it was the damp air or just that sense of being somewhere totally new. Our guide, Anna, greeted us with this quiet warmth and a little joke about Southeast Alaska rain (“We call it liquid sunshine,” she grinned). Right away, we were standing among these tall totems, each one carved with faces and animals I didn’t recognize but somehow felt familiar. Anna told us about her grandfather’s stories—how every carving has a purpose, how even the wood’s scent after rain means something here. I tried to listen past the nearby traffic; there’s a kind of hush that hangs over these poles.

The Alaska Native Tour isn’t just walking from one totem to another—it’s more like wandering through someone else’s memories. Anna pointed out how the eagle’s wings curve for protection, or how certain patterns show respect for salmon runs (I never knew salmon could mean so much). She let us touch the old cedar—rough in some spots, smooth where hands have passed for years. There was this moment where a raven called overhead and everyone just stopped talking at once. I still think about that silence.

Afterwards we took the Mt. Roberts Tram up—only a few minutes but it feels like rising above everything you thought you knew about Alaska. At 1,800 feet the trees looked like mossy broccoli (not sure if that makes sense), and you could smell spruce sap on the wind. Lunch was included at the top—a hot bowl of salmon chowder that tasted way better than anything I’d expected from a mountaintop café. The view out over Juneau Bay kept pulling my eyes back; honestly, I lost track of time up there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Alaska Native Culture and Tram Ride

• Join Alaska Native Tour at Totems
• Learn about culture and nature
• Ascend Mount Roberts by tram
• Visit restaurant and shops atop mountain

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

No, but the Goldbelt Tram is located just steps from the cruise ship dock and public transportation is available nearby.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible including transportation options.

Are meals included during the tour?

Yes, your tour includes breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on timing.

How high does the Mt. Roberts Tram go?

The tram ascends Mount Roberts to about 1,800 feet above sea level.

Can infants or small children join?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

What cultural topics are covered on this Alaska Native Tour?

The tour covers oral tradition, ecological knowledge, social practices, music & arts, artwork and language.

How long does it take to reach the tram from downtown Juneau?

The Goldbelt Tram is just steps off the cruise ship dock in downtown Juneau.

What’s included

Your day includes all entry fees and taxes for both attractions plus breakfast, lunch or dinner at the mountaintop café after your tram ride—so you don’t need to worry about extra costs or finding food while exploring with your local guide.