Above and Beyond Alaska operates on the principle that the best wilderness experiences create lifelong advocates for the places they explore. For over 20 years, we’ve guided adventurers through the awe-inspiring glaciers, lush forests, and pristine fjords of Southeast Alaska. But our greatest adventure is ensuring these majestic places remain wild for generations to come.

Leading Alaska’s Sustainable Travel Movement

As Juneau locals, ABAK has operated with the understanding that our privilege to explore Alaska’s backcountry comes with an obligation to preserve it. Our environmental ethos is grounded in Leave No Trace principles, carbon-conscious operations, and committed local stewardship. Every guest we guide becomes an essential partner in this conservation effort.

Sustainable travel is not a trend for us, it’s a responsibility we embrace fully. That’s why we became the first tourism company to partner with the Alaska Carbon Reduction Fund, raising over $22,000 since 2022 to replace oil-burning heating systems in Juneau homes with clean air source heat pumps. This partnership prevents tons of CO2 emissions annually while supporting our local community.

Partnering with Agencies That Share Our Conservation Values

We’re proud collaborators with federal, state, and local agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service and Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Through these partnerships, we help monitor wildlife activity, support trail maintenance, and contribute to glacier impact research. 

We also work closely with conservation nonprofits and local organizations dedicated to responsible tourism. Our expert guides, passionate naturalists trained in ecological stewardship, ensure every experience is enriching, educational, and aligned with our shared mission to protect Alaska’s ecosystems

Designing Every Trip Around Low-Impact Principles

Our commitment to sustainable travel goes beyond partnerships, we are continually working to reduce our carbon footprint in meaningful ways. Every aspect of our operations supports a low-impact model:

• Sustainable gear sourcing and local provisioning to reduce supply chain emissions
• 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio to minimize our wilderness footprint
• Fuel-efficient marine vessels
• Reusable aluminum water bottles instead of single-use plastics
• Waste reduction practices at all operational outposts
• Glacier access by foot rather than air to reduce emissions and noise impact

Earning Certification That Proves Our Commitment

As one of Alaska’s Adventure Green certified operators—the state’s only sustainable tourism program recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (2019–2024)—we’ve demonstrated measurable environmental stewardship across our entire operation. We also maintain Whale SENSE certification, exceeding Marine Mammal Protection Act requirements for responsible whale watching. 

Our Wilderness First Responder-certified guides share the natural history that makes each location special: glacier dynamics, marine ecosystem conditions that support whale feeding, and how Southeast Alaska’s icefield systems influence regional climate patterns.

Creating Award-Winning Experiences That Respect the Land

The most memorable wilderness experiences combine access to remote locations with the deep knowledge that only comes from decades of local expertise. Our wilderness excursions showcase Alaska’s incredible biodiversity. 

Our signature Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Trek begins with a walk through the lush Tongass National Forest, followed by a scenic canoe paddle across glacier-fed waters past Arctic tern nesting grounds and the roaring Nugget Falls. A short hike then brings you face-to-face with the breathtaking grandeur of Mendenhall Glacier.

For marine wildlife enthusiasts, our Paddle with Whales Kayak Adventure takes small groups into Channel Islands State Marine Park during peak feeding season, where humpback whales activity is abundant. 

When we guide guests to one of Alaska’s highest concentrations of brown bears, Admiralty Island’s “Fortress of the Bears”, we work closely with the U.S. Forest Service to ensure minimal wildlife impact. Our remote Norris Glacier: Seaplane, Paddle & Glacier Hike combines scenic floatplane flights with packrafting and glacier hiking, offering a pristine wilderness experience in the heart of the Tongass National Forest, which is the world’s largest temperate rainforest.

This approach delivers results: USA Today readers voted our kayak adventures among the top 10 in the nation, and Alaska Magazine spotlighted our Norris Glacier adventure. These honors reflect not only the quality of our experiences, but also our deep commitment to ecotourism that puts Alaska’s conservation first.

Connecting Guests to Something Bigger Than Themselves

We strive for every ABAK expedition to deepen your connection with nature. When you explore untouched coves, ancient icefields, or dense forests, we hope you’ll return home not just with memories but with a renewed commitment to conservation. By choosing sustainable travel with ABAK, you are contributing directly to preserving Alaska’s extraordinary landscapes for future generations. Your participation helps fund carbon reduction projects, supports Adventure Green certification standards that influence the entire industry, and demonstrates market demand for Alaska Ecotourism.

Ready to explore Alaska responsibly? Join us for an adventure that respects the wild places we’re privileged to call home. Because in Southeast Alaska’s vast wilderness, one of the most powerful forces for conservation is the moment a visitor falls in love with landscapes too beautiful and important to lose.