Taku Lodge – Juneau, AK
We just got back from our 7 day Alaskan cruise and, although it was all magical, there was one clear highlight. Taku Lodge and our Wings Airways flight up to the lodge was the pinnacle of the trip. Taku Lodge is only reachable by seaplane, boat, or hiking (the are no roads leading to it). The lodge sits looking out on the Hole-In-The-Wall glacier with Tongass National Forest surrounding it. This might be a good time to mention this isn’t sponsored, in fact I’m sure they have no idea I’m even writing about them. Now that the formalities are out of the way, we can jump into the experience.
The Experience
Gear
No gear is required, but I recommend bug spray. We were engulfed in mosquitoes while walking around outside the lodge. If you plan on walking the property, then you will need solid shoes. The ground can be bumpy in areas but not difficult to traverse. We would have loved drone footage but were denied when we formally requested it weeks before our arrival. The videos we got from the plane were amazing through.
Cost and Booking
We paid $450 per person. Children are $410. Almost all of the people joining us on the experience had booked through the cruise ship and paid almost $700 per person. Don’t be those people…BOOK Direct! Also it’s worth noting that many excursions can be booked directly through companies, sometimes it’s worth booking directly and sometimes it’s not.
The Flight
We were flying in a small seaplane (which has always been on my bucket list). The planes have 9 passenger seats including the front seat beside the pilot. Everyone got a window seat, although some views are affected by the wings The planes were overhauled in the early 2000s and looked to be well taken care of. If you weigh over 250lbs there is an additional charge. Honestly the seats are very small, and I would doubt someone over 250lbs would be comfortable. The flight was a little rough but wasn’t too scary. I was distracted by the beautiful view and the audio track on the headset they give you. The flight home is a bit shorter, but has just a impressive views.
At the lodge
After a short 20 minute flight over glaciers and a surprise mountain goat sighting, we landed on the lake in front of the lodge. We boarded and unloaded from very solid (aka not shaky) wooden docks. Taku Lodge has been owned by the Ward family since 1993, but the history of the lodge dates back to 1923. You will learn all about it if you visit the lodge. Hearing the full history while eating your meal in the lodge is part of the fun.
We had about 30 minutes to explore the property while the staff finished cooking our lunch. I walked around some of the paths, while others got a glass of wine and sat outside. It’s a once in a lifetime view so take in as much of it as you can. Bears often visit the lodge, so stay alert while there. Lunch was served inside the lodge and consisted of grilled salmon, baked apples, beans, and other sides. Most of the meal wasn’t things that I would prefer to eat. However, it was cooked and seasoned well and I came for the view anyway. Most people seemed to really enjoy the food. After eating we had more time to explore and one of the workers took people on a nature walk. I could have spent all day there, but the entire experience was done within 3 hours.
Conclusion
If I got a chance to fly up to Taku Lodge again, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. There was a couple on our plane that was doing it for a second time, and they said it was just as good of an experience as it was 5 years prior. I think it would be good for older people (if they can climb the steps to get into the plane), and children (old enough to not be frightened by the loud plane engine), and everyone in between.
