Smiling raft guide wearing a hoodie with two active seniors smiling on a blue raft on the Matanuska River

Our Guides

Making Every Tour Exceptional

Discover the Real Alaska

Get to know the people who call Alaska home and go far beyond the typical tourist experience. Our tours are designed to capture the best of what locals know and love about living here. All local Alaskans, our guides have hunted and fished extensively in Alaska’s wilderness, traveled over mountain passes on snowmachines, and served as bush guides in remote areas. To every tour they bring a palpable passion for Alaska’s rich history and an intimate knowledge of its plants and animals. Their stories will enrich your adventure and deepen your connection to the land.

Alaska local guide Lyle smiling by a spruce tree wearing Alaska Adventure Unlimited logo polo jacket

Featured Guide

Meet Lyle

Born and raised in the Matanuska Valley, Lyle has a deep-rooted connection to Alaska and its wild landscapes. A retired teacher, he brings a calm, knowledgeable presence and a genuine passion for sharing the Last Frontier with others. When he’s not guiding, you’ll likely find him hiking through the mountains or casting a line on a quiet lake or river. Lyle’s lifelong love for the outdoors and his easygoing nature make him a wonderful companion on any Alaskan adventure.

Alaska-Adventure-Unlimited-Alaskan-Tour-Guide-Dorothy-in-backyard-in-Palmer-Alaska

Featured Guide

Meet Dorothy

In addition to being a wonderfully knowledgeable guide, Dorothy is an active volleyball official, traveling and officiating games across the state. She’s also heavily involved in agriculture, managing a small farm and working at the Alaska State Fair—her largest cabbage to date has been 34 pounds! Dorothy produces much of the food her family eats through gardening, hunting, and fishing, making the most of Alaska’s abundant resources.

Alaska Adventure Tour Guide Dwight standing with Alaska Adventure Unlimited mini-coach

Featured Guide

Meet Dwight

A longtime educator, Dwight has spent years teaching in many remote Alaskan communities, gaining a deep appreciation for this state’s people and places. Beyond the classroom, he’s a true craftsman—an accomplished wood carving artist (you might even get to see some of his pieces on tour). At home, Dwight tends to his own bird aviary and puts his talents to work as a home builder. With his wide range of skills and rich life experiences, Dwight brings a thoughtful, quietly fascinating presence to every journey.

Alaska Adventure Unlimited local Guide Rod wearing a yellow and black jacket holding a fly fishing rod on the edge of a stream with mountains in the background

Featured Guide

Meet Rod

A lifelong Alaskan, Rod feels most at home wherever the adventure leads—whether that’s out on the water, deep in the woods, or cruising down an open road in any season. A “half-retired” high school teacher and coach, he brings a natural knack for storytelling, patience, and connecting with people. When you’re traveling with Rod, be sure to ask about his latest fishing feats—he’s always happy to share stories of reeling in impressive rainbow trout or braving the ice in pursuit of Arctic char.

Alaska Adventure Guide Carly in the cockpit of a small plane flying over a snow capped Alaska mountain

Featured Guide

Meet CARLY

Born & raised in Palmer she grew up with the outdoors as her playground. When she’s not leading tours, you can find her flying to remote parts of Alaska or adventuring in the mountains alongside her Alaskan Husky. She’s competed in the legendary mountain race Mt. Marathon four times, a true testament to her grit and passion for Alaska’s challenging terrain and spirit of adventure!

Alaska Tour Guide Cody with a giant mosquito the size of a dinner plate

Featured Guide

Meet Cody

When he’s not in the classroom shaping young minds as an elementary school teacher, Cody is out embracing Alaska’s wild side. He’s commercially fished for salmon on a gill net boat in Prince William Sound and, as an avid hiker, spends his free time exploring Alaska’s vast trail systems. With his love for the outdoors and natural ability to connect with people, Cody brings both enthusiasm and a steady, welcoming presence to every tour he leads.

AAU-Tour-Guide-John-standing-on-the-Matanuska-Glacier-near-a-blue-glacier-pool-after-a-helicopter-ride

Featured Guide

Meet JOHN

Legend has it John was raised by wolves in northern Alaska—learning survival, resilience, and perhaps a few howling techniques along the way. He was reportedly first spotted sprinting across rocky outcrops in a seal-skin loincloth. While the details may have evolved over the years, one thing is certain: John brings a wild spirit and unforgettable personality to every tour. He combines humor, storytelling, and deep local knowledge to create experiences guests talk about long after they’ve gone home.

Alaska-Adventure-Tour-Guide-Jamie-wearing-Alaska-State-2025-hockey-champion-hat

Featured Guide

Meet JAMIE

Born and raised in Alaska, Jamie brings a lifetime of local knowledge to every tour. A retired educator of 30 years, he also coached youth and high school hockey for over three decades, earning a USA Hockey National Championship and spots in two Alaska halls of fame. Off the ice, he loves hunting, fishing, and exploring with his family, including two grandchildren. Calm, flexible, and passionate about people, Jamie loves sharing his home state with travelers, and you’ll be in very good hands.

Alaskan-Tour-Guide-Terry-with-search-and-rescue-dog-Alaska-Adventure-Unlimited

Featured Guide

Meet terry

A longtime Alaskan, Terry has served over 20 years with MATSAR Search and Rescue alongside his wife, Lisa, and their K9s, Mak and Hunter. He’s also volunteered with the Iditarod for nearly 30 years, earning the title “Sheriff of Rohn” at the race’s remote checkpoint. A keen photographer and natural storyteller, Terry brings Alaska to life, and it seems everyone in the state knows him. Rumor has it he once won a Talkeetna bachelor auction, which he neither confirms nor denies.

“The tour guide Terry was spectacular. We would play ‘2 degrees of Terry’ because on all our adventures he was either a personal friend or a friend of a friend of seemingly everyone in Alaska. He was the perfect steward to make sure we enjoyed all 8 days of our trip.”

—Gary C.

“Sid was an excellent guide. He was especially fabulous with 2 boys in the group, ages 10 and 12, taking time to show them things like how to pan for gold and he made unplanned stops for things like picking blueberries. He had great knowledge of Alaska.”

—Julie C.

“Our tour guide, John, was the BEST! He shared a ton of knowledge with us and became a friend during our journey. His pleasant demeanor and caring for our needs was really special.”

—Harry M.

“Both my husband and I feel it was the best vacation we’ve had. Our tour guide, Jamie, was FANTASTIC. He made our group feel like family and he added a special touch to our adventure.”

—Janet M.

“We take our grandkids on special trips when they turn ten and this tour did not disappoint! Our guide, Dorothy, was wonderful with the kids. She has over 40 years of Alaskan living and raised three boys. Her knowledge and friendly attitude was special.”

—Debra M.

“Rod, our tour guide, treated us like royalty! He is a life-long Alaskan, and so, so knowledgeable about the area, and enjoyable to listen to. He cared about each of us individually.”

—Selene G.

“We had a marvelous time seeing many wonderful sights in Alaska! Suzanne was an excellent tour guide who had wonderful stories and information. We had an excellent group who got along well, in fact, it was like touring with a group of close friends! We greatly enjoyed the float boat and seeing the glaciers, wildlife and mountains!”

    Read more 5-star reviews!
    Blue and white glacier ice close up

    Get the Latest
    News & Updates

    Experience Alaska
    Like a Local

    Find Your Tour

    Please confirm you are a person.

    Inquire Now 1.800.580.3494