By Fran Golden

updated 3:18 p.m. ET March 6, 2008

On the Klondike Highway outside Skagway, I biked down a mountain past rugged cliffs — my hands hurt from squeezing the brakes so often.

In Juneau, I swung above the treetops on a zip-line, strapped into a harness with only a clamp on a wire holding me in the sky. There, I also got in a dog sled and let the dogs lead me across a real glacier. I saw an eagle close enough that I could examine its weapon-like claws. I went fishing and caught a 4 1/2-pound salmon, had it freeze-packed and shipped home so I could share it at a family meal.

As a frequent Alaska cruise passenger, I have many memories, and some of the most striking ones have taken place on shore excursions. Alaska is one of those places where you want to get off the beaten path and experience the landscape — the real Alaska.

Alaska cruises basically follow two routes: the Inside Passage, which sticks to the Southeast, and the Gulf, which includes the South Central region. The routes take you to a variety of glaciers and natural areas that vary by itinerary, but all visit the same handful of Alaskan ports — Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Haines and the newly developed Icy Strait — though you probably won’t visit all the ports on your sailing.

Because the ports get jam-packed with visitors — some days tiny Skagway sees six ships embarking thousands of passengers, far more than the town's resident population of 900 —getting out of town can be a good idea.

The cruise lines make it easy with shore excursions that range from the sublime to the extreme — from a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad to see the beautiful scenery to a hike in crampons on the crevices of a glacier.

Recognizing that the Alaska demographic is getting younger, cruise and excursion companies have begun to offer more active itineraries, including those of the hiking, biking and kayaking variety. But there are also tours for history lovers, those interested in native culture, and those looking for pure entertainment — like the rather hokey Lumberjack Show and Duck Tours in Ketchikan. There is truly something for every taste.

Here are our favorites among the hundreds of offerings.

Juneau

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The tour: Four Glaciers by Helicopter & Dog Sled Adventure
Without exaggeration, this is a once in a lifetime experience. As if the ride in a helicopter over glaciers and a landing on an actual glacier were not exhilarating enough, you also get to at least pretend you're in the Iditarod by getting on a real dog sled. You fly over the massive and impressive Juneau ice field and see up close the advancing Taku Glacier. You may also see the cascading Hole-in-the-Wall Glacier, the floating Dead Branch Glacier or the river-like East Twin Glacier before landing on the Norris Glacier, home to a mushing camp. Your guide will take you on a dog sled ride over the snow-covered glacier and describe the 1,000-mile Iditarod Race from Anchorage to Nome. From the helicopter, you may also view bears, moose, mountain goats and other wildlife.

Who should go: Those seeking adventure of the easy yet exhilarating variety. Guests weighing more than 250 pounds will pay a 50 percent surcharge. Not for people who fear the cold.

Why: Because you've never done anything like this before.

Tip: If you're more the active type, another version of this tour skips the dog sled but allows you to experience the thrill of the helicopter ride and glacier views before you take a challenging glacier trek. After landing on a glacier, you are instructed in the use of the provided mountain gear, which includes boots, an ice axe, crampons, a harness and a helmet. You hike crevices and forge streams while you are attached to other passengers for two hours over uneven and sometimes steep terrain. It's not easy, but the experience is otherworldly.

The tour: Rainforest canopy and zip-line adventure
You really glide above the treetops on this zip-line experience on Douglas Island. And if you dare to look down, you'll also see the flora and fauna of a rainforest and the remains of an old gold mining operation. This is a real adventure experience. You are hauled up a mountain in a 4 x 4, geared up with a harness, gloves and a helmet, and with the direction of two guides, sent to glide down a mountain on a zip-line that runs between platforms attached to the tops of trees.

Slide show   Wild and wondrous Juneau Explore monstrous glaciers, soar over ice caps, have a close-encounter with wildlife – nature, beauty and endless adventure abound in Juneau, Alaska. more photos

The experience feels a lot like we'd imagine flying feels as a bird. You have a little (but not much) control of your speed and can more or less steer yourself into the platforms — we actually went into one backwards; it's not as easy as it may seem. Be aware that once you are above the trees, there is no getting off the track. And just when you think, "Wow, I've done it," you have to rappel down a rope to reach the ground.

Who should go: Those looking for a rush and willing to answer incessant questions from friends who have not tried zip-lining but really want to know what it's all about.

Why: It's fun, and Alaska is all about new experiences.

Haines
The tour: Wildlife river adventure
Haines will remind you of the kind of small town featured on the TV show "Northern Exposure." After a bus ride through the one-horse town (with two stop signs and no traffic lights), you head to the world famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The goal here is spotting as many bald eagles as you can and, if you're lucky, bears, moose and other wildlife as well — all in their natural habitat. Traverse the shallow and narrow channels of the glacier-fed Chilkat River in a specially designed, narrow-draft jet boat. Your guide will take you deep into the wilderness. Check the trees for eagles and eagle nests. And look in the river for otters and beaver. At the end of the trip, you'll be offered a hot beverage around a campfire or in a heated pavilion.

Who should go: Wildlife lovers looking for a relaxing viewing platform.

Why: It's the eagles, man.

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