Multigenerational Recommendations for DIY excursions?

[OV8]

Late to planning our excursions for our group of 12 of ages ranging from 6 to 79 - celebrating a dual 80th birthday & 50th wedding anniversary.

Stops in:

 

1. Ketchikan - day 3
   
2. Juneau - day 4
   
3. Skagway - day 5
   
4. Victoria - day 7
   

 

Preliminarily, we have down as DIY items:

 

1) @Ketchikan: Totem park - hike through park/ Married Man's trail

 

2) @Juneau: catch ride & hike to Mendenhall & East Glacier Lunch @ Tracy's Crab shack

 

3) @Skagway: Rented cars Drie to Emerald Lake with stops @ Carribou Crossing for Husky Village etc. Also Gold Rush Cemetery & hiking to Lower Reid Falls.

 

4) @Victoria: Tour Empress Hotel, walk along harbor + Butchart Gardens

 

QUESTIONS:

• Given our group's make up & ages can we reasonably do all of this?
   
  
• Can we also throw in a Float Plane Tour or kayaking somewhere for my Dad - who's is pretty decent shape for a man celebrating 80th?
   
  
• My Mom's is not as active so are these hikes above too much for her?
   
  
• Or should we maybe splurge on some whale watching - if so prime location is Juneau?
  

 

Would appreciate any of your feedback! Clock is ticking for me haha.

Edited July 19, 2016 by OV8

[Budget Queen]

Late to planning our excursions for our group of 12 of ages ranging from 6 to 79 - celebrating a dual 80th birthday & 50th wedding anniversary.

Stops in:

 

1. Ketchikan - day 3
   
2. Juneau - day 4
   
3. Skagway - day 5
   
4. Victoria - day 7
   

 

Preliminarily, we have down as DIY items:

 

1) @Ketchikan: Totem park - hike through park/ Married Man's trail

 

2) @Juneau: catch ride & hike to Mendenhall & East Glacier Lunch @ Tracy's Crab shack

 

3) @Skagway: Rented cars Drie to Emerald Lake with stops @ Carribou Crossing for Husky Village etc. Also Gold Rush Cemetery & hiking to Lower Reid Falls.

 

4) @Victoria: Tour Empress Hotel, walk along harbor + Butchart Gardens

 

QUESTIONS:

• Given our group's make up & ages can we reasonably do all of this?
   
  
• Can we also throw in a Float Plane Tour or kayaking somewhere for my Dad - who's is pretty decent shape for a man celebrating 80th?
   
  
• My Mom's is not as active so are these hikes above too much for her?
   
  
• Or should we maybe splurge on some whale watching - if so prime location is Juneau?
  

 

Would appreciate any of your feedback! Clock is ticking for me haha.

 

Good example of different interests. Absolutely split up and get your father on his tours- Kayaking is superb out of Ketchikan, I like Southeast Kayak, same port for Misty Fjords flight. IF he wants a bear tour, that has to be booked now. It is hardly a "hike" at Totem Bight, but it is an extended loop walk, that does have a few benches but, is a distance. Married Man's trail, is a challenge- up hill if the funicular isn't running (which is usual in my visits, including this year) going down, is steep in a few sections. Skagway- Reid's Fall, is going to be challenging for anyone with limitations. It's pretty steep up hill climbing.

 

Are you renting a car in Juneau? Hopefully there will be the group splitting up there as well? I can't imagine with ALL the opportunities everyone is going to stuck with just the Mendenhall choice? IF there are people with whale watch interests- yes book it- simple answer. Why the restrictions? Not sure what your "East Glacier Lunch" reference is???

 

Victoria- aren't you getting there 6pm? All you would have time for is Butchart, and booking with the ship a recommendation here. There is an independent vendor- that is ok, but not ideal.

Edited July 19, 2016 by Budget Queen