If you’re reading this newsletter, congratulations on making it to 2021! You deserve so much more than a cookie. And guess what? MotoQuest is still here! We’ll be honest with you, we weren’t sure how the rollercoaster ride of the previous 12 months would wrap up. There was a dizzying amount of pivoting and adjustments to continue offering the motorcycle adventures we could, especially in Alaska.
Thanks to guests maintaining a dialogue with us as well as solid teamwork, we were able to share the magic of the Last Frontier over the previous summer and are excited to take what we’ve learned to improve our 2021 Alaska adventure planning. If guided rides are your thing, check out the itineraries below.
Care for a custom tour for you and your friends? We can do that! Reach out and let us know what you’re thinking.
Prefer to go without the group? We also offer independent motorcycle rentals with complimentary route planning suggestions. Our experienced Alaska team enjoys listening to our riders’ preferences and helping them polish their itineraries. Feel free to use the publicly offered guided adventures listed below to gather ideas of what you would like your ride to include.
North to Alaska
May 14 – 25, 2021
- Begins in Portland, Oregon
- Ends in Anchorage, Alaska
- Paved itinerary with some road construction
- Great for riding with a passenger
Ride the famous Alaska Highway! This 2,800-mile north to Alaska motorcycle tour on paved roads that starts in Portland, Oregon and travels through western Canada to Anchorage, Alaska. Enjoy a 11-day, fully supported, trip of a lifetime with postcard scenery around every turn. This ride offers especially good wildlife viewing opportunities!
Alaska Kenai Peninsula
May 25 – 30, 2021
- Begins & ends in Anchorage, Alaska
- Paved itinerary with some road construction
- Great for riding with a passenger
Our Alaska Kenai Peninsula motorcycle tour showcases many of the best qualities of Alaska. Located just south of Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula is a land of abundant wildlife, sea life, impressive glaciers, lakes, wild rivers, and spectacular coastline. Enjoy an unforgettable ride through the all-paved winding mountain highways and relax at night in luxurious accommodations in colorful fishing towns.
Prudhoe Bay Adventure
May 30 – June 8, 2021
July 24 – August 2, 2021
- Begins & ends in Anchorage, Alaska
- 60% paved, 40% dirt highways to slippery, muddy roads
- Passengers might be uncomfortable on this ride
Bragging rights for riding an adventure touring motorcycle to the northernmost motorable point in North America don’t come easy, and this ride certainly does not appeal to everyone. If Prudhoe Bay is on your bucket list, we’re here to support your trip of a lifetime and have some raucous laughs along the way. We will be staying at hotels, remote lodges, and rugged work camps. That’s all they have in Deadhorse!
Best of Alaska
June 11 – 20, 2021
June 25 – July 4, 2021
- Begins & ends in Anchorage, Alaska
- Paved itinerary with some road construction
- Great for riding with a passenger
This 1,600-mile ride is 100% paved and makes a large circle through the south-central part of Alaska. It offers our guests the opportunity to experience the diverse areas of coastal and interior Alaska. Ride past the tallest mountains on the continent, visit historical gold rush areas, and ride the epic Thompson Pass in and out of the quaint fishing town of Valdez, Alaska. In seven days of riding, you will experience more of Alaska than most Alaskans!
Alaska Backcountry Explorer
August 6 – 15, 2021
- Begins & ends in Anchorage, Alaska
- 40% paved roads, 30% maintained gravel roads, 30% challenging two-track trails for out-rides
- Outrides are not passenger friendly
This is the most challenging dual-sport adventure we offer in the 49th state. Some of our staff lovingly refer to this as our Captain Kick-Ass Tour as it was developed to bring experienced ADV riders deep into the remote wilderness of Alaska. Water-crossings, two-track trails, large rocks, and some mud are par for the course. We’re taking the adventure touring rigs way beyond the coffee shop.
Alaska Northern Lights
August 21 – 29, 2021
- Begins & ends in Anchorage, Alaska
- 70% paved, 30% maintained gravel roads
- Passengers might be uncomfortable on parts of this ride
We call this the Goldilocks Zone of Alaska motorcycle adventure touring, with a perfect combination of maintained dirt roads and scenic paved byways making this ride a staff favorite. Stand on the pegs while glancing out at the Alaska Range on the unpaved Denali Highway. Lean into the curves of Keystone Canyon into and out of Valdez. Rest (or explore more remote trails) in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This adventure is scheduled late in our Alaska riding season so that, if you stay up late enough and the conditions are right, you might see the aurora borealis.
Alaska Fall Foliage Adventure
August 29 – September 10, 2021
- Begins & ends in Anchorage, Alaska
- 70% paved, 30% maintained gravel roads
- Passengers might be uncomfortable on parts this ride
We are going to adventure just a little further off the beaten path during a time when fall foliage is at its apex and the roads are empty. Get your camera ready as you are in for a real treat! This itinerary is an extended version of our Northern Lights Adventure. We will be exploring the Kenai Peninsula as well as the interior of Alaska. Glaciers, harbor towns, empty highways, and stunning scenery will be the order of the day.
Join us for this exciting new itinerary!
Cassiar Scout Adventure
August 29 – September 11, 2021
- Begins in Anchorage, Alaska
- Ends in Portland, Oregon
- 80% paved, 20% maintained gravel road
- Passengers might be uncomfortable on parts of this ride
There are two overland paths which exit mainland Alaska: the AlCan, and the Cassiar Highway, and of the two the Cassiar is the road less traveled. Our entrance into Canada starts with a gravel road known as Top of the World Highway which is known for crossing caribou herds and breathtaking views of the Yukon Territory. We will continue south with long distances between communities and services which is why the Cassiar Highway is less ideal for big-rigs. About half-way through this adventure to the lower 48, we’re taking a detour back into Hyder, Alaska, and then cross back into Canada for more exploring on our way down to Oregon.
Please note: this is a scouting trip, so be ready to ride long days, and be flexible.
For the DIY adventurers, click here for a menu of motorcycles available from our Anchorage facility and pricing information. Whenever you’re ready for an exact quote or want to get the ball rolling on your rental, click this link to submit your rental request, and one of our professional Motorcycle Vacation Addiction Enablers will help you.
Would you like some suggestions for your itinerary? Our Enablers are here to help you connect the dots for your dream ride based on the information you give us. Complimentary route consultations are available to anyone who has put down a deposit on a rental.
Check out this previous newsletter for Alaska Planning Intel for our favorite planning resources. Not sure which bike is best for your ride? We wrote a newsletter about that, too.
We’ve said it before, but want to remind everyone that due to riders rescheduling their 2020 adventures for 2021, our rental and tour schedules are filling up way faster than usual. If you’re considering coming up to the last frontier next summer, you might want to lock in your reservation while there are still motorcycles available.