Introduction
Alaska, the USA’s largest state, provides breath-taking national parks, exceptional wildlife, and lovely historical villages.
Huge glaciers and tourist destinations like Glacier Bay National Park and the Hubbard Glacier, an ice wall more than 5 miles wide, are scattered along Alaska’s stunning coast. The tallest mountain in North America, Mount McKinley, is located inside the huge Denali National Park.
The wildlife in Alaska is just as large and magnificent as the surroundings, if not more so. View majestic eagles in the air while you look for forest bears and moose, as well as whales, orcas, or puffins in the cold waters.
Other notable experiences in Alaska include taking a cruise around Prince William Sound to see humpback whales and other marine animals, as well as taking a breath-taking ride down the Kenai River to savour a traditional Alaska salmon bake. During your travels you could meet a renowned Iditarod musher to learn the art of dogsledding. The trip of a lifetime can be complete with a flight past the Arctic Circle to gain an understanding of life in the extreme north.
Highlights
Kayaking & Rafting Adventure (9 Hours – Girdwood)
Take the Coastal Classic train operated by the Alaska Railroad to the sole area in the region where you may raft past glaciers and kayak around icebergs.
Kayak With Humpback Whales (6 Hours - Juneau)
Visit the beautiful coastline of southeast Alaska to look for humpback whales. Take a small boat to the Channel Islands State Marine Park, where you can kayak through beautifully clear waters to see wildlife up close.
Bay Bear Experience (6 Hours - Anchorage)
Experience a few unforgettable hours seeing bears in their natural environment. Fly to a secluded lodge and then take a pontoon boat, to see black and brown bears feast on young salmon.
Recommended Hotels
Tutka Bay Lodge
At the southern end of Kachemak Bay, at the mouth of a rough inlet, the cosy Tutka Bay Lodge provides luxurious accommodation in a wilderness setting. Enjoy kayaking, hiking paths, deep-sea and river fishing, and then retire to one of the five suites or cabins for panoramic views of the ocean, mountains, and woodland.
Winterlake Lodge
This charming fly-in lodge is a haven of opulent relaxation in the wilderness. The renowned Iditarod dogsled race passes through Winterlake, and the area is home to a number of appealing hiking paths. You are encouraged to spend some time in the restaurant kitchen with owner and cookbook author Kirsten, to sample and learn about the Alaskan gastronomy.
Ultima Thule Lodge
This remote lodge with its hand-made log cabins is located in a breathtakingly remote area of Alaska. Join the Claus family when you arrive by plane; they run the resort and encourage in allowing the wilderness lead you during your trip. You might even catch a glimpse of the mystical northern lights from August to September.
Sample Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: Arrival In Fairbanks, Usa
Take your flight to Fairbanks, USA, and upon arrival transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 3: Fairbanks
Begin your adventure by flying north of the Arctic Circle to discover the mining-camp-cum-ghost-town of Wiseman and explore the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the Yukon River Valley, and the magnificent Brooks Range. Impressively the Aurora Borealis is almost always visible in Fairbanks, when the sky is pitch black, during the Aurora Season which is around August to April.
Days 4 & 5: Denali National Park
For two days of fun, take a drive to Denali National Park. Take a customised guided trek and explore the park’s kennels for sled dogs on your first day. Spend the second day of your trip with others on a shared tour, where you may see wolves, caribou, bears, moose, and other wildlife. Then, take a scenic flight to see the magnificent peaks, gorges, and glaciers.
Days 6 & 7: Talkeetna
Travel to Talkeetna village for a flightseeing excursion that offers spectacular views of Ruth Glacier and its majestic valley, as well as Denali, North America’s tallest peak. Take a professional guide on a hike along to one of Talkeetna’s top trails on your second day. During your stay do explore the Main Street, adorned with archaic buildings, quaint shops, galleries and restaurants for an authentic feel of local life,
Day 8: Talkeetna & Kenai
Visit the world-class sled-dog kennels in Talkeetna, get to know the local dogs, and see what it’s like to be a musher. After a thrilling sled ride through the woodland, continue on to the Kenai Peninsula. The Kenai Peninsula is an adventurer’s haven, offering river rafting opportunities, fishing and hiking excursions. In the winter months it is ideal for ice fishing, dogsledding, skiing and snowshoeing!
Day 9: Kenai
Enjoy a Kenai River float trip. As your wildlife guide provides professional insight, keep an eye out for eagles, moose, bears, and salmon along the way. After that, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on an escorted walking tour. This fantastic Center looks after injured and orphaned animals and includes the American Red Squirrel, porcupines, reindeer, wolves and bald eagles, to name a few.
Day 10: Prince William Sound
Travel to Whittier to meet your captain and embark on a daylong small boat cruise of Prince William Sound. You explore the coastlines, bird rookeries, and glaciers, while keeping an eye out for marine life. Prince William Sound includes thousands of miles of waterways, islands and glaciers. The marine life is abundant with orca whales, seals and sea lions and on land its rainforests provide shelter to 30 species of wildlife including bears, moose and Dall sheep. Furthermore, you’ll discover that over 220 different bird species take refuge in the area, making this region a diverse and spectacular natural spectacle.
Day 11: Depart Anchorage For Flight Home
On your last day you will drive to Anchorage for your return flight journey home.
