I am an experienced hiker but backpacker not so much… and I love the outdoors but love sleeping indoors (!) Our kids are especially eager to see wildlife (wolves and bears). It’s closer than you think, and super accessible for U.S./Canadian travelers! Alaska is definitely on our bucket list. The best way to see Alaska We want to visit the Inside Passage in Alaska. It gets rainier as the summer progresses; read our Best Time To Visit Alaska article to find your optimal window. Throw sunglasses and an eye mask in your bag. UnCruise Adventures/Cameron Zegers. We will be sure to check that the things that we want to do are operational during the winter months. Looking at doing Anchorage- Delani for two days – Steward- Valdez – Homer Spit. I am planning a trip for my son 21 and myself. Hi Valerie, We are 68 year old couple. The rest of us went on to Seward, Kenai, Girdwood and Turnagain Arm. You can totally do a 1-way trip – it’s easy to book a single one-way flight from Anchorage back up to Fairbanks and have a round-trip ticket to/from Fairbanks if that’s cheaper. Helen, I don’t think you could fit this into my suggested itinerary. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist on it – but I’m definitely not the person to make a recommendation! I recommend checking out the Denali National Park website to be sure they’ll be open on the specific dates you have in mind. Hi! A mama grizzly bear and her two cubs meandered along the shoreline, the cubs playing a bit of hiding and seek (and tumble) as they retreated into the tall grass. YOU HAVE CHANGED MY MIND! Note that this estimated time on the map is based on driving the entire route, not taking the Alaska Railroad. The short answer: Stay away from the crowds and experience Alaska in an authentic way. I read your blog last night and it really got me inspired (thanks for reply on kayaking trip too) – here’s what I am thinking for an itinerary: Thanks for your comment, Ruth! This is not an option. I offer consulting on itineraries like you’re asking for as a paid service. All Rights Reserved. I hope you can make it back up there soon – I’ll be headed back in the autumn this year and I’m really excited for it. Can’t thank you enough for the recommendations and tips. Valerie, my wife and I just returned from our first trip to Alaska. We are starting with a 7 day cruise from Vancouver to Seward (16th-23rd August) Ask your hosts for advice. Speaking of bus tours, there are three Denali National Park tour options: To be honest, I don’t believe it’s worth it to go for any less than the Tundra Wilderness Tour. Because of the flight times we will spend 2 nights in Fairbanks but really only one day. Valerie, amazing post–most helpful info I’ve read for my family’s first trip to Alaska (summer 2021)! If you choose to drive, be sure to keep an eye out for the mountain of Denali (here are some of my favorite Denali viewpoints), and be sure to stop at Miller’s Landing and get a huge ice cream cone! Secondly, If we just do land tour or fly out to Anchorage what’s should be our best places to visit in 7days itinerary? Go for a short hike at McHugh Creek, a day-use hiking area. That Midnight Sun is bright! Have a great time! You can always take them off. Alaska small ship cruises take you to smaller, less travelled ports and bays that larger ships are unable to visit. Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? As advised above, I recommend booking this night when you book the earlier nights for your 10 days in Alaska. You can then rent a car in Anchorage to drive to Seward or anywhere else you want to go. Hi! Oh very cool! Well worth the trip. Denali is a must for wildlife; if you’re heading south to Seward too, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center should also be high on your list! Thank you for this write up. I’ve actually never been to Wrangell St. Elias… so I’m not much help there! Let’s do this! Such great and detailed info! Your IDP should be sufficient, but I recommend checking the terms of your rental car reservation to be sure. I’m a cheechako. Great question, Joel. Thank you! Read here to see what it’s like taking a Disney Cruise to Alaska, which I think is the best Alaska Cruise for kids. Day 2 – Anchorage Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Excellent post, thanks a lot! Highlights plus less visited destinations. McKinley) and was crestfallen when it never broke through the clouds. I am trying to understand the differences, looking at a trip in July with 9 whole days in Alaska, +1 day flying on the front and back of trip. We didn’t get to see the eclipse but we did drive all the way to Alaska and back and had a super trip! Cruise companies typically use Anchorage as a base for “land excursions” in the state, so you can expect to catch a bus or train from Seward or Whittier to Anchorage on your day of disembarkation. While it’s definitely easier to book with a tour operator or guide, it’s not too hard to visit Alaska on your own and book everything independently. Dan, thanks so much – and thanks for reading! I’m one of the many who would love to go to Alaska someday. We are planning to travel there for a few days and mainly looking for the best place to stay. I had an opportunity to explore Alaska for the first time this December and was just blown away! I recommend booking as soon as you know your dates – you can always call the hotels if you are unable to book online for some reason. Let me know in the comments! Pack rain gear. These are the months with the best weather – most sun and least rain – and warmest temperatures. <3. We are family of 4 ,kids are 19 and 21 years old, we are outdoorsy and love to do outdoor activities. And for Seward I am planning to take the train and back. Copyright © 2013-2020, Valerie & Valise. Thanks for your comment, Keith! Day 4 – Day in Denali I’ve taken several tours with Major Marine Tours over the ages and put together a review of two different tours I’ve done recently: the 6-hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise and the 8.5 Hour Kenai Fjords Northwestern Fjord Cruise. Be sure to research backcountry camping/hiking through the Park Service if that’s on your itinerary. Wake up on your final day of this Alaska trip itinerary. Thanks, Crystal! I would appreciate your input. I fixed this error. Note: I’ve been getting a lot of questions from people about taking the train to Denali and renting a car one-way to drive back to Anchorage. Also, Denali will definitely be open! Link/Page Citation A narrow ribbon of steel runs through some of Alaska's most glorious country, connecting rail stops like Seward, Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks. This year, there are some new options for visiting Denali in summer 2020 in addition to the bus tours. Any recommendations where we could fish and fit into this itinerary? As the name suggests, these fjords are massive waterways that are home to some of Alaska’s greatest sealife, including humpback and orca whales, seabirds like puffins, and plenty of otters. We Riverboat? It’s not the kind of destination where you’ll enjoy yourself if you’re underdressed or underprepared! For Day 8 and 9 of your 10 days in Alaska, the pace of travel slows significantly; there’s much less time spent traveling and more spent relaxing and/or looking around at the sights. My husband and I have always wanted to visit Alaska. Thanks – you can make it a priority! I am planning a trip to Alaska in September, 2020. I would like to go to talkeetna prior to our trip heading south to Anchorage. If you’re in Anchorage on a weekend, be sure to add the Anchorage Market & Festival to your list. I recommend reaching out to the team at Explore Fairbanks to see what they suggest: https://www.explorefairbanks.com/. Here’s the quick version of a 10-day itinerary for Alaska. Spend a few hours at the Alaska SeaLife Center in downtown Seward; you can see a variety of sea creatures including several in rehabilitation or research studies. Google’s mapping it at 5 hours but NOT by traversing Hatcher Pass (not a well maintained road). “Write what you know,” they say. She had come all this way to see Denali (Mt. Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Best Way To Plan & Book Your Alaska Vacation, If you choose a conventional cruise, take a. Please don’t book a trip to Alaska if you don’t already have one planned. There appears to be a mistake in this paragraph. Alaska has never really been on my radar but looks so much fun! But you don’t want to miss our highest mountains, “Big Five” land mammals, or vast interior landscapes, so…. Since I started this blog, I’ve become a bit of an expert in Alaska trip planning and at times I publish so many stories that it seems like I’m running an Alaska travel blog! We’re planning our first trip to Alaska this year… my partner wants to go for 2 weeks in the summer (July) but after reading your blog I’m wondering about late June/early July! One question – What do you suggest regarding bear viewing? Day 7: Driving day – Seward > Denali (lunch-stop in Anchorage) And that’s why our trip to Alaska is going to have to be on a schedule. We love the outdoors and wildlife but aren’t big hikers. First time visitors to Alaska often need a leg up with travel planning due to the significant distances between points in Alaska as well as the logistical hurdles caused by travel by rail, car, bus and ferry. Under normal circumstances, I’d advise you to rise early and board a bus into Denali National Park. 2-5 day small ship explorations. (All of the big hotels have shuttles and buses to help people get to/from the Visitor Center.). Can you suggest where would I go to do that in your itinerary ? We were doing a budgeting plan and i reckon , that possibly the biggest chunk of the expense would be accommodation. Planning a trip to Alaska in 2021 or later? I hope that they open their doors to tourists and let us fly into the state. Answer 1 of 4: My husband and I are planning a 7-8 day trip to Alaska and wondering if the last week of May would be a good time to go. What an amazing state to be born and raised! Booking a Guided Tour vs. Rent a car and travel independently on a set itinerary, with lodging and tours booked in advance. Many “normal” conveniences (like groceries and food) will be more expensive, as they need to be imported from the “Lower 48.” Though a lot of oil comes from Alaska, gas prices are not significantly cheaper; you can expect a gallon of gas to cost roughly the same as one in New England. That makes the most sense given the time you have! I hope that helps give you some ideas! I am retired military so I plan to use as many military base campgrounds as possible. Here are five tips to see the real Alaska: Cruises are a great way to see Alaska’s coastal mountains, glaciers, marine wildlife, and towns. Depending on your city of origin, it may take almost one full day to fly to Alaska. Today’s plan: head north to Denali! Add another stop along the way? Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Thank you!! Can I please share my itinerary for your suggestions before booking more tours/activities? Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Unfortunately, this itinerary doesn’t work for fishing, and I don’t think you can fit this in with all the other activities I have recommended. Sounds like you’ll have a great trip, Vinod! You will be awed by the amazing glaciers and the wildlife that you will see on a cruise in Alaska. We’re planning on using almost this exact itinerary when we go in mid August this year however I had looked at and really wanted to add in Wrangell St. Elias National Park for a few days of hiking and wondered if you had any thoughts on that. The best way to see it all, ancient glaciers, sky-high mountain peaks and mile-high gorges, is from the air or by flightseeing. When I vacation I vacation for months at a time. I believe you mean Seward instead of Denali. Or multi-day hikes? Happy to give you some tips, if you can please confirm how long your trip will be , Yes, we would add 2-3 more days. Another option: take the marine highway or fly into an Inside Passage town. In the afternoon, head to Exit Glacier, just north of Seward. How soon can one reserve the train tickets? As neat as that sounds, it relegates Alaska to the role as mere background for most of the trip. You have a lot of options.Fly into Anchorage and travel by railroad, or rent a car or motorhome and drive our highways. Hello Valerie, Sometimes, the sun will show up and offer up nice warm days. A couple of comments: 1. You’ve given me more budget friendly ideas than I’ve found on my own. Drive safely . Day 2: Pick-up hire car, food shop, drive to Seaward (Portage Pass hike en-route) Thanks for your comment, Vipinder. From a Smithsonian-sponsored exhibit on the Native cultures of Alaska to the classic Alaskan artwork in the original part of the Museum, the exhibit on Alaska’s unique relationship with Russia to the “Imaginarium” downstairs where kids and alike can experience science first hand… the museum is a surprising delight. You’ll also get closer to everything. You’re so welcome, Rene! Valerie, can you provide any information about Valdez, Alaska? We will then travel from Seward to Anchorage on the 23rd by train and stay in Anchorage over night. First of all, if you’ve never looked at a road map of Alaska, check out google maps for a minute. Although it is physically separate from the rest of the United States, Alaska is one of the most scenic and fascinating parts of the country. Do you have any recommendations for making this trip a little more active – maybe some half day hikes or some other physical activity? I don't want any "down time". Hi , thanks so much for itinerary, sounds like fun. Thanks for your comment, Caleb! Stops include Seward (Kenai Fjords), Girdwood, Whittier & Spencer Glacier, Stops include Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park & Fairbanks. This is so helpful. Try checking out my other Alaska posts for inspiration: https://www.valisemag.com/guides/alaska/. Fantastic post! A … Since I grew up just outside Anchorage, I could easily give you a week worth of things to do, but let’s try and keep it to just one day – there’s so much to see in Alaska and it’s such a big state that you need the rest of this Alaska itinerary for 10 days to see other amazing sights! Thanks Dis­cov­er our opti­mal month due to day­light, tem­per­a­ture, and rain, Over­whelmed by choic­es? Your email address will not be published. Visit off-the-beaten-path destinations. On a good day, you’ll also have great views of the surrounding mountains and scenery from the edges of the Market. I am looking to check Alaska off my bucket list. After all, I grew up in Alaska and I go back to explore my ‘home’ state with some frequency (about every 2-3 years). We did it all by rental car in late August – early Sept. 2019. You don’t want to spend the whole trip feeling damp and cold. Thanks! Let us sim­pli­fy it for you, Nine Alas­ka expe­ri­ences you should­n’t miss – and will nev­er forget, Don’t try to cov­er too much ground in too lit­tle time. Randy, thanks for the catch! I hope that helps! Stay another night in Anchorage. Also my first thought when I began planning was to start in Fairbanks Thoughts? If you choose a conventional cruise, take a cross-Gulf itinerary and add a land tour. There aren’t a ton of Airbnb options near Denali National Park, so you’ll need a car if you choose to stay in an Airbnb instead of a hotel right in town. From there to Denali. Now through November 30th, buy a Custom Alaska Itinerary and receive my Alaska eBook bundle for free! (I was just there in February and there’s definitely a magic about winter too!). Loved this itinerary-will follow it for our trip. I recommend staying in McKinley Village near the park (as I did in this post), as the only place to stay *in* Denali requires a 12-hour bus trip each way! So are you planning to try and do all of the spots I mentioned plus Fairbanks and Talkeetna too? En route, I recommend taking a small detour to enjoy lunch and walk around my favorite small Alaska town, Hope.”. John and Marna, Williston Vermont. If you want to visit inside the park, you need to take the bus like everyone else. Sites, stick to our quest lifestyle, and super accessible for U.S./Canadian travelers have been for! 4-7 land tour Homer Spit may want to visit cruises are among the more prominent > Talkeetna > Anchorage itinerary! Market features local gifts and vendors, musicians and performers, and rain Over­whelmed. 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