Alaska
Overview:
The last frontier – a journey into the wild of the incredible and vast landscapes, nature and stunning diversity of Alaska is like nothing else on the planet – with America’s largest state being home to not only one of the world’s premier viewing spots for the magical Northern Lights, but with the ice palaces and glaciers of its many sparking Fjords, dense rainforest sanctuaries and being home to America’s biggest National Park – the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and the beautiful Denali park – the magical wilderness of Alaska – whose thousands of untouched acres of nature is home to more than three million lakes, four thousand rivers and 100 volcanoes – is a place to not only hike, swim and paddle your days in peaceful nature, but also both truly lose yourself and re-connect with nature.
Home also to not just diverse animal habitats but diverse human groups – including Eskimo’s, Aleuts and Indian Tribes, the vastness of Alaska lends itself to some of the world’s most incredible train journeys and highways that let you comfortably explore the richness of the land – including the famed and beautiful Alaska Highway – truly earning Alaska’s into the wild nickname as the place where the road ends. A true jewel of not only America but also the western hemisphere, the vast and stunning wilderness, combined with the natural phenomena, immense wildlife and the chance to truly get off the beaten track and venture into the some of the world’s last wilderness undoubtedly makes the great state of Alaska not only a true jewel of the western hemisphere, but a destination that should be on any travelers bucket list and an undoubted wonder of the world.
Found at the tip of the North American Continent, Alaska is not only America’s biggest but is also the most northern and west most state across the Union – with it’s history being both fascinating and rich – having once been claimed by Russia and been purchased by America in 1867 for the bargain price of $7.2 million (roughly $120 million in today’s money) before being officially admitted into the United States in 1959 – making it the joint youngest admitted state in America along with the wonder of Hawaii.
Explore: Filled with truly breath-taking scenery, Alaska is as stunning and diverse as it is vast – with the total area of the state clocking in at more than 1.700 million km² — meaning that on a good day it can not only hold 19 other states in its area – yet despite its vast size the state is only home to an estimated 700,000 people – with half of these living in the state’s capital of Anchorage.
It is Anchorage as well that will likely serve as both your first port of call into Alaska and as your base on your journey around the state – with the mountain backed town being home to not only some of the great restaurants – where you can indulge in classic Alaskan treats including the fresh seafood, reindeer and whale – but also being an adventure paradise, with Anchorage not only being the start of the stunning 470 mile Alaska Railroad – where a journey from Anchorage along 223 miles of epic scenery along the golden age and luxury McKinley Explorer train which takes you to the outskirts of the magic of Denali Park.
Anchorage also offers easy access into the wilderness of the Chugach state park – which is one of the 17 national park areas found in Alaska – and gives you an easy chance to head into the wilderness in preparation for your trips into the more renowned and magical parks across Alaska. Undoubtedly any trip from Alaska has to take in the mighty Wrangell-St. Elias – which clocks in at an incredible 13,175,799 acres – and where you’ll have not only the chance to head into the wild, but take in towering volcanoes, mountain backed emerald lakes and summit an 18,000 foot peak – all in true wilderness.
Yet while Wrangell-St. Elias is undoubtedly the biggest – the incredible Denali undoubtedly takes the title as the most famed and beautiful spot to head into the wilderness. Home not only to America’s highest peak – the 20,310 Denali peak – here you’ll find a chance to spot Alaska’s big five animals of; caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, moose, and wolves — while trekking across mountain ranges, emerald lakes and rolling hills in a true nature paradise that encompasses the best of both Alaska’s and the world’s natural beauty.
Exploring further across Alaska and there’s no doubt you’ll come to the iconic image of this great state – the snow-capped peaks and towering ice glaciers – which gives explorers to see the “real Alaska” which is undoubtedly found where the road ends. Explorable by seaplane – which will give you picture perfect views of both the scale and vastness of the state’s ice palace’s – you also have the option of cruising across both the Glacier and Fjord paradises – with the Glacier Bay and Mendenhall Glacier – which is home to the Juneau Icefield – both allowing explorers to get up close to the blue emerald magic of a glacier.
Similarly true beauty of the Alaskan fjords is found at the Tracy Arm Fjords and Kenai Fjords parks – where explorers can peacefully drift against not only iceburgs, but in between panoramic landscapes and valleys – with both the Fjords and Glaciers also being some of the greatest places on the planet to spot humpback whales breaching the water – alongside the curious orcas, sea lions, and seals who provide both an audible soundtrack and stunning viewing opportunities – with the inside passage – a famed collection of truly beautiful islands – having gained a reputation as not only a wildlife hotspot but one of the most beautiful spots on the planet.
Despite the great and vast size of Alaska – the state is easy to navigate, with the McKinley Explorer being just one of the incredible train journeys available along the backbone of the last frontier – the great Alaska Railroad – where you’ll find not just an easy way across the state but stunning scenery that can drop you at the doorstep of some of Alaska’s most immense nature. So too are the highways in Alaska – with the snow covered Alaska Highway which runs through the Yukon Territory and southern Alaska and offers a fantastic route to head into the stage from across Northern America.
Featuring also stunning nature trails, paddling and canoeing opportunities and a chance to explore not only gold rush towns but the diversity and rich history of this state, no exploration to Alaska would be complete without encountering nature’s greatest show – the Aurora Borealis – and there’s no better setting in which to see them than in Alaska – with the clear skies and stunning scenery creating both a truly magical drop back and perfect viewing conditions to explore this stunning show – as the great Alaskan sky is light up in shades of bright green, purple and yellow – for what is one of the most spectacular shows on the planet.
Best seen in our view from the town of Fairbanks – the Aurora Borealis is undoubtedly makes for a fitting grand finale of an trip across Alaska – which will see you not only undertake some of the great train and road journeys, but cross glaciers, enter into forest parks and summit mountains – for what is a truly unique chance to not only head into the wild of the awe-inspiring wilderness of Alaska, but truly re-connect with the best of nature and experience a true journey like any other as you explore and cross the incredible wonder of the world that is Alaska.
Where:
Despite being part of the union, Alaska lies outside of mainland USA – with the 49th State being found at the North-western tip of Northern America and has the unique honour of being the northernmost and westernmost state across the union.
Officially home to more than 730,000 people – with the capital Anchorage known to house at least half of the population – the vastness of Alaska is seen in the more than 1,700 million km² of stunning wilderness, landscapes and truly breath-taking nature that makes up this incredible wonder – with the size and scale of Alaska’s vastness put into true scale as it would take an explorer – travelling at a viewing speed of a million acres a day – over a year to see all of this incredible state.
Despite being part of the United States – having been officially admitted in January 1959, Alaska’s location at the tip of the Northern American continent has been the source of contention throughout history. As following America’s purchase of Alaska in March 1867 – the question of the land border across the 1,538-mile was not officially settled – and become even more disputed following the founding of Canada in July 1867. While arguments went back and forth it took for an independent 6‑person panel in 1903 to official draw the boundaries – although that’s not stopped disputes over wildlife, salmon catches and imports from ranging on since the borders creation.
Getting There:
Offering a true journey into the wilderness – getting to and around Alaska can be a challenge and adventure in itself – and one full of perils if travellers are not careful.
Starting with getting there – and the recommended and standard port of call for any explorer heading to Alaska will be the capital of Anchorage – which is well serviced by a number of domestic and international flights available – and thanks to an increase in competition it’s possible to bag cheap flights domestically for a couple of hundred dollars.
For those set on heading to other parts of Alaska by flight – or who are coming solely for the Northern Lights – you can also find domestic flights to the town of Fairbanks from across mainland America and from Anchorage – which again offers another direct and easy route into Alaska and another place to being your adventure from.
Getting Around:
Once you’ve arrived in Alaska and spent a couple of days in the city – it will likely be time to head into the wild, and while a trip through Alaska is a true adventure – there’s also a number of well established methods of geting around to help make sure your trip and journey is as safe and efficent as possible.
Starting with one of the great experiences across Alaska – Alaskan railroad, which is undoubtedly the backbone of the last frontier, you’ll find that Alaska and the towns across it is well serviced by railroad. Particularly special when the McKinley Express is undertaken – which can take you scenically through the best of Alaska from Anchorage to the edge of the Denali – the railroad when extends from the south of Seward to the North of Fairbanks is a great way to get from city to city across Alaska and one frequented by the locals – just be sure to book and plan your route out well in advance.
Alongside the train you’ll also find bus routes, guided tours and taxi’s in the major cities which can all serve as a great way to move from or around the cities – and for those who want a true Alaska adventure and a great option for those tight on money, we’d also advise considering hiring a car – with the great Alaska Highway being one of the truly great and scenic roads on the planet – and representing a great way to get around with complete freedom. With the highway running from Dawson Creek in Canada through the Yukon Territory to Delta Junction near Fairbanks — and allowing you to get to some of the best and most scenic spots across Alaska.
For those set on driving, do be sure to have valid insurance and make sure you get a car suitable for the conditions, with those who are set on heading into the North – via the Dalton highway which passes through some of the best of Alaska scenery including the Arctic National wildlife reserve and the gates of the arctic national park – which are both truly specia – just be prepared for tough and isolated driving conditions as you take on part of this highway which runs across 400 miles from the far north region of Alaska to the outpost of Prudhoe Bay – on one of the most spectacular if remote driving adventures.
Having navigated from town to town whether by train, bus or drive – you’ll then find yourself wanting to get truly up close and personal with the best of Alaska – which can be done by exploring one of the incredible hiking trails in any of the seventeen national parks – or for those wanting to both spot whales and cruise amongst the quintessential Alaska scenery of Glaciers, fjords or icebergs you’ll have to jump on a boat.
Only safely done as part of a tour with an experienced captain, there’s a range of boat tours at various ports across Alaska – with the ferry system even set up as a means of getting around and as ado it yourself type platform – as the Alaska Marine highway takes from Anchorage to the top of the last frontier by sea.
However we’d recommend making sure that you have a boat trip lined up to explore the beauty of Glacier Bay – whether as part of a cruise across Alaska or as a day trip once you reach one of the nearby towns such as Gustavus, with a boat and kayak also being the most recommended way to get around when it comes to the inside passage, the Juneau Icefield and the fjords of the Tracy Arm Fjord and the Kenai Peninsula – which is found just south of Anchorage.
While it’s essential that any exploring of the icefields is done with a tour – either as a multi day cruise or a single day trip having got yourself to the nearest town – we’d recommend making sure you’re trip is done in a circular fashion – making sure that any cruise is done as a continuation to your journey – owing to the vast distance and costs associated with Alaska.
Finally, alongside getting to Alaska and taking advantage of either the road, bus, tours of boat to get around – for those who want a truly special experience we’d recommend chartering a seaplane (and a pilot) to soar over the wonders of Alaska – giving you not only a bird’s eye view over the many wonders of Alaska’s wilderness, ice fields and truly stunning scenery – but making for a great way to get aorund – whilst also giving you some of the best vantage points to snap incredible photos of the true wonder of the world that is Alaska.
Best time to Visit:
While Alaska is open year-round – and the wilderness and wonders can certainly be enjoyed at any time of the year, owing to the incredible tough and challenging climates during the winter season, which really do have the ability to take the enjoyment out of your trip and restrict your travel – we’d advise visiting in the more hospitable season – which is between May – September (if possible in early May or late August / early September) – when you’ll find temperatures more comfortable, longer days – and most importantly visiting during this time gives you an opportunity to experience the absolute best that this incredible wonder has to offer.
Considered also peak season – there are of course a couple of disadvantages of visiting during the peak season, with the two main one’s being that prices will increase as the tourist industry within Alaska tries to recoup a years’ worth of intake in a six-month period – and, owing to the midnight sun and long days, it also reduces your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis.
For those set on seeing the Aurora Borealis – which does occur year-round in Alaska and which is best seen in the north of the state – you’ll find the peak season occurs for viewing between late August and early May – thanks to the absence of the midnight sun – with the phenomenon being a truly special and immense experience in Alaska. So, while it is possible to see them year-round for those set on seeing the Aurora Borealis, we’d advise either heading to Alaska in the winter months or timing your visit for the start of May or end of August – which can give you both the best of Alaska and the Aurora Borealis in one trip.
Similarly for those set on whale watching in Alaska which is again one of the best experiences in Alaska, you’ll find the first whales begin arriving in the cool waters of Alaska around early May – with peak season for the whales being in June and July where you’ll find pods of whales – and likely baby whales nestling and breaching in the waters of Alaska – with the whales likely to have left the Alaskan waters come the end of September – as the peak season draws to a close.
The same months – May – September are also the best time to both travel by land in Alaska – where you are most likely not to encounter sharp snowstorms and icy conditions – and when transfer services including rail and bus are operating – and travel by sea on an Alaskan cruise – which can see you sailing through the cool but still icy waters of Alaska – including the mighty inside passage and up to the Juneau Icefield – as well as through the serene glaciers of the Kenai Peninsula and the Tracy Arm Fjord. While cruising season officially begins in March and lasts for six months – again arriving the period of early May to late august will give you not only the best of these Fjords but allows you to combine a trip on these Fjords with other incredible activities.
Therefore based on the chance to catch the dazzling Aurora Borealis, see the breaching whales and given the ease of access across the state and the chance to explore the true wonders of Alaska’s increidble wilderness, Fjords and Glaciers in comfortable and enjoyable weather we’d strongly advise visiting between the period of May – September and if possible timing your exploration into Alaska for the beginning of May or the end of August – to give you the absolute best of this incredible wonder.
How long to stay
A true adventure – given the vast size and wilderness of Alaska to explore it’s truly possible to lose yourself in the beauty of this increidble wonder – with people known to spend months and even years exploring all that Alaska has to offer.
Yet owing no doubt to work, bills and cost considerations and commitments and the realities of the world – we advise travellers to spend between seven to 10 days in Alaska – which will no doubt be action packed and full of incredible memories.
Spending between this time will allow you to see the best of Alaska – and allow you to travel from Anchorage to Faribanks and even spend a couple of days in the North of the state – venturing into the Arctic Circle. It will also give you amble time to explore – and get lost in the wilderness of Denali park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve – exploring all the increidble emerald lakes, volcanoes and rolling scenery in these stunning nature reserves.
Between a week and 10 days will also give you time to explore the Kenai Fjords and Glacier Bay – while allowing you to traverse the inside passage and even squeeze in time for whale watching and – if you’re lucky catch the breath-taking display of the Aurora Borealis – which can make for a truly stunning way to top off your adventure around Alaska.
For those set on summiting the highest peak in North America – the mighty Denali peak at a breath-taking 20,310 feet – you’ll need to give yourself at least 14 days to make it to the top of the summit and back – and be prepared for cold conditions and challenging climates – but for those not intending to make the climb or intending to venture into the wild – we’d advise setting aside between seven to 10 days to explore all that Alaska has to offer – which will give you enough time to explore the absolute best of this increidble wonder of the world
Top Tip:
A true adventure – Alaska offers not only incredible animal adventures, wild terrain to be explored, sparkling emerald glaciers and fjords to be discovered and of the best places in the world to see the Aurora Borealis – but is also a wonder that requires careful planning, consideration and understanding of the potentially dangerous terrain and conditions that lie within the wilderness. So to help you keep warm, give you the best chance of exploring the natural phenomena and wilderness of Alaska and to help make sure your trip to this incredible state is as adventurous, enjoyable and no doubt as life changing as possible we’ve round out our top tips for exploring this truly beautiful wonder of the world:
The Aurora Borealis — Undoubtedly a highlight of any trip to Alaska – thanks to the clear night starlight night sky, clear conditions and truly spectacular green, purple and deep blue aurora that lights up the night sky a trip to see the Aurora Borealis is truly magical. Yet before setting off it’s good to know that the Aurora Borealis are not found all year round in Alaska – instead the season is between August and April – as owing to the midnight sun some parts of Alaska are covered in daylight all year round – sadly removing the night sky in which the Aurora can shine.
Additionally for those heading out to see the Aurora Borealis – we’d advise bringing not only wet weather clothes but also making sure you wrap up warm, bring a truly top notch camera and make sure you undertake a journey to see the lights on a guided tour – who will know when to go and which areas to head too – with the town of Fairbanks having developed a good reputation as a base for exploring the north of Alaska where the lights are more visible.
Plan well in Advance: - Alongside noting that most of Alaska shuts down at 8pm in the evening – meaning evening meals should be taken early – any trip to Alaska is likely to be expensive – owing to the high cost of activities, accommodation and the cost involved in travelling across the state. For this reason and on account of both the schedule of the Aurora Borealis and the whale watching season – it’s vital to make sure that any trip to Alaska is heavily planned and budgeted (see below) well in advance.
Planning well in advance will not only make sure you get the most bang for your buck but will also help when it comes to safety – ensuring you don’t find yourself stranded in one part of the state and make sure you get to experience the right moments of Alaska when you visit. To help with this we’d advise contacting tour operators ahead of time to both confirm and define your schedule – and for those going on a cruise through the icefields, inside passage or simply across the state or taking on the McKinley Express – making sure that you use the adventure travel as a means to an end to contribute and continue your journey across Alaska — as opposed to returning to your origin.
Come Prepared for Weather – Although Alaska seemingly has two seasons – Winter and Summer – do be warned that the weather can change at any moment – and particularly when it comes to rain, the state has developed a reputation for wild and wet rainstorms starting at any moment. For this reason we’d recommend making sure you come prepared with an umbrella, wet clothes, sturdy hiking shoes, sunglasses and many pairs of socks – as well as – for those travelling in the summer months – plenty of t‑shirts, hiking pants and shorts.
Safety in Alaska: While Alaska is a state where you can find yourself alone for miles, it’s likely that the state capital Anchorage will serve as your base – and while the main streets and tourist areas are relatively safe, do make sure to avoid outer city areas – where drug problems and theft are common. We’d also encourage you to make sure you keep your valuable both close to yourself and well hidden when going across the state – and making sure – for those camping – that you stick to official campsites and don’t camp by yourself if possible.
We’d also advise – for both safety and practical purposes to make sure that you don’t travel into the wilderness by yourself. While the perils of this have been documented in Hollywood – most notable in the film into the wild – there are multiple animal and weather threats that can both derail you and result in serious incidents. So it’s vital that you not only know the terrain you are entering, but do so with a travel buddy and make sure that you register with both the rangers office and ensure that a contact has your route and plan before setting off with your hiking buddy.
Finally, for those heading into the wild and who are set on exploring the many wilderness and beautiful regions of Alaska – it’s also essential that you not only come prepared with adequate food supplies and water, and don’t attempt to cover too much ground in one go – but that you also don’t approach any wildlife – with the bears, moose and stags in the Alaska wilderness known to be aggressive, approach humans and even cause death. So it’s essential that you keep your distance and respect both the wildlife and terrain when exploring the great Alaskan wilderness.
Sample the Food: Finally, Alaska’s close proximity to the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea – and thanks to both the free hunting rules and rare animals – and as a result of some top quality chefs and restaurants – you have the chance in Alaska to sample some rare foods at high quality and moderate price – not found anywhere in the world. So for this reasons we really encourage travellers to make the most of the food on offer – and sample Reindeer sausage, Yak Meat, Whale and Akutaq – as well as the fresh fish – including crab and oysters and the vast selection of fresh bread – which combined with some of the best beers and whisky on the world – makes for an incredible satisfying and great way to cap off a day exploring the vast wilderness and truly incredibly scenery of the wonder of the world that is Alaska.
Cost:
A chance to get truly into the wild – a trip to Alaska is one that requires careful budgeting – with the vast array of activities and beautiful nature to be explored – combined with the costs occurred in travelling over the vast and long plains of Alaska meaning that a trip to the last frontier can soon add up.
Starting with flights – and you’ll find that Anchorage international airport is well served by flights across the globe with domestic flights coming in between $100 — $400 Usd and international flights – which typically require a stopover at a state in mainland USA having the potential to reach up to $2000 Usd depending on your origin.
Budgeting for the flights and getting into Anchorage, you’ll then need to consider the cost of accommodation – both within Anchorage which we’d recommend as a base and in the other areas of Alaska. Operation more as a call of sleep – as opposed to a place to indulge in luxury – the price of hotels in Alaska are on the dear side, with a standard room in Anchorage for a night coming in at around $150 – and luxury rooms heading into the $250 bracket. While expensive it’s worth remembering that Alaska’s tourism window is narrow – hence the high prices.
For those on a budget we’d encourage you to both book in advance or try hostels or accommodation sharing websites. You’ll also find the cost of hotesl further afield – such as in Fairbanks or hotels operating out on the Alaska Highway utilising a similar costing model – and again we’d encourage you to budget at least $100 a night for a basic hotel in the regions outside Anchorage.
However, for those on a tight budget – there’s a chance to save a little money when it comes to dining – with Alaska having all of the fast-food restaurants America is famed for and featuring a series of more pricey but good quality eateries – where you can indulge in Alaska favourites such as Whale or Reindeer. You’ll also find that most hotels across the state feature the ability to self-cook – although we’d also remind any traveller to budget for a series of snacks, food and water when heading into the wilderness – with a food budget of either $25 a day — $75 a day worth planning for.
Moving on to what will undoubtedly be the greatest expense of trip – and owing to Alaska’s dangerous terrain and the need to truly know the environment you’re travelling in – we’d encourage any expedition to be done on a tour — which do not come cheap. While it’s possible to take on small day trips at a minimal cost, travel in Alaska is one of the area’s you don’t want to seek to save money on – and you can expect to pay between $100 Usd to $250 Usd to see the Aurora Borealis once you’ve got your way to Fairbanks.
Similar for those set on taking on a flightseeing or seaplane – where you’ll get a true appreciation for the vast scale and beauty of Alaska – you can expect a half hour – to three hour trip to come in between $250 Usd — $400 Usd, with trip across the fjords and Glaciers in Alaska – which again will require you to budget for getting to the towns of Haines or Hyder – will likely cost at least $250 Usd, with those who want to Kayak in the icy waters expecting to pay at least $500 Usd – and a cruise across the inside passage and glaciers as part of week long trip likely to set you back $3000 Usd.
For the animal lovers around you we’d encourage you to budget $500 Usd for a specialised tour to see Bears and at least $150 Usd for a Whale watching trip. When it comes to getting around you’ll find a husky sledge tour along the Iditarod National Historic Trail – which is truly a special experience likely to cost $800 Usd, a guided trip round Denali setting you back $200 usd and for those set on riding the great Alaska railroad a trip on the McKinley Explorer from Anchorage to Denali – which is a truly special experience — likely to cost at least $250 Usd.
Factoring in an average of $400 Usd for transport including bus, train and flight across Alaska as well and at least $200 for bits and ends an a trip to Alaska soon adds-up – despite the true bucket list and special nature of the experiences available in this incredible wonder of the world.
Budgeting Tips:
Yet owing to the likely huge cost of experiencing the best that Alaska has to offer and the high prices on food, accommodation, and travel in comparison to other wonders there’s a real need – especially for those on a budget to see if you can save a penny or two to allow you to take on more excursion.
Firstly for those on a tight budget – we’d encourage you to ditch the railroad and flights across the state and instead hire a car to get out of Anchorage – with the road network in Alaska being one of the best in the state’s and the cost of hiring a car being as affordable as $25 Usd a day – plus it will give you the chance to drive along the Alaska or Dalton Highway – which is an undoubted highlight of any trip to Alaska.
We’d also encourage – for those on a tight budget and visiting in the warm summer months – to consider camping. While this is definitely not something we’d recommend in the winter months owing to the cold – for those heading to Alaska and looking to save some money on the accommodation you’ll find plenty of camping options both on state land and across various wilderness trails – which can make for a great way to easily save a bit of money on your travels.
Finally for those on a tough budget it’s worth considering – especially for those heading into the wilderness where food stops and restaurants can be rare – investing in a small cooler or Tupperware container – and simply making your own food. With the major cities in Alaska having a range of supermarkets where you can pick up cheap food – such as noodles or pasta – which can really help to give you a little more cash to invest in some life changing and truly memorable trips.
Therefore for those on a budget factoring in both the budgeting tips and the cost of accommodation, food and trips we’d encourage you to budget at least $300 a day for your Alaska trip – which will help you to get around and see the highlights — with a more comfortable budget estimated to come in around $500 a day. Meaning that a one week trip to Alaska can cost as much as $3500 if done in a comfortable manner – with that price likely to increase further the longer you stay. Meaning a trip to the great wonder of the world that is Alaska requires prior planning and budgeting – but is undoubtedly worth investing in for a life changing and truly beautiful journey.
Fun Fact:
Alongside the rich and storied history of how Alaska came to become the 49th state of America following its purchase from Russia – and as the state with claim to northern and westernmost state across the union – Alasaka is full of increidble and interesting facts – thanks in large to its vast size and increidble wilderness.
Chief amongst these facts is the notion that is an explorer was to see a million acres or rich and beautiful Alaskan land every day – it would take them just over a year to see the whole of Alaska – which would do doubt be an expensive but truly epic journey across this incredible state.
The vastness of Alaska can also be seen in the unique diversity of the population – with half of the 730,000-population living in Anchorage – but also much more interestingly in the town of Whittier – An Alaskan Marine port city – where the 272 population is known ot live in one building – which features a school, post office and library – if in town do be sure to pop into the Begich Towers.
Also home to the largest national park in the United States – the mighty Wrangell-St. Elias – whose 13.2 million acres of land features towering glaciers, emerald lakes and true wilderness – and the highest mountain in North American in the Denali peak at an incredible 20,310 feet – Alaska is truly a place to head into the wild. But it’s also a place where you can sample some of the tastiest beer and unique food on the planet – with the large selection of reindeer sausage, whale, Yak and Elk meat – all complimented with fresh fish, bread and fruit making for not only a true feast – but an incredible way to finish off a day exploring the wilderness of beautiful Alaska.
Top Sights & Best photo spots:
Truly into the wild – Alaska is a true photographers dream – with the vast landscapes, untamed wilderness, emerald glaciers, fascinating wildlife, scenic drives – and of course the dazzling phenomena of Aurora Borealis – making for truly stunning shots and presenting explorers and photographers the cahcne to capture the absolute best of scenic landscapes and the true and full beauty of nature as they journey across the last frontier.
A wonder that requires both journeys – whether on foot, boat, train or car – and advanced camera equipment – to capture truly dazzling shots, you’ll find Alaska offers both the action packed shots of whales breaching and explosive scenery, fast paced city life against the backdrop of mountains – and peaceful serene contemplative photos in the wilderness, with there truly being a photo spot in this great state to both capture the essence of Alaska and snap a photo that can last a lifetime.
Yet with the thousands of acres of wilderness to explore, the vast range of adrenaline surging activities and the many wildlife and nature hotspots to explore, knowing where to head to in Alaska to guarantee those picture-perfect spots can be a challenge – with there being so much ground to cover in a short time – and with the heart of Alaska and the beauty spots often found at the end of the road. So to make things a little easier – and to help you in getting the truly incredible shots and capture the best of the wonder of the world that is Alaska, we’ve rounded out our top picks for where to capture the best of this incredible state:
Denali National Park:
Blessed with incredible wilderness and 17 national state parks – Alaska’s forestry and wilderness is truly some of the best of the planet. Across the many parks – which includes America’s biggest with the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve and the stunning Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve – which you’ll find along the Dalton highway – the must visit and photograph park is undoubtedly the gorgeous Denali National Park – whose stunning scenery, towering glacial peaks, emerald rivers, rolling hills and large concentration of wildlife – make it a must visit and photograph spot in Alaska.
Truly representing the best of Alaska’s wilderness and nature, you not only have a chance to hike into the wild at Denali, but also take on the classic Tundra Wilderness Tour which has been running for more than a century – which will see you taken to the beauty and photography hot spots to capture the full panoramic beauty of this incredible park. Aside from this explorers have the chance to venture into the wild of the 6 million acres of this spectacular park – crossing river valleys, emerald lakes and venturing into and across Glaciers – all of which make for stunning photography opportunities.
Easily reached on the Alaska Railroad – it’s self an adventurous and scenic journey – one of the most scenic – if challenging – photography opportunities comes in both snapping and summiting North America’s highest peak – the mighty Denali Summit, whose towering glacier peak is filled with incredible arctic and snow paths – and whose summit see’s you above the clouds – and Alaska – for what is a truly memorable and epic photo.
A hotspot also for wildlife photography – with Denali being home to the “big five” of Alaska — Caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, moose, and wolves – an exploration through Denali should take at least a couple of days, with those venturing into this incredible forest – and passing through emerald lakes, towering peaks, shining glaciers and heading into the planet’s wilderness – guaranteed not only an incredible trip but the opportunity to snap some of the best wilderness and nature photos on the planet.
Iditarod National Historic Trail
Officially Alaska’s only National Scenic Trail — the road through the Iditarod National Historic Trail can be as challenging as it is stunning – with the trail, which stretches for 2,300 miles between the town of Nome and Seward near Anchorage having gained a reputation as one of Alaska’s most beautiful winter spots — thanks in no small part to the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race – a long distance dog sled race which see’s competitors race 1,510 km across Alaska.
While the race itself is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the sporting Alaska calendar – and well worth snapping if you get the chance – travelling on the Iditarod National Historic Trail at any time can give you a chance to photograph some of the most incredible — and picture perfect scenery within Alaska – with the road through the Iditarod National Historic Trail being home in the winter to snow covered landscapes, towering glacial peaks and rolling arctic seas – complete with icebergs – which can make for truly special and magical photos.
Impressive as well in the summer months – where a walk along the Crow Pass Trail in Chugach State Park – which is easily reached from Anchorage – gives incredible views of forestry and emerald lakes – the Iditarod National Historic Trail is a truly special – and photogenic place – and one we’d encourage all explorers to visit to capture incredible photos of some of the best of Alaska’s stunning scenery.
Glacier Country:
The jewel of Alaska – the incredible Glacier Country and fields are home to not just towering spectacular emerald icefields, but also immense wildlife – and given the fragility of these natural ice rivers and spectacular ice palaces – there’s no doubt that a trip and exploration into Glacier Country is one of the most special and unique experiences and photo opportunities that awaits you within Alaska.
Leaving you breathless, the glacier fields are official classified as masses of ice that move over land – and you’ll find multiple photography opportunities across Alaska – from the largest ice field of Elias National Park – home to the immense Bering Glacier – which is truly stunning, to the Hubbard glacier and the many g;aciers found in the Glacier Bay National park – where you can only sail past but also stand atop these moving blocks of ice – for an up close and truly memorable photo.
We’d also advise building time into your schedule to visit and photograph the truly incredible glaciers found across the 1,500-square-mile Juneau Icefield – where other worldly – and panoramic scenery of giant blue glaciers and ice fields backed against towering snow covered mountain peaks await you – with those wanting an extra special photo encouraged to head even further south after visiting the Juneau Icefield to the Mendenhall Glacier – where a special panoramic viewpoint at the visitor centre can give you the chance to capture one of the most incredible photos of icefields and Glaciers on the planet.
Easily explorable by boat – or for those who want to get a little closer by kayak or on foot – we’d encourage you to both wrap up warm and bring a camera that can withstand the cold – with a trip to one – or many – of the incredible icefields and glacier country of Alaska giving you the opportunity to not only see these fragile moving wonders – but snap incredible and truly breath-taking photos.
Alaska’s Fjords
Alongside the incredible Glacier Country – you’ll also find peaceful, serene and truly stunning Fjords across Alaska – with the coastline of the Kenai Peninsula – found just south of Anchorage– and the further south Glacier of Tracy Arm Fjord being two unmissable highlights – with the serene fjords being combined with incredible icefields to make for both an incredibly scenic and other worldly photograph opportunity.
Found conveniently close to Anchorage, the Kenai Fjords National Park is famed for its panoramic photo opportunities – with explorers having the chance to capture wide-ranging landscapes featuring peaceful fjord waters against the backdrop of ice sheets and valley drifts – for a photo which captures the best of Alaska’s diverse nature scene.
The Kanai Fjord is also a popular spot for snapping photos of Alaska’s wildlife, as thanks to the large population of salmon that occupy the Fjords cool waters – you’ll likely encounter large brown bears fishing and swimming the waters – giving you a further chance to snap an iconic and must have photo within Alaska.
Similarly the Fjord waters of the Tracy Arm Fjord – which are blessed in lying in the south of the Juneau Icefield – are incredibly stunning and make for one of the greatest nature photographs on the planet, with the peaceful and serene Fjord waters – accompanied by the raw sounds of waterfalls, ice sheets cracking and Brown Bears on the hunt – set against a backdrop of glacial forests, canyon walls and even ice caves – lending itself to dramatic and truly scenic photos.
Incredibly stunning, a trip to any Fjord within Alaska is guaranteed to leave you breathless and with incredible photo opportunities – but if possible we’d recommend heading to either (or both !) the Kenai Fjords National Park or the Tracy Arm Fjord – and being sure to wrap up warm, come with a sturdy camera ‑and if possible head along the Fjords at dusk to capture these incredible Fjords against the backdrop of Alaska’s stunning and clear night skies – for what is one of the most incredible and beautiful photos of Fjords anywhere in the world.
Inside Passage:
Along with the incredible Glacier Country and the wide-valley and dazzling Fjords – you’ll find a truly special and photogenic spot in the famed Inside Passage – which in our book is one photo opportunity in this incredible wonder of the world not to be missed.
Combining the best of both Fjords and Glaciers – a journey along the inside passage will see you travel through sheltered channels across the straits of Southeast Alaska – crossing fjords, forests, glaciers, waterfalls and coming face to face with icebergs – as you sample some of the incredible and scenic beauty of the inside passage – for what is some of the most beautiful and scenic ice inspired nature on the planet.
Truly special – the whole of the inside passage runs for 1,500 km long – but explorers can reach it through cruises on ships or by charter boats on ships from the towns of Haines or Hyder. For those taking on tours of the Inside passage do by sure to get a route that spends good time in the 17 Million Acre Tongass National Forest — with its islands, mountains and waterfalls being an undoubted highlight of the inside passage – as well as a journey that see’s you travel near to the stunning and hugely photogenic Prince of Wales Island within the forest – with the Island being one of the biggest in North America – and again providing a perfect backdrop to capture this stunning passage.
Truly special – a trip along the inside passage is highly recommended for any trip across Alaska with the passage giving you a chance to capture the perfect postcard image of the best of the Glaciers and the Fjords of Alaska – for an absolute stunning photography opportunity.
Seaplane Photography:
Truly taking the phase “Alaska begins where the road ends” to the skies – owing to the vast and many plains of Alaska and the sheer size of the many Fjords, Glaciers and Parks – in order to capture the full beauty and stunning scenery of Alaska we’d recommend you take a scenic journey on a seaplane to hover over and capture a truly Birdseye view of the beauty and scale of Alaska’s majestic wilderness, fjords and glaciers – for truly incredible photos.
Best done in our view as a journey across the state – to get from Anchorage to Fairbanks – a scenic flight can also be done purely for the photography – with popular destinations including journey over the highlights listed above – including the wilderness of the Denali Park, into the Arctic Circle and across the Fjords and Glaciers of stunning Alaska.
Truly special a trip on a Seaplane does not come cheap – you can expect to pay at least $500 Usd for a journey – but for the sheer stunning views –- it’s well worth it – as you soar over the wonder of the world that is Alaska and chance to truly capture photos of the scale, beauty and wonder of incredible Alaska that will no doubt last a lifetime.
Humpback Whales on Stephens Passage:
Amongst the incredible and rich wildlife that you’ll find in Alaska – none has a bigger reputation – and is arguably more beautiful than the incredible humpback whales that are found in the icy – but nutrient rich and beautiful waters of the famed Stephens Passage between May and September.
Letting you not only photograph but also get close to these amazing creatures – the sightings of Humpback Whales, often in pods, across Stephen’s passage are so special as they are often accompanied with sightings of rare Orca’s, Sea Lions and Seals – who against the backdrop of towering ice glaciers and deep water passages – which drop’s down hundreds of feet in places combining the sighting of these magnificent animals with truly stunning scenery – making for one of the greatest wildlife and nature photographs on the planet.
Truly special – you’ll need to head to the city of Juneau in Alaska to board a boat for Stephen’s passage – and be sure to wrap up warm and bring a camera that can stand the cold – but for those who are privileged enough to make the journey through Stephens passage you can expect to come face to face with one of the biggest and most beautiful in truly stunning arctic scenery for what is one of the greatest experiences and photo opportunities on the planet.
The Alaskan Highways :
A journey into the unknown – driving across the Alaskan highways into the road to nowhere truly gives travellers a chance to explore where the road ends – with the two major stunning highways in Alaska – the Alaskan Highway and the Dalton highway representing not only a test of your driving abilities – but thanks to the stunning scenery which see’s you wind through vast forests, glacier parks and into and across the untamed wilderness of Alaska providing not only opportunities to see rare wildlife but giving you a chance to see the “real Alaska” and capture some of the most stunning and almost untouched nature of this stunning state.
The Alaskan Highway – which is also known as the Alaska-Canada highway thanks to the road that links the state to the rest of America through Canada – is a truly epic journey, with the road, which was constructed in 1942 for military purposes, stretching for exactly 2,237 km – and the full length of the highway, which see’s you wind through some of the most stunning scenery on the planet, taking around a week to drive – not accounting for the many photography stops.
A true road trip destination, the Alaskan highway is a true photographers dream and also gives you a chance to snap both incredible wilderness photos – but also encounter animals – including bear, reindeer and stags that are known to frequent the forest on the side of the highway in search of roadkill.
Truly scenic the Alaskan Highway’s counterpart is the mighty Dalton Highway – that takes you truly into the wilderness of the state, with the highway which is typically frequented by oil workers and truckers, being not only rugged but with the road taking you into Alaska’s Far North Region and alongside and into the Gates of the Arctic National Park and the National Wildife refugee you have a chance to capture not only wildlife but stunning glaciers and forestry along the highway – in what are some of the most stunning and remote photos across the whole of Alaska.
Also home to one of the great Alaska photos of the prized shot of a car or person along “on the road to nowhere” found along the highway – the Dalton Highway, although challenging is truly unique, and thanks to it’s entry into the Arctic Circle where you can experience 24 hours of sunlight there’s not bad time to both explore or capture photos on this remote but truly unique and beautiful highway.
The Great Alaska Railroad & The McKinley Explorer: Alongside the two great highways – Alaska has earned a reputation as being one of the great and scenic railroad destinations on the planet- with journeys on the railroads being not only a convenient way to travel across the vast wilderness – but thanks to the truly scenic and stunning scenery that lines the tracks, the comfortable carriages – and best of the chance to travel in 360 degree windowed carriages both a thrilling experience and a place to capture incredible photos of both engineering at its best and the wild and untamed scenery of Alaska as you journey through it.
Considered the backbone of the last frontier – the Alaska Railroad goes from Fairbanks to the town of Seward and is officially headquartered in the state’s capital of Alaska – where you’ll find one of the greatest train journeys and experiences on the planet – the great McKinley Explorer journey which stretches from Anchorage to the edge of the Denali National Park over the course of eight hours and across 223 miles – passing through ice covered and rolling field scenery – and for those lucky enough to sit in the panoramic car – giving you a chance to take immense photos of the wild terrain, curious animals and beautiful mountains and forests of Alaska.
A great way to capture the wild and untamed wilderness that makes Alaska a true wonder of the world, the train system in Alaska is notoriously efficient and is believed to ferry more than a half a million people across the state each day – with the incredible infrastructure that supports it stretching across some of the greatest scenery on the planet and making for not only a great way to get across the state to the photogenic spots – but also an incredible way to capture the wild and true beauty of the last frontiers wilderness.
Aurora Borealis:
Finally – no trip to Alaska would be complete without experiencing and snapping the mighty Aurora Borealis – with Alaska being one of the best places on the planet to witness the incredible phenomena – as you perch in the wilderness and watch as the clear Alaskan night sky and stars overhead light up colours of bright green, purple and deep blue – bring the sky above you to life in what is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most awe-inspiring experiences and photo opportunities on the planet.
A truly stunning spectacle – we’d advise heading to the Alaskan town of Fairbanks as a base to see the Northern Lights – with the town having developed a reputation as a hub and reliable spot to witness the light show and also being a great place to take on a tour with camera guides – who can capture the moment for you. For those heading further into the Alaskan wilderness – where you can expect clearer skies, stunning scenery and a more intimate experience with the Northern Lights – we’d advise heading to either Prudhoe Bay or the well named town of Coldfoot – whose unique location so close to the Artic provide not only stunning ice scenery to experience the Aurora Borealis – but also a chance to take photos of this phenomena unlike any other – just be sure to wrap up warm before you head north.
A magical experience – Alaska truly lends itself to Aurora Borealis spotting and photography – and for those set on snapping the absolute perfect photo you even have the day of undertaking a multi-day journey into the north of Alaska with professional cameramen to ensure you get a magical photo. Yet whichever way you choose to experience the beautiful lights of the Aurora Borealis in Alaska you are almost guaranteed a stunning spectacle – as thanks to the vast wilderness, clear night skies and the state’s location so close to the Arctic – the stunning phenomena are both easily seen and photographed and represent a truly special way to cap off any adventure to the true wonder of the world that is Alaska.
The Travel Lantern:
