Specializing in custom vacations to Alaska's most spectacular destinations.
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Just about one month left in the 2024 summer season through much of Alaska. Late-season travelers will find full land operations starting to wind down in the Denali Park area come mid-September, and soon after from Fairbanks down to Anchorage and Seward.
Which has us looking forward toward next year... we will open reservations for 2025 at the beginning of October!
In the meantime, enjoy autumn! It's almost here 🍂🍂
So...we're having some rainy conditions in Anchorage. Here are a few of our favorite things to do when the weather is being difficult....
- Anchorage Museum - Wide range of exhibits exploring Alaska from many perspectives. Very good, small restaurant to grab a bite, too.
- Big Swig Tours - Super fun guided brewery tour.
- Anchorage Trolley Tours - Hop on a cheerful red trolley for a city tour.
- Eat! If you're downtown, check out CRUSH Wine Bistro & Cellar, Glacier BrewHouse, or 49th State Brewing - Anchorage. Outside of downtown, Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill and Spenard Roadhouse, dish up some proper rainy-day eats. The The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe is also a cozy place to hang out.
Just a few suggestions!
Alright, chime in... What are the Top 3 Favorite Moments from your trip to Alaska? Go!
Seward / Kenai Fjords day cruises, a brief guide...
- Resurrection Bay day cruises: About 4 hours, cruise through Resurrection Bay outside of Seward. See wildlife, coastal scenery. Typically calmer seas.
- Kenai Fjords day cruises: About 6-7 hours, cruise through Resurrection Bay and into Aialik Bay in Kenai Fjords National Park. See tidewater glaciers, wildlife, coastal scenery. Includes lunch onboard.
- Northwestern Fjord day cruises: About 8 hours, cruise 150 miles through Resurrection Bay and into the farther reaches of Kenai Fjords National Park. More expedition style on a slightly smaller boat. Includes light breakfast and lunch onboard.
Not comprehensive, but a good start to help you pick the best option!
Have you been one of the lucky 30% this summer, or another?
If you know you know 😉
📍 Denali
Why do we love Talkeetna so much?
The characters 😊
📸 from the 2022 Alaska Travel Photo Contest
Good to be back 🙌
📍 Denali National Park
Real pretty out there💐
📍Chugach Mountains, Alaska
Now that our phones are just a touch quieter and our inboxes under control, we finally have the chance to provide some info about the Riley Fire in Denali National Park.
Let’s start with the most important things:
- Denali area excursions are operating! Guided hiking, ATVing, jeeping, ziplining, sled dog kennel touring, flightseeing, rafting…so much to do and see.
- Most Denali area hotels who we partner with are open and fully operational! Denali Village, Denali Bluffs, Grande Denali Lodge, Denali Cabins, Denali Grizzly Bear Resort.
- Transportation to/from the Denali area is operational! The Park Connection Motorcoach continues to operate normally. The Alaska Railroad is operating on a modified schedule. Follow Alaska Railroad for their current schedule.
- Bus tours inside the park are planned to resume July 7. Park facilities, campgrounds, and frontcountry trails are currently closed. Be sure to follow Denali National Park and Preserve for updates.
Here are some of the questions we’ve had from our guests:
- Where is the Riley Fire? The fire is one mile north of the Denali National Park entrance. It is in steep, uninhabited terrain bordered to the east by the Nenana River. The Denali Park tourism area, sometimes called "The Canyon," is across the river and not in danger.
- How bad is the fire? Favorable conditions, location, and a quick response from air and ground fire crews have kept the fire manageable. At last report it is described as smoldering with low fire activity. It is under 400 acres at this time.
- Why was the power out outside the park? The power remained out to the area so that fire crews could safely clear around power lines and equipment. As of July 4, the power is back on! Thanks to Golden Valley Electric Assn. for the frequent updates and hard work.
- Why was there no water at my hotel? The Denali entrance area is actually quite remote and the infrastructure there susceptible to challenges. Most hotels closest to the Denali Park entrance area pump and treat water from local waterways. With the power out, the pumps were out, compounding an already uncomfortable situation for everyone in that area. As of July 4, water is back!
- Why isn’t the train running? The railroad is operating on a modified schedule. This is for safety of passengers as well as fire crew. The train track runs through the Denali entrance area and along a section of the Nenana River bordering fire burn area.
A big thanks to our guests who were in Denali or headed that way when the fire first started for remaining so flexible. Alaska is wild…but this is not the kind of wild we want for you! And lots of appreciation to our guests with imminent plans in the Denali area for your patience as we work to adjust itineraries if needed. We’re pretty much back to normal up in Denali and look forward to those park tours resuming service soon.
Ongoing thank you’s to the fire crews and support personnel, BLM, National Park Service, Denali Borough, Denali Chamber of Commerce, and especially our Denali area partners and their staff members – thank you for all the work you have done to keep things going under very difficult circumstances!
And finally, our team at Alaska Tour & Travel is full of 🌟🌟🌟. Record number of phone calls and emails, staying late, coming in early, keeping up the positive vibes…all while we’ve got a bug going around the office on top of it. We have the best crew in the business.
Information current as July 4 at 3PM AKST.
Car-free in Seward? No worries! The city runs a free shuttle in the summertime. Shuttle arrives every 30 minutes daily from 10 AM to 7 PM. Handy stops include the train depot, cruise terminal, harbor, and Alaska SeaLife Center.
The lupines this year are 🤩🤩🤩
If you're traveling Alaska by rental car, some of the most splendid we've seen are on the way from Anchorage to Seward. There are several spots along the Turnagain Arm, but one of the easier/safer lupine photo ops is closer to Seward.
The large paved turnout is 11 miles from the Seward Harbor, or about 110 miles from Anchorage, on the east side of the highway. There are interpretative signs as well, plus some grand mountain views!
Siblings, am I right 😅
Wonderful Alaska bear clip shared by Charlotte Z. Thank you!
Always SO much fun for us to follow along with Alaska travelers, and to see this beautiful state through visitors' eyes! 😁🙌🤩
We don't have a lot of roads in Alaska. But the ones we do have come with some pretty epic views. A few of our favorites miles...
Matanuska Valley - Glenn Highway, Mile 76-113
Thompson Pass - Richardson Highway, Mile 25
Turnagain Arm - Seward Highway, Mile 80-115
Broad Pass - Parks Highway, Mile 195-208
Cooper Landing - Sterling Highway, Mile 37-53
Resurrection Bay outside Seward never disappoints 😃
Even though we've been there many times...always excited to get back up to the Denali National Park Visitor Center once the summer season kicks off. Learn something new every time!
Have you seen the aurora forecast?
It might be too light at night in Alaska to see the aurora borealis now, but to our friends in the Lower 48 -- this may be your chance!
The northern lights are forecasted to *possibly* be on display as far south as Alabama this weekend. Keep your eyes on the sky and fingers crossed for a show!
And let us know if you see them 🙌🏾
📸 via the Alaska Travel Photo Contest
Some common questions that are popping up from travelers coming to Alaska this summer...
Q: Will it really be light at midnight?
A: Sure will. Here in Anchorage we don't see true night from about April 18 to August 23 👏🌞
Q: Do I need my passport to go to Alaska?
A: If you're a US citizen traveling direct from the Lower 48, no need to bring a passport. If you are not a US citizen or if you're taking a cruise, you need to bring your passport.
Q: What's the weather going to be like?
A: Let's just say...weather forecasting is tough up here 🙃
📸 of "nighttime" from the 2022 Alaska Travel Photo Contest
Are you making your Alaska packing list?
Don't forget an eye mask. We won't see true night again here until the end of August 😎
📍Kenai Lake, 10:30pm last summer
Past Alaska travelers, we have a request!
It’s just a few weeks from the start of the summer travel season in Alaska. Let's show this summer’s travelers what they have to look forward to by sharing a favorite video clip from your past trip.
You can share your clips easily here - https://l8qcv.socialv.io?cid=c8JRmZmwmT
Oh, and when you share your favorite video(s), as a thank you we'll enter you into a drawing for a delish ‘Taste of Alaska’ sampler pack, which includes tasty local treats like smoked salmon, chocolate, coffee, teas, and berry jam. ☺
National Parks Week kicks off tomorrow with free entry into all park sites throughout the US.
Which has us thinking of a common Alaska travel question: What are the national park fees in Alaska?
It's always a free entry day for 7/8 Alaska national parks!
- Denali National Park - $15/person to be paid at the visitor center or bus depot (fee not included in non-narrated bus ticket, but IS included in narrated bus ticket)
- Kenai Fjords National Park - no entry fee
- Lake Clark National Park - no entry fee
- Katmai National Park - no entry fee
- Gates Of The Arctic National Park - no entry fee
- Wrangell - St Elias National Park - no entry fee
- Glacier Bay National Park - no entry fee
- Kobuk Valley National Park - you guessed it...no entry fee!
📍Denali National Park Road
📸 by Mishonda M. via the Alaska Travel Photo Contest
✨Wow!✨
Just one of the amazing video clips past Alaska visitors have sent in. Thank you Darcey for sharing this incredible Alaska moment!
Alaska's more fun with friends 🙌
Now, traveling with friends is fun, but sometimes planning a trip, coordinating preferences, room types, dealing with payment...that can be not so fun.
But we make it easy! Plan your friend-cation with easy customization and easy payment options for each person/couple/family group within your party.
Skip the sticky stuff and focus on the fun 😁
Have you been to Alaska? Share some of your favorite Alaska moments in our first-ever Alaska travel video contest!
We’re just a few weeks from the start of the summer travel season in Alaska. Show this summer’s travelers what they have to look forward to! Glaciers ❄️, wildlife 🐻, a clear view of Denali 🏔… Share your favorite video(s) for a chance to win a delish ‘Taste of Alaska’ sampler pack.
Here’s how it works 👇:
- Share any video clips of favorite moments from your last Alaska trip.
- Submit your video(s) with us here: https://l8qcv.socialv.io?cid=c8JRmZmwmT.
- Every video clip submission is an entry into a random drawing for the chance to win an Alaska Sampler Gift Pack, which includes tasty local treats like smoked salmon, chocolate, coffee, teas, and berry jam.
- We’re accepting submissions now through May 9, 2024. The prize drawing will take place by May 10, 2024. Winner will be notified by phone or email. Note that the prize can only be shipped within the United States.
- Submitted video clips may be shared on our social media and website. We will not use or share any personal info you provide.
We can’t wait to share in your Alaska memories!
Planes, trains, and automobiles...and boats!
How do you get to ________, Alaska?
Anchorage, Alaska - Planes, trains, automobiles
Homer, Alaska - Planes, automobiles, boats
Seward, Alaska - Automobiles, boats, trains
Fairbanks, Alaska - Planes, trains, automobiles
Valdez, Alaska - Planes, automobiles, boats
Juneau, Alaska - Planes, boats
Ketchikan, Alaska - Planes, boats
Utqiagvik, Alaska (northernmost community in the U.S.) - Planes
Are there glaciers near Anchorage, Alaska ?
Oh yeah.
Matanuska, Knik, Spencer, Portage, Byron, the seven ones above Girdwood, Eagle, Raven, Colony, Columbia, Blackstone, Eklutna…the list goes on. And on and on.
Just about 8 short weeks till summer travel in Alaska begins in earnest.
We 👏 can't 👏 wait! 👏
Splish-splashy on the Nenana River.
Whitewater rafting near Denali National Park -- highly recommend!
Alaska by air, there's nothing like it.
And a lot of times it's the only way to get around to at all 😉
Here's three of our favorite recommendations for flightseeing in Alaska:
1. Ski plane flight out of Talkeetna to Denali and the Alaska Range (bonus: glacier landing) 👏
2. Helicopter flight out of the Palmer area (near Anchorage) to the Knik Glacier and surrounding area, which is awe-mazing 🫶
3. Flight to go bear viewing in Lake Clark National Park (departing out of Anchorage) -- so this is a unique one, you're going for bear viewing, but the flight to and from is exceptionally scenic! 👍
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Real pretty out there💐 📍Chugach Mountains, Alaska
Siblings, am I right 😅 Wonderful Alaska bear clip shared by Charlotte Z. Thank you!
Resurrection Bay outside Seward never disappoints 😃
Are you making your Alaska packing list? Don't forget an eye mask. We won't see true night again here until the end of August 😎 📍Kenai Lake, 10:30pm last summer
Past Alaska travelers, we have a request! It’s just a few weeks from the start of the summer travel season in Alaska. Let's show this summer’s travelers what they have to look forward to by sharing a favorite video clip from your past trip. You can share your clips easily here - https://l8qcv.socialv.io?cid=c8JRmZmwmT Oh, and when you share your favorite video(s), as a thank you we'll enter you into a drawing for a delish ‘Taste of Alaska’ sampler pack, which includes tasty local treats like smoked salmon, chocolate, coffee, teas, and berry jam. ☺
✨Wow!✨ Just one of the amazing video clips past Alaska visitors have sent in. Thank you Darcey for sharing this incredible Alaska moment!
Splish-splashy on the Nenana River. Whitewater rafting near Denali National Park -- highly recommend!
4 of our favorite ways to experience glaciers in Alaska: 1. See tidewater glaciers on a day cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park or Prince William Sound 2. Go for a guided trek on the Matanuska Glacier - that's in the video! 3. Kayak the lake at the toe of Spencer Glacier 4. Land on a glacier in a plane (or helicopter 😊)
What's on our minds? Summertime 🌼
2023, well done 👏🏼 2024, we’re ready 🎆 #travelalaska
We're a little short staffed today as we dig out from a doozy of a snow storm. We'll return phone calls and emails as soon as possible! Thank you for your patience 🙃❄️❄️❄️
It's baaa-aack. Fat Bear Week 2023! This little guy isn't so little now 😅
Just a few weeks left of summer train service. What a summer it has been! Here's the train from Fairbanks pulling into the Denali Depot last week.
Let's talk Alaska itineraries. Here's a first-time visitor favorite: Day 1 - Arrive into Anchorage. Leisurely day to recover from the flight in. Day 2 - Catch the train to Seward. GoldStar dome highly recommended. When you get in, stretch your legs on a guided naturalist walk at Exit Glacier. Day 3 - Take a day cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. Day 4 - Hop on a deluxe motorcoach headed for Talkeetna. Day 5 - Take a flightseeing tour of Denali. In the late afternoon hop on a motorcoach to Denali National Park. Day 6 - Spend the day in the the park on a wildlife bus tour. Day 7 - Start the day with a refreshing river float, and then catch train back to Anchorage.
What would you tell future travelers is the absolute must-do thing to do in Alaska?
Countdown to summer train service! T-minus.... 🚂 2 days till the first northbound Denali Star from Anchorage to Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks 🚂 3 days till the first southbound Denali Star 🚂 10 days till the first Coastal Classic between Anchorage and Seward Here we go!
The brewery scene in Alaska is on point. Just don't ask us to pick a favorite! If you're in Anchorage your better option is to hop on a brew tour, sample a few, and decide for yourself.
Alaska Tour & Travel has been creating custom vacations to Alaska's most spectacular destinations since 1995. Our Anchorage based team is made up of long time Alaskans with over 100 years combined experience working and traveling throughout Alaska. We are ready to help you plan your perfect vacation to Alaska. Reach us at 800-208-0200 or visit AlaskaTravel.com.
Green Envy Travel w/Dream Vacations
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