While July brings peak weather, spring and fall offer season-changing splendor. Combine a cruise to Alaska with a land-package or add day tours in your ports of call! Or fill out our contact form to receive a customized itinerary from a local itinerary specialist. #onlyinalaska for your rockstar tour guides and comprehensive glacial knowledge - learned some new interesting things and got to experience this beauty up close and personal. We have a 4-year-old. Many communities are not along the road system or railbelt and are only accessible by plane or boat. They offer a mix of suites, apartments, and rooms. We want to go this Aug./September OR, do you recommend someone that can do the legwork for us? Google Maps states it is 4hr 10min (222 miles) to get to Homer from Anchorage. This is especially the case once you add in lodging expenses and excursions. Official Alaska Vacation Information The most intimate multi-day cruise option. If you want to see Alaska in the summer (mid-May to early September) then ideally you will want to book as early as possible. How to get to Alaska on points - The Points Guy If you have the time, we recommend adding on a post-cruise land tour (typically several days by train or motorcoach) so you can experience the Inside Passage by sea and go on to explore the Southcentral and Interior regions by land. They may not be out. It is definitely an adventure though, and if you plan 5-7 days of your trip each way to be dedicated to this drive, then you can do it. Downsides: There are downsides to RV travel. If you wait too long, there is a real possibility that nothing will be available, or the prices will be outrageous. Booking Your Cruise in Alaska Book your Alaska cruise or cruise tour today! See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Visit the link on this post or in my bio for more details! Advice Travel The 20 Best Alaska Tours See everything the Far North has to offer during one of these treks. ------------------------------ Heres where you can quickly get a COVID-19 PCR test for travel, Alaska Department of Health's Testing Sites Locator page, tips for successfully booking COVID-19 vaccine appointments at pharmacies, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Fill out a Travel Declaration Form and a Self-Isolation Plan in the. While this isn't a requirement, to keep yourself and everyone around you safe, try to get vaccinated for COVID-19 at least two weeks before traveling -- to Alaska or elsewhere. If you want to have a hard copy map, you could grab an Alaska Milepost Book. Throw in the incredible seafood restaurants and craft beer joints and a trip to Alaska may be exactly what you need to celebrate getting vaccinated. Here are the most popular itineraries year after year. Alaska-based companies offer access to authentic experiences that cruise lines generally cant offer, either because of their scale or because they only book certain hotels (usually the larger ones). Please view our advertising policy page for more information. It is home to a vast array of wildlife: whales, puffins, orcas, seals, otters, eagles, moutain goats, bears and much more. Travel Planning. #coldfootcamp, Earth day is here! With cooler temperatures, iconic sites and tours are less crowded and somewhat less expensive than during the peak summer season. #arcticcircle #alaska #snow #travelalaska #travel, Kayak adventures start here! Theres world-class fishing on the Kenai River, the famous Mt Marathon race in Seward, whale watching in multiple areas, and more beauty than can be captured in one trip. If you want to see the Inside Passage, a cruise is the way to go. The earlier you book, the better your chances to get your top picks for accommodations , tours, and activities . You could easily spend an entire vacation in just one of the states five regions: Interior, Southcentral, Inside Passage, Southwest, and Arctic. Thank you very much. . Alaska is big, and planning a vacation can be overwhelming. These high-quality boutique tour operators specialize in providing premium land tours, and they often use local guides. Here are some of my favorite hotels in Alaska: Hotel Alyeska: This hotel is a staple in Girdwood and is one of the only ski resorts in Alaska. The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway travels through the mountains around Skagway, Alaska. View past newsletters here. Whether you grab a fishing rod, charter a boat, or catch a seaplane tour is up to you! Buy an all-inclusive package. Join me, two expert guides, and a small group of creators as we venture to the far north in search of the Aurora Borealis. Then you will love our award-winning small ship Alaskan owned and operated, Alaska Private Touring specializes in custom, guided Alaska programs for groups and families of all sizes. Take time to stop and smell the wildflowers, Photo Credit: Travel Alaska. How far in advance to book an Alaska cruise We created them to offer inspiration as well as logistical information, so you can choose what you like and book your own Alaska vacation. . . Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park, go off-the-grid on a multi-day backpacking adventure. . This is also Alaska and is the perfect place to get the RV experience. The good news is, no matter when or where you go, you are sure to have an incredible Alaska adventure. Alaska is big, beautiful and logistically challenging! Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Booking two to three months in advance is generally sufficient time to reserve everything you desire in these months. Order our Official State of Alaska Vacation Planner and plot your course. If youre looking for a bit of luxury, explore Alaska on a small ship or private cruise. Alaska Land Tour Packages | Small Group, Large Group, or I usually hike every other week in the summer and have yet to encounter a bear, but they are around and that isnt to say you wont see one. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. For best availability and pricing options, we recommend making your summer vacation reservations for your Alaska trip by the end of January. The Alaska Railroad offers a wonderful selection of packages that provide unique Alaska experience to visitors and residents alike. Use a local Alaskan agent if you want help arranging your trip from beginning to end. The best itineraries to visit Alaska's lesser-known towns. If you want to see Alaska in the summer (mid-May to early September) then ideally you will want to book as early as possible. Think of Alaska like an island, everything must be shipped here and we are a LONG way away from the rest of civilization (heh). Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. How Far In Advance Should I Plan My Alaska Vacation? Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. And that's the thing: there is no one right answer, no one perfect trip. Anchorage will generally have better prices than the smaller towns. During the summer, book a fishing package to spend your days saltwater or freshwater fishing from a private fishing lodge, or take a walk on the wild side with a wildlife viewing package to see Alaskas diverse land and marine animals. How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Alaska [2023] - Traveling Igloo #majesticprincess #princesscruises #alaska #ketchikan #rainforest #zipline #tour #travel #birthday #travelphotography #travelgram #girlslovetravel #forest, What is the time length for our tour? 7-10 days is the most common. If you don't lock reservations in now -- especially if you need to rent a car or RV or have your heart set on a certain lodge -- you may be shut out. Thats 8 months in advance! 10 Days in Alaska: How to Plan Your Epic Alaska Itinerary in 2023 If fishing is your thing, book that halibut charter out of Deep Creek. Id rather skip some activities and only focus on what I love. And how cute is Emmett (first dog) the lead dog of the pack! There are some shops on the main floor and there are a few restaurants at the hotel. Looking forward to more the next couple nights. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Some, like Alaska, have opened their vaccination sites to nearly everyone. Driving times are always longer than whats listed.*. Alaska Vacation Packages & Tours Resurrection Lodge on the Bay: Located right on the water in Seward, this lodge has stunning views of Resurrection Bay. If you can, book an ocean view, you wont be disappointed. If your test results come back positive while in Alaska, you must self-isolate at your own expense. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. Also a fun fact, you can ONLY buy booze at a designated liquor store and they will always check your ID. Alaska Travel Guide & Map Request | Free Travel Planning Brochure explore the Fjords on a boat tour Alaska packages and tours are a great place to start when planning your Alaska vacation. Search Multi-city on the Alaska Airlines website Use the Multi-city search option to manually input your stopover. Call or email us anytime to get your questions answered or to customize your Alaskan vacation. This fare gives its holder a way to book a companion seat on any paid . Finally, bring a dry bag or two to store your camera, phone and other electronics when you're kayaking or hiking in the rain. Alaska also strongly recommends that visitors take a second COVID-19 test between five and 14 days after arrival. Get a discount of up to $100 off your one-way or round-trip flight when you book an award with a combination of cash and your miles. If you want to see humpback and orca whales, make sure you stay in Seward at the right time of year (Id recommend late May through June). When you think of Alaska, it can be broken down into a few main areas: The Kenai Peninsula is loaded with all of the quintessential Alaska experiences. Often you can get a much better deal or find the exact vehicle youre looking for. There are hundreds located around the state. Alaska Cruises 2023-2024 - Cruise to Alaska This includes seeing the northern lights, doing any winter sports, or snowmachining. BOOK IT - 800.544.0552. I cannot stress this enough DO NOT try to drive all over the state in one trip. Home. Also possible. Book one of Expedia's Alaska vacation packages in 2023, and you can explore the Hubbard Glacier, Kodiak Island fishing port, or the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage from the comfort of a condo, cabin, apartment, or hotel. The Alaska Airlines Visa credit card's Companion Fare comes with a significant. If you are using Google Maps, you will want to add an hour or so to every trip. Be sure to take notes and check out my other posts about Alaska too! She's trailed an orca pod from a skiff in Alaskas Inside Passage, had an allergic reaction to a cheetah she met at a South African rehabilitation center and hiked the Borneo rainforest to glimpse orangutans in the wild and she's written about it all. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. While its possible to book a last-minute trip to Alaska, we highly recommend booking early to ensure availability especially during the summer months and around popular festivals and events. I also use Going (Scotts Cheap Flights) as they send deals to my inbox nearly daily. This program is eligible . Follow me as I explore my own backyard and destinations around the globe. Youll also find an array of fun winter outdoor recreationactivitieslike skiing, dog sledding, snowmachining, and more plus some of the best festivals the state has to offer. But for the most part, if you plug in your destination on your phone before you leave, the GPS should work even outside of signal range. Alaska is full of small towns with limited accommodations. Summer is best for the warmest temperatures, longest hours of daylight, best wildlife viewing, and the most tours, activities, cruise options, and accommodations available. That means a lot of consistency and few surprises, which some travelers appreciate. Its dark much of the day, its hard to see the moose on the road, and the roads can be pretty dangerous. This includes time on the shuttle bus to and from the Denali Canyon area. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! There are also glacial lakes, regular lakes, and rivers like the Kenai where you can go white water rafting, kayaking, SUPing, etc. Here are some popular activities that definitely require some expertise and/or equipment: Here are some things you can do on your own: Should you buy bear spray? The better call may be to seek out wilderness lodges and boutique hotels, such as Borealis Basecamp, across the state. Alaska is home to seventeen of North Americas tallest peaks (including the tallest in North America, Denali), 30,000 square miles of glaciers (an area about the size of Maine), 60% of the countrys, If you're shopping for unique Alaska souvenirs, this itinerary is for you. There are many tours that land on glaciers or in remote areas not accessible by car. Aside from airfare, which is usually not included in your cruise fare , the priciest addition to your cruise fare, particularly in Alaska, will likely be shore excursions. #postcardsfromtheworld #optoutside #solotravel #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #travelbug #wanderlust #travelstories #roamtheplanet #traveltheworld #instatravelling #mytravelgram #traveladdict . The classic itinerary, Visit three national parksDenali, Kenai Fjords, and Wrangell-St. Eliasexperience Alaskas most exciting activities. If you enjoy waking up at 5am, rushing out the door, and going nonstop until 10pm then yes, you can see more. Otherwise, the main roads are all paved and have passing lanes or multi-lane roads. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. When it comes time to book an Alaska cruise, you might get overwhelmed. THE 10 BEST Hotels in Alaska 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor Daily summer departures connecting Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, Seward and more; our Alaska Excursions with onboard Expedition Experts take you right from the ship via kayak or Zodiac to see glaciers, culture, wildlife, and more. I will say that if you do plan to buy or bring bear spray, be sure you know how to use it. Hotel Captain Cook: A staple to the Anchorage downtown skyline, the Hotel Captain Cook was built in 1965 (a year after the major earthquake) and is one of the largest in the city. Do you like to pack in as much as possible and be go, go, go? If you are traveling with kids or another couple, an RV can save money (but maybe not your sanity, hah!). JetSmart. 2-5 day small ship explorations. There are many tour operators that run day trips. . Get the latest points, miles and travel news by signing up for TPGs free daily newsletter. There are also some beautiful lodges and are likely also listed on sites like booking.com (my preferred booking site). But having time built in to stretch his feet and play at the park and burn off energy is important. Here you will get panoramic views of the bay and can enjoy a delicious dinner at the Chartroom. Or, contact us for an itinerary quote from a local Alaska expert. alaska_daily Planning a trip to Alaska without any help is a bit daunting. They can also be difficult to drive, especially if you arent used to driving one. The best ones book up quickly, with people often booking a year in advance. If you plan to visit the beach with kids, Id recommend bringing some rain boots so they can explore. Its also not as easy to run to town quickly if you forget something. Things are spread out and theres a lot to see along the way. However, if youre looking to get away from the crowds and find better deals, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons in spring (April May) and fall (September October). Visit Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Sitka, Hoonah, and Glacier Bay without taking a cruise! The ferry is not cheap, so call their reservation line to get an idea of prices and ferry times before committing to it. (In Alaska, they will vaccinate anyone 16 or older that's living or working in the state.) You may only visit the most popular highlights, and your overall experience could feel generic. Other states are still rolling out vaccine appointments to certain groups. How to Plan & Book an Alaska Cruise in 2023 When it comes time to book an Alaska cruise, you might get overwhelmed. See bears, whales, moose, and more. Often the prices are better and you also get more variety to choose from. A lodge in Ketchikan, Photo Credit: Travel Alaska, The journey is part of the adventure! Its updated annually and includes all the maps and information you need for the entire state. We offer the finest guided small group sea and land tours, featuring photography Make Alaska Cruise and Land Tour your next vacation. I really only recommend doing this if you have specific winter activities you want to do. Alaska is BIG. Learn more about our regions, communities, and national parks & public lands to start planning your route - weather you're interested in visiting the top sights or getting off-the-beaten-track. I mentioned this above in the information about Southeast Alaska, but there are many opportunities to get out on the water.