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I am planning a trip to Alaska in 2007. I have seen several great tours which involve either summer camping (July and August) or are hotel-based (first 2 weeks of September). Which would be the best ? I would like to avoid the mosquitoes and tourists as much as possible, and hopefully see the Northern Lights, whilst having a decent weather. I am looking for anyone who has experience camping in Alaska in the summer: is it cold at night and is there a lot of rain? Does anyone know what is the weather like early September ? Any response would help me make my decision, since it is a big trip (I am based in Belgium, Europe) and would like to make the right decision.
> I am planning a trip to Alaska in 2007. I have seen several great > tours which involve either summer camping (July and August) or are > hotel-based (first 2 weeks of September). Which would be the best ? I > would like to avoid the mosquitoes and tourists as much as possible, > and hopefully see the Northern Lights, whilst having a decent weather. > I am looking for anyone who has experience camping in Alaska in the > summer: is it cold at night and is there a lot of rain? Does anyone > know what is the weather like early September ? Any response would > help me make my decision, since it is a big trip (I am based in > Belgium, Europe) and would like to make the right decision.
> Thanks !
> Marianne
The short answer is the weather is highly variable. I was there last June and for the first 10 days the weather was ideal. The sun shone and daytime temperatures went up to 25C dropping to around 10 at night.
The last 4 days however we had a LOT of rain and it was much cooler. By sept the days are noticeably shorter and its getting cooler. However going early or late in the season does mean the crowding is less and by camping you will see more of the wildlife. Do follow the rules published for storing food though. Bears can be dangerous and you dont want one ripping open your tent to get the food you packed.
Your not going to see the northern lights I'm afraid. In summer it doesnt even get fully dark.
> I am planning a trip to Alaska in 2007. I have seen several great > tours which involve either summer camping (July and August) or are > hotel-based (first 2 weeks of September). Which would be the best ? I > would like to avoid the mosquitoes and tourists as much as possible, > and hopefully see the Northern Lights, whilst having a decent weather. > I am looking for anyone who has experience camping in Alaska in the > summer: is it cold at night and is there a lot of rain? Does anyone > know what is the weather like early September ? Any response would > help me make my decision, since it is a big trip (I am based in > Belgium, Europe) and would like to make the right decision.
> Thanks !
> Marianne
It would help to know where in AK you plan visiting given the state's size and varied geography, but in general, it can be cold at night in August. My worst-ever night of camping was spent at Riley Creek Campground in Denali NP in Aug. due to the cold. My water bottles on my bicycle froze solid! July could still be mosquito-ey while late August and Sept. have a pretty major drop in bugs. August is still fairly well lit so if Northern Lights are important to you, I'd shoot for September--avoid July at all costs. One tip in Northern Lights viewing is to enlist helpers since you really should check the sky frequently through the night. If several folks share the scouting, and know that you're willing to be awakened at any time when the Lights are out, you'll more than likely not miss a good display.
All in all, given your thoughts, I vote for Sept.:
-Fewer mosquitoes -Fewer tourists -Potential (especially in mid-late Sept..) for some good deals in shopping -Much better chance of getting a great view of the Northern Lights -Although cold, you'll be in hotels rather than a tent in pretty cold August
-the one downside is that by mid-late Sept., some attractions may be closed and business staff (restaurant cooks and servers, lodging cleaners, etc.) may be operating short-staffed since some of the seasonal help has already headed south for winter jobs, school, etc.
Regardless of when you go, a good rain suit or something pretty waterproof will be very useful--as will dressing in layers.
PS--I've done 4 month-long bicycle camping trips in AK and Yukon/NWT and have worked three seasons in Skagway (May-Sept.) with excursions into the Interior on my days off and base my thoughts on my experiences.
Thank you so much for your advice, it really helps a lot ! I plan to participate in an organised tour since I would be going alone. Most of these tours go to Kenai, Denali, Fairbanks, Wrangell, so to the major attractions in Alaska. Although it is a shame that none of these add the Inside Passage to their programme.
You must love Alaska if you have done such big trips over there. I can't wait to get there, counting down to it already...
> > I am planning a trip to Alaska in 2007. I have seen several great > > tours which involve either summer camping (July and August) or are > > hotel-based (first 2 weeks of September). Which would be the best ? I > > would like to avoid the mosquitoes and tourists as much as possible, > > and hopefully see the Northern Lights, whilst having a decent weather. > > I am looking for anyone who has experience camping in Alaska in the > > summer: is it cold at night and is there a lot of rain? Does anyone > > know what is the weather like early September ? Any response would > > help me make my decision, since it is a big trip (I am based in > > Belgium, Europe) and would like to make the right decision.
> > Thanks !
> > Marianne
> It would help to know where in AK you plan visiting given the state's size > and varied geography, but in general, it can be cold at night in August. My > worst-ever night of camping was spent at Riley Creek Campground in Denali NP > in Aug. due to the cold. My water bottles on my bicycle froze solid! July > could still be mosquito-ey while late August and Sept. have a pretty major > drop in bugs. August is still fairly well lit so if Northern Lights are > important to you, I'd shoot for September--avoid July at all costs. One tip > in Northern Lights viewing is to enlist helpers since you really should > check the sky frequently through the night. If several folks share the > scouting, and know that you're willing to be awakened at any time when the > Lights are out, you'll more than likely not miss a good display.
> All in all, given your thoughts, I vote for Sept.:
> -Fewer mosquitoes > -Fewer tourists > -Potential (especially in mid-late Sept..) for some good deals in shopping > -Much better chance of getting a great view of the Northern Lights > -Although cold, you'll be in hotels rather than a tent in pretty cold August
> -the one downside is that by mid-late Sept., some attractions may be closed > and business staff (restaurant cooks and servers, lodging cleaners, etc.) > may be operating short-staffed since some of the seasonal help has already > headed south for winter jobs, school, etc.
> Regardless of when you go, a good rain suit or something pretty waterproof > will be very useful--as will dressing in layers.
> PS--I've done 4 month-long bicycle camping trips in AK and Yukon/NWT and > have worked three seasons in Skagway (May-Sept.) with excursions into the > Interior on my days off and base my thoughts on my experiences.
> > I am planning a trip to Alaska in 2007. I have seen several great > > tours which involve either summer camping (July and August) or are > > hotel-based (first 2 weeks of September). Which would be the best ? I > > would like to avoid the mosquitoes and tourists as much as possible, > > and hopefully see the Northern Lights, whilst having a decent weather. > > I am looking for anyone who has experience camping in Alaska in the > > summer: is it cold at night and is there a lot of rain? Does anyone > > know what is the weather like early September ? Any response would > > help me make my decision, since it is a big trip (I am based in > > Belgium, Europe) and would like to make the right decision.
> > Thanks !
> > Marianne
> The short answer is the weather is highly variable. I was there > last June and for the first 10 days the weather was ideal. > The sun shone and daytime temperatures went up to 25C > dropping to around 10 at night.
> The last 4 days however we had a LOT of rain and it was > much cooler. By sept the days are noticeably shorter and its > getting cooler. However going early or late in the season > does mean the crowding is less and by camping you will > see more of the wildlife. Do follow the rules published for > storing food though. Bears can be dangerous and you > dont want one ripping open your tent to get the food you packed.
> Your not going to see the northern lights I'm afraid. In > summer it doesnt even get fully dark.
> Thank you so much for your advice, it really helps a lot ! I plan to > participate in an organised tour since I would be going alone. Most of > these tours go to Kenai, Denali, Fairbanks, Wrangell, so to the major > attractions in Alaska. Although it is a shame that none of these add > the Inside Passage to their programme.
Maddie,
I cannot imagine doing AK on an organized trip. I have been to Alaska 17 times over the past 9 years, going in almost every single month just to experience it at different times. I do have friends there, so that helps.
I don't know what the cost of the organized tour is, but Alaska is expensive to rent a car or travel by trains but may be worth the trade-off. Depending on your age and interests, there are many things that I would recommend on doing this unorganized. This last year we spent five days at Valdez, fishing, camping and sea kayaking and it was one of my best trips. I have never been to Wrangell, but on looking it up, many of the same things are available there as in Valdez. If you want to be on the water, I wouldn't go as late as September because I have seen snow in August in Denali and it is much more fun to be out kayaking, camping, and fishing in the 70s than when it is 30. I try to spend several weeks in Denali/Healy every summer because that is my home base.
Good luck on your trip and if you decide not to go organized I will provide names of some boat owners and hotels that may give you more bang for your buck than just looking on the internet.
Janice
PS: Everyone talks about the mosquitos, and they can be bad, but in all my summers there, they never stopped me from doing anything. You are less likely to find them so pesky from late July through August.
Thanks for your reply. Normally I am not the kind of person that goes on an organized trip, I like my independence too much, but I would be all alone going to Alaska, so it would be nice to meet new friends on an organized trip (read: adventure trip, not the run-of-the-mill package tours). but adventure = camping, hence my dilemma since I like to be warm in my bed ;-). In any case, if I find anyone who wants to come with me (none of my friends want to come to Alaska), I would rent a car and travel around l ike that, and then I will definitely contact you again for those addresses. Although the likelihood of someone coming along is very low... I guess the weather in Alaska is as varied as it is in Belgium in the summer: you never know what you will get !
> > Thank you so much for your advice, it really helps a lot ! I plan to > > participate in an organised tour since I would be going alone. Most of > > these tours go to Kenai, Denali, Fairbanks, Wrangell, so to the major > > attractions in Alaska. Although it is a shame that none of these add > > the Inside Passage to their programme.
> Maddie,
> I cannot imagine doing AK on an organized trip. I have been to Alaska > 17 times over the past 9 years, going in almost every single month just > to experience it at different times. I do have friends there, so that > helps.
> I don't know what the cost of the organized tour is, but Alaska is > expensive to rent a car or travel by trains but may be worth the > trade-off. Depending on your age and interests, there are many things > that I would recommend on doing this unorganized. This last year we > spent five days at Valdez, fishing, camping and sea kayaking and it was > one of my best trips. I have never been to Wrangell, but on looking it > up, many of the same things are available there as in Valdez. If you > want to be on the water, I wouldn't go as late as September because I > have seen snow in August in Denali and it is much more fun to be out > kayaking, camping, and fishing in the 70s than when it is 30. I try to > spend several weeks in Denali/Healy every summer because that is my > home base.
> Good luck on your trip and if you decide not to go organized I will > provide names of some boat owners and hotels that may give you more > bang for your buck than just looking on the internet.
> Janice
> PS: Everyone talks about the mosquitos, and they can be bad, but in > all my summers there, they never stopped me from doing anything. You > are less likely to find them so pesky from late July through August.
> Thanks for your reply. Normally I am not the kind of person that goes > on an organized trip, I like my independence too much, but I would be > all alone going to Alaska, so it would be nice to meet new friends on > an organized trip (read: adventure trip, not the run-of-the-mill > package tours). but adventure = camping, hence my dilemma since I like > to be warm in my bed ;-). In any case, if I find anyone who wants to > come with me (none of my friends want to come to Alaska), I would rent > a car and travel around l ike that, and then I will definitely contact > you again for those addresses. Although the likelihood of someone > coming along is very low... > I guess the weather in Alaska is as varied as it is in Belgium in the > summer: you never know what you will get !
Maddie,
I am guessing from your posts that you are under 30. My experience with organized travel in Alaska is it is for the 65+ crowd. Do you have a site for trips that you are looking at. I would just be curious as to the cost.
Alaska is the closest to hitchhiking in Europe as you will ever get. I am 54 and took my 27 year old son for his first trip to Alaska last summer. He had a great time and hooked up with contemporaries every day. I think even he was surprised that travelling with mom would work out to his benefit so well. It is not mom, but Alaska. One day he met some guys going ice climbing and was free to go. Another night we were invited to go red salmon fishing with some people we met, and saw black bears within 15 feet of our car.
Hopefully the tour company you are looking at is geared towards younger travellers, although I haven't seen one like that yet.
I am a young spirit in an older body ;-) I am 40 (still can't believe it myself). Yes, I have noticed as well that the organized tours are targeted at an older and wealthier public. I have found 3 organisations which are geared towards younger people: www.footloose.com and www.explore.co.uk (which has an enormous choice). In Alaska itself I have found www.travelalaskaoutdoors.com (only camping) which if I decide to go camping, would probably be the ones I would go with (prices range from $995 to 2500 but nearly everything is included).
> > Thanks for your reply. Normally I am not the kind of person that goes > > on an organized trip, I like my independence too much, but I would be > > all alone going to Alaska, so it would be nice to meet new friends on > > an organized trip (read: adventure trip, not the run-of-the-mill > > package tours). but adventure = camping, hence my dilemma since I like > > to be warm in my bed ;-). In any case, if I find anyone who wants to > > come with me (none of my friends want to come to Alaska), I would rent > > a car and travel around l ike that, and then I will definitely contact > > you again for those addresses. Although the likelihood of someone > > coming along is very low... > > I guess the weather in Alaska is as varied as it is in Belgium in the > > summer: you never know what you will get !
> Maddie,
> I am guessing from your posts that you are under 30. My experience > with organized travel in Alaska is it is for the 65+ crowd. Do you > have a site for trips that you are looking at. I would just be curious > as to the cost.
> Alaska is the closest to hitchhiking in Europe as you will ever get. I > am 54 and took my 27 year old son for his first trip to Alaska last > summer. He had a great time and hooked up with contemporaries every > day. I think even he was surprised that travelling with mom would work > out to his benefit so well. It is not mom, but Alaska. One day he met > some guys going ice climbing and was free to go. Another night we were > invited to go red salmon fishing with some people we met, and saw black > bears within 15 feet of our car.
> Hopefully the tour company you are looking at is geared towards younger > travellers, although I haven't seen one like that yet.
> I am a young spirit in an older body ;-) I am 40 (still can't believe > it myself). Yes, I have noticed as well that the organized tours are > targeted at an older and wealthier public. I have found 3 > organisations which are geared towards younger people: > www.footloose.com and www.explore.co.uk (which has an enormous choice). > In Alaska itself I have found www.travelalaskaoutdoors.com (only > camping) which if I decide to go camping, would probably be the ones I > would go with (prices range from $995 to 2500 but nearly everything is > included).
> Maddie
Maddie,
I did look at several of the travelalaskaoutdoors site and they aren't bad, but..... now on to the included part. All of these packages sound a little like "If it is Tuesday, it must be Belguim." Until you have been there a couple of times, you won't be able to comprehend just how large Alaska is. Getting from one place to another takes all day. You may think 5 hours from Anchorage to Denali doesn't sound like much. More likely it is 10 hours before there is always road work being done in the summer (as it is the only time they can do road work) and you are following motorhome after motorhome after motorhome, many stopped in the middle of the road to take pictures of moose. The biggest complaint of the Princess/Holland American tourists (after they get off the ship) is that they are never in one place long enough to even catch their breath.
I am not trying to discourage you from this trip because Alaska would be right at the top of my travel destinations and some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen.
Back to the add-ons. They do include the travel, and a day trip into Denali (which costs about $85) and admission to Chena Hot Springs (which is a waste for the hot springs, but not viewing the scenery). They don't include 150-250 for whale watching, which is a must if you are going to go to Prince William Sound. They don't include $150-250 for a day of sea kayaking or 250 to go fishing. Being on the water and seeing the wildlife is a big part of Alaska. As far as I am concerned, 20 minutes in Anchorage and 45 minutes in Fairbanks (to see drunk natives) is about all those two places have going for them. With the time they have alloted for Denali, you will have no time to go river rafting (if you are adventuresome $75-90), or taking any of the free hikes. You won't even be in Valdez long enough to hike some of the waterfalls. Matanuska (sp?) glacier is a camping site on your itinery, but again, you aren't there long enough to hike the Sheep Mountains. Also you are on such a tight schedule that you can't wait a day for some activities until the weather might be better the next day.
I hope you are able to find someone to do this with you so that you are able to more customize this to your wants. I am currently planning a 12-day hiking trip for the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu for next year.
Yes, I know you are right. These trips tend to go quick and there is never enough time to enjoy the scenery or atmosphere. But I have accepted this. Since Alaska is so far away from Belgium, and I am certain that I will go to Alaska only once in my life, I want to see as much as possible. 3 years ago I went to Canada (East Coast) with a friend. We rented a car and we also felt we did not stay long enough in any place. In any case, I always tend to go for action-packed holidays rather than the relaxing ones ! Your trip to Macchu Picchu sounds great ! Friends of mine just came back and they said it was wonderful.
> > I am a young spirit in an older body ;-) I am 40 (still can't believe > > it myself). Yes, I have noticed as well that the organized tours are > > targeted at an older and wealthier public. I have found 3 > > organisations which are geared towards younger people: > > www.footloose.com and www.explore.co.uk (which has an enormous choice). > > In Alaska itself I have found www.travelalaskaoutdoors.com (only > > camping) which if I decide to go camping, would probably be the ones I > > would go with (prices range from $995 to 2500 but nearly everything is > > included).
> > Maddie
> Maddie,
> I did look at several of the travelalaskaoutdoors site and they aren't > bad, but..... now on to the included part. All of these packages sound > a little like "If it is Tuesday, it must be Belguim." Until you have > been there a couple of times, you won't be able to comprehend just how > large Alaska is. Getting from one place to another takes all day. You > may think 5 hours from Anchorage to Denali doesn't sound like much. > More likely it is 10 hours before there is always road work being done > in the summer (as it is the only time they can do road work) and you > are following motorhome after motorhome after motorhome, many stopped > in the middle of the road to take pictures of moose. The biggest > complaint of the Princess/Holland American tourists (after they get off > the ship) is that they are never in one place long enough to even catch > their breath.
> I am not trying to discourage you from this trip because Alaska would > be right at the top of my travel destinations and some of the most > beautiful country I have ever seen.
> Back to the add-ons. They do include the travel, and a day trip into > Denali (which costs about $85) and admission to Chena Hot Springs > (which is a waste for the hot springs, but not viewing the scenery). > They don't include 150-250 for whale watching, which is a must if you > are going to go to Prince William Sound. They don't include $150-250 > for a day of sea kayaking or 250 to go fishing. Being on the water and > seeing the wildlife is a big part of Alaska. As far as I am concerned, > 20 minutes in Anchorage and 45 minutes in Fairbanks (to see drunk > natives) is about all those two places have going for them. With the > time they have alloted for Denali, you will have no time to go river > rafting (if you are adventuresome $75-90), or taking any of the free > hikes. You won't even be in Valdez long enough to hike some of the > waterfalls. Matanuska (sp?) glacier is a camping site on your itinery, > but again, you aren't there long enough to hike the Sheep Mountains. > Also you are on such a tight schedule that you can't wait a day for > some activities until the weather might be better the next day.
> I hope you are able to find someone to do this with you so that you are > able to more customize this to your wants. I am currently planning a > 12-day hiking trip for the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu for next year.
> Yes, I know you are right. These trips tend to go quick and there is > never enough time to enjoy the scenery or atmosphere. But I have > accepted this. Since Alaska is so far away from Belgium, and I am > certain that I will go to Alaska only once in my life, I want to see as > much as possible.
I know that feeling of wanting to see so much. When you go to Europe and see six countries, they are all very different and worth the effort. I have done that on several occasions taking kids and niece and sister so that they would get an overall view of what there is to go back and see another time.
Alaska isn't like anything you have ever visited, including Eastern Canada. I have never been to Prudhoe Bay (had hoped to go last year), although I have been to Artic Circle. Consider looking at the more concentrated areas and not try to see all of Alaska, because you may be disappointed. Alaska is greater than a third the size of the lower 48 states.
I have never been to Juneau so I would go on line and look at that. I wouldn't waste going above Denali (unless it was just to fly home from Fairbanks) because you won't be spending enough time in the Brooks Range to even possibly see one bear. You will see more wildlife in Southern Alaska than going as far as Chena Hot Springs. I would pick Valdez over Homer, but if I could get into Katmai and Kenai that may make a difference. Would you like to spend 16 hours on a bus seeing all the same scenery over and over and over just to say you had been there. At Fairbanks you are looking back at Mt. McKinley/Denali, but hopefully (if you can see it and it is clear) you will already have seen it from the South, East, and only slightly North). There are no pretty mountain roads. There are only short trees (permafrost prevents growth, so a 200-year-old tree may only be 20 feet tall). At Chena Hot Springs with the fires of two and three years ago, you won't even see the trees because the whole area burned.
I am sorry that this post sounds so discouraging and more like I am telling you what to do, but I have been to one-time destinations and I wished people had told me not to bother wasting my time or my money on several things I did, and things I had to pay more to return because I didn't realize that I was 10 miles away from, but it wasn't mentioned in a travel brochure. I hope that long sentence makes sense to you. There are several Alaska boards that you could ask for recommendations on whether some of these places are truly worth your time and dollar to see, especially since you are only going to go once.
"Maddie" <marianne_van_hu...@hotmail.com> wrote... > Hi Craig,
> Thank you so much for your advice, it really helps a lot ! I plan to > participate in an organised tour since I would be going alone. Most of > these tours go to Kenai, Denali, Fairbanks, Wrangell, so to the major > attractions in Alaska. Although it is a shame that none of these add > the Inside Passage to their programme.
A bit more advice. Denali National Park is certainly worth seeing but requires about two days in the area if not three, minimum. If taking a commercial tour of AK that includes Denali, look for those that offer 2-3 nights or more in or just outside the park. You will arrive on Day 1 in the afternoon, then hopefully take a very early bus tour into the park on Day 2. Eielson Visitor Center (if I've spelled it right) or Wonder Lake can become full-day rides by the time you return to your lodging later on Day 2. Even if you don't see The Mountain from the bus ride (the average visitor to Denali does NOT get to see Mt. McKinley), the day's ride should give you more wildlife viewing than the rest of your vacation days combined. If you missed The Mountain on Day 2, you could always try again on Day 3. I believe that August is the month best known for sightings of McKinley, but whenever you go, the earliest trip into the park will maximize your sighting potential.
If in Seward, try to get to Exit Glacier for a nice day-hike. Given your thoughts on tours you're looking at, Seward or Valdez, if visited, would give you your only potential travel by ship. A tour that includes a ferry ride from Valdez to Seward or vice versa is a plus. Or possibly substitute Whittier for Seward for sea travel to/from Valdez.
As others have said, the less time your group spends in Anchorage or Fairbanks, the better. I do prefer Fairbanks, especially in late summer for all the flowers in town. The museum in the university is worth an hour's visit or so. Fairbanks may still have the experimental musk ox farm and that'd be your only chance to see those critters. As odd as it sounds, the halibut meal in AlaskaLand (at least for me in '83 on a bike tour) was a highlight of my days in town. I expect to hear some grief over the previous sentence (for mentioning Alaskaland, not halibut).
If you return another year, you could do the Inside Passage or do a land/sea package that gets you into NW Canada, too. I always enjoyed Whitehorse and if possible, try for a tour that adds a couple days in Dawson--my favorite Northern town--and trip over Top of the World Highway. Doing the Inside Passage by ferry requires more setup work on your part than by cruise ship, but will get you closer to real Alaskans (and many wacky tourists doing AK "on the cheap") and ferries frequently have Forest Service folks on board to give lectures. And if in Skagway, be sure to ask me for detailed advice on what to do, where to eat and everything else. The day's drive into Canada from Skagway or Haines is spectacular when sunny. (Ditto for the drive out of Valdez.)
A bit of advice on flightseeing: when on commercial tours, you may be offered a flight in a helicopter or fixed wing plane. If reserving a space in advance, weather may cancel your flight--or worse, visibility may be bad enough that you'll not see much but still be able to fly. On the other hand, if waiting for good weather and then trying to reserve space on a flight with only 0-2 days' advance notice, flights may be all booked. Either way, it's a gamble--and a pricey one at that.
>> Thank you so much for your advice, it really helps a lot ! I plan to >> participate in an organised tour since I would be going alone. Most of >> these tours go to Kenai, Denali, Fairbanks, Wrangell, so to the major >> attractions in Alaska. Although it is a shame that none of these add >> the Inside Passage to their programme.
> A bit more advice. Denali National Park is certainly worth seeing but > requires about two days in the area if not three, minimum. If taking a > commercial tour of AK that includes Denali, look for those that offer 2-3 > nights or more in or just outside the park. You will arrive on Day 1 in > the afternoon, then hopefully take a very early bus tour into the park on > Day 2. Eielson Visitor Center (if I've spelled it right) or Wonder Lake > can become full-day rides by the time you return to your lodging later on > Day 2. Even if you don't see The Mountain from the bus ride (the average > visitor to Denali does NOT get to see Mt. McKinley), the day's ride should > give you more wildlife viewing than the rest of your vacation days > combined. If you missed The Mountain on Day 2, you could always try again > on Day 3. I believe that August is the month best known for sightings of > McKinley, but whenever you go, the earliest trip into the park will > maximize your sighting potential.
> If in Seward, try to get to Exit Glacier for a nice day-hike. Given your > thoughts on tours you're looking at, Seward or Valdez, if visited, would > give you your only potential travel by ship. A tour that includes a ferry > ride from Valdez to Seward or vice versa is a plus. Or possibly substitute > Whittier for Seward for sea travel to/from Valdez.
> As others have said, the less time your group spends in Anchorage or > Fairbanks, the better. I do prefer Fairbanks, especially in late summer > for all the flowers in town. The museum in the university is worth an > hour's visit or so. Fairbanks may still have the experimental musk ox farm > and that'd be your only chance to see those critters. As odd as it sounds, > the halibut meal in AlaskaLand (at least for me in '83 on a bike tour) was > a highlight of my days in town. I expect to hear some grief over the > previous sentence (for mentioning Alaskaland, not halibut).
> If you return another year, you could do the Inside Passage or do a > land/sea package that gets you into NW Canada, too. I always enjoyed > Whitehorse and if possible, try for a tour that adds a couple days in > Dawson--my favorite Northern town--and trip over Top of the World Highway. > Doing the Inside Passage by ferry requires more setup work on your part > than by cruise ship, but will get you closer to real Alaskans (and many > wacky tourists doing AK "on the cheap") and ferries frequently have Forest > Service folks on board to give lectures. And if in Skagway, be sure to ask > me for detailed advice on what to do, where to eat and everything else. > The day's drive into Canada from Skagway or Haines is spectacular when > sunny. (Ditto for the drive out of Valdez.)
> A bit of advice on flightseeing: when on commercial tours, you may be > offered a flight in a helicopter or fixed wing plane. If reserving a space > in advance, weather may cancel your flight--or worse, visibility may be > bad enough that you'll not see much but still be able to fly. On the other > hand, if waiting for good weather and then trying to reserve space on a > flight with only 0-2 days' advance notice, flights may be all booked. > Either way, it's a gamble--and a pricey one at that.
> Klondike Craig
It has already snowed in the mountains around Anchorage and towards Girdwood. Unless you are going to take a few days backpacking into Denali, I would schedule 2 nights at most. It is a large park, with only 100 miles of road. Take the Tundra Tour (you can see it on the Denali park website). I did not go to Wonder Lake, but it is a hop on, hop off bus and you are looking at about 13 hours. The Tundra Tour buses stop for wildlife viewing. The others do not. Not a lot of stuff to see in Denali that you are not going to see in other places in the area. If weather is decent, do a river raft, and my buddy took the flightseeing tour of Denali. He and his wife are ecstatic about the experience. I did not take it as was sick and plugged up ears. I have driven to Alaska and went north of Denali (entered Alaska near Chicken from Dawson City). Too far for a short trip. Most of the beautiful areas of Alaska that you see are South of Fairbanks. The Kenai peninsula is great. We took a fly out fishing trip from Kenai to fish with the bears $316/ person. Worth every penny of it. Wife does not fish, but we had sow bear fishing next to boat and even swimming in the water. Nursed the 2 yearling cubs about 30' from us. Bears are there only when salmon are running, so late August may not have them. Volcanoes in the Homer area, that you can see as you go down the road. You might look into a truck rental with camper in bed if you are going late. Truck campers (what I have) seem to be better for sightseeing as you can go down roads that a car or trailer pulling rig will not go. You are going to have to pick an area or region to visit. Trying to visit all of Alaska in 3 weeks would be like trying to see Belgium, France, Spain and Italy all in the same time frame.
> > Thank you so much for your advice, it really helps a lot ! I plan to > > participate in an organised tour since I would be going alone. Most of > > these tours go to Kenai, Denali, Fairbanks, Wrangell, so to the major > > attractions in Alaska. Although it is a shame that none of these add > > the Inside Passage to their programme.
> A bit more advice. Denali National Park is certainly worth seeing but > requires about two days in the area if not three, minimum. If taking a > commercial tour of AK that includes Denali, look for those that offer 2-3 > nights or more in or just outside the park. You will arrive on Day 1 in the > afternoon, then hopefully take a very early bus tour into the park on Day 2. > Eielson Visitor Center (if I've spelled it right) or Wonder Lake can become > full-day rides by the time you return to your lodging later on Day 2. Even > if you don't see The Mountain from the bus ride (the average visitor to > Denali does NOT get to see Mt. McKinley), the day's ride should give you > more wildlife viewing than the rest of your vacation days combined. If you > missed The Mountain on Day 2, you could always try again on Day 3. I believe > that August is the month best known for sightings of McKinley, but whenever > you go, the earliest trip into the park will maximize your sighting > potential.
> If in Seward, try to get to Exit Glacier for a nice day-hike. Given your > thoughts on tours you're looking at, Seward or Valdez, if visited, would > give you your only potential travel by ship. A tour that includes a ferry > ride from Valdez to Seward or vice versa is a plus. Or possibly substitute > Whittier for Seward for sea travel to/from Valdez.
> As others have said, the less time your group spends in Anchorage or > Fairbanks, the better. I do prefer Fairbanks, especially in late summer for > all the flowers in town. The museum in the university is worth an hour's > visit or so. Fairbanks may still have the experimental musk ox farm and > that'd be your only chance to see those critters. As odd as it sounds, the > halibut meal in AlaskaLand (at least for me in '83 on a bike tour) was a > highlight of my days in town. I expect to hear some grief over the previous > sentence (for mentioning Alaskaland, not halibut).
> If you return another year, you could do the Inside Passage or do a > land/sea package that gets you into NW Canada, too. I always enjoyed > Whitehorse and if possible, try for a tour that adds a couple days in > Dawson--my favorite Northern town--and trip over Top of the World Highway. > Doing the Inside Passage by ferry requires more setup work on your part than > by cruise ship, but will get you closer to real Alaskans (and many wacky > tourists doing AK "on the cheap") and ferries frequently have Forest Service > folks on board to give lectures. And if in Skagway, be sure to ask me for > detailed advice on what to do, where to eat and everything else. The day's > drive into Canada from Skagway or Haines is spectacular when sunny. (Ditto > for the drive out of Valdez.)
> A bit of advice on flightseeing: when on commercial tours, you may be > offered a flight in a helicopter or fixed wing plane. If reserving a space > in advance, weather may cancel your flight--or worse, visibility may be bad > enough that you'll not see much but still be able to fly. On the other hand, > if waiting for good weather and then trying to reserve space on a flight > with only 0-2 days' advance notice, flights may be all booked. Either way, > it's a gamble--and a pricey one at that.
> > Yes, I know you are right. These trips tend to go quick and there is > > never enough time to enjoy the scenery or atmosphere. But I have > > accepted this. Since Alaska is so far away from Belgium, and I am > > certain that I will go to Alaska only once in my life, I want to see as > > much as possible.
> I know that feeling of wanting to see so much. When you go to Europe > and see six countries, they are all very different and worth the > effort. I have done that on several occasions taking kids and niece > and sister so that they would get an overall view of what there is to > go back and see another time.
> Alaska isn't like anything you have ever visited, including Eastern > Canada. I have never been to Prudhoe Bay (had hoped to go last year), > although I have been to Artic Circle. Consider looking at the more > concentrated areas and not try to see all of Alaska, because you may be > disappointed. Alaska is greater than a third the size of the lower 48 > states.
> I have never been to Juneau so I would go on line and look at that. I > wouldn't waste going above Denali (unless it was just to fly home from > Fairbanks) because you won't be spending enough time in the Brooks > Range to even possibly see one bear. You will see more wildlife in > Southern Alaska than going as far as Chena Hot Springs. I would pick > Valdez over Homer, but if I could get into Katmai and Kenai that may > make a difference. Would you like to spend 16 hours on a bus seeing > all the same scenery over and over and over just to say you had been > there. At Fairbanks you are looking back at Mt. McKinley/Denali, but > hopefully (if you can see it and it is clear) you will already have > seen it from the South, East, and only slightly North). There are no > pretty mountain roads. There are only short trees (permafrost prevents > growth, so a 200-year-old tree may only be 20 feet tall). At Chena Hot > Springs with the fires of two and three years ago, you won't even see > the trees because the whole area burned.
> I am sorry that this post sounds so discouraging and more like I am > telling you what to do, but I have been to one-time destinations and I > wished people had told me not to bother wasting my time or my money on > several things I did, and things I had to pay more to return because I > didn't realize that I was 10 miles away from, but it wasn't mentioned > in a travel brochure. I hope that long sentence makes sense to you. > There are several Alaska boards that you could ask for recommendations > on whether some of these places are truly worth your time and dollar to > see, especially since you are only going to go once.
> >> Thank you so much for your advice, it really helps a lot ! I plan to > >> participate in an organised tour since I would be going alone. Most of > >> these tours go to Kenai, Denali, Fairbanks, Wrangell, so to the major > >> attractions in Alaska. Although it is a shame that none of these add > >> the Inside Passage to their programme.
> > A bit more advice. Denali National Park is certainly worth seeing but > > requires about two days in the area if not three, minimum. If taking a > > commercial tour of AK that includes Denali, look for those that offer 2-3 > > nights or more in or just outside the park. You will arrive on Day 1 in > > the afternoon, then hopefully take a very early bus tour into the park on > > Day 2. Eielson Visitor Center (if I've spelled it right) or Wonder Lake > > can become full-day rides by the time you return to your lodging later on > > Day 2. Even if you don't see The Mountain from the bus ride (the average > > visitor to Denali does NOT get to see Mt. McKinley), the day's ride should > > give you more wildlife viewing than the rest of your vacation days > > combined. If you missed The Mountain on Day 2, you could always try again > > on Day 3. I believe that August is the month best known for sightings of > > McKinley, but whenever you go, the earliest trip into the park will > > maximize your sighting potential.
> > If in Seward, try to get to Exit Glacier for a nice day-hike. Given your > > thoughts on tours you're looking at, Seward or Valdez, if visited, would > > give you your only potential travel by ship. A tour that includes a ferry > > ride from Valdez to Seward or vice versa is a plus. Or possibly substitute > > Whittier for Seward for sea travel to/from Valdez.
> > As others have said, the less time your group spends in Anchorage or > > Fairbanks, the better. I do prefer Fairbanks, especially in late summer > > for all the flowers in town. The museum in the university is worth an > > hour's visit or so. Fairbanks may still have the experimental musk ox farm > > and that'd be your only chance to see those critters. As odd as it sounds, > > the halibut meal in AlaskaLand (at least for me in '83 on a bike tour) was > > a highlight of my days in town. I expect to hear some grief over the > > previous sentence (for mentioning Alaskaland, not halibut).
> > If you return another year, you could do the Inside Passage or do a > > land/sea package that gets you into NW Canada, too. I always enjoyed > > Whitehorse and if possible, try for a tour that adds a couple days in > > Dawson--my favorite Northern town--and trip over Top of the World Highway. > > Doing the Inside Passage by ferry requires more setup work on your part > > than by cruise ship, but will get you closer to real Alaskans (and many > > wacky tourists doing AK "on the cheap") and ferries frequently have Forest > > Service folks on board to give lectures. And if in Skagway, be sure to ask > > me for detailed advice on what to do, where to eat and everything else. > > The day's drive into Canada from Skagway or Haines is spectacular when > > sunny. (Ditto for the drive out of Valdez.)
> > A bit of advice on flightseeing: when on commercial tours, you may be > > offered a flight in a helicopter or fixed wing plane. If reserving a space > > in advance, weather may cancel your flight--or worse, visibility may be > > bad enough that you'll not see much but still be able to fly. On the other > > hand, if waiting for good weather and then trying to reserve space on a > > flight with only 0-2 days' advance notice, flights may be all booked. > > Either way, it's a gamble--and a pricey one at that.
> > Klondike Craig
> It has already snowed in the mountains around Anchorage and towards > Girdwood. Unless you are going to take a few days backpacking into Denali, > I would schedule 2 nights at most. It is a large park, with only 100 miles > of road. Take the Tundra Tour (you can see it on the Denali park website). > I did not go to Wonder Lake, but it is a hop on, hop off bus and you are > looking at about 13 hours. The Tundra Tour buses stop for wildlife viewing. > The others do not. Not a lot of stuff to see in Denali that you are not > going to see in other places in the area. If weather is decent, do a river > raft, and my buddy took the flightseeing tour of Denali. He and his wife > are ecstatic about the experience. I did not take it as was sick and > plugged up ears. I have driven to Alaska and went north of Denali (entered > Alaska near Chicken from Dawson City). Too far for a short trip. Most of > the beautiful areas of Alaska that you see are South of Fairbanks. The > Kenai peninsula is great. We took a fly out fishing trip from Kenai to fish > with the bears $316/ person. Worth every penny of it. Wife does not fish, > but we had sow bear fishing next to boat and even swimming in the water. > Nursed the 2 yearling cubs about 30' from us. Bears are there only when > salmon are running, so late August may not have them. Volcanoes in the > Homer area, that you can see as you go down the road. You might look into a > truck rental with camper in bed if you are going late. Truck campers (what > I have) seem to be better for sightseeing as you can go down roads that a > car or trailer pulling rig will not go. You are going to have to pick an > area or region to visit. Trying to visit all of Alaska in 3 weeks would be > like trying to see Belgium, France, Spain and Italy all in the same time > frame.
> I am planning a trip to Alaska in 2007. I have seen several great > tours which involve either summer camping (July and August) or are > hotel-based (first 2 weeks of September). Which would be the best ? I > would like to avoid the mosquitoes and tourists as much as possible, > and hopefully see the Northern Lights, whilst having a decent weather. > I am looking for anyone who has experience camping in Alaska in the > summer: is it cold at night and is there a lot of rain? Does anyone > know what is the weather like early September ? Any response would > help me make my decision, since it is a big trip (I am based in > Belgium, Europe) and would like to make the right decision.
I have been in Alaska 3 weeks, starting end of july (mostly camping). The first have was warm (like about 23', T-shirt weather until 22:00). Then it became more cloudy (about 15'). It was never cold in the tent (warm sleeping bag). There were hardly any mosquitos, but it looked to me they all bit me (you can feel them bite!).
We had some hours of rain (Dawson city and at Matanuska glacier) and one full day (Kluane) in 3 weeks.
Only in the last 2 days it became real dark in the night. The northern lights were briefly visible from the plane when flying to europe.
It was an organised trip (by a dutch company, the local company was midnight sun, which is used by several dutch 'adventure' travel companies). Age : 35 +/- 8 years. I guess a fly-drive with B&B is the best way. You will see more in the same time (normally it's the other way around). But it's expensive if you travel by yourself.
According to a local guide, end of may / begin of june will give the best weather on average. In september a lot of companies start closing there doors.
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