Categories
Gallery

Summit Lake

Advertisements
Summit Lake, A Gorgeous lake surrounded by stunning snowcapped mountain peaks offers a serene and peaceful environment!

Location: Summit Lake Lookout, Klondike Highway, Skagway, Alaska, USA.

Date and Time: Around 1:30 pm on 26th August 2013.

Categories
General

Alaska

Advertisements

Alaska, the gorgeous land one could ever dream of. When it comes to Alaska, the dynamic glaciers, deep sheltered fjords, snow-capped mountains, acres of rugged mountains, turquoise color lakes, rivers, waterfalls, wildflowers, waterways, temperate rainforests, wildlife, wild coastlines, salmon, gold rush, everything burst into our mind. Alaska is the most beautiful place on the earth. The photos really cannot do justice to to this spectacular land!

Here are some sneak peeks of Awesome Alaska! These photos were taken during our round-trip cruise from Seattle to Alaska in the last week of August 2013!

Quick Facts and Tips

  • Make sure you have valid passports and visas (some tours and excursions might cross US-Canada border)
  • Best time to visit: May to September
    • Good deals: May and September
    • Peak Season: June to August
  • Best way to visit
    • Cruises: Cruises are a great way to see Alaska. Cruises give you options to choose between the number of ports. It is always better to choose the cruise that offers more time on land and more ports of call. Compared to round-trip Alaska cruises, you get to experience more of Alaska by choosing one-way Alaska cruises. Choose wisely to feel a true Alaska experience.
    • Alaska By Road: Easy and flexible. But keep in mind that you need to get a boat or plane to reach some major towns in Alaska as there are no roads. Roads are often curvy and wind up and down. Some even have unpaved stretches but offer more photo opportunities of gorgeous mountains and wildlife along the way. You can experience the true Alaska and cover most of it, but need to plan well.
  • Clothing
    • It is cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfortable jeans, hiking shorts, T-shirts, sweaters, warm jackets, coats, scarfs, caps, gloves, comfortable walking/hiking shoes/snow boots.
  • Major Airports
    • Anchorage International Airport, Fairbanks, Ketchikan and Juneau.
  • Major Ports of Call
    • Seward, Whittier, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka Fairbanks, Anchorage, Valdez, Homer, Haines
  • How many days: 7 to 10 days
  • It is always recommended to book a vacation to Alaska in advance as there is limited lodging and limited space on the Alaskan Railroad, attraction tours, and other activities. Also check cancellation policies for advance bookings.
  • Book shore excursions in advance. Excursion through cruises are a little pricey but it is guaranteed that you will not be left out at ports.
  • Days are long and are warm in summer. Make use of the intense summer days and explore more.
  • If you take any Alaska Railroad, make sure to sit in a dome car.
  • Some tips while driving
    • If you are driving in Alaska, always keep some extra time for stopping for photos, wildlife, sights and for unplanned detours.
    • Not many gas stations, fill your gas tank whenever get the opportunity.
    • Pack snacks as it is hard to find vegetarian food, especially out of the cities in Alaska.
    • It is recommended to carry cash as many shops and restaurants accept only cash.
    • There is lot to capture, so keep your camera ready. Make sure that camera is fully charged and also keep backup battery and memory cards.
    • Weak/no cell phone signals, highly recommend to have maps downloaded or printed.
    • Important to follow the signs and mile markers.
    • Roads are narrow, winding, unpaved, drive slowly.
    • Don’t leave food in the car.
  • Attractions
    • Alaska Highway
    • Dalton Highway
Categories
General

Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska

Advertisements

Tracy Arm is renowned for its twin glaciers, North Sawyer Glacier and South Sawyer Glacier lie at the end of the Tracy Arm Fjord. Tracy Arm is a fjord and it spreads over 30 miles alongside the Tongass National Forest, near Juneau. It is almost 45 miles south of Juneau and 70 miles north of Petersburg, Alaska. Sailing through this deep and narrow passage gives you the stunning scenery of Alaska. You will be amazed by the breathtaking views of more than a mile tall mountain peaks carved by active glaciers, floating deep blue icebergs, plunging waterfalls, evergreen cliffs, and wildlife.

These photos are from our 7 nights cruise to Alaska during the last week of August, 2013.

1 / 24

Quick Facts and Tips

  • Best time to visit: June to September
  • Port of Call or Fly Into: Juneau (Alaska)
  • Clothing
    • It is cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfortable pants, T-shirts, warm jackets over t-shirts, scarfs, coats, caps, gloves, comfortable walking/hiking shoes/Snow boots.
  • What to Expect
    • Active Glaciers, Snow-capped Mountains, Fjords, Floating Deep Blue Icebergs, Plunging Waterfalls, Gorges, Evergreen Cliffs, Glimpse of Wildlife.
  • Take a boat tour from Juneau, in case the cruise ship does not sail through the glaciers.
  • You need a one full day to visit the Tracy Arm Fjord.
  • Other Attractions
    • Visit and enjoy the massive view of Mendenhall Glacier, Mendenhall lake and Nuggets Falls.
    • Glacier Bay National Park: Offers stunning scenery with enormous glaciers, pleasant rainforests, hidden fjords, and a rugged coastline.
Categories
Canada

Yukon and British Columbia, Klondike Highway

Advertisements

Driving through the historic Klondike Highway is an extraordinary memorable experience. The 445 mile/715 km highway passes through three different states (provinces): Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon. The gorgeous and unique landscapes can be seen once you cross the US border. There are many vista points worth stopping at along the Klondike highway to capture this exceptional picture perfect landscape. The most photographed among them is the Yukon Suspension Bridge. The Yukon Suspension Bridge is 65 feet long above the white-water rapids Tutshi river. The walk across this bridge is thrilling and the views are stunning.

These photos are from our motor coach tour to White Pass Summit and Yukon Suspension Bridge during the last week of August, 2013.

2 / 23

Quick Facts and Tips

  • Make sure you have valid passports and visas since the Klondike Highway crosses US-Canada border.
  • Best time to visit: June to September
  • Port of Call or Fly Into: Skagway, Alaska
  • Clothing
    • It is cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfortable jeans, T-shirts, warm jackets, scarfs, caps, gloves, rain jackets, comfortable walking shoes.
  • What to Expect
    • Glacier, Snow-capped rugged mountains, Fjords, Waterfalls, Sparkling turquoise lakes, Alpine tundra, Winding rushing rivers, Wind-battered rocks, Abundant forest of old trees, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Gorges, Tunnels, Historic sites.
  • Best things to do
    • Take a tour to experience The Yukon & Suspension Bridge. There will be an entry fee to view/cross the bridge and exhibits if not included in your tour. There is a cafe, restaurant, gift shop and restroom.
Categories
General

Skagway, Alaska

Advertisements

Skagway is a dense city along the popular cruise route, the Inside Passage. The Skagway district has a historical past and looks like a Hollywood movie set with about 100 buildings from the gold rush era. During the Klondike Gold rush, many prospectors from all over the world stampeded and came through Skagway on their way to the Klondike Valley to find gold. The most popular tour, White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad/Motor tour gives you the best picture of the overall history of Skagway during the Gold Rush and also offers magnificent views.

These photos are from our visit to Skagway during the last week of August, 2013.

3 / 22

Quick Facts and Tips

  • Best time to visit: June to September
  • Port of Call or Fly Into: Skagway, Alaska
  • Clothing
    • It is cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfortable jeans, hiking shorts, T-shirts, warm jackets, scarfs, coats, caps, gloves, comfortable walking/hiking shoes/Snow boots.
  • What to Expect
    • Glaciers, Snow-capped mountains, Fjords, Waterfalls, Lakes, Valleys, Wildlife, Gorges, Tunnels, Historic sites
  • Best Things to do
Categories
General

Juneau, Alaska

Advertisements

Juneau is the capital city of the gorgeous state Alaska and it is well known for its incredible wildlife and the Glaciers. Juneau lies in the southernmost part of Alaska on the Panhandle. The city can only be reached by sea or air as there are no roads to this small coastal city. Downtown Juneau is surrounded by Mount Juneau, Mount Roberts and Gastineau Channel. The beautiful and most iconic site of the Juneau is the Mendenhall Glacier and is just a short drive from the downtown. The Mendenhall Glacier is in the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States. A 13 mile long Mendenhall glacier ends at Mendenhall Lake and it can be easily viewed from the visitor center.

These photos are from our visit to Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau during the last week of August, 2013.

4 / 24

Quick Facts and Tips

  • Best time to visit: June to September
  • Port of Call or Fly Into: Juneau, Alaska
  • Clothing
    • It is cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfortable jeans, hiking shorts, T-shirts, warm jackets, scarfs, coats, caps, gloves, comfortable walking/hiking shoes/snow boots.
  • What to Expect
    • Glacier, Snow-capped mountains, Fjords, Waterfalls, Iceberg-dotted lakes, Valleys, Wildlife, Rugged coastlines
  • Best Things to do
    • Make a trip to Glacier bay National Park.
    • Take a tour to Tracy Arm Fjords to see the stunning blue colored Sawyer Glacier.
    • Ride a Mount Roberts Tramway
    • Walk around downtown Juneau.
    • Book any one of the Mendenhall glacier tours
      • Juneau Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour
      • Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour
      • Glacier Walk & Helicopter Tour
      • Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip
      • Juneau Mendenhall Glacier & Salmon Bake Tour
      • Dog Sledding & Helicopter Tour
      • Mendenhall Lake Canoe Tour
  • Popular hikes in The Mendenhall Glacier area
    • Photo Point Trail: Easy and short 0.6 mile round trip from Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, as the name suggests trail is best to capture panoramic shots of Mendenhall Glacier and the surrounding peaks.
    • Nuggets Falls Trail: Flat and easy 2 mile round trip from Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. At the end, the hike opens up to the powerful, beautiful, impressive, roaring and misty waterfall.
    • West Glacier Trail: Moderate 4 mile round trip, starts at the end of Skaters Cabin Road, offers spectacular view of large section of the glacier surrounded by mountain range that is not seen from the visitor center area.
  • Other Attractions
    • Tracy Arm Fjord: Located just southeast of Juneau. This ice-covered glacial fjord cuts through some breathtaking scenery of Sawyer glacier, turquoise color water with floating icebergs, descending vertical rock walls and waterfalls. The impressive blue colored twin Sawyer Glacier at the head of the Fjord are enchanting.
    • Glacier Bay National Park: Offers stunning scenery with enormous glaciers, pleasant rainforests, hidden fjords, and a rugged coastline.