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Alaska

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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

Juneau, Alaska

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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.

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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.
Categories
General

Inside Passage, Alaska

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The Alaska’s Inside Passage is a coastal water route for cruise ships and boats between the Gulf of Alaska and the northwestern coast of the U.S known as Puget Sound. The Inside Passage cruise ship’s route stops at a few of the Alaskan ports such as Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, Haines, and British Columbian ports like Vancouver and Victoria. The Inside Passage route is a round-trip cruise from Seattle or Vancouver. This route is famous for its spectacular glaciers, wildlife-filled fjords, waterfalls, and lush green island scenery. Sailing through the Inside Passage is the most wonderful memorable experience.

These photos were taken during our round-trip cruise from Seattle to Alaska in the last week of August 2013!

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Quick Facts And Tips

  • Best time to visit: June to September
  • Ports: Seattle, USA and Vancouver, Canada
  • Cruises: Royal Caribbean, Carnival,  Princess, Disney, Holland, Regent Seven Seas, and Oceania 
  • Clothing
    • It is cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfortable jeans, shorts, T-shirts, warm jackets, coats, scarfs, caps, gloves, comfortable walking shoes.
  • What to Expect
    • Glaciers, Snow-capped mountains, Fjords, Waterfalls, Iceberg-dotted lakes, Valleys, Wildlife, Rugged coastlines, Lush Green Islands.
  • The itineraries that sail through the Inside Passage travel two full days on the open Pacific Ocean, which can be rough. Be prepared for sea sickness/motion sickness. Carry some motion sickness medicine.
  • It is a good choice to choose a balcony stateroom on the 7-nights or longer cruises which provide more time to relax and enjoy scenery in the private balcony area.
  • Dress in layers. Weather is unpredictable in Alaska. 
  • Select a ship that embarks midweek or choose shoulder season (late April, May or September) to avoid crowds.