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General

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

Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska

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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.

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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 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
General

White Pass Summit, Klondike Highway

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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 South Klondike Highway connects Skagway (Alaska) to Whitehorse (Yukon), and passes through the White Pass mountain summit area and the Southern Lakes region of the Yukon. The North Klondike Highway connects Whitehorse to Dawson City, Yukon. The Klondike Highway runs pretty much parallel to the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway and offers stunning panorama views of mountains, glaciers, gorges, the dead horse gulch, waterfalls, tunnels, and historic sites.

There are many vista points worth stopping at along the South Klondike highway. The stunning White Pass is one among them. White Pass is a mountain ridge through the Coast Mountains range on the border of Alaska and the province of British Columbia, Canada. It leads from Skagway to the chain of lakes at the headwaters of the Yukon River. The White Pass trail was the main pass used by prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush. Though it was easier than the Chilkoot Trail, the lengthy journey and harsh climate took the lives of many prospectors and their horses. Therefore, the White Pass trail was nicknamed the Dead Horse Trail.

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

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Quick Facts and Tips

  • Make sure you have valid passports and visas since the Klondike Highway crosses the US-Canada border
  • Best time to visit: June to September
  • Port of Call or Fly Into: Skagway
  • 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 mountains, Craggy Mountains, Fjords, Rushing Waterfalls, Sparkling Lakes, Valleys, Wildlife, Gorges, Tunnels, Historic Gold Rush sites
  • Best things to do
Categories
General

Skagway, Alaska

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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.

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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