Alaska Tours
 

Hey, I'm new to the forum. I was planning a trip to Alaska and was wondering if there are any tours that would be suggested?

Hasoose

Seeing it by ourselves without the pressure of a group or set schedule is the way we enjoy it the most. Rented R.V.'s, or cars. B&B's are super! The Alaskan Milepost is essential--it can be purchased at any bookstore. The shoulder seasons of early and late summer are great. If you do a "tour" you will see some of Alaska, but miss so much more or what is there. We did do a weeks cruise on the "Universe Explorer" which stopped at ports you can't drive to. The Alaska State Ferry System is also great. One of the best experiences was observing brown bears at Katmai National Park.

Consider taking the inside package cruise and then a train to some of the more remote areas. I have been on a cruise, three trips to Anchorage and surrounds and 12 days fishing (4 were in a raft, dropped off by a float plane). Consider Alaska like any other place. First research your interests and then find the locations of matches. Plan your trip around them. Glacier Bay IS A MUST if you have interest in sea, sea life and God. They are all there with a bit of calfing of the glacier to boot!!!! Most museums are small but very interesting. Lots of history, hard life towns. See salmon, whales, seals, otters, lots of birds, including eagles everywhere. In the town outskirts, bears and moose are fairly common. The bears are NOT tame!!! Wolfs are a special spotting too. Great sea food and wildlife steaks are also awaiting you. Make sure you allow plenty of time. This is a big, big state!!

[This message has been edited by ranles (edited 05-03-99).]

I would most definitely recommend the cruisetour package I took from Holland America back in '92. I spent a marvelous 2 weeks in Alaska, only 3 days of it by sea, the rest by land. I experienced 3 seasons in 2 weeks (last week of Aug. through 1st week of Sept.) & if you can, flightseeing over Glacier Bay is the way to go! It was so amazing!!! Even got to see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks! Went by boat, motorcoach & train and saw so much! Have a wonderful time, I'm very jealous!

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Regards,
- Anna

Check out the web site:

www.state.ak.us



[This message has been edited by JAWS_II (edited 05-03-99).]

How are the mosquitos in Alaska from late May through mid-June? I am contemplating Alaska next year and trying to determine if late-May to mid-June is a better time to go than late-August to early September. I understand the rains are much more intense in the late summer-early fall but mosquitos have left. No cruising planned. Lots of land travel, primarily to National Parks (Denali, Glacier Bay, Kenai, maybe Katmai). Any thoughts?

The flat out most amazing flight I have ever had in my life was from Anchorage to Seattle on a rare, breathtakingly clear day. The pilot flew out over the glaciers and gave a one and one-half hour historical travel-log of Alaska. I was so overwhelmed I couldn't stop thinking about it for a month. I read (and made my whole family) read "Alaska" following the trip. If you do fly, make sure you are starboard-north and port-south. Sure wouldn't want to be on the other side while other people are going OOH, AAH.

While Holland America does an excellent job, my preference is kicking around alone. Don't miss Sitka, Juneau, or Ketchican (my favorites). I always fly around on little planes from town to town, rent-a-dent (that's really all there is) and explore.

ALASKA, I Love ALASKA

Punki,thanks for the starboard-north and port-south tip. I've been to Alaska 8 out of the last 10 years, and never thought about what side of the plane to ask for. I'm getting on the phone tomorrow to check out what side of the plane my seats are on for this year.

MileKing,with reguard to mosquites in the spring and rain in the fall, with the goofy weather patterns now, the only thing you can count on is that it will rain whenever you go, some days more than others. But, yes, there are less Mosquitoes in the late summer.
I was in the Kenai-Homer area last year for 3 weeks leaving mid-September and had super weather.Rain only 3 or 4 days, but that was very unuasual.

Also, whoever is going this year, don't forget to include halibut fishing. What an adventure!! And you get to eat that wonderful tasting fish all winter and relive your memories. I was traveling home last year during that NW strike snafu and ended up traveling 4 different airlines with 7 connections and my 2-50 lb. boxes of frozen halibut made it safe and on time with the rest of my luggage. Miracles sometimes do happen!!
I'm sorry I'm rambling on but when I'm talking about Alaska, I have a very hard time stopping.