Alaska 2007

Hi everyone,

I%26#39;ve been reading this forum for the better part of a year, trying to learn as much as I can about The Great Land. Thank you for all the advice you%26#39;ve given me already.

My wife and I (mid 20s) are planning a trip to Alaska next year. The

';when'; is the big issue. I%26#39;ve read several people here who have mentioned that early September is their favorite time, so we were initially planning for that time. However, I read that late August into September can be the rainiest time of the year. I know weather is unpredictable, but I want to hit the averages as best I can. We%26#39;re very flexible in terms of dates, so we can go anytime in the summer or fall. Any ideas?

Anyway, here is our planned itinerary. We are planning on staying at B%26amp;Bs because we have liked the B%26amp;B experience in the past. However, that doesn%26#39;t have to be a definite in every location. Nothing is booked, so please offer suggestions as you see fit:

Day 1) Fly to Anchorage, and drive to Talkeetna. Overnight at Talkeetna Chalet B%26amp;B.

Day 2) Drive the rest of the way to Denali. Perhaps do a rafting trip.

Overnight at Denali Lakeview Lodge

Day 3) All day bus tour into Denali. I%26#39;ve heard the NPS shuttle busses are a better deal than the tour busses? Overnight at Denali Lakeview Lodge

Day 4) Drive to Girdwood, stopping along the way to explore Turnagin arm, and perhaps the Alyeska tram ride. Overnight at Timberline Drive B%26amp;B

Day 5) Drive to Whittier and do a Prince WIlliam Sound cruise tour. Overnight at Timberline Drive B%26amp;B

Day 6) Drive to Seward, stopping along the way for scenery. Overnight at Alaska Saltwater Lodge

Day 7) Do a Kenai Fjords cruise. Overnight at Alaska Saltwater Lodge

Day 8) Explore more of Seward and the area, and then drive back to Anchorage.

How does all of this sound? I%26#39;d appreciate any input. Thanks in advance!!!

Alaska 2007

Sounds great and it looks like you really did lots of research. Here is my input.

%26lt;Day 1) Fly to Anchorage, and drive to Talkeetna.%26gt;

I don%26#39;t know what time you are scheduled to arrive in ANC but I suggest staying that night in Anchorage. It is a long flight from Boston to Anchorage and you may arrive tired, your flight may be delayed, it may take forever to get your rental car. In Anchorage you may go out for a nice dinner, take a long walk around the town to get an idea about the largest city in Alaska that doesn%26#39;t feel so big at all.

%26lt;Day 2) Drive the rest of the way to Denali.%26gt;

Leave early from Anchorage and stop in Talkeetna fora flight to Denali. Continue to Denali National Park

%26lt;Perhaps do a rafting trip.

Overnight at Denali Lakeview Lodge%26gt;

%26lt;Day 3) All day bus tour into Denali. I%26#39;ve heard the NPS shuttle buses are a better deal than the tour buses? %26gt;

Definitely, go for the best value and quality and that means take the shuttle. Make your reservations in advance.

www.nps.gov/dena

www.reservedenali.com

%26lt;Overnight at Denali Lakeview Lodge%26gt;

%26lt;Day 4) Drive to Girdwood, stopping along the way to explore Turnagin arm, and perhaps the Alyeska tram ride. Overnight at Timberline Drive B%26amp;B%26gt;

Don%26#39;t forget to make stops between Healy and Anchorage

%26lt;Day 5) Drive to Whittier and do a Prince William Sound cruise tour. Overnight at Timberline Drive B%26amp;B%26gt;

After your cruise I suggest driving to Seward and staying overnight there.

%26lt;Day 6) Drive to Seward, stopping along the way for scenery. Overnight at Alaska Saltwater Lodge%26gt;

Visit Exit Glacier

%26lt;Day 7) Do a Kenai Fjords cruise. Overnight at Alaska Saltwater Lodge%26gt;

%26lt;Day 8) Explore more of Seward and the area, and then drive back to Anchorage.%26gt;

I would take one night from Seward and add to Denali. IMHO, three nights in Denali is a minimum time to get a flavor of this amazing place.

When? Any time you are able to go.

I love to visit in June, July, August, September. During our many trips to Alaska we had gorgeous weather in June, July, August and September. We also had rainy days during our visits in June, July, August and September.

Book your lodging very soon if you want to stay in all these places you listed. They all are very popular and hopefully still available for your dates.

Alaska 2007

The only comment I would add is if you can be flexible and possibly add more days to your trip then you will be able to experience more of Alaska. In a week you will only get a taste of it. In two or three weeks you can see a lot more.

Good job!! I love people who research . . . much easier to help. Well, to be honest, mid-to-late June and into early July is my most favorite time up here . . . and while the weather is not predictable, generally, June is clear, sunny, warm . . . usually one of our better summer months, as well as you%26#39;ll have almost 24 hrs of daylight, which I love and most travelers are amazed by. By mid-July, we are into our summer rains, which go thru most of August, and things usually are drying up by early September. I do love the Fall colors, but then we are back to the normal daylight, night time dark time . . . not so unique, though then you might have the opportunity to see the Northern lights. June/July are also when it%26#39;s green, lush with flowers blooming everywhere and baby animals to enjoy seeing . . . you wouldn%26#39;t have that in the fall. Just take this as all opinion! :)

Thank you all very much for your advice!

We%26#39;ll plan for mid - late June. Places, your suggestion of staying in Anchorage is a good one...we%26#39;ll do that.

One other question: I%26#39;ve read that the Prince William Sound cruise is the best for viewing glaciers and that the Kenai Fjords cruise is best for viewing wildlife. Since we want to see both, we%26#39;re planning on doing both cruises. For those who have done both, iIs this a good idea, or would the experiences be similar?

Thanks again!

Looking forward to it!

Yes, both are absolutely excellent and unique places. There is no way you can compare one to another. Do both, I bet you won%26#39;t regret.