Alaska Travel Guide
Imagine dramatic mountain ranges, frozen fjords, and incredible wildlife—all within reach. Our guided Alaska tours put you face-to-face with the state’s natural wonders: cruise alongside massive blue glaciers, wind through mountain passes by rail, or venture into the winter darkness to witness the aurora borealis. Visit during summer and you’ll experience near-constant daylight, vibrant wildflowers, and trails alive with wildlife. Alaska is the adventure of a lifetime, feeling remote and wild while staying close to home.
When is the Best Time to Visit Alaska
The best time to visit Alaska depends on what you want to experience:
Summer (June-August) - Peak Season
This is when most visitors go, and for good reason. You’ll get 18-24 hours of daylight, warm temperatures (60s-70s°F), and access to nearly all activities. Wildlife is active, wildflowers are blooming, and all parks, tours, and attractions are open. The trade-off: higher prices, bigger crowds, and you’ll need to book well in advance.
Shoulder Season (May & September)
These months offer excellent value with fewer tourists and lower prices. May brings spring awakening with migrating birds and emerging wildlife, while September delivers stunning fall colors and active wildlife preparing for winter. You’ll still have decent weather and most tours operating, though days are shorter than peak summer.
Winter (October-March)
This is prime time for northern lights, which are visible from September through April, with peak viewing in winter’s darker months. You’ll experience a magical, snow-covered landscape and unique activities like dog sledding and ice fishing. However, it’s cold (often below freezing), many tourist services close, and daylight is limited—Fairbanks gets just 3-4 hours in December.
For first-timers wanting the full Alaska experience, late May through early September is ideal. For aurora hunters willing to brave the cold, late September through March is your window.
Alaska Best Things to See & Do
Natural Wonders
Denali National Park is home to North America’s tallest peak and offers unparalleled wildlife viewing—grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves roam freely across six million acres. Glacier Bay National Park showcases massive tidewater glaciers calving into the sea, while Kenai Fjords delivers dramatic coastal scenery with glaciers, whales, and sea otters.
Wildlife Experiences
Alaska is one of the world’s premier wildlife destinations. Watch brown bears fishing for salmon at Katmai’s Brooks Falls, spot humpback whales breaching in the Inside Passage, observe bald eagles by the hundreds in Haines, or see massive caribou herds migrating across the tundra.
Unique Adventures
Ride the scenic Alaska Railroad through mountain passes and along cliffsides. Take a flightseeing tour over glaciers and peaks. Go dog sledding with mushers, or kayak among icebergs in pristine fjords. For the truly adventurous, the Dalton Highway stretches 414 miles to the Arctic Ocean.
Cultural Attractions
Explore Alaska Native heritage at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. Visit historic gold rush towns like Skagway and learn about the Klondike era. Experience frontier spirit in Talkeetna, a charming mountaineering base town.
The Northern Lights
From September through April, the aurora borealis dances across Alaska’s night sky, with Fairbanks being one of the best viewing spots on Earth.