Traveling through Alaska. Traveling to Alaska with children in July

Today we are going on a trip to Alaska, its southeastern part. Wildlife, picturesque landscapes.

1. The unofficial name of Southeast Alaska is Alaska Panhandle, Alaska Panhandle. It occurred due to the similarity of the image of Alaska on the map to a ladle (pan) with a handle, where Southeast Alaska is precisely the “handle”. (Photo by Jim Alseth):

2. Do you know that bears are omnivores, and some of them even prefer plant foods? Even polar bears can feed on vegetation during difficult times. And the most famous example Obligate carnivores - those that feed exclusively on meat and cannot digest vegetation - are all cats. (Photo by Moelyn Photos):

3. The American city of Sitka (until 1867 - Novo-Arkhangelsk), located on Baranova Island in the Alexander Archipelago (Alaska). The population is about 9 thousand people. Novo-Arkhangelsk was the capital of Russian America. (Photo by Alla Khananashvili):

4. Humpback whales live here. Of all the whales, this is the most playful and easy-going, always surrounded by cheerful splashes and white foam. (Photo by Paul Souders):

5. The unique blue glacier is called Taku. It is located in Alaska and is considered one of the most inaccessible places in the world. (Photo by Nenad Basic):

6. The most striking representative of birds is the bald eagle. (Photo by Ron Crabtree):

7. The city of Ketchikan in Alaska, USA. With a population of 7,368 in 2007, it is the fifth most populous city in the state. (Photo by Artie Ng):

8. Local residents. (Photo by Becky Bohrer):

9. LeConte Glacier. By the way, modern glaciers cover an area of ​​over 16 million km², or about 11% of the land. They contain more than 25 million km³ of ice - almost two-thirds of the volume fresh water on the planet. (Photo by Edmund Lowe Photography):

10. Bear. (Photo by Rocky Grimes):

11. And again the humpback whale. Humpback whales often beat and slap the surface of the sea with their long pectoral fins and caudal fin, whipping up foam, rolling on their backs, and sticking their muzzles out of the water. They often jump completely out of the water in a vertical position and fall down with a deafening splash. (Photo by Paul Souder):

12. Totem poles in Alaska. (Photo by Lindsay Miles-Pickup):

13. Johns Hopkins Glacier. (Photo by Suraark):

14. Wildflowers. (Photo by Dagny Willis):

15. Family of otters. (Photo by M. Cornelius):

16. In addition to the mainland, Southeast Alaska includes a huge number of islands - large, medium, small and very tiny. (Photo by Greg and Jan Ritchie):

17. White Pass Railways. This is the most beautiful narrow gauge railway in Alaska with a length of 175 km. The link to it will be below. (Photo by Royce Bair):

18. The most beautiful ice cave. (Photo by Saraporn):

19. Another one local residents- two moose. (Photo by M. Cornelius):

20. Morning in the forest near Ketchikan. By the way, this city's economy is based on tourism and fishing, and the city is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World." (Photo by Carlos Rojas):

21. The duration of immersion under water for humpback whales depends on the time of year. In summer they rarely dive for more than 5 minutes, and dives lasting more than 10 minutes are rare. In winter, dives last 10-15 minutes. (Photo by Paul Souders):

22. Glacier Bay - national park on the southeast coast of Alaska, west of the city Juneau. The national park is under UNESCO protection. The nature of the Glacier Bay coast includes glaciers, snow-capped mountain ranges covered with forests, deep fjords, rivers and lakes. (Photo by Ramunas Bruzas):

23. Lituya Bay. Known for the natural disaster that occurred here on July 9, 1958. As a result of an earthquake of magnitude 8.3, a powerful landslide came down from the mountains. About 30 million cubic meters of rocks and ice fell into the waters of the bay. This led to the formation of a giant wave tsunami over 500 meters high. This is the highest tsunami wave known to mankind. (Photo by M. Cornelius):

24. Seal rest. (Photo by Russ Heinl):

25. Magic forest. (Photo by Joe Benning):

26. This is what it is like, southeastern Alaska. (Photo by Richard Seeley):

• Day 1. Anchorage
• Arrival in Anchorage, transfer from the airport, city tour, hotel accommodation.
• Most of the group arrives from Seattle on the Alaska flight Airlines No. 91 at 11:30. A group transfer is provided for all those arriving between 11:00 and 12:30. If you arrive at a different time, it is possible private transfer or order a taxi (no more than $15 from the airport to the center). From the airport the group goes for lunch (from approximately 13:00 - 14:00,lunch included ), and immediately after lunch a sightseeing tour (from approximately 14:00 to 18:00).
• Anchorage is a modern prosperous city, the main trading, transport and tourist centre Alaska, home to almost half of the state's total population. During sightseeing tour you will get acquainted with the sights of the city and learn about it rich history. Night in Anchorage. Springhill Suites Mariott Hotel with Breakfast
• Day 2. Anchorage - (385 km / 239 miles) - Portage: Spencer Lake Tour

Today you will take the train from Anchorage to the town of Portage, from where your unforgettable journey will begin!

Upon arrival in Portage, you will drive to the wildlife center where you will become familiar with Alaska's rich wildlife. It is home to several species of deer and bear, including grizzly bears; elk, coyotes, bald eagle, bison, bison, bobcats and many others.

• After this, a 20-minute train ride to Lake Spencer. This lake is extremely beautiful - icebergs float on its surface - fragments of the glacier, which you can touch with your hands while canoeing between them. Lunch is provided during the tour (lunch included )

At the end of the tour you will move to Anchorage.

• Night in Anchorage. Springhill Suites Mariott Hotel with Breakfast
• Day 3. Anchorage - (362 km / 225 miles) -Denali
• On this day you will head north towards Denali National Park. Along the way you will visit:
• - The village of Eklutna, where the old Russian Church of St. Nicholas built in 1870 is located (one of the oldest buildings in this part of Alaska), as well as a unique Orthodox cemetery, often called the “ghost cemetery.”
• - Headquarters of Alaska's most famous annual sled dog race, the Iditarod ( Iditarod ). During a tour of the headquarters, you will see sled dogs that took part in real races, and you will also be able to pet their young puppies. You will learn a lot of interesting things about this sport, get answers to questions that interest many: why they run, the role and education of the team leader, and many, many others. At the center you can chat with race participants and watch an informative film about both the dogs and the race.
• In the evening, check into a hotel in Denali. Grizzly Bear Lodge
• Day 4. Denali National Park
• Early in the morning, you will go to the treasure trove and main attraction of Alaska - Denali National Park. This is a huge biosphere reserve with an area of ​​almost 25 thousand square kilometers, where you will have the opportunity to be surrounded by untouched wilderness and see wild animals: moose, deer, bears, wolves and many others. etc. In good visibility you will be able to admire the magnificence of the highest peak North America – Mount McKinley (6194 meters).
• In your free time after the tour, we recommend that you go toexcursions park for extra fee, a list of which you will find at the end of the program. Overnight in Denali. Grizzly Bear Lodge
• Day 5. Denali - (198 km / 123 miles) - Fairbanks - (100 km / 62 miles) - China

Today, you will get to know Fairbanks. During the tour you will see the main attractions of the city and visit:

University of Alaska Observation Deck.

• - The world's largest ice museum "Aurora"(ticket included in price) , where the temperature remains -7°C for all year round. You can drink an alcoholic cocktail (extra charge $17 per person) in the ice bar from an ice glass that you can keep as a souvenir. The only pity is that this “memory” is quickly fading.
• The highlight of the day will be a swim in natural hot springs (ticket included in price), known for their healing properties. Overnight in Fairbanks. Regency Fairbanks with breakfast

Day 6. Fairbanks - (400 km / 248 miles) - Glennalen. Cruise along the China and Tanana rivers, "Pioneer Park"

• On this day you will go on an exotic walk on paddle steamer gold rush times. Along the way you will see a sled dog school and an Indian fishing camp, and in the village of the Athabaskan tribe you will learn a lot of interesting things about their culture, way of life, see buildings and costumes not only of the Athabaskans, but also of other indigenous peoples of Alaska. After the planned lunch(included in the price) , you will go to the historical themed "Pioneer Park" and continue your acquaintance with the history, culture and traditions of Alaska.

Moving to Glennalen.

• This crossing will take place along a picturesque route, along the border with the territory of the largest national park in the country, “Wrangel-St. Elijah” ( Wrangell–St. Elias ), which is home to more than 100 glaciers and some of the tallest mountain peaks in North America. Along the way, you'll be treated to stunning views of the sweeping valleys, lakes, and tundra of the Alaska Range. You'll also drive along an engineering marvel: the legendary Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which stretches for 1,300 kilometers.
• Overnight in Glennalen. Black Rapids Lodge

Day 7: Glennalen - (571 km / 355 miles) - Girdwood

• On your way to Anchorage, you will continue your journey along one of the most scenic routes in Alaska. You will see the glacier and the Matanushka valley and make a stop in the town of Palmer, where you will visit a deer farm (ticket included in price) . Here you will learn a lot interesting facts about this traditional resident of Alaska, you will be able to feed the deer from your hands and take memorable photographs. The farm will house more than 150 reindeer, 35 moose, 13 horses, as well as other artiodactyls.
• By program today, a trip to Girdwood is planned for you - a cozy and picturesque town located at the foot of the Chugach mountain range, surrounded by seven eternal glaciers. Here on the high-speed funicular(ticket included in price) , you will climb one of mountain peaks, from where you will see stunningly beautiful landscapes. And in the gold mining museum “Voroniy Ruchey”, you can feel like a miner and pan for gold(ticket included in price) .

For more things to do in Girdwood, check out our list of additional things to do.

• Night Anchorage. The Voyager with breakfast
• Day 8. Whittier - (97 km / 60 mi) - Anchorage: 26 Glaciers Cruise

On the way to the town of Whittier, from where the cruise begins, you will pass through a unique tunnel, which is the second longest in all of North America.

Upon arrival, you will transfer to a cruise ship that will be able to sail close to the sliding glaciers. You will see blocks of ice collapsing into the water with a roar, and you will swim past transparent blue icebergs. You will also see views of lush forests, and in the water - an abundance of marine life - whales, seals, sea otters, birds.

• After the end of the tour at 18:00 - group transfer to the airport or hotel in Anchorage. If you are planning to fly out of Anchorage this evening, then your departure should be no earlier than 22:00. Transfers at other times are for an additional fee.

Alaska is one of the most wild, rugged, and at the same time stunning places in the world. Cold and changeable weather makes traveling through this area a real challenge. Photographer Alex Strohl, who already has considerable experience in extreme trips, shares his impressions and photographs from a recent trip to Alaska. He was accompanied on the trip by his wife, as well as a friend who filmed their adventures with a video camera.

15 PHOTOS

1. Quiet moments.

“There were many moments when we just enjoyed the peace and solitude.”

2. The greatness of Alaska.

Alaska is simply mesmerizing with its scale, mountains are everywhere, and they are huge.

3. Alaska in the summer.

“We have never been to Alaska in the summer, only in the winter. But we still decided to go and didn’t regret it.”

4. Wildlife is everywhere.

“Just driving along the highway, we managed to see a lot of wild animals: bison, wolf, fox and several moose.”

5. Extreme amenities.

“We camped over a glacier called Blueberry Hill. The day before, the guides left, leaving us a gun to protect us from wild animals.”

6. Car camping.

“On previous trips, I was simply fascinated by Alaska. I also gained valuable experience in the art of car camping.”

7. Crossing the river.

“When we crossed to the other side, it felt like the car was almost floating.”

8. See all of Alaska.

“If you've been to Anchorage, you can hardly say that you've seen Alaska. As the locals say, Anchorage is half an hour from the real Alaska.”

9. Exploring the boundaries of what is possible.

“Alaska provides great opportunities for travel and nature exploration.”

10. Adventure Time

“We were there for about two months, but if you wanted, you could have an adventure in Alaska even in a few days - go inland, see Canadian glaciers and return home.”

11. Alone with nature.

“It feels like you are alone in the whole world. We were kayaking near an island that didn't even have a name. We even came up with a name for it: “Blueberry Island.”

12. Deep waters.

“When you sit in a kayak and look deep into the depths, you have to calm yourself down and tell yourself that everything is fine...”

Alaska is a distant and at the same time close land, familiar to all Russians, discovered and developed by Russian people in the 18th century. 19th centuries. Nowadays it is the 49th largest and northernmost state of the United States, accounting for 1/5 of the territory of the entire country. A region almost untouched by the rapid development of civilization. One of the richest natural resources regions of our planet.

Alaska is not only the largest US state by area, but also the largest and most promising region for tourism development. On its territory there are 23 national parks and reserve, this is more than in any other state in the country.

Alaska occupies a vast territory of almost 1.5 million square kilometers. It is located in the extreme northwest of the North American continent, bordering Canada in the east and separated from the Chukotka Peninsula (Russia) by the Bering Strait. The distance between the United States and Russia at the narrowest part of the Berengovoe Irrigation is only 86 kilometers. Consists of the mainland and a large number of islands. It is washed by the Arctic and Pacific oceans. Due to its remoteness, Alaska is called America's Last Frontier. Americans often call it The Land of the Midnight Sun - because of the endless summer polar day, when the sun shines around the clock.

Unlike most other US states, where the main administrative unit of local government is the county, the name of the administrative units in Alaska is borough ("self-government area"). Only about 700 thousand people live in Alaska. The population density is the lowest of any US state. Nearly 75 percent of residents are white and US-born. There are about 88 thousand indigenous people in the state - Indians (Athabascans, Haidas, Tlingits, Simshians), Eskimos and Aleuts. A small number of descendants of the first Russian settlers also live. Major religious groups include Catholics, Orthodox, Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists. The share of Orthodox Christians is, according to various estimates, 8-10% and is the highest in the country.

CLIMATE

A significant part of Alaska's territory is located beyond the Arctic Circle. Only on the southeastern Pacific coast is the climate temperate, maritime, and relatively mild. It is much warmer there than in the Russian Far North. In summer, the temperature is very comfortable - from +13 to +24° C. In other regions, the climate is arctic and subarctic continental, with harsh winters (up to - 55° C) and short but rather hot summers (up to + 37° C). In the central part of Alaska there is very dry air and an almost complete absence of winds, which makes it much better to tolerate even severe frosts.

Inside Passage or Southeast Alaska

Yakutat, Skagway, Haines, Juneau, Pelican, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, Ketchikan, Prince of Wales Island

South Central Region

Anchorage, Prince William Sound, Kenai Peninsula, Mat-Su Valley, Copper River Valley

Southwest

Kodiak, Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Islands, Bristol Bay, Pribilof Islands

TOURIST SEASONS

Alaska is a recognized tourist center of America; more than one and a half million people visit it annually. In the summer they are attracted by a large number of nature reserves and national parks with unique fauna and flora. More and more tourists come here in winter to see Alaska in all its harsh Arctic beauty and originality. In the cold season, people come here to admire the sparkles northern lights, take part in colorful winter festivals. There are also many who are attracted by the abundance of winter sports offers. Holidays in Alaska are especially interesting for lovers of exotic and thrills. All conditions have been created here for tourists who are interested in fishing in the ocean, rivers and lakes, hunting bears and other animals, scuba diving in Arctic waters, kayaking among the ice, mountaineering on glaciers and the peaks of snow-capped mountains, dog sledding, snowmobiling and SUVs.

The most favorable winter tourist season lasts from December to March. The so-called “high” summer season includes the period from mid-June to the end of August. The second half of May and the beginning of June, as well as September, are considered a transition season with unstable cool weather, when access to many places of interest is either not yet open or has already been closed and the opportunity for fishing, hunting and other types of outdoor activities is difficult. The periods from early October to late November, as well as April and the first half of May are considered the “dead” season for tourism in Alaska.

CLOTH

Alaska is a wild land, almost untouched by civilization. There are no sparkling chic and luxury hotels, restaurants and concert halls. The local population and tourists dress extremely simply; the most important thing in clothing and shoes is comfort and suitability for the climate. Therefore, you can safely leave evening dresses and going out outfits at home (with the exception of passengers on large cruise ships)!

Summer clothes

We recommend dressing in the so-called “cabbage and onion” style - in layers: after all, during the day we can move through several climatic zones. And even within one climate zone air temperature can fluctuate greatly depending on the time of day, changes in altitude, proximity to glaciers, and simply on the instability and vagaries of the local weather. In case of wind or rain, you should have a light and preferably waterproof windbreaker jacket with a hood - this is the top layer of clothing. A light jacket or sweater is the middle layer. And a tank top/T-shirt/shirt with short sleeves is the bottom layer: after all, in some regions of Alaska, daytime heat can exceed 30° C.

For those going on boat trips, fishing, dog sledding or excursions to glaciers, it is recommended to take with you a warm sweater, a thicker waterproof jacket or windbreaker, waterproof pants and shoes, as well as a hat and gloves.

Clothes in winter

In winter, you need to dress as warmly as possible, taking into account the differences in climate in different regions of Alaska. Let's say, on winter days on the Pacific coast, in Juneau or Sitka, it is usually moderately warm, the temperature is about 0 ° C, with fluctuations in a slight plus or a slight minus. A little further north, in Anchorage, it’s already cooler: from -5° to -20°С, but in central regions Peninsula, for example, in Fairbanks, can exceed -40°C (the record low temperature there was -55°C). So you need to be prepared for severe frosts! But you can put off buying a fur coat until you arrive there, because Alaska is famous all over the world for its furs. You can choose already sewn winter clothes from a huge collection of a wide variety of styles and types of fur. Furs can be purchased not only in winter, but also in summer.

NUTRITION

One of the big disadvantages of Alaska is the lack of good food, as well as its higher cost compared to other US states. In most hotels, breakfast is not included in the price. Breakfast (with tax and tip) will cost you $10-20 per person, lunch $12-20, dinner $25-60. It must be said that the level of development of the restaurant business in Alaska “leaves much to be desired.” Due to the sharp seasonality in the influx of tourists and the short-term demand for labor (only for 3-4 months a year), there are no good cooks here. The choice of food products here is not rich either. Vegetables and fruits are not grown here, there is practically no production of meat products, and importing all this from other regions of America is very expensive and impractical for many restaurants.

It's not easy to find even a decent fish dish on the menu, although the world's best wild salmon and delicious seafood are fished off the coast of Alaska. Most of them are exported or to other US states. It also affects the fact that the locals, for the most part, are indifferent to fish delicacies. At each point along the route, our guides will recommend the best places to eat. A very common practice is to stop by the grocery store after finishing excursion program day. This way you can buy groceries or semi-finished products for dinner and breakfast every day, since most hotels have a kettle and coffee maker, a refrigerator and a microwave.

TIPS

It so happens that paying tips in the USA is a “voluntary-compulsory” matter for tourists. If you pay credit card, then the tip amount can be added to the total amount (invoices have a Tips or Gratuity column), so it is not necessary to pay the tip in cash.

Restaurants

In restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip of 15-20% of the total bill. Most restaurants automatically include an 18% gratuity when serving a group of 6 or more people. Be sure to check your invoice before paying. Don’t forget that in most restaurants, waiters either have no salary at all in the usual sense of the word, or it is extremely symbolic (for example, from 2 to 8 dollars per hour), and the main, and often the only source of income for them is tips . If you do not pay a tip, the waiter will not only remain without payment for your service, but will also “go into the red.” Since he will be forced to pay income tax on the amount not received from you, which is automatically deducted from his salary (at the rate of 15% of the total amount of all payments for orders).

Taxi

In taxis it is customary to leave a 10% tip.

Excursion buses

In tourist buses, it is customary to leave the driver 2-3 dollars per person when short excursions or $100 per day for the entire group for multi-day tours or extended excursions.

Additional services, leisure, guides

When paying for services and types of outdoor activities such as fishing, boat trips, seaplane/plane/helicopter flights, etc., it is customary to leave a tip of $10-20 per excursionist, and sometimes 15% of the total cost of the trip. In this case, the cash amount is given directly to the captain/guide/pilot.

SAFETY REGULATIONS

When visiting Alaska, you need to know the rules of conduct when meeting wild animals and strictly follow them, because the likelihood of such an encounter here is very high. If you remain calm and follow the basic recommendations, then such a meeting will not lead to trouble for either you or the animal. The most important rule: when you see a wild animal, you should never get out of the car, much less chase the animal for the sake of a “successful” photograph, which may be the last one in your life.

The Bears

Alaska has an abundance of brown bears, American black bears, and the largest grizzly bears on Earth, all of which are accustomed to the presence of humans. The main thing is that you should never leave leftover food near the houses and tents where you will live, otherwise it may attract a bear. To store food and food waste, you must use special containers that are inaccessible to bears.

If you find yourself in sight of a bear, do not run! You won't be able to run away from him because he moves faster than a horse. If a bear moves towards you, stop and watch closely to see if its behavior changes. Don't shout or throw anything at him in an attempt to defend yourself - this will only provoke him to attack! Talk to the bear in a calm, confident tone. This may calm him down and help calm you down. If the bear doesn't immediately recognize who you are, it may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look at you or sniff you. A standing bear with its paws down is usually just showing curiosity and not posing a threat. Try to appear larger in size to him than you actually are: spread your arms, spread out the edges of your jacket, etc., and then slowly move back diagonally.

Moose

Contrary to stereotypes, it is the “harmless”-looking moose and other artiodactyls that cause the most injuries to people in Alaska from wild animals. Under no circumstances should you approach a moose from behind: if it kicks you, it can break a good half of your bones, and there are also fatal outcomes. Elk are especially dangerous highways. When a car collides with moose, not only animals, but also people die. First of all, you can only drive if you have car insurance. It is necessary to drive extremely carefully, especially in wooded areas where the approach of a moose cannot be seen from afar. If a collision with a moose could not be avoided, you must immediately call 911 and report the incident. In this case, you will not face any punishment. But even if you do not have any injuries, you must wait for the policeman; without his report, you will not be able to receive compensation for damage from insurance. Veterinarians from the service who arrived at the police call Wildlife help the injured animal. If the animal dies, a food group from a charity organization will be called in and the meat will be donated to soup kitchens for those in need. But you can’t take the carcass away from the road yourself. This is illegal, you will be accused of hunting an animal without a hunting license and outside the hunting season, and you will have to answer for this to the fullest extent of American laws.

TRANSPORT

Motor transport

There are not many highways in Alaska, most of them are mountain roads that are severely damaged in winter time. Therefore, in the summer you need to be prepared to lose time due to congestion in areas where road repairs are taking place. In winter, we generally recommend not driving on these roads yourself. It is better to rent a car with a local experienced driver or travel by other means of transport, as there are frequent cases of icy roads, which can only be driven with chains. Sometimes, due to particularly dangerous conditions, travel on some highways is completely closed.

Railway

Traveling by train is a popular way to get around Alaska, offering breathtaking panoramas of mountains, glaciers, valleys, lakes and rivers from the train window. Quite often you can see wild animals along the way. Total length local railways- 756 km (470 miles), you have three routes to choose from and three railway companies. All sections of the route are picturesque in their own way and sometimes pass through areas inaccessible by car. All seats in the carriages are comfortable with large windows for viewing.

By air

Air travel is the most common way to travel in Alaska, because many places of interest have no roads and can only be reached by air. The most common type of aircraft is seaplanes, which do not have a large capacity: from 3 to 9 people. Therefore, a large group of tourists has to be transported to some places on several planes, and even then not immediately, but over two or three flights.

On water

A popular mode of transportation in Alaska is ferries, connecting many cities and islands of Alaska. Ferries carry both passengers and vehicles. There are regular and high-speed ferries. The ferry schedule is complex; departure times vary depending on the month and day of the week. Seats on ferries must be booked as early as possible: sometimes there are no seats available 3 months before the planned trip.

National parks

Travel through national parks and a number of other protected areas, such as Denali Park, is permitted only with transport provided by the administration of the park or reserve. Contact us for more detailed information.

CONNECTION

Internet access is available in almost any locality Alaska. However, in most national parks and on mountain roads (and there are most of them in Alaska) there is not only the Internet, but also telephone service, so you will have to postpone correspondence and calls to the nearest populated area.

ALASKA TOURS

Our tours in Alaska are accompanied by local Russian-speaking guides who speak English and Russian and also have extensive guiding experience tourist groups in these parts.