Alaska looks spectacular from the deck of a cruise ship, but passengers who walk straight down the gangplank and off to the airport miss out on some of the state’s other attractions.
There are sides of Alaska that can never be experienced from the water. To get a sense of its history, animal life, national parks and outdoor activities, you have to set foot on its rugged landscape.
Travel 2/4 product manager Kerry Sullivan pointed out that Alaska is one of the wildest destinations on the planet, and one of the only places where you can still see polar bears in their natural habitat.
Connections Worldwide has increased its coverage of the state, stressing its natural attractions.
“Alaska is home to huge glaciers, green forests, snow-capped mountains and remote townships,” said product manager Allyson Harmer. “Denali National Park has bears, caribou, moose, wolves and bald eagles, as well as spectacular views of Mount McKinley. Clients can hike or go mountain-biking, or they can try panning for gold.”
Onshore Alaska can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Clients might hire a car or campervan, or take a flight into the Arctic Circle to see the Midnight Sun or Northern Lights, all of which can be arranged by North American specialists such as Travel 2/4, Thomson Tailor-made or Gold Medal Travel. Titan, Cosmos and Collette Worldwide offer a variety of escorted coach tours, or, for a real taste of the frontier, there are several train routes.
The Alaska Railroad operates year-round, linking Anchorage to Juneau, Whittier and Seward. Packages out of Seward, Whittier, Anchorage, Fairbanks or Juneau are aimed at cruise passengers, combining rail journeys with a range of optional sightseeing tours and accommodation.
The most popular routes, which run from mid-May to mid-September, are:
The Denali Star
This runs from Anchorage to Fairbanks with stops at Talkeetna and Denali National Park. This route makes a great introduction to the Alaskan interior and offers views of Mount McKinley. Optional extras include jetboating, river-rafting and a tour of Anchorage.
The Alaska Railroad recently introduced a Gold Star Service on the Denali Star train, including double-deck dome cars. Other features include priority check-in and boarding, priority seating in the lower-level dining room, and a private viewing deck.
Sample product: Connections offers a four-day Denali Adventure from £595 per person, including three nights’ accommodation, a wildlife tour and an eight-hour return trip to Anchorage on board the Denali Star.
The Glacier Discovery Train
The Glacier Discovery Train travels through the scenic Placer River Valley and the alpine meadows of Grandview, which are rich in wildlife. Passengers join the train at Anchorage or Whittier, returning to their hotels by coach.
En route they can enjoy views of Trail Glacier, Bartlett Glacier and Spencer Glacier as well as commentary from a Chugach Forest Service naturalist. Package options include a number of short glacier cruises.
Sample product: North America Travel Service offers a 15-day Alaska flydrive for £2,371 per person, based on two travelling together. The Glacier Discovery Train can be added for £99 per person.
The Coastal Classic
The Coastal Classic train makes a day trip from Anchorage to Seward with views of glaciers, bird and animal life, and peaks of the Chugach Range.
Passengers enjoy reclining seats, picture windows and a dining car service. Options include a cruise around the spectacular Kenai Fjords National Park.
Sample product: Travelpack offers an 11-day Alaska Railroad package, including travel on the Coastal Classic, for £1,902 per person twin-share. This includes return flights, 10 nights’ accommodation, and train, coach and boat tours.
