Introduction
Travelling in Alaska is like travelling no other place on earth.
There are 586,000 square miles and almost that many possibilities.
Alaska is a land of superlatives and adventure. The Great Land
consists of five distinct regions: Inside Passage, South-central,
Interior, Far North and Southwest.
Inside Passage
Shaped by the staggering force of massive glaciers millions
of years ago, Alaska's Inside Passage boasts wildlife-filled fjords
and lush island scenery - habitat for bald eagles, sea lions,
porpoises and whales. Its mountains are carpeted with majestic
forests. Inside Passage Alaska is home to Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian
Indians whose history is reflected in towering totem poles. Russian
settlers left a legacy of onion-domed churches gleaming with icons.
South-Central
Home to over half of Alaska's population, South-central is a
playground of activities from world-class fishing to hiking and
wildlife viewing. With mountains and lakes, South-central offers
the advantages of remote wilderness, but is linked via roads.
World-class rainbow trout and salmon shimmer brilliantly, beckoning
to prospective anglers. South-central has the amenities travellers
seek, while serving as a gateway to the wilderness experience.
Interior
In Alaska's heartland, you'll see the continent's tallest peak,
Mt. McKinley, and wide expanses of tundra. The forests are teeming
with wildlife and bird life ranging from the formidable grizzly
to stately herds of caribou to the state bird, the Willow Ptarmigan.
Experience summer's midnight sun or the winter's northern lights.
Wildlife can be seen on the highway that runs by Denali National
Park, carrying visitors to and from Anchorage and Fairbanks. Interior
is the original home of Alaska's Athabascan Indians. Gold miners,
farmers and fur trappers later discovered the riches of this region.
Far North
As Alaska's visitors cross the Arctic Circle, legend has it
that many pilots give the plane a slight "bump" letting
passengers know they've crossed the legendary circle. Alaska's
Arctic is home to the Inupiat Eskimos, many who still live a subsistence
lifestyle and still preserve their history verbally from generation
to generation. The Far North is filled with a rich history and
natural wonders, from the gold rush days of yore to the Gates
of the Arctic National Park and Preserve.
Southwest
For those with a naturalist streak, few places on earth compare
with the wonders of Southwest Alaska. Brown bears amble along
the hills and plains, and more than 240 bird species inhabit Al aska's
Southwest region. The region's terrain ranges from a landscape
of volcanoes in Katmai National Park created by the 1912 eruption
of the Novarupta volcano, to the windswept Aleutian Islands that
make a 1,000-mile sweep toward Asia.
Weather & Climate
Whenever and wherever you travel in "The Great Land,"
clothing is always a primary consideration. Emphasis should be
based on comfort because the dress code is informal and casual.
A layered technique is extremely good here. Temperatures in Alaska
during the summer range from 60°F-80°F. Nighttime and
early mornings are cooler, from the 40's - 50's. Late August and
September departures could encounter cooler temperatures and slightly
fewer hours of sunlight, as fall arrives early at these latitudes.
Getting There
Non-stop travel to Alaska form the U.K. is not possible. Most
flights route via Seattle and Vancouver but please do discuss
the options with a member of our team so that a package can be
tailored to suit you.
Getting About
The state of Alaska is vast; add to this the many roads that
are unpaved and you have a very different scenario to the rest
of the United States. Complete North America will help you plan
your package using the most appropriate forms of transport, which
in many cases might combine air, sea, rail and road travel, something
that certainly enhances the whole Alaska experience.
For more information on what the state of Alaska has to offer
you as a visitor please do visit the State
Tourism Office
Pakages
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