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We have planned out our time in Alaska with the exception of the part around choosing either Seward with kayaking at the Aialik Glacier or Valdez with kayaking at Prince William Sound.
We arrive in Anchorage at 6am in June and the options we are deciding between are:
1. Day 1 Drive to Seward, maybe do a glacier hike at Exit Glacier. Day 2 take the all day water taxi / glacier paddling to Aialik glacier (Liquid Adventures). Day 3 return through Anchorage and drive up to Healy for 2 nights to visit Denali NP. Day 4 shuttle to Wonder Lake in Denali NP. Day 5 drive to Tok. Day 6 drive to Kluane NP, day 6 drive to Haines.
2. Day 1 Drive to Healy to visit Denali NP. Day 2 shuttle to Wonder Lake in Denali NP. Day 3 drive to Valdez. Day 4 glacier paddling to Columbia glacier in PWS. Day 5 drive to Tok. Day 6 drive to Kluane NP, day 6 drive to Haines.
From what we have read, Seward has more wildlife but while the paddling at Aialik may be better it is definitely more expensive, though there may be a reason for this I.e it is better?. We miss out of the scenic Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway.
If we skip Seward and go to Valdez the drive appears to be more scenic but maybe we are sacrificing wildlife and the glacier paddling doesn't seem as good or hyped up.
If anyone has done these 2 variations of itinerary we would really appreciated input as it is hard to sort out the best option with tradeoffs... driving scenery versus best paddling versus wildlife etc. Also the road conditions, Glenn and Richardson Highway to Tok or around Fairbanks, Alaska Highway to Tok.
After Haines, we are dropping the car (one way hire with Avis) and travelling on the AMHS to Juneau, Gustavus (for Glacier Bay), Sitka, Wrangell and Ketchikan. We are not sure if what we may see in the second part of the trip changes which of the options we are best to do out of Anchorage.
Hi,
I will be going on a cruise May 18-25. We will be making stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. Are there any places in these towns that do not require taking a boat or plane to view bears (or other animals) in their natural habitat? We are looking for areas, if there are any, where we would be able to stay a respectable distance from them. We have shore excursions booked, but have about 4 or more extra hours available in the towns afterwards. We are planning to use this time to explore the town, the shops, and the scenery.
Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
We'll be flying into Anchorage at night (9pm) on June 22, flying out from Anchorage on June 30 in the morning (9am). We'll be renting a car. Should we just concentrate on Kenai peninsula and all the towns down there, or should we try to squeeze in Denali? It's a lot of driving, and we'd like to relax for the most part!
Was thinking of trying to get my car which is AWD but not a 4x4 up to Nome by ferry this summer, however only way in seems to be by plane. Do the vehicles that are up there come in by ice roads during the winter? If do decide to go now will fly in and just take taxi's and guide services instead, just curious how all the trucks etc up there got there as doubt they would fly them in?
Dear friends, I'm coming to Skagway and may reserve the Scenic River Float (If I understood correectly, 1 hour guided tour in Dyea and 45 minute on the river to get down to Skagway). What do you think about this activity? is 75USD per people overchaging? Thanks a lot for your help.
We will be taking an Alaskan cruise the 1st of Sep. When we are in Skagway should we do the train ride to White Pass or take the ferry to Haines and explore that area? Both sound interesting
I will soon be coming into Skayway on a cruise ship and was wondering how close is the Red Onion Saloon from where the ships come in. Is the saloon and or the town close to walk to. I have never been to Skayway and I'm very excited for my visit.
We ar planning to rent a car and drive the Emerald Lake. How far is the drive as we will be there from 7:00 am - 9:00 pm. I cannot seems to find any driving direction from Yahoo map. Is there another name for Emerald Lake ?
I know that Skagway has 21 hours of daylight on June 21. How many hours of daylight inSkagway on August 21 ????
My husband and I are in Skagway (cruise ship visit) on 13th July this year. We are hoping to take the White Pass and Yukon Railway trip and wondered what facilities are on board. Can we gets drinks on board? Also, is there a washroom on board? Its about125 each if booked with cruise ship. Is it worth the money? It looks amazing. Thanks and regards Alison
I'm already taking the Yukon rail to Fraser and then motorcoach to Emerald Lake, Caribou Crossing, Carcross, Lake Bennett and back to Skagway. I'm trying to decide if I should book another tour that goes to the Gold Rush Cemetry & Ghost Town of Dyea? Are these sights worth another 2 hours and25/person? The alternative would be to just spend time exploring Downtown Skagway by foot. Thanks in advance!
I would like to get some help for the travelling from Skagway to Anchorage, via the white pass, white horse, to yukon dawson city , denali state park to Anchorage. we, my daughter and father will arrive on the 29 th of may evening with the ferry and would like to make a combined tour with train,bus,car,canoe, can you assist with information on where to go Skaway bus to White Pass-historic train as described above thanks for a speedy answer frank
We are visiting on a cruise ship for a day. Can anyone suggest what we should do, not miss, etc? I am not too keen on being railroaded onto organised mass excursions unless it's the only way to see an area. Many thanks for any help.
Hello Would you like to join my husband and I on Dyeadave's White Pass and Yukon Rail 'personalised' tour? We have booked him on 22 Sept (we are on the HAL ms Veedam) and would like to go on to Emerald Lake which requires min 4 persons I believe it is will be50 pp plus78 one way ticket to Fraser I have heard nothing less than glowing reports on this trip. Please contact Dave direct at dyeadave@msn.com LOL
My husband and I are trying to decide between two tours, and I was hoping for some advice as to which one those of you "in the know" you think we should take. Choice 1: We would take the White Pass Scenic Railway, go to a suspension bridge, and have a salmon bake Choice 2: We would hike into the Yukon (Tormented Valley, Carcross) and then go do the suspension bridge. Which one do you think we should take? I'm torn!
I am going to fly into haines and rent a car and drive around and go to haines junction, I think it is beautiful. then the nextday i am thinking of taking the fast ferry to skagway, then take a bus tour to the white pass, then take the ferry back to Juneau, but not sure if I need to go to both city or haines is enough for me? Daisy
Hello there, I am thinking about to rent a car and drive to Yukon from Skagway this Summer. Just wonder if the Kondike Highway is friendly to a driver who has no experience driving in a mountainous area. Thanks.
Is it better scenic wise to go on the Yukon Rail to the White Pass Summit or take a coach trip to the Summit which includes lake Bennett? I believe the coach shares a bit of the common route with the rail but what about the rest?? How is the weather end August out there? Visibility etc?
Hey People! I am trying to come to Skagway this summer to be with my lady-friend, and I have a bunch of job options, but NONE that will assist me with housing. I am a school teacher in Florida and I don't finish my school year until June 6'th, which has been a deal breaker with anyone who has housing because the tourist season starts so much earlier than that. I AM DESPERATE for a bed to sleep in. I can't realistically consider camping for the summer, as I have a cpap to plug in at night, so I need electricity, and I unfortunately can't stay with my lady-friend in her employee housing. I am a super clean and respectful 25 year old man, and will share a room. I NEED A HOUSING OPTION. If you know of anyone who could rent me space PLEASE PLEASE help! By all means email me directly at mkrasilo@ufl.edu. I really appreciate any leads here :) All the best, Michael Kras.
I've seen several references to watching the salmon jumping during "spawning season" but I haven't been able to figure out exactly when that is. Anybody know the range? Thanks in advance!
When we first visited Skagway (10 years ago) some days of the week had fewer (or no) cruise ships than others. I have heard this is no longer the case. When we visit this summer (driving) are there some days we should aim for when things will be less crowded?? Thanks!!
i've been vitually offered a job in skagway..... i've been there many many times as a cruise ship worker, spend the day shopping, touring, eating, doing laundry, whatever......... but never have lived and breathed there..... SO WHAT DO THE LOCALS DO AFTER THE SHOPS CLOSE? GO HOME AND SLEEP? what options are there? is there a one-theater theater near by? movies? what do we do, rent VHS and DVD? or go camping, campfire, fishing, hiking biking, what-what-what-what!! Please give advice on the "so-called nightlife" of skagway........ or, what to do on an "off" day - like take the ferry to Juneau for the day??????? thanks very much - please hurry, i need to give an answer in 2 days.
my husband and are doing our first cruise in september and he was hoping to some scuba diving and hints
i am looking for a jeep for a day in june dod sledding salmon bake seeing bears good cheap tours in juneau,ketican ,skayway june 8,9,11
I am actually sitting here typing my reply in a White Pass & Yukon Route T-Shirt. I felt that the train trip was a fun... more
You're welcome! First time someone actually came back and said thanks in my years of responding to queries. Think I may... more
Hi - belated welcome to VT! The train ride is indeed very popular. I have not taken it and it gets both "excellent"... more
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