Alaskan Experience

Many visitors to Alaska feel compelled to cover the whole state, traveling to each region, and planning everything around seeing certain famous wilderness parks. By doing so, they spend more time and money than they should. Each of Alaska's regions, by itself, has most of what you're coming to Alaska for -- wildlife, mountains, glaciers, historic sites, cute little towns -- and you can have a better trip touring one or two regions than spending precious time going from region to region.

The other mistake some people make is traveling only to the largest and most famous destinations. Such a goal-oriented style of travel misses the fun, offbeat places only you can discover. Alaska's greatest sights certainly are worth your time, but visitors often tell me those were not the most memorable moments. Save time for chance encounters with wildlife or interesting local people, or simply to enjoy a peaceful moment alone in the woods.

we have set up a series of itineraries in 1-week loops or tours. For 2- or 3-week itineraries, link a few itineraries together, spend more time in each place, or add trips to the many places This isn't intended as a menu, just as inspiration to create your own trip. If you're driving to Alaska, add a week to each end of your trip.

A Northern Southeast Alaska Itinerary

Day 1 -- Fly to Juneau, settle in.

Day 2 -- Take a look at the State Museum and other sights in town and the Mendenhall Glacier, or take a day hike or sea-kayaking excursion.

Day 3 -- Take the passenger ferry to Gustavus, with a whale-watching excursion on the way. Spend the night at one of the charming inns there.

Day 4 -- See Glacier Bay National Park on a boat tour. Spend another night in Gustavus.

Day 5 -- Fly on a small plane to Haines, spending the day there seeing the eagles and totem carving studio. Spend the nights at a historic inn in Haines.

Day 6 -- Take the passenger ferry to Skagway to see the historic sites and take the train excursion, or take a hike or mountain bike ride. Spend the night in Skagway.

Day 7 -- Take the Alaska ferry back to Juneau and fly home.

A Southern Southeast Alaska Itinerary

Day 1 -- Arrive in Ketchikan by ferry from Prince Rupert.

Day 2 -- Tour the cultural sites in Ketchikan or take a hike in the rain forest.

Day 3 -- Take a flightseeing day trip from Ketchikan to Misty Fjords National Monument, or take a charter fishing or sea kayaking excursion from town.

Day 4 -- Take the ferry to Sitka (an overnight trip).

Day 5 -- See the historic sites and museums in Sitka.

Day 6 -- Get outdoors in Sitka, hiking, fishing, sea kayaking, or on a whale and sea otter cruise.

Day 7 -- Take the ferry or fly to Juneau, then fly out.

A National Parks Itinerary: Kenai Fjords & Denali

Day 1 -- Fly to Anchorage and spend the night there.

Day 2 -- Spend a day taking in the city, with a visit to the museum, zoo, or Native cultural center; or, outdoors, ride a bike on the coastal trail or hike in Chugach State Park.

Day 3 -- Take the train to Seward, and take a boat ride into Kenai Fjords National Park. Spend the night in Seward.

Day 4 -- Enjoy Seward, the Alaska SeaLife Center and Exit Glacier, or take a hike or a sea kayak paddle, returning to Anchorage on the evening train.

Day 5 -- Rent a car and drive to Denali National Park, taking an afternoon hike or raft ride in the entrance area. Camp out or stay in one of the accommodations near the park entrance.

Day 6 -- Take a shuttle bus into the park for wildlife viewing and day hiking, retiring after a long day for a second night at your camp or at one of the accommodations near the park entrance.

Day 7 -- Drive back to Anchorage and fly out.

A Prince William Sound Loop

Day 1 -- Fly to Anchorage, and spend the night in Anchorage.

Day 2 -- Rent a car and drive all day to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (take the van over the gravel road unless you are covered for your rental car). Stay at a lodge in McCarthy or Kennecott.

Day 3 -- See Kennecott and take a hike near the glacier.

Day 4 -- Drive to Valdez and see the sights in town, fish for salmon, or take a hike.

Day 5 -- Take a boat ride to Columbia Glacier or go sea kayaking or rafting.

Day 6 -- Take the car ferry from Valdez to Whittier and drive to Girdwood for a hike or tram ride and spend the night at the resort hotel there.

Day 7 -- Drive to Anchorage and fly home.

A Fairbanks Interior Tour

Day 1 -- Fly to Fairbanks and rent a car.

Day 2 -- Spend a day in Fairbanks exploring the city and its attractions.

Day 3 -- Drive the Parks Highway to Denali National Park, taking an afternoon hike or raft ride in the entrance area. Spending the night (and the next) in your own tent or in lodgings near the park entrance.

Day 4 -- Take a shuttle bus into the park for wildlife viewing and day hiking.

Day 5 -- Drive via the Denali Highway (conditions and your car permitting; otherwise simply retrace your steps on the Parks Highway) and Richardson Highway back to Fairbanks, then drive out Chena Hot Springs Road to the resort, or to camp in the Chena Hot Springs State Recreation Area.

Day 6 -- Swim at the Hot Springs and hike in the recreation area.

Day 7 -- Return to Fairbanks and fly out.