Alaska Hotels & Dining
All guests booked on land tours visiting the Kenai Peninsula will stay at the Harbor 360 Hotel in Anchorage and the luxurious Alyeska Prince Hotel in Girdwood with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Best Time to Visit Alaska
Many of our guests often ask, when is the best time to visit Alaska? While each of the four distinct seasons offer their own special surprises (even the short “shoulder” seasons of spring and fall), we recommend Alaska adventure travel between the months of May and September to take advantage of the longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures, although winter can be a treat to the lover of winter sports! Many Alaskans joke that there are two seasons in the “Great White North” – Summer and Winter!
While Alaska does indeed have four distinct seasons, it may seem that a snowy, cold winter melts straight into a balmy summer, and then morphs straight back to a winter wonderland, all in the blink of an eye! While the winter may be a bit too chilly (and dark for that matter) for the normal explorer, late spring and early fall can be lovely times of year – assuming the weather cooperates (you just never know in Alaska!)
Air Travel to Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
5000 W International Airport Rd (South Terminal)
Anchorage, AK 99519-6960
Juneau, Alaska
Juneau International Airport (JNU)
1873 Shell Simmons Dr., Ste. 200
Juneau, AK 99801
Sitka, Alaska
Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (SIT)
601 Airport Rd,
Sitka, AK 99835
Packing for an Alaska Adventure
Packing for Alaskan adventure vacations can be tough because no matter what time of year you travel, you need to prepare for sunshine, rain, wind, and maybe even snow sometimes all in the same day! (Eek!) Don’t worry, we’ve got a few great tips below for packing efficiently for your adventure.
If it’s Waterproof, Pack It.
We are not exaggerating when we say it can rain anytime on your Alaska vacation. This big, beautiful state is a true adventure destination and the weather (both the sun and the rain) is a big part of that! We recommend bringing along your waterproof hiking boots and a waterproof/breathable rain jacket and pants. Also, extra socks are a good idea – you very well could go through two pairs in a day if they get soaked early on (nobody likes to hike in wet socks)!
Layers Are Ideal.
It may sound like you need to pack your entire wardrobe to prepare for unpredictable Alaska weather, but really, just a handful of layers ought to keep you warm or cool, depending on the temperature. You will want to bring both pants and shorts (it can actually get quite warm in Alaska) as well as a variety of tops for layering. Bring multiple undershirts but just one or two of the following tops to layer: moisture-wicking long sleeve shirt, heavyweight fleece pullover or jacket, and a waterproof rain jacket or shell. A pair of long underwear is nice to have too. You’ll want to refer to the Packing List in your Pre-Trip Planner for further recommendations on what to pack.
No Need for Formal Wear.
Alaska restaurants are pretty casual and there’s no need to pack along your tuxedo or fancy dress. In most restaurants, you can wear just about anything you would have worn on the trail that day (assuming it’s not dirty or wet!) Jeans and a button-up or polo shirt are plenty of fancies for an Alaskan dinner. We call it “casual dining.”
Protection from the Elements
We already discussed protection from rain, but what about the other elements? You’ll want to bring along a lightweight; brimmed hat (for sun and rain), sunscreen, as well as sunglasses with UV protection. On the flip side, it can also be very cold (especially when you’re on any kind of boat moving at a brisk pace), so we recommend packing a warm hat, gloves, and some sort of scarf or balaclava for face protection.
Travel Tips for Visiting Alaska
Our Alaska Adventure tours are among our best-selling vacations and rightfully so! Alaska has earned its reputation as an adventurer’s paradise because it has everything a traveler looks for in a vacation destination: mountains, wildlife, ocean, a wide variety of activities, and friendly locals.
When you head “Up North”, a few travel tips from your travel professionals at Austin Adventures may come in handy.
Watch for Wildlife Around Every Corner
Alaska is a wildlife mecca, and as long as you keep your eyes peeled; you’re guaranteed to spot a number of the fauna that call this big state home. Not only can you spot Alaska’s typical land creatures such as bears, moose, mountain goats, bald eagles, and much more. But, you also have a wide array of ocean life to spot whales, otters, sea lions, puffins, seals – the list goes on and on. Your guides will teach you about the wildlife you spot and will help you see, photograph, and observe (at a safe distance!); the exemplary range of species that Alaska is famous for.
Zero In On Your Ideal Vacation Destination
Alaska is an enormous state (over twice the size of Texas), and it can be difficult to know what you should see and do on your upcoming Alaska vacation. Never fear, the experts are here! Alaska is one of our favorite destinations as our founder and president Dan Austin started it all there many decades ago. We have exceptional Alaska Adventure tours that give you land and sea-based combo experience on the Kenai Peninsula. Because Alaska is so huge, it’s much easier to focus on small regions that deliver tremendous adventure potential. We can help pick what’s best for you!
Prepare for Unpredictable Weather
We can’t emphasize enough to prepare yourself for any kind of weather (sun, wind, rain, sleet, even snow!). While this can be tough since you can’t pack your whole closet; packing layers that you can pile on or strip down will allow you that extra room in your suitcase for some much-needed accessories (like a hat, gloves, and long underwear). You’ll want to remember your waterproof gear (coat, pants, and boots) as it can rain at any time of the summer!
So, what are you waiting for to go on Alaska adventure!
