Alaska Tours & Vacations
Staggering peaks, glacier-fed fjords and epic valleys. In Alaska, the wild still rules.
Every year a select group of adventurers answers the call of the wild. Our Alaska tours will have you exploring Denali National Park in search of caribou, grizzly bears and wolves. You can also kayak upriver to the far-flung Maclaren Glacier. Spot humpback whales in Resurrection Bay. Hike through the old-growth forest of Wrangell-St Elias National Park while wildflower-munching moose look on. In this vast and remote land, a small group tour allows you to immerse yourself without sacrificing safety. Go on, take a walk on the wild side.
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Alaska at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Juneau (population approximately 32,000)
POPULATION
Approximately 740,000
CURRENCY
US dollars (USD)
LANGUAGE
English, Yupik, Inupiat and others
TIME ZONE
(GMT -09:00) Seaward, Anchorage, Denali NP
CALLING CODE
+1 907
ELECTRICITY
Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type B (American 3-pin)
Learn more about Alaska
Culture and customs
The culture of Alaska is indelibly shaped by the environment. The harsh winter, connection to the Arctic Sea and permafrost means life in Alaska is not for the fainthearted. The remote and wild environment fosters both a spirit of independence and a strong community. When there are so few people in such a vast state, it makes sense to share resources and keep your friends close.
Nature-based hobbies like hiking, fishing and snow sports are all popular. The main city of Anchorage has a small but passionate arts scene including the well-curated Anchorage Museum and a number of Native arts and crafts galleries.
Around 18 per cent of Alaska’s population is indigenous, of either Alaskan Native or American Indian descent. Alaska’s Native people consist of dozens of nations and tribes including Aleut, Inupiat and Yupik people. While many indigenous Alaskans live in small rural communities, a growing number now live in urban areas like Anchorage. Climate change has proved particularly devastating for Alaska’s indigenous people and their traditional way of life. As rising temperatures change the landscape and affect animal migratory patterns, hunting and fishing have become more difficult.
History and government
Ancient
It’s believed that humans first arrived in the area between 12,000 and 15,000 years ago after traveling from what is now known as Russian Siberia. This theory assumes that Russia and North America were once connected by a land bridge until rising sea levels caused the land between them to submerge and become the Bering Strait.
Pre-colonial
A detailed history of Alaska has been relatively difficult to uncover due to both the destructive nature of colonialism and the challenges the environment poses to researchers. It’s generally understood that most of the land’s inhabitants were somewhat nomadic until about 5000 years ago when evidence suggests some groups began to build permanent settlements.
Colonization
Russian colonization of Alaska began in the early 18th century in pursuit of natural resources and to spread the gospel of Orthodox Christianity. Fur was of particular interest to Russia, and Alaskan Native people were often enslaved and forced to collect otter pelts for Russian companies. Brutal treatment, murder and disease killed an estimated 50 per cent of the pre-Russian population, despite the fact that very few Russians actually settled in the area permanently.
Russia ‘sold’ Alaska to the United States in 1867. Indigenous Alaskans objected to the sale on the grounds that they had never given up the land to Russia in the first place, a fact that would become important in 20th-century legal stoushes. As part of the greater missionary goals of the United States, the systematic eradication of indigenous languages, culture and arts was practiced in Alaska – now a US territory – from the 1860s until the early 20th century.
Modern
The late 19th century saw the discovery of gold in Canada’s nearby Yukon Territory, known as the Klondike Gold Rush, which brought a wave of prospectors to Alaska because of its transport links to the Yukon. Gold was later discovered in Alaska itself and new cities, such as Fairbanks, were built to support the rush.
Alaska officially became a US state in 1959. In the late 1960s, the discovery of valuable oil reserves became entangled with the Native title movement, as a proposed oil pipeline would run through land that belonged to First Nations Alaskans. Richard Nixon signed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act as a result of this tension, which granted over 44 million acres of Alaskan land to indigenous people, plus almost one billion dollars to be divided among numerous communities and groups. To this day, Alaska continues to be at the center of a battle between the conservation and exploitation of natural resources.
Geography and environment
Alaska is a massive state and its diverse and dramatic landscapes are a big draw for most tourists. It’s bordered by Canada to the south and a third of the state falls within the Arctic Circle.
There are rugged mountains throughout the state like the Brooks Range in the north, the highly volcanic Aleutian Range in the southwest, and the Alaska Range in the southcentral, which includes North America’s tallest peak in Denali (20,310 feet).
With over 6231 miles of coastline and a number of islands and inlets, plus a spiderweb of rivers that flow through the state, Alaska is as much a state of water as it is of mountains.
Eating and drinking
In keeping with a way of life that still revolves around hunting, fishing and nature, Alaskan cuisine is big on game, seafood and small amounts of locally grown produce. While traditional Alaskan fare tends to be simple, you’ll find a diverse selection of restaurants in larger towns. Fusion has been particularly popular of late, with plenty of chefs experimenting by marrying fresh Alaskan seafood with Asian spice and flavors.
The food may not be the reason you’re holidaying in Alaska, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth sniffing out. Here’s our list of must-try dishes in Alaska:
Salmon
Alaska’s wild salmon are iconic. An important part of indigenous diets pre-colonization, salmon today is both a vital part of the state’s economy and a source of pride and identity for locals. Of the five varieties – king, sockeye, coho, pink and keta – each person has their favorite and a preferred way of cooking it.Reindeer hotdog
These wieners aren’t just a novelty for tourists, they are plenty popular with locals too. Grab these strongly flavored sausages – actually a mix of lean caribou meat and pork or beef to bind it together – from food carts in bigger towns like Anchorage, or from supermarkets state-wide for a very Alaskan camp barbecue.Berries
Cold weather and a pristine environment make Alaska a haven for berry production. Late summer is best for blueberries and strawberries, while crowberries taste sweeter after they’ve been ‘burned’ with a little winter frost. While wild berry picking is a popular pastime in Alaska, remember that there are plenty of poisonous and lethal berries that grow in the state too, so be cautious.Red king crab
The king crab more than lives up to its name. It has a body the size of a dinner plate and the males weigh an average of three kilograms (6.6 pounds). You’ll see their spiky legs – which some say is the tastiest part – adorning menus throughout the state, often served with just a little lemon so the soft white meat can speak for itself.
Plant-based options
Vegetarians and vegans have no shortage of options in Anchorage, Alaska’s progressive hub. Vegetarians won’t have to look too hard for options in smaller towns like Homer and Seward either, though vegans may have to make do with fries and a salad. If you’re going truly wild and hitting the backcountry, it’s a good idea to stock up on food at the supermarket before you go. Many small lodges will have a small restaurant attached, but the offerings will likely be whatever the owners managed to bag on their most recent hunting or fishing trip.
Traveling with a local makes this all a lot easier. If you do travel with Intrepid, let your leader know your dietary requirements at the start of the trip and they can make sure you don’t go hungry.
Shopping
Alaska is an outdoorsy state that’s big on experiences, so the best things to buy are activities. A glacier hike in Wrangell-St Elias or a marine safari on the Kenai Peninsula may not be cheap, but they’re sure worth saving for. If you do have some cash leftover, the best Alaskan gifts are still of the practical variety. Remember that it’s a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you can bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand have particularly strict quarantine laws.
Ulu knife
Used by indigenous Alaskan women for thousands of years, this curved knife was perfect for tackling the many tasks associated with preparing freshly caught game and fish for dinner. Just remember to put it in your checked luggage.
Jams and preserves
Alaska’s famed berry harvest has led to a strong jam-making tradition. A jar of locally made preserve will travel well and makes a sweet gift in more ways than one.
Qiviut items
Made from the underwool of musk oxen, qiviut is warmer and softer than wool and can be used to make everything from hats to sweaters. While some qiviut is produced on dedicated farms, it is possible to find collectives and cooperatives of indigenous craftspeople who still do things the old-fashioned way by picking the naturally shed wool from bushes in the spring and knitting it by hand.
Baskets
Using weaving techniques perfected over thousands of years, craftspeople from the many different indigenous groups create baskets by hand. The Alutiiq people, for example, produce finely woven baskets (and all kinds of useful things) from the seagrass that grows in their ancestral homeland along the southcentral coast.
Festivals and events
The Alaskans may live, and thrive, in some pretty harsh conditions but that doesn't mean they don't know how to let their hair down.
Fur Rendezvous Festival
Affectionately called the ‘Rondy’, the Fur Rendezvous is a winter festival and celebration of all things Alaska. It takes place in Anchorage annually and the irreverent celebrations – which include dog sledding and a fur auction – began in 1935, when one local hero decided that surviving the winter would take one giant party. This 12-day festival is still one of the biggest events in Alaska, drawing folks from all over the state as well as the lower 48.
Alaskan wildlife
Part of the allure of an Alaskan adventure is the chance to see the diverse wildlife that roams the land and fills the waterways. With huge chunks of truly untamed wilderness, Alaska often has more in common with a safari than a walk through a nature reserve. You may just be lucky enough to see some of these:
Bald eagle
A modern emblem of freedom in the US, the bald eagle has also traditionally been revered among numerous Native American groups. What’s so special about the bird? It’s a combination of size, speed and style. With females sporting a wingspan that can reach 240 centimeters (eight feet), a dive speed of up to 160 kilometers (99 miles) per hour and an iconic look, the baldie is bad to the bone.
See them: Look up for a chance to see them in Denali National Park, Resurrection Bay and Anchorage, year-round.
Puffins
Easily distinguished by their orange beaks, puffins in Alaska come in two varieties – tufted and horned. The tufted kind is all black with yellow feathers on either side of their head, while the horned ones have white bellies.
See them: Around Valdez, Homer and the waterways of Kenai Fjord National Park in summer.
Grizzly bears
These creatures are located throughout Alaska though they do tend to spread out, so spotting them is a rare treat. That being said, their impressive size makes them easy to see, even from a distance. Females can weigh up to 360 kilograms (800 pounds), but males really take the salmon-cake with top weights of 770 kilograms (1700 pounds).
See them: It’s possible to see grizzlies from March to September, depending on the area, but the peak time for viewing is generally June to July. The best spots are Kenai Fjords National Park, Denali National Park and Wrangell-St Elias National Park.
Black bears
It’s the face shape and nail length, rather than coat color, that will help you tell black bears from brown bears (like grizzlies). While they can be any color from black to brown, their longer, straighter face (some have called it Romanesque) and short claws make it relatively easy to tell the difference.
See them: Black bears, like grizzlies, hibernate during winter. The best times for spotting them are the warmer months from March to September when they hunt for fish in Kenai Fjords National Park and live in the forests of Denali National Park and Wrangell-St Elias National Park.
Moose
It’s the males that have the antlers, which they grow a fresh set of every year, giving new meaning to the phrase ‘grow a pair’. Male moose begin shedding the velvet coating on their antlers around September in preparation for dropping them in the winter months, a very gnarly process that is a real treat, albeit a gross one, to see in real life.
See them: Pretty much everywhere throughout the year, though the best spots are in Denali NP, Wrangell-St Elias NP and Anchorage.
Caribou
You may know caribou by their more whimsical name – reindeer. Santa’s hoofed helpers have natural snowshoes and gorgeous, multi-pronged antlers adorn both males and females.
See them: There’s a fairly large herd that lives inside Denali National Park, and your best chance for catching these active animals is during the summer months.
Dall sheep
These white sheep sport a wise expression and curved horns, though the males undeniably have a more impressive set. They have the distinct honor of being the northernmost wild sheep in the world and they will eat almost anything to survive, from grass and moss to soil.
See them: As they tend to live in rocky, mountainous areas, your best bet is near rugged environments. Be particularly alert on some of the hiking trails in Denali NP, like the Savage River Loop and the trails around Igloo Mountain.
Sea otters
With a face that looks adorably stunned at all times, these beautiful weasels are playful and dextrous. Their amazing coats meant they were hunted to the brink of extinction by the 20th century and while numbers are improving, they remain a threatened species in Alaska.
See them: In the waterways around Valdez, Homer and Seward.
Humpback whales
Humpbacks are big enough to be spotted from land, but there’s nothing quite like seeing one from the water by boat or kayak. Even the runts grow to around 12-metres (40-feet) long and a 10,000-strong pod heads to Alaska every summer.
See them: Resurrection Bay is a reliably great spot for whale watching in the summer months. You can also spot them in Prince William Sound and off the coast of Homer.
Orcas
The ‘killer whale’ is technically part of the dolphin family. With their glossy black back and striking white bellies, there is little chance of missing these mammals if they are close by, and luckily for you, they tend to travel to Alaska’s waters in large pods.
See them: Resurrection Bay is a reliably great spot for whale watching in the summer months. You can also spot them in Prince William Sound and off the coast of Homer.
Health and safety
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travelers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travelers check with their government or national travel advisory organization for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to smarttraveller.gov.au
From Canada?
Go to travel.gc.ca
From the UK?
Go to fco.gov.uk
From New Zealand?
Go to safetravel.govt.nz
From the USA?
Go to travel.state.gov
From South Africa?
Go to gov.za
From China?
Go to 12301.cn
The World Health Organization also provides useful health information. Go to who.int for more details.
Further reading
For inspiring stories to prepare you for your Alaska adventure, check out these books:
The Snow Child – Eowyn Ivey
Ordinary Wolves – Seth Kantner
Into the Wild – Jon Krakauer
Ada Blackjack – Jennifer Niven
Tao of Raven: An Alaskan Native Memoir – Ernestine Hayes
Coming into the Country – John McPhee
Two Old Women – Velma Wallis
ALASKA: a novel – James A Michener
Alaska travel FAQs
Stuck in a chilly latitude between 50 and 70 degrees north of the equator, Alaska is dark for a lot of the year. Really dark. The exception is from May to late June when the sun shines all day and most of the night. Peak season for Alaska tours is from mid-June to mid-August, when the daytime temperatures are a relatively warm 60–80°F and there’s plenty of daylight for exploring.
Shoulder seasons (April, May and September) are a good time to travel if you prefer to share the wild with fewer people, and May comes with very little rain. It’s generally best to holiday in Alaska with an open mind about the weather: Alaskans have learned that if they don’t like it, they need only wait five minutes.
Perhaps fitting with its end-of-the-earth aesthetic, Alaska does have a reputation for being difficult when it comes to finding flights. Anchorage is the state’s main gateway, with flights coming in from other US cities like Chicago, Denver, LA, Vegas and Portland year-round. You can also find direct flights in the summer from Frankfurt, Reykjavik (how’s that for an epic itinerary) or Vancouver. You can, of course, visit Alaska from anywhere, it’s just a question of stopovers and stamina.
If world-class mountain vistas are your thing you may prefer to drive. The Alaska Highway used to be a bumpy dirt road, but these days it’s a paved vein that pumps adventurers in through the border of British Columbia. When you touch down and start your Alaska tour, we’ll handle all the internal transfers (in a private vehicle with heating).
It depends on where you’re from. Many countries now operate under the United States Visa Waiver Program, meaning a visa isn’t required for stays of up to 90 days for travel purposes. There are 40 participating countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Spain.
If you're eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you must obtain a letter of authorization before you travel to the States. This can be obtained by submitting an application through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).
If you’re a national from a non-participating country of the Visa Waiver Program, you must apply for a non-immigrant visa. Please see the Department of State website for more information.
If you have traveled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on or after 1 March 2011, you are ineligible and must apply for a non-immigrant visa instead.
People from a participating country who are also citizens of Cuba, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan must also apply for a non-immigrant visa.
Last updated: 6 March 2024
Tipping is very much a part of the culture in the United States. Tips are expected at restaurants, cafes and diners, as well as by taxi drivers, valet attendants, porters and hotel maids.
People working in the service industry generally receive low wages and therefore rely upon tips as a major source of income.
In general, leave 15 to 20% of the bill at places serving food and a few dollars to bartenders and hotel staff who provide a personal service like carrying bags or cleaning your room.
Internet access in urban areas of Alaska is usually good but download speeds will be slower than you are used to.
Internet access may not be available in rural areas and national parks.
We suggest talking the chance to unplug and immerse yourself in the wilderness, but remember to give your friends and family realistic expectations of how often you will be able to communicate with them.
Cell phone coverage in Alaska is improving but still patchy. Expect to be able to use your cell phone in towns like Anchorage, Valdez and even in some parts of Denali National Park. Much of the state – including large parts of Wrangell-St Elias and the Kenai Peninsula – still has little or no coverage.
Global roaming can also be activated when traveling through Alaska, but be sure to check with your service provider to find out about any fees you may incur when using this option, as it can sometimes be expensive.
Western-style, flushable toilets are the norm in Alaska, though in remote areas and national parks there may be drop toilets outside the main building.
Drinking water from taps in Alaska is considered safe unless otherwise marked. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water.
Weather in Alaska is highly variable depending on the region, so check out the guide below for the area/s you’re planning to travel in. Keep in mind that no matter your location or the time of year, the diverse environment and geography of Alaska means the weather can change very quickly.
Southcentral (Anchorage, Seward, Homer, Valdez)
A subarctic climate makes Alaska’s southcentral region cool to cold throughout the year. Even in high June, when the sun is out almost 19 hours a day, expect temperatures to top out at around 65°F and drop to around 50°F in the evening. August and September are the rainiest months of the year with an average of 14 days rainfall in both. In the winter months of December, January and February, expect temperatures to drop below freezing.
Interior (Fairbanks, Denali National Park)
The mountainous interior of Alaska is known for wild variations in temperature, though summers tend to feature average highs of about 70°F and average lows of 1°F in winter. May, June and July all experience over 18 hours a day of sunlight in Alaska’s interior. Summer (June, July and August) is the rainy season, experiencing between two and three inches a month on average.
Don’t let the word ‘summer’ fool you into filling your suitcase with crop tops and short shorts. While Alaskan weather can be clear and beautiful in the warmer months, the nights still tend to be chilly and cool changes are known to come hard and fast.
The best way to dress for unpredictable weather is in layers. If you’re heading out for a day hike in Denali National Park, for example, think comfortable pants (preferably waterproof), a t-shirt and a lightweight waterproof jacket that can be tied around your shoulders and pulled on if it starts to rain, plus a bag packed with gloves and a beanie.
Comfortable shoes are essential in Alaska. Most of the activities on our tours involve some level of physical activity, so we recommend worn-in hiking or walking shoes.
Check the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for the tour you’re interested in for a comprehensive packing list.
Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
- 1 Jan: New Year's Day
2 Jan: New Year's Day Holiday
Third Monday of January Martin Luther King Jr Day
Last Monday in March Seward’s Day
Last Monday of May Memorial Day
4 Jul: Independence Day
First Monday in September Labor Day
18 Oct: Alaska Day
11 Nov: Veterans Day
Fourth Thursday of November Thanksgiving Day
25 Dec: Christmas Day
Seward’s Day and Alaska Day are the only two Alaska-specific public holidays. Please note, Alaska public holidays may vary.
Overall, Alaska is generally a safe destination for LBGTQIA+ travelers.
Same-sex relationships are legal, as is same-sex marriage. However, Alaska has no laws protecting LGBTQIA+ individuals from discrimination based on their gender identity or sexual orientation. While discrimination of employment and housing won’t affect LGBTQIA+ travelers, lack of legal protection can be indicative of higher levels of social bigotry.
While Alaskans are known for being politically conservative, the majority of people follow a ‘live and let live’ philosophy with a heavy emphasis on freedom. Public attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ people are mixed.
If you identify as LGBTQIA+ and have any concerns about traveling in Alaska, we recommend contacting the Alaska Pride Foundation, which is run by locals and provides support and information to LGBTQIA+ folks throughout the state.
In Anchorage you’ll find a handful of gay bars, including The Raven, which calls itself the northernmost gay bar in the USA. Outside of Alaska’s progressive capital, the LGBTQIA+ scene isn’t particularly visible. Of course, in a vast state of disparate communities and low-population density, that’s not exactly surprising.
If you are traveling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travelers who do not wish to share a room.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s most recent report on state sponsored homophobia before you travel.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveler. Trips to the United States directly support our foundation partners, Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHEA) and the Grand Canyon Conservancy.
Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHEA)
Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHEA) create inclusive, equitable opportunities for small Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) tourism businesses in the USA. Donations help CHEA provide access to industry-specific technical assistance, capacity building, and industry networks for small BIPOC travel and tourism businesses through their Diversity Tourism Academy (DTA).
Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Find out more or make a donation
The Grand Canyon Conservancy
The Grand Canyon Conservancy is on a mission to protect the Grand Canyon National Park for future generations. With almost 6 million visitors to the park annually, the Grand Canyon Conservancy runs educational programs and immersive experiences that teach people about the park's cultural and environmental significance. Donations support trail restoration and maintenance, conservation and preservation of native vegetation and wildlife, and educational programs.
Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.