Indagare's Sasha Feldman
"The world is filled with spectacular landscapes: the mountains of Patagonia, the forests of the
Amazon, the plains of Africa, the volcanic islands of the Pacific—but only Alaska has them all."
Alaska is a mind-blowing ecological wonderland, encompassing three distinct vegetation zones and bordering the Arctic Circle and three bodies of ocean. Though not a pampering destination, Alaska wows with spectacularly wild landscapes and diverse marine and wildlife, making it one of the world’s great adventure destinations. In short, a trip to Alaska is the adventure of a lifetime.
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Perfect forAdventurers | Families | Trailblazers
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When to goJune-August | March-May
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Ideal length of stay10 Days
Designing Your Journey
There are many ways to explore Alaska, but a good first step is to figure out if you want a water- or land-based experience. Here is just one example of an itinerary that our destination experts can create for you.
Photo by Brian Adams, Travel Alaska10 Days: Essential Alaska
There are many ways to explore Alaska, but a good first step is to figure out if you want a water- or land-based experience. Here is just one example of an itinerary that our destination experts can create for you.
Land-Based
A land-based itinerary is the ideal way to immerse yourself in Alaska’s great wilderness. Hotels, though not particularly luxurious, allow you to maximize activity time and reach remote, untouched parts of Alaska. Land-based itineraries require time in helicopters or small fixed-wing planes (the only forms of transportation that can reach such inaccessible terrain), and they are best for travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Though they require more involved logistics, like in-transit overnights in the capital city of Anchorage for example, being land-based provides the most private experience.
Private Yacht Charter
Visiting Alaska by private yacht charter is the best way to customize an itinerary away from cruise ships while keeping travel logistics relatively easy. By private boat, travelers can explore Alaska’s southern coast without being tied to the heavily trafficked tourist sites of the Inside Passage (where the major cruise lines run). Offering a combination of relaxation and outdoor activity, boat charters give travelers the opportunity to bask in the state’s extraordinary landscapes, even while in-transit. Traveling by water often means less activity time than a land-based trip, but it is great for those that desire a highly customized experience, without having to move around or navigate complicated logistics. While most charters require a seven-day minimum, some offer shorter trips.
Cruise Itinerary
Several luxury cruise lines run through Alaska’s southeast coast. With comfortable accommodations and many amenities, cruises accommodate a wide range of ages and levels of mobility. Itineraries are restricted to fixed routes and sites, so they do not visit off-the-beaten-path regions and shore excursions are done in small groups. Traveling by water often means less activity time than a land-based trip, but one of the advantages of being on a cruise line is that guests have the opportunity to engage with other travelers, and transit time is filled with onboard activities and entertainment. Cruise-based trips are a terrific way for the less adventurous traveler to experience the great outdoors from a more familiar home base.
Where To Stay
We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. At many of them, Indagare members receive special amenities, including upgrades, early check-in, breakfast, spa credits and more. Look for the Indagare Plus logo in the reviews.
Courtesy Chris BurkardRead MoreSheldon Chalet
A luxurious haven for adventurers, the five-bedroom Sheldon Chalet sits on the only privately-owned land in the mountains of Denali National Park, offering unmatched views of Mount Denali’s summit from the comfort of your bed.
Courtesy Tordrillo Mountain LodgeRead MoreTordrillo Mountain Lodge
One of the top luxury properties in Alaska, Tordrillo Mountain Lodge offers numerous onsite activities and modern amenities.
