I call them “pinch me” moments. And, Alaska is full of them.

Moments like the first time you see a bald eagle soaring through the sky surrounded by the forested green wilderness.

Or, when you witness the massive scale of a tidewater glacier from the icy bay in total silence.

Or, when you find yourself breath taken as you fly over the enormous rugged snow-covered mountainous landscape.

These are moments that strike you with how spectacular nature can be.

The “Last Frontier” is replete with one extraordinary experience after another, where the natural beauty around every corner just astounds. With glaciers, grizzlies and mighty Denali, you may just forget that you are in the U.S.A. And, without doubt, this untamed stunner will have an enduring impact on you.

Alaska is large, bigger than many countries. Throughout the five regions of Alaska, a diverse set of landscapes and experiences await. An expedition to the Aleutian Islands or along the Alaskan Peninsula, a cruise through the Inside Passage, a flight on a float plane over the Misty Fjords National Monument, a helicopter landing on a glacier, a stroll through one of Alaska’s quaint towns – the list goes on and on. A short list just won’t do Alaska justice.

So, since a simple list won’t do, I am sharing just a mere handful of experiences I am sure will give you plenty of “pinch me” moments on your trip to the 49th state, whether you are visiting for the first time or are heading back.

Kenai Fjords National Park
The fjords are made up of jagged cliffs, coastal forests, and icy blue glaciers. Beyond the landscape, which is stunning enough to leave you satisfied, highlights of a day here could include seeing the abundance of wildlife close-up in this pristine setting while on a boat excursion. When we were there, we saw puffins and marine birds perched on tall cliff walls, whale tails popping out of the crystalline water, seals and sea lions sunbathing on the rocks, and a personal favorite, sea otters “lazily” lounging on their backs floating in the cool water.

Alaska Railroad
A journey on one of the stretches of the Alaska Railroad, which extends from Fairbanks to Seward, is a quintessential Alaskan experience. A glass domed car or a step out onto a viewing platform enables you to readily see the surrounding panorama unfold. Depending on the segment you are on, pass by lush forests, mountain ranges, picturesque alpine meadows, or even by glaciers. Not only does the railroad get you from one place to the next, some of this Alaskan scenery is only accessible by train. Perhaps, you will be able to spot wildlife en route.

Glacier Bay
One of the highlights of visiting Alaska is Glacier Bay. Located in the Inside Passage, this remote UNESCO World Heritage region is a place of unique quiet and solitude, ancient glaciers, and a dynamic landscape like none other. It’s also a center of research and National Park Rangers accompany you explaining the forces of nature at work here as you take in the serene beauty. Most people visit by ship and whether you enjoy the comforts of a larger cruise ship or prefer something on a smaller and more intimate scale, it’s important to know that not all Alaskan cruises include Glacier Bay on their itinerary due to the limited number of permits to enter this special reserve.

Remote Lodges
Do you want to get away from it all in unspoiled Alaska? How about heading to a remote lodge where you can base yourself for some daily adventure or quiet time breathing in the fresh air? Dive deep into your Alaskan experience whether that be to view the Northern Lights, photograph black and brown bears, fish in a small stream or in the deep sea, or meet some lively sled dogs. Hiking, glacier trekking, kayaking, flightseeing, snow-shoeing, skiing are just a few more ideas. Depending on the lodge, your area, and the season, if experiences such as these sound appealing to you, this may be the perfect way to spend your days in Alaska. By the way, you really could be getting away from it all – the only way to get to some of these lodges is by plane or helicopter.

Denali, Talkeetna and Denali National Park
Seeing the peak of the 20,000 + foot mammoth Denali, the highest mountain in North America, is certainly a “pinch me” moment. As massive as it is, it’s also elusive. It is said that you can only see the peak one third of the time. In fact, despite the 3-4 days we had in Talkeetna and Denali National Park on our last trip to Alaska, the clouds kept the mountaintop hidden from our view. Was visiting this area still the highlight we had imagined it would be? Absolutely. Due to the weather conditions, our flightseeing tour of the summit of Denali was cancelled. Instead, the aviation company offered to fly us on an alternate route. We saw sunlit views of the snowy mountains, jagged rocks, glacier fields, untouched terrain, icy blue pools – one of the most exhilarating experiences I have ever had - despite not getting to see Denali. We also experienced a piece of the six million acres of Denali National Park. We went from the forest to the tundra, through valleys and mountain passes. Although wildlife sightings are never a guarantee, on this day, we were lucky with sightings of bears, moose, Dall sheep, caribou and plenty of other little creatures.

Whales
Catching a glimpse of a whale that unexpectedly comes up from the water surrounded by the majestic backdrops of Alaska is truly a special moment. Orcas, belugas, gray whales, humpbacks are amongst the whales you may find in various parts of the state. Maybe you will get to see a tail or a fin or even behold a whale breaching in front of you. Or, perhaps witness the complex behavior of humpback whales as they bubble net feed. One of our most memorable days was spent on a whale watching excursion, on which we were fortunate to see multiple pods of whales engaging in this seemingly choreographed activity.

The People
While natural beauty, the rugged landscape and rich wildlife are often the first things that come to mind about Alaska, some of the most memorable moments I have had on my Alaskan trips was when interacting with the people who call Alaska their home.

Alaska has a broad range of distinct Native cultures and throughout the state, you can be introduced to the diverse people, heritage and traditions, including that of the Tlingit.

Each Alaskan you meet, whether native or transplanted, has their own unique story which shapes the picture of Alaska. A few of deepest impressions people of Alaska have made on me -

Our guide from NYC who fell in love with Alaska on a trip he made years prior. He left his successful Wall Street legal career behind to make Alaska his home, leading excursions like the one we were on in the summers while braving the winters in his quiet cabin. Just a little different than the sea of people and high rises in Manhattan.

The young Alaskan medical student who was home for a summer, leading our rafting trip. He was finishing up medical school in one of the lower 48 and planned to return to Alaska as a doctor to provide medical care to Alaskans living in remote areas and villages as well as off the grid.

The National Park Ranger who narrated our journey into Glacier Bay while he introduced us to the geology of what we were seeing, and talked about John Muir, who brought this area to the attention of the world. He also shared with us the questions his mother had for him – Why Alaska? Why do you do what you do?

Then, as our ship turned into one of the bends in the bay to the most magnificent view, he said to us, “This is why” leaving us all completely speechless as we watched on. When I witnessed the sheer beauty of what we were experiencing, I understood “why.” The emotion of that moment flooded me, and I was brought to tears. This was one of those “pinch me” moments.

Feeling inspired a future journey to Alaska? Schedule a complementary consultation to learn more about our travel planning process.

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