Alaska is the land of superlatives: largest national park , highest peak , longest coastline, biggest state, longest day and night. The list goes on, and with all of these unparalleled characteristics, you'd be hard pressed to cover even a fraction of this place in a typical one- or two-week vacation period. The 49th state offers so many things to do and see, you could vacation here for the rest…
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Adventure and Alaska go hand in hand. Where else can you trek across a glacier, fly over the wilderness in a bush plane, watch a massive brown bear snag salmon from a waterfall, and explore millions of acres of parklands? Alaska's raw, beautiful, and unrelenting terrain teems with opportunities for adventure experiences unlike anything else in the world — and there's a trip to suit every ability…, zipline trip, , or speed through the forest or across a glacier behind a team of huskies on a dog sledding trip. And don’t forget the water sports : Alaska's many famous rivers, lakes, and protected coastal waters offer Alaska adventures that range from whitewater rafting (mild to wild), kayaking through icebergs in glacier-carved fjords, or snorkeling the near-coast waters. All that wild land makes Alaska the…
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There’s no shortage of water in Alaska, which means there’s no shortage of fun water-based experiences to be had. You can snorkel intertidal zones (that’s right — there’s snorkeling in Alaska!), stand-up paddleboard in coastal waters, kayak among icebergs, and embark on thrilling whitewater river rafting trips. From gear rentals to guided day tours to overnight excursions, there’s an activity…
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No visit to Alaska would be complete without a dive into our rich history and culture, from Alaska Native culture to gold rush days to the thriving scene of present-day Alaskan artists. Museums , historic tours , cultural tours , and art workshops give you up-close experiences of Alaska’s arts and culture — both past and present. Visit some of our more than 60 museums and cultural centers to…
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Experiencing Alaska Native cultures is high on the list for many Alaska visitors — and with more than 10,000 years of human history — Alaska offers endless options for learning about our traditional lands, languages, and ways of being. Hear stories passed down from Elders and feel the heartbeat of drums used in traditional dancing. Watch a blanket toss at a whaling celebration, learn about totem…
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The Iñupiat (in-NOO-pee-at) and the St. Lawrence Island Yupik peoples’ homeland is in Alaska's northern and northwestern Arctic region. These are the people of the ice as much as the land, and much of their life and culture revolves around the sea ice. Subsistence, or traditional hunting and gathering practices, provide a large part of their diet to this day. The Iñupiat hunt both marine and land…
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Yup'ik and Cup'ik Alaska Native peoples are traditionally from Southwest Alaska, including the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta and Bristol Bay area. The Yup'ik and Cup'ik rely on a subsistence lifestyle of hunting, fishing, and gathering local foods. They are known for their mask making, grass baskets, and dance fans. Yup'ik dance fans Like much of Alaska, these communities are spread across a vast region…
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The Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and Eyak live throughout Alaska's southeastern panhandle — the Inside Passage region — sharing many cultural similarities with groups along the Pacific Northwest Coast, from Alaska through Canada all the way down to northwestern California. The Haida (HIGH-duh) live on Prince of Wales Island as well as on Haida Gwaii in Canada. The Tlingit (CLINK-it) live throughout…
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Joining an Alaska day cruise or whale watching tour gives you unparalleled opportunities to view dramatic, steep-walled fjords, tidewater glaciers thousands of years old spilling into the sea, and whales and other marine wildlife feasting on the ocean's bounty. If you include all of our islands, Alaska has almost 46,600 miles of shoreline — far more than any other state — making cruises an ideal…
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Some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery lives along the coast, where rocky beaches and misty rainforest alternate with craggy, steep-walled fjords carved out by ancient glaciers. Most glacier and wildlife cruises are day trips, weaving through icebergs and tracing the rugged coastline to view Alaska’s amazing marine wildlife., Whale Watching, Day cruises offer some of the best opportunities for Alaska whale watching. Species including humpback whales, orcas, gray whales, fin whales, and minke whales can be seen feeding and socializing in Alaska’s nutrient-rich waters. Their fascinating familial bonds and dynamic behaviors, including breaching, spy-hopping, spouting, and tail slapping, make whale watching a highlight of many visitors’…, Glaciers, Alaska’s glaciers are another highlight of day cruises in the state. Many cruises visit at least one glacier along the route, while some glacier-focused cruises view dozens of glaciers on a half-day tour. The experienced captains will navigate the boats to the end of glacially-carved fjords and bays to view the towering walls of ice. Once there, they will stop the vessel, and sometimes even turn…, Marine Wildlife, Not to be outshone by the larger marine mammals, Alaska’s waters are home to abundant marine wildlife that add excitement to day cruises. Steller sea lion colonies haul out on rocks and are an entertaining sight as they let bark loudly and dive into the water. Adorable sea otters can sometimes be seen linking arms and gathering in groups of over 100, called rafts of otters. Harbor seals haul out…, The Day-Cruise Experience, Most day cruise ships have warm, indoor cabins that you can retreat to if things get chilly or wet. But bad weather can mean good things for the views: believe it or not, a gray, drizzly day often makes for great whale watching, because the cool temperatures and limited sun bring the whales’ food closer to the surface. Clouds also make the stunning deep blues of glaciers more vibrant. The boat's…
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