The great state of Alaska is packed with endless things to do and sights to see.
You'll never be the same after experiencing the spectacular snow-capped mountains or the stunning seascapes. We invite you to be surrounded and astounded by some of the most remarkable natural wonders and wildlife in the world, and that's why we've picked some of our most popular attractions to show why visiting Alaska is one of the most rewarding and memorable voyages you'll ever experience.
Alaska has more active glaciers than the rest of the inhabited world combined. Some 100,000 glaciers cover about 29,000 square miles. We highlight just a few of our favorites.
Though not as well known as Glacier Bay, it is at least as spectacular if not more so. Located in the Tracy Arm Fjord, Sawyer Glacier rates as one of Alaska's most massive glaciers. As you get nearer the glacier, you see a massive white formation that seems almost as big as the mountains that surround it. This is Sawyer Glacier, wedged at the end of Tracy Arm, an iridescent blue mass of centuries-old ice. As you gaze upon it in wonder a loud cracking noise that seems to split the very air, heralds the calving of a massive chunk of ice the size of a building. As it enters the sea, a gigantic spray of water causes rippling waves of water to rock the ship.
At over 90 miles in length, 300 feet in height and six miles across, the gigantic Hubbard Glacier is doubtlessly one of nature's wonders. Existing as the largest glacier in North America, it is also known as the "Galloping Glacier" because of the fact that it once advanced so far in a single day, it dammed Russell Fjord. This followed with the formation of a lake behind the dam that climbed to levels of 90 feet above sea level. Although the dam no longer exists, Hubbard Glacier still flows rather quickly and maintains the deep blue color that distinguishes it as being active glacial ice. Beginning its journey from Mount Logan, Canada's highest mountain, the place where Hubbard Glacier empties into the sea is called Disenchantment Bay.
Alaska's most famous park and home to Mt. McKinley, the park covers more than 6 million acres. The low growing vegetation makes Denali one of North America's best places to view wildlife.
Catch a glimpse of whales among the ice floes, observe moose, sheep and other creatures grazing among wildflowers, and spot small critters scurry about in the fields and evergreen trees.
The "Great Land" of Alaska has over 47 State and National Parks that offer excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, with Denali National Park offering the greatest variety of species. Just a few of the more common mammals are Brown or Grizzly Bears, Black Bears, Wolves, Dall Sheep, Moose and Caribou. Soaring above you will be Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles and Steller Sea Eagles. Some of the smaller birds include puffins, loons and ptarmigan. Within the sea you will find splashing Orca (Killer) whales, Humpback whales, Beluga whales and Bowhead whales, not to mention sea lions and playful otters.
The Inside Passage is the longest protected inland waterway in the world. In the spring, it's blanketed with wildflowers and the whales migrate. Come fall, the landscape is ablaze with fall foliage and bald eagles gather.
Many different indigenous societies call Alaska home. There are 20 distinct Alaska Native languages and seven broad culture groups, each with their own storytelling, song, dance and art histories.
There is no sole Alaska Native culture. Many different indigenous societies call Alaska home. There are seven broad culture groups and over 90 different native ancestral languages spoken from the two major language families, the Eskimo-Aleut and Athabaskan. The many native cultures can be seen in the various totem poles and beautiful traditional long houses that line the Alaskan shore. With storytelling, song, dance and art, the Native peoples of Alaska have passed their history from one generation to another.
Alaska is home to many thriving and vibrant cities along its magnificent shores. From the cosmopolitan city of Anchorage, state capital Juneau, and the port city of Ketchikan, Alaska's cities are full of energy, community, and natural beauty.