Breathtaking Alaska

Long winters during which Father Frost seems to have the upper hand over parts of the state. Short summers during which nature explodes defiantly. Rugged fjords, ancient glaciers millions of years old, and a fascinating wildlife - come with us to breathtakingly beautiful Alaska, the 49th state of the USA!

Often, it's not just the warm and tropical destinations with endless beaches that fuel our desire to travel. No, we also find ourselves captivated by foreign worlds, admiring bizarre landscapes, or simply enchanted by the beauty of the wild nature. This fascination can also be described as the allure many travelers have for the state of Alaska. We will show you those places and natural phenomena that trigger this longing.

Alaska's History

Map of Alaska

Anchorage

Denali National Park

Northern Lights

Glacier Bay National Park

More National Parks

Kodiak Islands

Juneau

Find Flights & Hotels

Did you know that Alaska was the first part of America that was settled by people on the continent? Or that the USA acquired Alaska from the Russians for only about seven million dollars around 12,000 years later? We want to introduce you to Alaska in more detail, as we believe that not only the nature but also the history is quite exciting.

Around 12,000 to 16,000 years ago, nomads used the land bridge, known as Beringia, which connected Asia to North America, to reach this foreign continent over land. Despite the sometimes harsh conditions, some of them settled in what is now Alaska, while others moved on to present-day Canada, the USA, and South America. So, Alaska was indeed the place where humans first stepped onto American soil.

Many thousands of years later, the first Europeans came to Alaska. The Russians, who were the first to successfully cross the Bering Strait in the 17th century, eventually returned to Alaska in the 18th century to explore the barren land. Upon returning from this expedition with valuable furs, the Russian monarchs ultimately prompted the settlement of the land they had discovered. However, it soon became clear to the Russians that the colony was not very profitable and difficult to access, leading to Alaska's sale to the USA in 1867.

The purchase was concluded for merely 7.2 million dollars, making it one of the cheapest land acquisitions ever. Had the Russians known back then that enormous oil fields were hidden beneath the surface, this sale likely would not have occurred. After Alaska was officially designated the 49th state of the USA in 1959, it became both the largest and northernmost and westernmost state of the USA.

Northern Lights, steep cliffs, glaciers, national parks, and wild animals - Alaska offers plenty for nature lovers. Here are the places you must visit: on the map of Alaska, you'll get a good overview beforehand:

Before heading into the nature of Alaska, we want to introduce you to the largest city in the state with its cultural highlights. Anchorage, with over 290,000 residents, is much larger than the capital Juneau, and it is a hub for industry, museums, and educational institutions. Like Juneau, Anchorage also has an international airport with direct flights available from Germany starting from Frankfurt.

Alaska Railroad

The famous Alaska Railroad spans over 750 km from Seward to Fairbanks and makes stops in Anchorage as well. Jump on board and explore Alaska by train!

Visit the numerous museums that give you insight into the exciting history of the indigenous peoples, delve into the beginnings of Alaska's settlement, or set forth on your first excursions into the surrounding nature - in Anchorage, you will experience a great mix of vibrant city life and the breathtaking nature that seems to be all around in Alaska. Sixty different glaciers are situated at the city's doorstep, diverse bike paths invite tours in summer, and hiking opportunities in the Chugach Mountains add to the city's offerings.

Alaska's most famous attraction is Denali National Park. It is home to North America's highest peak, Mount McKinley, which is both the highlight and centerpiece of the park and can be climbed by experienced mountaineers. The park is open annually from May to September and can only be accessed by one road, the Alaska Highway. From Fairbanks, the largest city in Alaska's interior, it takes about two hours by car to reach the national park. Upon arrival at Denali, you pay a $10 fee and receive a pass allowing you to enter the park for seven days. Shuttle buses that operate throughout the day will take you around the park to all the scenic spots, but unfortunately, you have to leave your car outside.

Tips & Info

Visitor Center: George Parks Highway, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, United States

Park Hours: Open daily from May 20 to mid-September from 8 AM to 6 PM

Entry Fee: $10 (7€) for 7 days

If you want to experience something truly special, we recommend a guided tour by Jeep, where you'll be accompanied by a local guide who will provide unique insights into Alaska's wildlife. Even more exclusive is a flight tour by small airplane. This costs around $335-550 per person and offers a one-hour aerial view of the national park. An experience that, while not cheap, will surely be unforgettable. You can book this experience with Sheldon Air Service, Fly Denali, K2 Aviation, or Talkeetna Air Taxi.

In addition to the option of staying in luxurious lodges and wooden cabins, you can pitch your tent at various campgrounds in the park. If you prefer more adventure, you can even camp outside designated areas. For this, you'll need a special permit, which can be issued to you at no cost by the park rangers after you complete a safety training. In this training, you'll learn how to properly handle wildlife in the area. Experienced campers and nature lovers will certainly have the time of their lives with this free camping, as you can't be closer to nature. In the park, you can observe bears and moose in their natural habitat.

For dog lovers, there's a special highlight in Denali National Park: various agencies offer dog sledding demonstrations. Come see the power of the impressive huskies and learn all about these sturdy four-legged friends by visiting the Husky Homestead. If you prefer action-packed water sports, a rafting tour is just right for you. Get to know the national park from the water side and plunge down the rapids.

Did you know that Alaska is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights? The pristine backcountry is particularly suitable if you want to observe these celestial phenomena. Similar to the Aurora Village in Canada, the area around Alaska's second-largest city, Fairbanks, is a great destination for the romantics among you.

With few lights from civilization to disturb, the Northern Lights appear in Alaska on many nights, especially in winter. It's best to book a Northern Lights tour from Fairbanks or directly in Denali National Park and let an experienced guide show you the best spots.

While Denali National Park primarily offers wooded landscapes and tundra steppes, you will encounter numerous glaciers and fjords in Glacier Bay National Park near Juneau, in the south. The entire national park and its centuries-old glaciers have now been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and are thus strictly protected. Note: The national park can only be accessed by ferry or seaplane. Ferries run regularly from May to September.

Tips & Info

Visitor Center: Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, 1 Park Road, AK 99826.

Park Hours: Open year-round daily from 10:30 AM to 8 PM (recommended months: May-September)

Entry Fee: Free

If you've always dreamed of seeing gigantic glaciers calving, Glacier Bay is the perfect place for you. In the glacier bay, huge chunks of ice break off occasionally and fall into the sea. The sound created during the calving is unique and stays with many observers long after. Of course, you need a bit of luck to witness this natural spectacle. The glaciers in the park formed hundreds of years ago and are constantly changing. The most famous one, the Muir Glacier, has receded nearly 100 kilometers in less than 100 years.

You can participate in a day tour in Glacier Bay National Park with small ferries and cruise past the gigantic glaciers. You might also spot marine mammals like whales or seals during this excursion. Special whale watching tours can also be booked, where specific locations are targeted to see humpback whales and orcas. If you're eager to get involved, you can also book a kayaking or hiking tour.

There is only one hotel directly in the park, the Glacier Bay Lodge, but numerous other hotels are located nearby, ensuring you will find a good base for visiting the national park. Alternatively, camping is again an option here from May to September.

In addition to the two national parks mentioned, there are several others in Alaska that you can visit. Here are five beautiful alternatives we've listed for you:

What would Alaska be without the famous Kodiak bears? We all know the impressive documentaries about the bears that stand in the rivers of the island during the spawning season to catch upstream swimming salmon (or at least try to). Wouldn't it be great to witness this spectacle and watch the brown bears catch fish? You can actually do this on the Kodiak Islands, an archipelago in the Gulf of Alaska that is only accessible by seaplane. It's best to book one of the day tours to get up close to the bears and other majestic animals like eagles. Many agencies offer day tours as well as complete packages that include hotel and meals. Unfortunately, observing bears, much like a safari in Africa, is not a cheap affair, but if you're in Alaska, you definitely shouldn't miss the Kodiak bears!

Juneau is the capital of the state of Alaska. But don't expect a big city like Vancouver; only about 32,000 people live here. However, that doesn't mean Juneau is boring, as you are surrounded by stunning natural scenery as you are throughout Alaska. One of Alaska's most famous attractions, the Tracy Arm Fjord, is just 20 kilometers from the city.

In the fjord, you will encounter the impressive Mendenhall Glacier, whose ice is at least 150 years old. Where else can you get so close to the Earth's history? The Mendenhall Glacier is just a branch of the Juneau Icefield, a gigantic gathering of glaciers whose ice layer is up to 1,400 meters(!) thick. Dimensions that are hard to imagine. Deep caves have formed under the glaciers, which can even be explored with an experienced guide. The Juneau Icefield is also home to the impressive Nugget Falls, a waterfall whose water, fed by one of the glaciers, plunges 115 meters down.

The city of Juneau has an international airport, making it easy for you to arrive and depart. If you haven't had the luck of seeing whales or bears yet, you can also book various day trips here to experience this. But other activities await you in the city: If you are a craft beer enthusiast, you can join a brewery tour at the Alaskan Brewing Company or the Barnaby Brewing Company. Also interesting is visiting an old gold mine that promised wealth during the gold rush days in Alaska. Hundreds of hopeful Americans went to Alaska back then to try their luck panning for gold.

Actually, the only thing we can think of about Alaska is: Wow! What a destination! The nature and the untouched beauty that is sensed everywhere is simply breathtaking. Where else can you experience such adventures?

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