Alaska

You don’t just visit Alaska – you explore it.

There is nowhere like this part of the world. Amazing cultures combine with spectacular wildlife and nature’s very own firework display, the Northern Lights. Explore the drama that is Alaska’s scenery from its beautiful glaciers and snow-capped mountains to friendly communities.

The Last Frontier teems with wildlife and is home to Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), the highest peak in North America at a staggering 20,320ft. Denali reigns over Denali National Park which comprises 6 million acres of untamed wilderness. Witness grizzlies, wolves, moose and the spectacle of a golden eagle taking to the skies.

Summer heralds the arrival of the midnight sun and up to 20-hours of daylight and winter plays host to the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights bathing the night skies with a supernatural glow.

The Far North is full of culture and only accessible by small aircraft. Rich in history from Eskimo art to the Gold Rush days, this is the most diverse of all Alaska’s regions. The gruelling Iditarod concludes at Nome in the Far North. Crowds gather to cheer on dog ‘mushers’ as they cross freezing terrain in March.

Kodiak Island is Alaska’s largest and the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge covers two thirds of the island. Brown bears feast on the plentiful salmon run that lasts longer than usual here due to the relatively mild climate. Lake Clark National Park offers superb wildlife viewing and visitors from all over the world come to Katmai National Park to view the bears.

Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city and is surrounded by wilderness and six mountain ranges – the Chugach Mountains provide a striking backdrop to the state’s most populous city.

Wrangell St Elias National Park is accessible by bush plane, here once thriving Kennicott remains, now a ghost town with over 40 buildings paying homage to the copper mining boom town days. Accommodation is available at Kennicott Glacier Lodge.

Seward is the gateway to Kenai National Park which is brimming with whales, waterfalls and brown bears. Glaciers, fjords and ice-fields decorate its 580,000 acres and puffins and sea lions flourish near the icy waters.

South East Alaska sees lush green forests and towering mountains with massive glaciers where schools of whales cruise the waters during summer months. The Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park are best explored by small cruise ships.