Not only will you be much safer in what can be hostile landscapes populated with sometimes dangerous animals, but you’ll learn so much more about the flora, fauna and culture of the places you’re travelling through. Alaska is really not the sort of place you want to go wandering around without a guide, unless you’re a very experienced outdoors person, and even they get into trouble sometimes. That could mean strapping on crampons for a walk on a glacier, or even flying about it on a helicopter, rafting along a river, kayaking around icebergs, or enjoying a night out in Anchorage to enjoy a few Alaskan beers. But in many destinations there will be optional activities that you can add on at a supplement to make your Alaska tour even more exciting. Most of your time will be spent hiking, cruising, travelling between locations and setting up camp. So bring ear plugs, a few good books and a comfortable pair of boots, because there are no chocolates on your pillow out here. Wild camping is a common element of Alaska wildlife tours, as are long drives between parks. Alaska is all about getting out into these vast open spaces, often with just a thin layer of canvas at night between you and the wilderness. In Denali National Park, temperatures can be as low as -24☌, eep! Wilderness tours aren’t running because remote areas have little infrastructure, and who wants to be camping when temperatures are well below zero? Some wildlife is around of course – wolf packs are on the hunt, and bald eagles – America’s national bird – are in the skies, looking out for any caribou or moose carcasses the wolves have left behind.īe prepared to rough it a little. December, January and February are the coldest, bleakest months of the year in Alaska. The exception, of course, is polar bears, which don’t hibernate and are still active up in northern Alaska, though much less so than they are in summer. As the weather turns, food is getting scarcer, and bears are starting to retreat to their dens in October and November. Alaska holidays in winter are few and far between, though some operators may be able to help with tailor made itineraries. Whale-watching tours are winding down, and though expert crews know where to find them, you’ll want to wrap up well against the exposure. September is also another good month for viewing the Northern Lights. Still, the later you can go the better as far as bear watching is concerned, especially if you want to photograph them against the gorgeous autumnal foliage. By September, Alaska’s short tourist season is already drawing to a close. Moose are rutting and the bears, with one eye on the approaching winter, are very active hunting in order to bulk up. The wildlife isn’t put off by the rain for a moment though. August, mid-summer, is the warmest (16-17☌) and wettest month of the year in Alaska. It’s also the height of the season for whale-watching tours, when you might encounter humpbacks, belugas and more. July is also the peak month to witness grizzlies snatching salmon mid-leap at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. Bears are in their element in July, often seen along the Katmai coast, fishing for razor clams and mating. Grizzlies can already be seen around Lake Clark and Kodiak Island in significant numbers as the salmon-spawning season gets underway. It’s the cusp of peak bear season, and just before the main summer season. June is an excellent time to visit Alaska. May is a great month for birdwatchers, with migratory songbirds making an appearance, and seabirds nesting in coastal areas. Off the coast, grey whales can be observed passing Sitka and Kodiak by April, with other species not far behind – orca whales are likely to be found off the Kenai Peninsula around this time too. Caribou are calving, and other members of Alaska’s ‘Big Five’, including bears and Dall sheep, can often be seen amid lush green vegetation. With the progression of spring, wildlife begins making its way further north. If you’re on an Alaska wildlife cruise then you also stand a good chance of seeing marine life such as walrus and seals, as the ice pack begins to recede in spring. Clear skies make March one of the best months for viewing the aurora borealis in Alaska too. Alaska’s brown (grizzly) and black bears are emerging from hibernation in March, with quite the appetite.
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