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Alaska - Anchorage, Kenai and Denali

A June 1997 trip to Anchorage by Adelaide

Grizzly bearMore Photos

I spent 10 wonderful days in Alaska, starting in Anchorage, going south to Kenai Peninsula and the north to Fairbanks, the Arctic Circle and Denali National Park. From there we flew to Juneau, for more adventures. For more information, check my report at http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/4363/alaska/ak_main.html

  • 7 reviews
  • 2 photos

Alaska - Anchorage, Kenai and DenaliBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Glacier
Certainly the wildlife in Denali National Park was the highlight of our trip. We saw bears from a close distance, plus caribous, dall sheep and some willow ptarmigans, Alaska's state bird. The trip to the Arctic Circle was also exciting - and it was surprisingly hot there.

Quick Tips:

Alaska's travel season is very short, so everything is very expensive and good places fill up quickly. It's advisable to book things in advance, specially if your schedule is tight.

Best Way To Get Around:

I highly recommend a rental car. Buses and trains are available, but some places are not so easily reached - plus the scenery is so breathtaking that you have to stop every second for photographs!

Valley Hotel : Caboose LoungeBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Valley Hotel"

The Valley Hotel was a gem. Clean and nice rooms for a very affordable price. It also has a restaurant and laundry facilities.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Adelaide on October 14, 2000

Valley Hotel : Caboose Lounge
606 S Alaska Street Anchorage, Alaska 99645
(907) 745-5565

7 Gables InnBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

We were very disappointed with the highly priced accomodations in Fairbanks when we found this great B&B. They have many kinds of rooms, but we stayed in a cottage. Breakfast is superb. Their website is at http://www.alaska.net/~gables7/
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Adelaide on October 14, 2000

7 Gables Inn
Anchorage, Alaska
(907) 479-0751

The Miller's DaughterBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This is a great place to have breakfast. It's a bakery where you can find fresh bread and other delicious stuff for a healthy breakfast (no, I don't think they served eggs with bacon!).
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Adelaide on October 14, 2000

The Miller's Daughter
Downtown Anchorage, Alaska

Denali Raft AdventuresBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Denali Raft Adventures, Inc."

We had a great time rafting the rapids of Nenana River. There is a choice of tours. Ours was the exciting Canyon Ride, 1 1/2h running through rapids with names such as Razorback, Iceworm, Cablecar and Trainwreck. It was a class III rafting. The water was very cold and it was a blessing to have a cup of hot chocolate when we were back in the guides' office!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Adelaide on October 14, 2000

Denali Raft Adventures
Mile 238.6 George Parks Hwy Denali National Park, Alaska
(888) 683-2234

Kenai Visitor 's CenterBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Kenai Fjords National Park"

The park's headquarters is in Seward where we can get maps and information. Park rangers lead tourists on walking tours as they talk about glaciers and flora; we even got to walk on a glacier. Most of the park is only seen aboard boat trips, but there are many operators in Seward.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Adelaide on October 14, 2000

Kenai Visitor 's Center
18625 New Seward Highway Anchorage, Alaska 99587
+1 907 336 3300

Mount McKinleyBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Seeing the top of Mount McKinley is not easy - it's only visible 1/3 of the time, so be patient. There is a well marked viewpoint on milepost 138, so stop there, enjoy the view and wait - we had to wait 1/2h to have the right opening in the clouds allowing us to see the glorious peak so wisely nicknamed "island in the sky". The native name to the peak is Denali, meaning "the great one".
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Adelaide on October 14, 2000

Mount McKinley
located within Denali National Park Anchorage, Alaska
(907) 683-2294

About the Writer

Adelaide
Adelaide
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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