Brown bear in Katmai National Park. Photo courtesy of Dawna Raven sky Zimbalist.
One could easily spend years exploring all Alaska has to offer. That being said, not everyone has the time get away from life for that long. If you have a week to spare, you can still have some incredible experiences, like viewing the Northern Lights, seeing the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and camping with brown bears. To help you plan your trip, here are some suggestions on how to spend one week in Alaska.
View the Northern Lights
Possibly the most sought-out experience in Alaska is viewing the Northern Lights. On a 4-Day Northern Lights Experience From Fairbanks, you’ll see this natural wonder for yourself. Day One of the excursion involves getting to know Fairbanks on your own. From there you’ll head to Coldfoot, a remote former mining camp from which clear viewing of the lights is possible. You’ll also have free time to explore Coldfoot and its surrounds, traversing the famous Dalton Highway and experiencing the Brooks Mountain Range, or trying your hand at dog sledding. The final day of the tour involves a journey to the Arctic Circle — the Northern Hemisphere’s southernmost latitude. Along the way, sites like the Trans Alaska Pipeline and Yukon River can be viewed. Once back in Fairbanks, you can spend the remainder of the week visiting attractions like Chena Hot Springs, Georgeson Botanical Garden, Gold Dredge No. 8 and the Large Research Animal Station.
Experience Anchorage and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
One way to spend an unforgettable week in Alaska is a 7-Day Winter Alaska Experience: Anchorage and Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The excursion allows you to experience one of the world’s most renowned events, while also enjoying special perks like visiting Iditarod Headquarters to meet Martin Buser, a four-time race champion and attend the Mushers’ Banquet to dine and mingle with the athletes. Another highlight of the excursion is touring Anchorage’s historic downtown district, home to the beautiful Lake Hood and Lake Spenard and the Alaska Zoo, featuring more than 77 animals and 38 species. Keep in mind, you’ll also have plenty of free time to explore on your own and try activities like dog sledding, skiing and snowshoeing. This excursion departs from Anchorage.
Camp out in bear country
There are many great Alaskan wildlife experiences to be had, one of which is camping out in bear country. To have the most rewarding and safe trip possible, those who enjoy roughing it in the great outdoors should book an Experience Katmai: 3- or 4-Day Camping Expedition in Bear Country. With the spectacular Katmai National Park as your base, immerse yourself in one of the world’s largest brown bear populations. Wolves are also predominant in the park. Guided hikes offer meadow, woodland and beach scenery as well as interesting information on the history of the place and its original inhabitants. This excursion departs from Anchorage and ends in Homer. Once in Homer, spend the rest of the week visiting the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, learning about the area’s wildlife at the Pratt Museum, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors at Kachemak Bay State Park.
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