Alaska Tours — Local services in Alaska

We recently had the pleasure of going on an Alaska Tour and it was truly an incredible experience. From the stunning scenery to the amazing wildlife, there were so many highlights that made this trip unforgettable.

The lodging throughout the tour was generally fantastic, with one exception being the Hilton hotel on our first night. Unfortunately, the toilet in our room was wobbly and unsecured, causing a lot of noise and inconvenience. This was unexpected and slightly disappointing, especially since it was our first night in Alaska. However, the other accommodations were excellent and provided a comfortable stay throughout the rest of the tour.

One of the major highlights of the trip was the breathtaking railroad journey from Anchorage to Seward and back. The scenery along the way was simply stunning, with picturesque landscapes and majestic mountains. It was a truly relaxing and enjoyable way to explore the area and take in the beauty of Alaska.

Another standout experience was the boat cruise on the Gulf of Alaska. We were fortunate enough to spot sea lions, otters, several pods of orca and even humpback whales feeding during this excursion. The Fjords National Park was a sight to behold, with its magnificent glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and towering mountains. It was a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Although the railroad journey from Anchorage to Talkeetna was beautiful as well, it couldn't quite compare to the journey to Seward. In Talkeetna, we believe some adjustments could be made to the itinerary. For instance, the river jet boat tour could be replaced with an air taxi tour, offering a different and potentially more exciting perspective of the area. Additionally, adding a hiking/walking tour at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge and knowing more about it would have been a wonderful addition, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the natural surroundings and it’s beautiful mountain views.

Denali National Park was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places we visited. The vastness and grandeur of the park were truly awe-inspiring. While the bus tour provided a good overview of the park and allowed us to spot wildlife such as caribou, Dall sheep, golden eagles, ravens, moose and even a grizzly bear, couldn't help but feel that adding a hiking day would have enhanced our experience even further. Exploring the park on foot would have allowed us to truly appreciate its natural beauty and immerse ourselves in its tranquility.

On the last day of the tour, it would have been nice to have a museum tour in Fairbanks. This would have been a great way to spend our time while waiting for the afternoon flight back to Anchorage, eliminating any wasted time. It would have been a perfect opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of the area.

Throughout the tour, the railroad experience was truly enjoyable, offering breathtaking views and a unique way to travel. However, we do feel that the quality of the food provided on the train could have been better. The drinks, on the other hand, were a pleasant surprise and added to the overall enjoyment of the journey.

In general, the Alaska tour was an incredible experience filled with breathtaking scenery, amazing wildlife, and unforgettable moments. The highlights, including the railroad journey, boat cruise, and the beauty of Seward and Denali, made it a truly...

Ultimate Guide to Seeing the Northern Lights

My wife and I planned a trip to Alaska to experience the stunning scenery and hopefully catch the Northern Lights. Based on our research, the lights are typically visible from late August through April. I found Alaska Tours company and called them in advance. To their credit, they were transparent and did NOT guarantee that we would see the lights. With that understanding, we booked the trip. The tour driver picked us up from our downtown Fairbanks hotel around 9:45 p.m. for a 30–40 minute ride to the outskirts of Fairbanks. Upon arrival, we were welcomed into traditional yurts, which provided warmth, bathrooms, and hot drinks (tea, coffee, and cookies). The yurts are “dry,” meaning no running water; the bathroom setup involved plastic bags, which was a bit unusual at first. To pass the time until the skies darkened, a dog musher gave a presentation, which was interesting and enjoyable. By around 11:30 p.m. to midnight, the sky was fully dark. The tour staff lit a bonfire outside, allowing us to sit around it while waiting for the aurora. Unfortunately, clouds rolled in, and we never saw the Northern Lights that night. Everyone was disappointed, and by around 2 a.m. we called it a night and headed back with the driver. We were very disappointed as the weather did not cooperate. So, we decided to do more homework to better understand this phenomenon. Based on our research, several factors must align for a good chance of seeing the lights:

Clear, dark skies – If you cannot see the stars (due to cloud cover or other obstructions), you will not see the lights.

High geomagnetic activity – The Kp index, which measures geomagnetic activity, ranges from 1 to 9. You typically need a Kp of at least 5.

Cool weather – Crisp, cold nights improve visibility.

Luck – The lights can appear and disappear quickly, lasting from a few seconds to several hours.

For forecasts, check the University of Alaska Fairbanks Aurora Forecast.

In conclusion: many factors go into seeing the Northern Lights, and tour companies will not guarantee a sighting. I do wish they offered a three-night window, so if you miss them the first night, you could try again on the second or third.

My advice is to plan ahead: look for clear skies, cool temperatures, and higher geomagnetic activity before booking. If conditions look poor, you can cancel or reschedule with less impact on your wallet.

Alternatively, if you’re comfortable driving, rent a car and head to the outskirts of the city. Find a hilltop or high-elevation area away from light pollution for the best chance. If I return to Alaska, that’s exactly what I’ll do—watch the forecasts, find a dark hilltop far from city lights, and give myself the best shot at experiencing the aurora.

Best cities to see the lights are Fairbanks, Chena Hot Spring and Talkeetna (in winter). You could see the lights as low as Anchorage but the higher and closer you are to...

The tour itinerary went like clockwork! Every activity and hotel booking went exactly as I had planned. Since this trip was planned months to a year earlier, I did fret that as I checked into the hotels or showed up for the planned excursions I would be told " we don't have a record of your reservation" and be left standing holding the bag!. But that was never the case, all I needed to do was give my last name and the person behind the desk/counter would then say Patrick and Jean? which always made me relax knowing that all was right in the world. My wife liked the kayak excursion the best while I liked the white water rafting the best, but it was a close call either way. The train trip down to Denali and then on to Anchorage from Fairbanks was very relaxing and the view from the scenic car was great. I have to say the lunch and dinner meals were also surprisingly good. My wife and I rented a car in Anchorage and took off to Seward and then on to Homer. We loved both cities, the fishing expedition out of Homer was all day and about 32 miles out into the ocean. Everyone on board caught the maximum number of halibut while I also hooked a rather large cod. The crew on board fillet the fish while we sailed back into port and there was a representative in port waiting for us to get the fillets packaged and mailed back to our homes, that is if we chose to keep the fillets, which I did and had 22 pounds shipped home. The hiking experience was like stepping back in time to the Jurassic age! The lush and thick vegetation, with the large deciduous trees and huge ferns made me feel like I was hiking in Jurassic park! My wife and I encountered, on three different occasions and almost face to face, three large moose, I mean we both froze each time we encountered one of these beast, and luckily the moose also froze when they noticed us, but then decided we were no threat and continued on there way. We also saw an eagle flying overhead carrying a fish in its talons. Alaska is over twice the size of Texas and yet has less than one million in population. Alaska is still a pristine land, with very few roads or other signs of commercial infrastructure. Most of the cities are small, except Anchorage, which has like 40% of the entire state's population. Considering that Alaska is over twice the size of Texas and yet has only about 750,000 people in the entire state means the land is much like it was eons ago. I highly recommend a trip to Alaska, and using Alaska Tours really helped my wife and I scheduled/coordinated the excursions and adventures that alone she and I could not have possibly managed...