Awe-inspiring  Alaska Holidays & Tours

Entry requirements to the USA are subject to change. If you’d like to find out the latest and most up-to-date visa rules we suggest you visit our partners CIBT. They have an accurate tool where you can check the correct information for the USA at cibtvisas.com/health-requirements. 

Alaska’s must-see sights are the state’s natural wonders, including its wonderful wildlife as well as the Mendenhall and Hubbard glaciers, and national parks, such as Denali, Glacier Bay National Park and Tongass National Forest. If you’re taking an Alaska cruise, you can also see sights such as Prince William Sound, a vast fjord created by Alaska’s Columbia glacier. But there’s also gold rush history to discover on your Alaska holidays, including at Skagway and Ketchikan, and the historic copper mine at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

Alaska is a wildlife lover’s dream, including a chance to spot the state’s Big Five – bear, moose, Dall sheep, wolf and caribou. It’s also famous for its marine life, including humpback whales, gray whales and orcas. There are several different types of bear alone to see, including polar bears, brown and black bears, plus the rare glacier bears and Kodiak bears found only on Kodiak island and the surroundings. Keep an eye out too for bison, sea lions, porpoises, walrus and sea otters, as well as bald eagles and puffins during our Alaska tours.

Packing for the elements is a vital part of all Alaska holidays, even if you’re visiting during the summer months. Early mornings and late evenings can be much cooler, as can any boat trips, so it’s important to pack layers such as a fleece jacket or rain jacket. A comfortable pair of walking shoes is also essential; unless you’re heading off the beaten track, you may not need hiking boots though, a pair of sturdy trainers may be sufficient. Clothing is usually casual and practical so there’s little need to dress up unless you’re taking an Alaska cruise with more formal evenings. Save space for mosquito repellent, especially in June and July, and an eye mask can also be useful for light sleepers during the long summer nights. Don’t forget binoculars and plenty of memory cards for your camera.

The best time to visit Alaska is during the summer months, from mid-May to mid-September, when temperatures are around 15-20C. The start and end of the season tend to be quietest times as well as some of the best to see the Northern Lights. June has the longest days, although you’ll also find more insects and mosquitoes around this month, while July has some of the best weather but also the biggest crowds. August sees the beginning of the rainy season. Many excursions stop operating from mid-September, with animals beginning to hibernate and the days quickly getting shorter and colder. It’s best to avoid planning Alaska tours during the winter months.

There are no specific vaccination requirements to enter Alaska, and no need for a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Travellers are recommended to have the usual course of vaccinations for life in their home country. Those who may be at higher risk should also consider Tetanus, and Hepatitis A vaccinations. Malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases are not normally present in Alaska.

Yes, Alaska is one of the best places in the United States to see the Northern Lights. When planning your Alaska tours, it’s worth knowing they tend to be most intense around the equinoxes in March and September, although you can also see them throughout the winter months. Fairbanks is one of the best places in the state to view the Aurora.

You’ll find an impressive variety of seafood and fish to enjoy during your Alaska holidays, including oysters, King Crab and salmon. But you’ll also come across some less common dishes which have been a staple of local diets for centuries, including reindeer sausage and other game meat. For a taste of natural sweetness, look out for birch syrup and Alaska’s wild berries, which are also used to make wine. Alaskans love their coffee as well, so you can expect freshly roasted beans and specialist brews as you explore.

One of Alaska’s most famous annual events is the Iditarod, with the sled dog race beginning in Anchorage on the first Saturday in March. But many festivals run during the summer months, including Independence Day celebrations on July 4, as well as the Alaska State Fair in the Mat-Su Valley from late August into early September. Or celebrate local produce at the Alyeska Resort Blueberry Festival in August, and the Cordova Fungus Festival in mid-September.

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor activities in Alaska, with fabulous scenery to explore along with the state’s wonderful wildlife. Alaska has a string of easy well-maintained trails suitable for even novice hikers, plus more challenging paths to try in the different national parks. If you’re keen to get out on the water, there are also beginner-friendly kayaking options, such as on Mendenhall Lake, easy to combine with a trip to see the glacier. For those who prefer less strenuous Alaska holidays, you can enjoy wildlife spotting from the deck of a ship, including the Inside Passage and the waterways around Juneau, as well as in Alaska’s national parks and attractions like the Alaska Sea Life Center in Seward.

Denali National Park is one of the most popular national parks to visit on Alaska tours, as it’s possible to explore year-round as well as being home to the state’s ‘Big Five’ animals and the eye-catching Denali mountain. Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is also a staple of Alaska cruise itineraries, with a chance to sail through the fjords, plus kayaking and hiking. For whale spotting and glaciers, Kenai Fjords National Park, near Seward, is another unforgettable place to experience, while Wrangell-St Elias National Park offers something rather different. The nation’s largest national park is home to a restored copper mine. Katmai National Park is harder to reach, accessible by small plane only, but you can spot coastal brown bears fishing for salmon here during the summer months.

Absolutely. Whether you’re looking for gentle adventures or something more thrilling, it’s easy to find in the wild open landscape of Alaska. Watching a glacier calve is an adventure on its own, as is watching a whale breach off the bow of your ship, but there’s everything from hiking, kayaking, climbing and exploring some of the world’s most dramatic and unspoiled scenery to discover on our Alaska tours as well.

Tipping is ‘voluntary’ in the USA, however, it’s frowned upon if gratuities are not left. In most cases, a tip of around 15% to 25% for each transaction is considered fine and around 20% if you eat in a restaurant. For a drink at a bar, the accepted customary tip is $1 per drink. Bad service is quite rare in the USA due to the tipping culture, although if there are genuine issues, you should ask to speak to the manager. You can also find suggested amounts in our useful information sheet, which will be sent to you before you travel. Porterage is included if you book an Alaksa tour with Titan, so there’s no need to tip for bags.