As the publisher of a travel magazine, I have over 40 years of experience exploring the great state of Alaska. From the southern city of Ketchikan to the northern part of the Article Circle, I have journeyed by car, ship, ferry, helicopter and floatplane. I have had a front-row seat to nature’s greatest shows of glacier calving, whales breeching and Kodiak bears battling over salmon. Along the way, I have come across some remarkable towns and have met extraordinary people from all over the world. When most people plan their Alaska vacation, they book one of the many cruise ships that frequent the waterways of the 49th state. While traveling in one of these floating cities has their place, it does impart a more restricted form of vacationing as groups of people are herded on and off the ship with very limited time devoted to each port. If sight-seeing with thousands of other people isn’t for you, then I would suggest you follow the itinerary for Travel Guide’s “Eight Perfect days in Southeast Alaska.” Nestled in the southern archipelago, like jewels in crown, lies the capitol of Juneau, along with the delightful cities of Sitka, Wrangell, Skagway, Haines, Petersburg and Ketchikan. To experience these towns is to encounter quintessential Alaska-pristine rivers, cultural heritage sites, awe-inspiring glaciers and, of course, bears. A person can leave the commotion and traffic of Seattle, Washington in the morning and by the afternoon be watching bears fish for salmon in the Anan creek outside of Wrangell. There has never been a better time to visit Alaska.
Day 1 Seattle/Wrangell
Fly from Seattle, Washington to Wrangell Alaska on Alaska Air. There is no need to rent a car as Wrangell is easy to navigate on foot. The Stikine Inn will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel. Anan Wildlife Observatory is a world class bear viewing destination, located 30 miles southeast of the town of Wrangell and nestled in the Tongass National Forest. The observatory offers visitors a chance to be within feet of these giants of the forest. Anan creek was an ancient fishing ground for the Stikine Tlingit clans, who would catch and preserve the large salmon run for their winter food reserves. Today, this creek still has the largest pink salmon run in Southeast Alaska. Both black and brown bears are attracted to the creek with mainly mothers, their cubs and juvenile bears taking advantage of the abundance of fish. Getting to the Anan Wildlife Observatory requires a reservation and a permit a head of time, as boat or floatplanes can only access the preserve. Permits are regulated by the U.S. Forest Service, with most permits being allocated to experienced tour operators such as Alaska Charters & Adventure, Alaska Peak & Sea Tours, Alaska Vistas, Alaska Waters and Breakaway Adventures. The Anan Management Plan limits the amount of visitors during the salmon run out of respect for the bears, as this is their main food source used to bulk up before winter hibernation.
Enjoy a dinner of grilled salmon on the waterfront at the Stikine Inn.
Day 2 Wrangell/Juneau
The next day, take a morning trip to LeConte Glacier or The Stikine River. The Stikine is the fastest free-flowing river in North America and enchants visitors with sweeping mountain vistas of lush rainforests, majestic waterfalls, icebergs and glaciers. Bears, moose, seals and eagles are just some of the wildlife frequently seen on the Stikine tour, which can be organized by Wrangell tour operators. Le Conte Glacier is the southernmost tidewater glacier on the continent. This glacier produces many calving events and the icebergs are often occupied by seals and their pups as they lazily ride the bay waters. The icebergs of LeConte are colored a vibrant blue or even jade green. This is because of long wavelengths from the sun being absorbed and reflecting back through the ice. Many jet boat operators let you get up close to the icebergs, where you can touch a million years of history.
If you would like to fly with the eagles, then I recommend seeing LeConte glacier with Sunrise Aviation. There is nothing like a flight seeing tour of one of Alaska’s most active glacier.
Around town don’t miss Chief Shake Tribal House, the Wrangell Museum and Petroglyph Beach State Historic Park that has over 40 rocks with carved pictures and symbols believed to have been created hundreds of years ago by the Tlingit. Another destination spot is Tongass National Forest, a costal temperate rainforest. Many companies employ Alaskan native guides who will lead educational tours of the rainforest and explain the interconnectedness between the differing ecosystems. The Nolan Center has the Wrangell Museum, with traveling exhibits as well as permanent ones that highlight the history of the area. Wrangell is the only U.S. city to have been ruled by four nations.
The Stikine Inn will take you back to the airport for your one hour and 45 minute evening flight to Juneau. Frontier Suites will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel, a short five-minute ride from the airport.
Day 3 Juneau
In the morning Frontier Suites will take you back to the airport for an Avis rental car. Juneau is a majestic mountain town and a coastal city with a vibrant art scene and rich in Native American history. There are four welcome centers around town that offer walking tour maps of the waterfront and historical sites. Thirteen minutes from downtown is Mendenhall Glacier, one of the most accessible glaciers in North America. Drive to Mendenhall Visitor Center and watch a brief film about the half mile wide glacier, then take a small trail to Photo Point for Instagram worthy glacier scenery. If you have more time, there are plenty of trails around the glacier for all levels of hiking enthusiasts. For another unique experience, take the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway from downtown Juneau to the top of Mount Roberts. At 1800 feet high, spectacular panoramic views will spellbind you. Hike alpine trails, visit the live bald eagle display or enjoy a cup of coffee at the Mountain House.
Day 4 Juneau/Skagway
In the morning, return the rental to the airport. Take a $12 taxi ride from the airport to Shelter Harbor to pick up the Fjord Express to Skagway.
The Fjord Express is a 3.5 hour one-way narrated, sightseeing and wildlife cruise. Whales, dolphins and seals are often seen on this voyage as you travel through the most scenic stretch of Alaska’s Inside Passage. A hearty bowl of seafood chowder is also included in the ferry's price. As you leave Juneau on the Fjord, make your way to the back of the boat and watch as Mendenhall comes into view and you can observe the enormous scale of this glacier. On arrival in Skagway, walk to the Morning Wood Hotel. There is no need to rent a car as all attractions are close. Enjoy the historic streets of Skagway and take in a delightful show at the Days of 98, which chronicles the wild heyday of the Alaskan Gold Rush. Stop into Lynch and Kennedy, a family-owned business that specializes in a unique selection of Alaskan made jewelry and native art and gifts. The half day train ride on the White Pass and Yukon Railway is an excursion that shouldn’t be missed. Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, the route is an example of engineering wonder as you ascend 3,000 feet in just 20 miles. Along the way, the beauty of Alaska will be on full display as you witness glaciers, mountains, tunnels, gorges, and waterfalls. After a day of sightseeing, feast on a seafood dinner at Olivia in the Historic Skagway Inn.
Day 5 Skagway/Haines
Catch the 30 minute Fjord Express from Skagway to Haines, a city which sits on the northern end of the Inside Passage and is connected by road to both Canada and the Alaska Highway. Stay at the Captain’s Choice hotel, which also has car rentals. They will pick you up at the harbor for your short, but uphill, ride to the hotel.
A bustling and thriving arts community, Haines offers visitors museums, galleries and local restaurants. This town is also a photographer's dream as it is one of the sunniest spots along the famously rainy Inside Passage. For local art, The Seawolf/Whale Rider Gallery is not to be missed. Artist Tresham Gregg enchants visitors with his multi-media creations, including paintings, metal works, silk screens, wood carvings and puppetry. He has a unique and imaginative take on Native American legend and lore. Stop by The Wild Iris, with friendly Fred, an accomplished jeweler and collector of local art.
Millions of birds make Alaska their summer home as they fish and raise their young, taking advantage of the extended summer daylight. The American Bald Eagle Foundation is part history museum and part educational center. Twelve resident avian ambassadors help educate the public about one of the many species that call Alaska their home. With some time left in the day, thanks to the never setting sun, take a short 15 minute drive out of Haines to the Chilkoot Lake State Recreation. With four salmon runs beginning in mid June and ending in October, this popular site is the go-to spot for fishing and bear viewing. (on the river)
Day 6 Juneau/Sitka
In the morning, take the Fjord Express back to Juneau. The Fjord Express bus will pick you up at the dock and take you to the Juneau airport for your short flight to Sitka. Rent a car at the airport and spend the day in the town where “wilderness and culture collide.” Sitka is a picturesque town with a strong Russian heritage. The orthodox cathedral with its onion-shaped domes and gold crosses makes for a lovely contrast against the green forest-covered mountains.
The Tlingit, Russian and American settlers have all left their mark on Sitka and can still be seen in the traditional Russian dancing of the Archangel Dancers to a totem-lined trail through the rainforest. Be sure and stop by Abby’s Reflection, a quilt and apparel store with locally designed fabric from Sitka artists. Her faithful dog will probably great you at the door and welcome you to the store. A short drive out of town is the Fortress of the Bear, a facility that provides a safe haven for orphaned bears. Founded in 2007, the center provides protection and care to rescued animals in an enriching, educational environment. The Sheldon Jackson museum is the oldest museum in Alaska. The unusual octagon shapes showcase the incredible and wide variety of artifacts, including native totems, masks, baskets and sewing.
In the evening, head to the airport to check in your car and fly back to Juneau. Overnight in Juneau with Frontier Suites. They will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel. In the morning, they will take you back to the airport for your flight to Petersburg.
Day 7 Juneau/Petersburg
In Petersburg, Tides Inn will pick you up and take you to the hotel. Car rental is possible from Tides Inn but is not a requirement, as most attractions are close. Petersburg is a true Alaskan working community that makes its living from the sea. A Norwegian fishing village, Petersburg is located on Frederick Sound near the summer feeding grounds of hundreds of humpback whales. Lunch at Coastal Cold Storage, then walk to the harbor to see the canneries and fishing boats unloading the day’s catch.
Day 8 Petersburg/Ketchikan
In the morning, Tides Inn will take you back to the airport for your flight to Ketchikan. Upon arrival, rent a car from Alaska Car Rental and drive onto the ferry for the trip across the water, as the airport is on an island. Once in Ketchikan, there are three outstanding accommodations, including Ketchikan Cape Fox Lodge, The Edgewater Inn and The Landing. Ketchikan is the perfect place for a flightseeing adventure to view Misty Fjords National Monument, a nature preserve where glacier granite fjords rise majestically 3,000 feet above sea level.
The city has the largest collection of totem poles in Alaska. These enormous carved tree trunks experienced their peak in the mid 1700s-1800s. The totems told illustrious stories of events and legends of the clan, but unfortunately, the totems and the villages were abandoned when people moved into cities for economic reasons. Today, there is a renewed interest in the history and preservation of these magnificent works of art. There are two totem pole parks just outside of town. Saxman Native Village lies south of town and Totem Bight is to the north. Stroll through lush forested paths that give way to the welcoming spirt of the totems, inviting you to view the proud heritage of the native clans.
Walk the streets of Ketchikan and take in the gold shops and art galleries. For rip roaring entertainment, try The Great Lumberjack Show, a competition of strength and agility that celebrates this unsung hero of the Alaskan wilderness. In the evening, enjoy the best fish and chips at the Landing. The fish that graces your plate is halibut that has just been caught that day. It doesn’t get any fresher than that!
Day 9 Ketchikan/Seattle
Travel back to the airport by the ferry for your return flight to Seattle, Washington. As you settle into your seat and the plane’s wing dips out over the Tongass Narrows in salutation, your eight day Alaska adventure has come to a close. Thanks to the itinerary designed by Travel Guide Fly Alaska, you saw snow-capped glaciers, forests teeming with wildlife, oceans and streams alive with salmon, seals and otters and notable cultural sites. Hopefully, you ate the best fish and chips of your life and fell asleep each night deeply satisfied with your Alaskan encounter. In eight days you had the experience of traveling by plane, car and ferry and were able to see up close a state rich in nature, scenery and history. The memories you made touring the crown jewel communities of Southeast Alaska will surely last a lifetime thanks to the itinerary of Travel Guide Fly Alaska.
Flight Times
Please note, all prices were based on approximated costs at the time of publication. Check with airlines, tour operators and hotels for updated prices. Also, all airline flight prices are based per person.
Seattle, WA to Wrangell, AK- 3h 46m
Wrangell to Juneau- 1h 49m
Juneau to Sitka- 41m
Juneau to Petersburg- 43m
Petersburg to Ketchikan- 1h 48m
Wrangell:
Jet Boat Operators
Alaska Charters and Adventure- 907-874-4157
Accommodations:
The Stikine Inn- 888-874-3388
Juneau:
Accommodations:
Frontier Suites- 907-790-6600
Car Rental:
Avis Car Rental
Fjord Express- 1-800-320-0146
Skagway:
Accommodations & Activities
The Historic Skagway Inn- 1-888-752-4929
Whitepass Yukon Route- 1-800-343-7373
The Days of 98 Show- 907-983-2545
Haines:
Accommodation and Car Rental:
The Captains Choice Motel- 907-766-3111
Sitka:
Car Rental:
Avis Car Rental
Petersburg:
Accommodation and Car Rental:
The Tides Inn- 907-772-4288
Ketchikan:
Accommodations:
The Landing- 907-225-5166
Car Rental:
Tongass Car Rental-907-821-4899
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