Alaska Master Thread

[NoC]

I'm planning an Alaska trip in August. Trying to be budget conscious. We've booked accommodations already.
I've already booked a glacier cruise in Kenai Fjords. Is it worth doing another one in Whittier? Do you see anything different? Willing to pay for it if it's worth it.

We did both - out of Seward and Whittier. Greatly appreciated them. whittier was more iceberg focused and Seward more wildlife. the season we went definitely helped make them each special as out of Seward we saw close up multiple humpback whales and many killer whales. There is definitely lots of overlap but its Alaska and always beautiful.

[CountValentine]

Any recommendations for a cruise?

[NoC]

Any recommendations for a cruise?

Went in early June on a last minute no research trip... in Seward took the 4hr orca tour from major marine tours. Really liked the staff on board. There weren't a lot of people so had a nice vibe. From Whittier took the 26 glacier tour (the 26 is more like what's
technically visible throughout the trip but still nice glacier tour) from Phillips tour I think. Don't remember exactly, but it was long trip

[TravelMoshe]

I've seen **** happen. Trying to save a few bucks and compromising on serious safety concerns is a good way to get into serious trouble.

If the cost of a properly guided excursion is too high then may I suggest looking at other destinations. Alaska is not cheap (excursion-wise).

/end soapbox. I did my part.

Yes, this company and the price sound shady. We used Anadyr Adventures https://anadyradventures.com/ and they were super safety conscious the whole time. We didn't do the glacier lake but rather a stunning trip around Sawmill Bay, which is off the harbour.

[Explorer1]

Yes, this company and the price sound shady. We used Anadyr Adventures https://anadyradventures.com/ and they were super safety conscious the whole time. We didn't do the glacier lake but rather a stunning trip around Sawmill Bay, which is off the harbour.

I see that they to offer tours through Glacier caves and so to 3 other company's not sure what to make of it🤔

[TravelMoshe]

I see that they to offer tours through Glacier caves and so to 3 other company's not sure what to make of it🤔

I can't speak to other companies. I just know that my research last year made me choose this company over any others. They actually offer many different kayaking trips. They all look amazing. The reason I didn't do the glacier lake one was because we had seen already many glaciers by then. And the glacier lake had no wildlife, whereas the others had more potential wildlife. We got real up close to sea lions, salmon swimming all around and under our kayaks, sea otters everywhere around us, bears on shore etc

[Explorer1]

I can't speak to other companies. I just know that my research last year made me choose this company over any others. They actually offer many different kayaking trips. They all look amazing. The reason I didn't do the glacier lake one was because we had seen already many glaciers by then. And the glacier lake had no wildlife, whereas the others had more potential wildlife. We got real up close to sea lions, salmon swimming all around and under our kayaks, sea otters everywhere around us, bears on shore etc

Thanks, what else did you do in Valdez?
I found your TR will take a look

[TzviR]

Is there a Jewish community anywhere in Alaska? Daily minyanim?

[TravelMoshe]

Is there a Jewish community anywhere in Alaska? Daily minyanim?

The only Jewish "community" is Chabad in Anchorage. They have a very large Jewish center. On Shabbos in the summer (July & August) there is always a minyan from all the visitors. During the week it's very hit or miss because the visitors generally do not hang out in or even near Anchorage. There are only a few frum local families living there so during the year, at best they have minyan Shabbos morning.. There is also a new Chabad that opened in Fairbanks a year ago but not much there yet.

[lcm]

There is also a new Chabad that opened in Fairbanks a year ago but not much there yet.

Not much is relative
Daily minyanim, no. But if there are enough tourists that want, I think the shliach would make a minyan.

[aaronnechama]

Checking out different options for Bear Viewing in early July, probably in Lake Clark NP. Has anyone had experience using this groupon offer?
It would come out to just $440pp which seems awfully low (most people report paying around $750pp).

[Something Fishy]

Checking out different options for Bear Viewing in early July, probably in Lake Clark NP. Has anyone had experience using this groupon offer?
It would come out to just $440pp which seems awfully low (most people report paying around $750pp).

You're not gonna see any bears at Lake Clark in July.

[aaronnechama]

You're not gonna see any bears at Lake Clark in July.

Where are they found in July - Brooks Falls?

[Something Fishy]

Yes

[TravelMoshe]

Where are they found in July - Brooks Falls?

Yes, Brooks Falls is teeming then with them

[aaronnechama]

Planning my 10 Day Alaska Trip which is less than a month away.

I put down a rough itinerary of things we want to do, but there are still a few question marks and missing spots on some of the days.

Please comment on the plan and feel free to make suggestions - I know we are missing a lot of the real expensive things people do there which involve flying, but we tend to skew more to scenic beauty and awesome hiking rather than the "things tourists do".


Alaska Trip Itinerary

[Explorer1]

Planning my 10 Day Alaska Trip which is less than a month away.

I put down a rough itinerary of things we want to do, but there are still a few question marks and missing spots on some of the days.

Please comment on the plan and feel free to make suggestions - I know we are missing a lot of the real expensive things people do there which involve flying, but we tend to skew more to scenic beauty and awesome hiking rather than the "things tourists do".


Alaska Trip Itinerary

If you are not doing anything on the 15th, check out the Reed lakes trail on the hatcher pass rd supposed to be beautiful (I have never done it or been to Alaska for that matter, just have done a lot of research for a planned trip in August which was canceled 😞) even just the drive in hatcher pass is said to be gorgeous. (Not sure how hard the trail is).

[notyettaken]

Planning my 10 Day Alaska Trip which is less than a month away.

I put down a rough itinerary of things we want to do, but there are still a few question marks and missing spots on some of the days.

Please comment on the plan and feel free to make suggestions - I know we are missing a lot of the real expensive things people do there which involve flying, but we tend to skew more to scenic beauty and awesome hiking rather than the "things tourists do".


Alaska Trip Itinerary

I don't think driving north on 17 Tamuz to Talkeetna is a good idea it extends an already ridiculously long fast even more (or forever because there is no "tzais" https://www.myzmanim.com/day.aspx?vars=APTKA/7-13-2025////////////////39672b

[aaronnechama]

I don't think driving north on 17 Tamuz to Talkeetna is a good idea it extends an already ridiculously long fast even more (or forever because there is no "tzais" https://www.myzmanim.com/day.aspx?vars=APTKA/7-13-2025////////////////39672b

According to Rabbi Heber, I have to fast from 2:00am on Motzei Shabbos until 2:05am on Monday morning (24+ hours!) because of the lack of tzais.
I doubt driving up to Talkeetna is going to make much of a difference. 

[aaronnechama]

Considering taking a flightseeing tour leaving from Denali NP entrance instead of the multitude of options down in Talkeetna.

Anyone have experience using Denali Summit Flight? Cost is $429pp for a summit level w/supplemental oxygen flight which seems reasonable.