GETTING THE BEST ADVICE
Obtaining advice when planning a trip is important, but are you getting the right advice for somewhere as diverse as Alaska? Ever since the Klondike gold rush it seems Alaska is a land of myth’s and misconceptions. In 1899 prospectors surged north from around the world in search of hidden riches, many of these hardy souls were under a myriad of misconceptions and history has numerous tales of failures. Those that sought sound advice generally fared better. Today, the rush to Alaska – albeit a more comfortable one – attracts people in their quest to explore this fascinating land. This is where Alaskagrouptours.com comes into the picture. Our team of online experts will help you plan and design a customized tour for you and your group. After all, coming to Alaska with the help of your friends in Anchorage is almost as good as striking gold!

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GENERAL INFORMATION for ALASKA
Alaska is impressive for its sheer size; more than 580,000 square miles, Alaska accounts for one fifth of the United States total land area. It stretches 2,400 miles east to west & 1,420 miles north to south.

Geography Alaska’s natural beauty is extensive and includes almost every geographical feature from pristine rainforests to the highest mountains on the continent, in fact seventeen of the twenty highest peaks in the United States are located in Alaska, with Mount McKinley peaking at 20,320ft.

Wildlife A great variety of wildlife is found in Alaska and includes moose, caribou, Dall sheep, various species of bear, wolves, whales, porpoise, various species of seals, hundreds of bird species, and a variety of other marine & land mammals. More bald eagles live in Alaska than in all other US states combined. The protection of Alaskan wildlife and its habitat is an important goal of both state and federal governments. More than half of all National Parks in the United States are now found in Alaska.

History After the Bering land bridge, the first People to inhabit Alaska were Inuit, Aleuts, Tlingit and Athabascan. In the mid 1700’s Russian sailors discovered the land of the Aleuts and called it Alyeska. The Russians laid claim to the lands that eventually stretched from the Aleutians to Sitka. In 1867 Alaska was purchased from Russia for a price of $7,200,000 or 2 cents per acre. In January 1959, Alaska became the 49th US State.

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WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
Weather in the north can be unpredictable. Mid-June through mid-August is usually the warmest time of year, especially in the Alaskan and Yukon interiors, where temperatures can reach well above 80° F and it is not uncommon to see temperatures of 90°F in Fairbanks or Dawson City. However, it is important to note that even during summer, evening temperatures can be cool.

Southern coastal regions of maritime Alaska can be wet and cloudy at any time of year. Average summer temperatures range from 40°F to 60°F (4° - 15°C).

 In general Yukon and Alaska temperatures average above 50°F for at least four months of the year (mid-May through mid-Sep). Winter temperatures can be extreme, dropping to –50F in the interior. Typically, winter temperatures range from 0° to -30°F from November to March.

Average High Temperatures in F°/C°

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WHAT TO BRING
Plan to bring casual clothing that is comfortable and practical for the outdoors. Alaska and Yukon are quite informal and with casual clothing you will fit in with all of us. To maximize the versatility of your wardrobe  and to allow for variable temperatures we recommend packing lightweight clothing that can be worn in layers. Trips to the arctic, Aleutian or Pribilof Islands require warm clothing. Good rain gear is necessary, especially in the coastal maritime regions of Alaska. Footwear, comfortable walking shoes or water repellent hiking boots are very important. A day pack is a particularly useful item to bring. Other personal items we suggest are: small flashlight, hair dryer (most hotels rooms do not have them) insect repellent, binoculars, adequate supply of prescription medication, photographic film and camera. You will find a duffel bag or soft-sided luggage is the most practical for Alaskan style of traveling, particularly when in small planes and boats. Restricting yourself to one piece of luggage is recommended.

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ACCOMMODATIONS
Alaskatours.com has access to a large inventory of hotel properties and lodges throughout Alaska . We are able to reserve accommodations in most major city centers. The hotel categories that we utilize are: Deluxe class, moderate range or budget categories.  The difference in the accommodations is mainly amenities.  In deluxe accommodations, you will find luxurious lobbies, fine dining restaurants, room service, and fitness facilities.  Moderate class accommodations are generally what we utilize to build our packages.  Moderate accommodations still provide comfortable rooms, but may or may not have an on-site restaurant.  The budget category includes a basic hotel with a focus on a comfortable room and no special amenities.