threadies

As part of our 4 week holiday in Alaska, we would like to drive this loop. Anything you can tell me on the following would be appreciated.
- a recommended boat tour to the glaciers in Prince William Sound.
- Accommodation (not expensive but not camping) - how far ahead would I have to book accommodation?
- Sights worth seeing along the loop.
- Driving The Richardson Highway from Valdez to Fairbanks - would 2 days 1 night be sufficient - are there plenty of gas stations along the way - what condition is the road in?
Looking forward to your replies.
Threadies

dfrostnh

For a long driving tour, get The Milepost which will give you information about the location of everything mile by mile which is esp essential when it comes to gas stations.
We have only been on the tour out of Seward to see glaciers. Kenai Fjords. Really enjoyed it but you need to take the all day tour to get out to the glaciers.
I have seen the cruise out of Whittier recommended but otherwise I would skip Whittier. It is a former secret military base accessed by a one way toll tunnel which is only open at scheduled times. If you have a time limit, be sure to check the schedule so you get into town on time. Whittier is the only town in Alaska we would not wish to visit a second time.
You have 4 weeks but haven't mentioned Seward or Homer on the Kenai Peninsula. Both are great places to visit.

BudgetQueen

Before you start asking about lodging I suggest you firm up your route and where you want to be and what activities perhaps?? 4 weeks is boatload of time, that I would expand upon and include other areas. With your timeframe, depends on the Richardson, but staying a couple nights in the Kennicott/McCarthy area is definately worthwhile and what about the Glenn Highway?? I assume you are taking the ferry Valdez/Whittier? I recommend a couple nights in Valdez and getting out on one of the all day boat tours, just excellent.

As for Whittier, the "best" boat tour, in my opinion, is Prince William Sound tours, and their longer Esther Passage trip.

With all your time, I would spend several days in Fairbanks, and get up into the Arctic. There are many touring options to consider, and some excellent scenic flightseeing to also consider.

What a great opportunity you have- make the most of it!!

threadies

Thank you dfrostnh and budgetqueen for your great input.
The Milepost has been recommended several timesand we will certainly use it. We will only be staying in Whittier if we cannot get a ferry connection to Valdez. The Valdez loop is only one part of our trip.We will be spendingtime in Achorage and doing some day trips from there to some of the wonderful sights within range. We will also travel down to the Kenai Peninsular and have 2 weeks in this area, so Seward and Homer will certainly be included.I am still in the planning stage for this part of our holiday and I am sure I will have more questions before our itinerary is finalised.

rolncathy

My husband and I just returned from Alaska this week. We flew in and out of Anchorage and rented a car for 3 weeks. We started in Wasilla with a cabin for 4 nights. ( Hillside Cabins, Wasilla) and took in Hatcher Pass, Independence Gold Mine (State Park) and Talkeetna, as well as the Alaska Sate Fair. We moved down to the Kenai, first to Seward (Van Gilder Hotel) where we took a boat tour with Renown cruise Line, visited Exit Glacier and the Sea life Center and then on to Homer (Ocean Shores Motel), a bear viewing fly-in and sightseeing around the area. After a stop in Cooper Landing for the night we moved on toward Glennallen on the Glenn Highway with another overnight stop and finally on to Valdez. The history here was great as well as the scenery. The drive took us to Worthington Glacier along the way. The museum at the Comm. college was well worth the stop. Back up the Richardson Highway to Delta Junction for the night, and on to Fairbanks (Gram's Cabin - North Pole). We spent much of a day at the Museum of the North at the University of Alaska, an afternoon on the Riverboat Discovery and not nearly enough time at the Pioneer Park. Denali was our final stop before heading back to Anchorage. We took the Kantishna Experience bus tour, did some short hikes and spent a lot of time watching moose our last evening.

All roads were in good shape, paved ( except for the road over Hatcher Pass which I would not recommend, especially if you have a rental car). Valdez to Fairbanks is certainly doable with an overnight stop along the way. We stopped and took pictures, went on short hikes and made picnic lunches along the way on the entire trip.

We made reservations for the cabins, and for our last night in Anchorage, as well as outside Denali park. We were traveling late in the season and some hotels and activities were closing down. After Labor Day State Parks, lodging, tours and some museums start to close down. You didn't say when you plan to go. Denali closes with the first snow, which has been as early as Sept. 2 in recent years. This year it was still open when we were there on the 15th, but with morning frost locals were watching for the first snow.

Sorry this got so long, but as we just returned we are still wanting to share our trip with anyone who will listen. Oh, I agree that the Milepost is a must. Also check out the Alaska Tour Saver coupon book online. There are a lot of 2 for 1 deals on tours, museums, etc.

BudgetQueen

For clarification on the above post, just about ALL the major car rentals prohibit driving PAST the Independence Mine to Willow on the Hatcher Pass. From Palmer side, to the Independence mine it is all paved and certainly a worthwhile trip. Don't go past there, unless, you are willing to take a risk to violating a car rental contract, or have made sure to have a rental that allows it. My auto insurance wouldn't have covered me either. So verify everything, if you are going to do this.

threadies

Hi rolncathy - I enjoyed reading about your recent trip. It seems to be quite similar to the one we are planning.We will be there in July/early August. Can you recommend the bear viewing flight? I am interested in taking one. If any more information comes to mind, please post it, as I am hungry for information from people who have already been to Alaska.

rolncathy

The bear viewing we used was set up by Alaska Homestead Lodge in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. They are unique in that they have 1/2 day, whole day and overnight options. The others I checked with had either half day or overnight. We left Homer on Smokey Bay Air at 9 am and were picked up again at 6 pm. Times vary with the tide as the landing strip is the beach. Alaska Homestead assigns you a guide who stays with you for the day. Due to distances they drive a 4 wheeler with a small trailer behind it for passengers, then you walk from where the 4 wheel trail ends. There are no viewing platforms. Silver salmon were running when we were there, the first week in Sept., and we saw plenty of bear. We met a couple who flew in to Katmai National Park and also had a great experience. Contact information for Alaska Homestead Lodge is: James Isaak, PO box 1341, Soldotna, AK 99669, phone (907)262-1960. They also arrange flights in from Soldotna. web site: www.alaskawildlife.com. Hope that helps.