It’s fall in Alaska. The leaves in Denali have gone from green to golden to the ground, and are accumulating on the tundra floor. Moose are rutting. The snow is starting to really accumulate on the summits of the Alaska Range. In Kenai Fjords National Park, whales are beginning their migration south to warmer waters.
But if you’re like us, you’ve already started thinking about next summer. And if you’re thinking about Alaska (like we are), it’s time to get serious! Planning a trip to Alaska may seem as daunting as reaching the summit of Denali—so much space, so many choices!
Here are six reasons why right now is the time to start planning your 2020 Alaska vacation:
Summer’s short: Here, we give summer everything we’ve got. From mid-May through mid-September, we cram all the adventuring we can into every day. And that’s also when most visitors come as well—about 80% of them come in July and August. The window’s small, but the demand is big.
Dreams are big: You’re probably hoping to see and do a lot on your Alaska adventure. Hiking, flightseeing, whale watching, wildlife and scenery…. There’s a lot to squeeze in and a lot of ground to cover! So that makes the planning stage both crucial and complex. The sooner you can get down to turning these dreams into a viable trip, the better. Our team of trip planning experts can help you feel less overwhelmed and more excited.
Availability is limited: At some of Alaska’s premiere lodges, like the remote Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island and the secluded Denali Backcountry Lodge, there’s a limited number of rooms and they book up quickly. The best places may be booked for the whole summer by the new year. You need to move right away to make sure you get what you want when you want it.
Boats, buses, trains and cars: There's a lot to think about in terms of how you’re going to get around, and a lot of logistics to sort through—from where the bus drops you off to what time the train departs. For the most exciting trip, organize a bit of everything and let yourself sample Alaska from different windows.
You wait, you lose: Last-minute reservations are always a possibility, but you’ll be heavily restricted in options for routing, itinerary and lodging—it’ll be a matter of where there’s space, not what you want.
Seeing it all: It’s possible! By booking your Alaska vacation with our Travel Planners, there’ll be fewer surprises, more guarantees and the whole thing will be simpler and smoother.
To get busy planning—and confirming—your Alaska adventure, call our team of trip planning experts at 1.800.808.8068
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