need help for upcoming alaska trip!?
im planning to go back to alaska next year, but this time my husband and i want a different experience. we were just there for our honeymoon in may-june, and it was amazing! we went on a cruise and we visited the southeast region. this time we want to explore the “wild area”; we would like to check out denali and fairbanks, but what else is out there? we dont want to do any of those annoying tours where we need to travel in busses for hours and everything seems rushed… we still want to have a tour guide/group or something, but we want to take our time and see more than what we saw on the cruise. also i would like to experience alaska in the colder times with less daylight possible and the aurora borealis(norther lights)… so what it the best time of the year and where would you suggest to go and see? should we just rent a car and explore the wild ourselves or should we book a tour package? note: we both dont like camping, so are there any B&B or any kind of facilities?
If you want to get away from the large tour busses than renting a car is a very good idea. The main roads are generally in good shape and well traveled, especially in summer. There are many things to do and see independently around Fairbanks. Check out our Visitor Center website for ideas. The tours go to many of these same places so going on your own would allow you to spend more time and likely save money.
You may also want to take the train from either Anchorage or Fairbanks to Denali, especially since private cars are not allowed into Denali past the campgrounds. You must take a bus to see the more remote areas, but it is worth it. There are hotels and inns near the Park entrance as well as the Kantishna Roadhouse (100 miles into the Park). Keep in mind that most tour places close for the winter mid-September until late May. There are some B&B and hotels in Fairbanks open year around.
Chena Hot Springs in about an hour from Fairbanks. The drive is very pretty through the woods, often seeing moose and other wildlife. There is a hotel at the springs. They have hiking trails and are open all year. This is a good place to view the Aurora in winter since they are away from the light of Fairbanks.
Flightseeing is another good way to see the more remote areas of Alaska. There are many tour operators in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and near Denali. These are usually in small aircraft or helicopters. You can do day trips or arrange for overnight stays at some places.
There are even tours to the North Slope for polar bear viewing. They are rather expensive though, $2500/person.