We’re excited to be able to award Two “Dancers” by Alaska Inupiat Native artist Tony Weyiouanna Jr. as the grand prize for this year’s winning photo in our annual Alaska Tour & Travel Photo Contest.  Valued at $650, the beautiful carvings are made of antler, walrus, ivory, baleen, and polar bear fur and can be viewed all summer in our display at the Anchorage Museum Shop at 625 “C” Street in downtown Anchorage. (more…)

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My friend Elaine and I had the opportunity to visit the Kantishna Roadhouse this past week, a true journey into the wilderness, yet with the comforts of home:  home spun, healthy meals, up-to-date firm mattresses on the beds, good shower heads, fresh coffee early in the mornings, and best of all the sweetest and most pleasant service personnel and guides one could ever ask for.

I loved the peace and quiet of the surrounding woods around the cabins and sounds of the rambling brook in front of the roadhouse. Sitting in a rocking chair, soaking in the warm sun, and listening to the birds chirping was just what I wanted to do as I left behind the hectic city of Anchorage, the usual phone calls, and my busy fingers at the computer.  Elaine enjoyed the hiking more than I did. We did get a van ride up to Wonder Lake to see the mountain. It’s the closest either of us had been. The sun was shining with just a touch of cloud at the tip. Wow! What a sight. (more…)

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Over 550 photos were submitted for our 2010 Alaska Travel Photo Contest.  Our staff and several other Alaska travel industry managers have spent the last month judging which photo would be selected from among many amazing photos depicting Alaska’s wildlife, scenery, people, and adventure.   This year the photograph Denali Cow and Calf in Amber by Edward Krumanaker has been selected as the Contest’s grand prize winner.    (more…)

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Alaska Tour & Travel has received over 550 photos for its 2010 Photo Contest, a record!  We may not have had our best weather this past summer season, but you would never have known it based on the beautiful photos sent to us over the summer.  We were especially glad to have received many photos and stories from visitors who we helped plan their trip to Alaska. Over the next several weeks we will be selecting the top photos received and will ultimately select the photo who’s owner will receive the Alaskan Gold Medallion. In doing so, we are involving all of our staff and have asked several top Alaskan tourism industry managers to assist us.  We hope to announce the winner of the gold medallion on or before November 24th so that one lucky photographer will have something extra to be thankful for on Thanksgiving!

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One of the most enjoyable aspects of our work at Alaska Tour & Travel is receiving many letters from clients who have traveled to Alaska and later send us letters about their experiences.   We’re also receiving more and more photos from clients  as well, some of which they submit to our Alaska Travel Photo Contest.   These photo’s really highlight the diversity of the experiences that visitors and residents have while traveling in Alaska.  Alaska Cruises are a popular way to travel to Alaska, and Richard Bell sent us a photo he took this June while on board Holland America’s Ryndam.  Richard said that the guide books said “get up early, and don’t miss College Fjord” and they were right!  The photo of one of many glaciers in College Fjord is beautiful and reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend of mine who just came off a cruise from Vancouver, BC to Seward, Alaska and he told me that he was surprised to find that he enjoyed College Fjord even more than the day cruising Glacier Bay National Park. (more…)

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Dear Alaska Tour & Travel,

I wanted to take a moment and THANK YOU for palnning a fantastic trip to Alaska for my family. Everything was well planned out.  We had absolutely no problems with getting to or from our transportation, lodging, or excursions. All of the excursions that were prepared for us were wonderful! And they were kid friendly which was nice when traveling with a 7-year old.  We were able to see the most breathtaking scenery and see all of the wildlife in Alaska wilderness (grizzlies, moose, wolf, caribou, eagles, sheep, orca, sea lions, etc).  All of our lodging was nice and a few were exceptional.  I highly recommend this company to anyone interested in “experiencing” (not just seeing it!) Alaska.  I am already planning on going back to AK and using you again.  Thank you for providing us a WONDERFUL Alaska experience.

A. Reynolds

Athens, Georgia

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Just wanted to take a moment and than everyone involved in making our reservation for our recent trip to Alaska.  Everything went so smooth.  We enjoyed our trip very much as well as learning about the different culture that exists in Alaska. 

Thanks again!  

Carol and Nick Maximovich

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The most common question we get regarding travel to Alaska is what will the weather be like?  If only we could tell you for sure, but weather is difficult to predict.  Alaskan summers are cooler than many visitors are used to but it is still summer – a winter parka is not necessary!  Many travelers revel in the cooler temperatures.  Alaska is a big state so the weather does vary from region to region. Alaska is a great place to visit anytime of the year although most visitors come from mid-May to mid-September.  Mid to late May is a great value time to visit Alaska – the weather is warming up, the trees are blooming and the grass gets greener every day.  June is the driest time to visit Alaska and offers the most hours of daylight – June 21st is the longest day of the year.  July is peak season in Alaska and is the warmest month of the year.  August may be a little rainier but it is generally warmer than June and the bugs have decreased.  September offers cooler temperatures but beautiful fall colors. (more…)

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