Alaska is as unspoiled as they come. Unnamed mountains rise high above lush forests, with countless glaciers hidden among them. Small communities lie in the valleys, remote and untouched by the rush of the Lower 48. Grizzly bears wander the roads, and moose paddle the lakes. Thick with raw, unspoiled beauty, Alaska is like no other place on Earth.
It often feels like the world is moving too fast. In fact, it seems to pass by faster each year. We are ever-connected to one another through our phones and computers — both a blessing and a curse — and opportunities to unplug and find time for ourselves feel few and far between.
But far north of the rest of the United States is a place removed from life as you know it — a reminder of a time just passed. Cell service is spotty, roadhouses offering a place to sleep are decorated in floral quilts, and a lone train passes through the backcountry, connecting remote villages. In Alaska, time moves slowly.
The Kenai Fjords, surrounded by snow-capped mountains
Why Visit Alaska?
For most visitors, the main draw of Alaska is its landscapes. And, as misty mountains rise out of lush green forests cut only by expansive fjords, it’s not difficult to see why.
Among the remoteness, Alaska is home to a quiet luxury. A different kind of grandeur, not in lavishness and opulence but in rustic beauty, towering peaks, and vast fjords. This is the luxury of peace, serenity, and adventure.
Between discovering its towns — wonderfully sleepy, in the way only far-flung communities are — and venturing into the wilderness — which is anything but — Alaska welcomes you into the allure of the wild.
Why work with trip planners?
In 2025, we look to experience space from our daily life through travel — the chance to slow down, relax, and rejuvenate. So imagine the luxury of touching down in a new place, knowing everything has already been taken care of. Trips to Alaska should be just that. A chance to unwind, surrounded by nature, and ground yourself in what truly matters.
A flightseeing tour to Alaska’s backcountry
By working with a tour operator, you ensure that everything runs smoothly and leave the management to someone else. You can travel comfortably, knowing that an expert has designed the perfect trip with ample time to uncover the best of the destination, and the perfect balance between exploration and rest.
Alaska by Design
This is where we come in. Our 25-year experience providing bespoke adventures through the wilderness will let you experience Alaska like no other. We want you to see the real heart of this world-class destination — from the towering mountains to the people that inhabit them. And, tailoring our trips to your needs at every point, you are guaranteed to see it your way.
Your personal Travel Designer will be with you every step of the way, from the first phone call to the touchdown back home from your trip — offering high-end service from beginning to end. Throughout your time with them, they learn your travel dreams and wishes, help you find a base package as a starting point, and, from there, create something entirely custom just for you. And, while you’re exploring, they’ll work in the background to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Trips to Alaska
If you’re planning a trip to Alaska, this is the best place to start. Our itineraries — designed by travel experts — give you a taste of what we can put together for you. Whether it sounds perfect already, or you have more specific requests, we can help you start planning your dream Alaska trip.
Alaska Railroad passing through the iconic scenery
The Ultimate Alaska Train Vacation for Everything in One Trip
This, for us, is the perfect welcome to Alaska.
Spend 9 days uncovering Alaska’s secrets, from its few and far between cities to its rural communities — the kind of rural that only connects to the world by a miles-long tunnel through the mountains — to the bears that roam freely through its landscapes.
Spend time in and around Anchorage
Anchorage will be your base through this trip, as you spend several days venturing out by train, plane, and private SUV, enjoying a variety of transportation options as you go.
First, venture south by train to Seward, perched at the intersection between the head of Resurrection Bay and the mountainous national parks behind. In Seward you have the opportunity to try all the best Alaska activities — whether you want to cruise the Kenai Fjords or hike to Exit Glacier, hidden up in the mountains.
Then, explore the surrounding regions by boat, cruising to see glacial calvings and shore-wandering grizzly bears, and skies to spot them from above.
Head north to rural Alaska
Board the Alaska Railroad, originally constructed in 1903 to connect these rural settlements, and let yourself relax into a slower pace of travel, complete with all the vintage luxuries that a long-distance train should have.
Talkeetna’s charming Main Street
As you venture ever deeper into the wilderness, take ample time at each stop to explore the communities that call it home and the landscapes they live amongst. In Talkeetna, make time to wander the two-block-long 'Main Street,' stop at the Roadhouse for a bite to eat, and meet its artistic residents before your Denali flightseeing tour (complete with a glacier landing) whisks you away.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Denali
In Denali National Park, in the shadow of North America’s tallest mountain, let yourself be blown away by miles upon miles of expansive wilderness, untouched by human society. Tour through in a Jeep, or as a part of a guided tour, to connect to nature at its finest. Or, to see the expanse shrink away below you, take to the skies to soar between its peaks. If this is your first trip to Alaska, seeing the sights by train with all their vintage styling is enough to be introduced to Alaska's heart, and just enough to understand the state's vastness. The perfect Alaska itinerary doesn't exist — there is simply too much to see in a single trip, but this one comes close.
The road under Denali’s impressive peaks
Alaska Road Trip to Venture Beyond the Tracks
Journey through the Last Frontier for 10 days by car, feeling the forest push in on all sides as you drive through.
Drive through mountains
Starting in Anchorage, begin by heading south in your rental car, flanked by the Turnagain Arm inlet on your left. At the end of the inlet, dive through the beautifully formidable mountains, following a lone road and a mountain tunnel, before emerging at the remote town of Whittier on the other side. From here, continue onwards — deeper still — by boat into Prince William Sound to spot glaciers calving, the white fronts tearing away revealing a brilliant icy blue.
Discover small towns
As you head further south, travel through a mountain pass to Seward to explore coastal Alaska activities on and off the water. Then, on to Homer the rustic — and ever-charming — town to discover authentic rural Alaskan life. For cute cafes, head down to the end of Homer Spit Road. For the best coffee, choose Salmon Sisters Mug Up Coffee (and be sure to grab some of their own specialty tinned fish while you're there — it's locally and sustainably sourced from Alaskan waters). Or, for the best breakfast in town, visit 'La Baleine Cafe' (open seasonally in the summer months), which is run by the expert chefs behind the luxury Tutka Bay Lodge (more on them later).
From Homer, spend four days venturing ever north as you head deeper and deeper into the Alaskan wilderness. Dip into Interior Alaska, the traditional lands of the Athabascan peoples, and into Denali National Park where you will explore by road or by air, with the chance to fly close to the Denali summit.
As you head south on your slow return home, pass through farming communities in the abundant Mat-Su Valley before your final Alaska adventure. To ensure your vacation ends with a bang, we arrange a helicopter trip over icebergs and mountains before landing high on a glacier snowfield for dog sledding over the ice.
This is the perfect Alaska adventure. If you're looking to visit Alaska's wild side, this self-guided trip feels like an expedition into America's remote North.
The Northern Lights over the Lodge at Black Rapids
The Alaska Aurora Train to See Winter's Northern Lights Dance
On this peaceful 7-day journey through Southcentral Alaska, see the iconic wilderness sleeping under a blanket of snow and ice. With much of the state shut in the ‘off-season,’ you are welcomed into a truly private experience of the great North and greeted by the world-famous Northern Lights.
Take the Aurora Train
Step aboard the Aurora Winter Train on a 12-hour voyage north. Just moments after leaving Anchorage, find yourself surrounded by the quiet expanse of Alaska’s winter landscapes. Relax in your warm, plush carriage as you pass through icy forests and along frozen lakes and a chance view of Denali's summit. Days are short at this time of year, meaning the nights, glowing with the Northern Lights’ dance, have plenty of time to show themselves as you pass under by train.
Alaska Rail passing through the snowy forest
Journey North to Fairbanks
After spending a night in Fairbanks, a product of the 'gold rush' era, relax as you travel further north still along Alaska's oldest highway by transfer. Enjoy the majesty of the Alaska Range as you follow the path of old Indigenous trade routes — far less traveled by most — leaving you beautifully isolated among the atmospheric snowy mountains.
Explore the lodge
As you reach the Lodge at Black Rapids, find a luxurious Alaskan stay waiting for you. Contrasting the historic gold rush Rapids Roadhouse — located on the same site and lovingly restored by the team at Black Rapids — the new Lodge trades log walls for glass as it continues the location's history as a secluded spot for travelers to rest their heads.
Fitted with large windows overlooking the quiet valley, the Lodge makes no compromises in its dedication to blending the secluded location's atmosphere with modern tastes — there are, of course, still solid stone fireplaces, warm wooden beams, and quilted comforters at every turn — true to an authentic Alaskan stay.
Spend your days here exploring the area. Day trips from the lodge let you wander the expansive snowshoeing trails snaking out from the property, immerse yourself in the Alaska wilderness with expert guides, search for elusive wildlife, and marvel at a colossal ice cave — just waiting for you to explore it —before warming back up in an Alaskan Arctic Oven tent, warmed with a squat, potbelly stove and a hearty gourmet meal.
As the night closes in, the skies light up in waves of dancing light — the elusive Northern Lights are not so hard to find in this part of the world. Making use of the long nights on winter trips to Alaska is key to experiencing the season at its best. Either tuck up in the lodge's comfort and watch as they shine overhead or set off to a nearby lake to watch by the warmth of a fire, with the choice of a plethora of winter sports waiting there for you.
This itinerary balances unspoiled snowy landscapes with warmth and comfort as you explore and connect with the wilderness. And, of course, it offers no shortage of Northern Lights, making for the perfect winter Alaska vacation.
Stay among bright skies and wildflowers in Alaska’s summer months
An Alaska Land Tour to the Arctic to see the Midnight Sun
Mountains basking in a pale pink light and valleys filled with delicate wildflowers await Alaska travelers in summer. Gone are the days of Northern Lights, lighting the dark nights green. Gone, in fact, are the days of any darkness at all.
Across 8 days — and, we suppose, no nights — see Alaska's lush summer scenery across its varying landscapes.
Begin in Anchorage
Beginning with 3 days in Anchorage, explore the small city, and discover what life is like in the country's northernmost state. In the city, explore downtown, dipping in and out of local stores as you do. Our favorite in town is the Kobuk — serving gifts, excellent coffee, sugar-drenched donuts, and dripping in kitschy Alaskan charm in its historic yellow 1915 building. But, for the authentic Alaskan experience, end your day at 49th State Brewhouse and try the Solstice IPA — rated one of the top-10 IPAs in the country — and their yak burger for a unique take on a classic.
A whale breaching in the Kenai waters
Then, take a day trip to Prince William Sound. There, cruise the waters to pass by towering glaciers, watching and listening to the beautifully monstrous ice calving. As you follow the coast, where mountain goats and grizzly bears frequent the shore, and sea otters and the occasional whale swim, your expert guide will help you spot elusive wildlife. And, for your return to Anchorage, board Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery train to ride back along the Turnagain Arm inlet.
During your final day here, explore either the city or the nature surrounding it in a customizable day of exploration. Whether it's an Anchorage brew tour or a helicopter and glacier dog sledding adventure, your Travel Designer will find the perfect fit for you.
Take a luxury train bound North
From here, you journey ever up into the wilderness by luxury train. With domed-glass windows, plush seats, and an exclusive dining car, you are fully immersed in the landscape as you pass over deep ravines atop wooden trestles and under the magnificent Denali. As the sun never sets this far north, enjoy long days broken only by beautiful golden skies turned baby pink in the extended dusk. Pausing your trip in Denali National Park — taking a day to explore deeper by land or air — lets you soak in the miles of backcountry wilderness. Lush green foliage smattered with lakes and blushes of wildflowers stretches out ahead, contrasted by the epic mountain range, ever imposing on the horizon.
In the night-long pink glow, Denali National Park is otherworldly.
Enter the Arctic
After your time in Denali, board the last train of your trip to Fairbanks where, as promised, you will go on to fly into the Arctic. Soar over rugged mountains hiding ancient valleys, heading further and further north before you finally enter the Arctic Circle. As you land at the fork of the Koyukuk River — claiming your customary (yet unofficial) title as an Arctic Explorer as you do — walk where you know few others will ever get to.
From beginning to final-Arctic-touchdown end, this trip to Alaska is a voyage into the elusive wilds of Alaska's most northern parts.
Tutka Bay Lodge standing above the water on wooden stilts
Tutka Bay Wilderness Lodge for Quiet Luxury off the Beaten Path
Alaska is known for its rustic charm. That being said, there are places scattered throughout the vast state that provide a more luxurious stay.
Tutka Bay Lodge is one of those places.
Relax at the lodge
Here, at the end of a 25-minute boat ride across the bay, find an understated luxury — unassuming and unpretentious by design while still providing an elevated private experience of Alaska’s backcountry.
Accessible only by boat, a small, intimate lodge greets you on a tucked-away section of the Tutka Fjord. Surrounded by the mountains and perched above the water on wooden stilts, you have the space to let yourself just…be.
Your schedule at the lodge is flexible, led by what you feel. In the mornings, you might greet the long Alaskan summer days with guided yoga overlooking Tutka Bay. Or, instead, you will take longer over breakfast — anything from thick slices of toasted sourdough topped with house-made garden berry jam to crab benedicts with their own farm-grown potatoes — and coffee.
A custom kayak tour to land on the bay’s rocky islands
The Activities
Mindfulness, relaxation, and introspection are of utmost importance here, and you will never feel rushed to do much of anything. But, at the same time, you will find your days blissfully full of whatever might take your fancy, whenever you might want to. The team at Tutka Bay work with you to fill your time with what matters to you most.
Perhaps, spend your days exploring Alaska’s wilds. Kayak the bay and explore the tidepools, or join an expert local guide on a day of bear viewing along the coast. Fly deeper into the backcountry by helicopter to explore alpine ridgelines, or choose to deep-sea fish in open waters.
Or, if the first night's food takes you, cooking classes are run daily for guests. This is made easy by the on-site garden, which grows herbs, vegetables, and berries; and their forest walks, where guests can forage for edible treats among the trees. The lodge is centered around its culinary experiences, started by chefs and renowned for their award-winning cuisine, and offers fresh, local ingredients masterfully prepared to honor their unique flavors.
Once evening comes around, share a family meal with the other guests before retiring to unwind in a water-front sauna. Then, head to your private cabin for a cozy stay under plush sheets and between rich wood walls.
Sheldon Chalet, alone on a glacier
Sheldon Chalet Denali for Loud Luxury in a Quiet Place
For the most exclusive experience, step aboard your private helicopter bound for Ruth Glacier to stay at Sheldon Chalet. 55 miles from the closest civilization but just 10 miles from Denali's summit, Sheldon Chalet is at the (very literal) height of luxury. Staying in a private, five-bedroom cabin perched atop a private glacier is something very few people can say they have done — the chalet is the only of its kind in the world.
Live-in staff cater to every aspect of your stay to your wishes, creating your perfect Alaska trip as they go. Everything from the food — using the freshest Alaskan ingredients designed and prepared by on-site world-class chefs to your preferences — to the activities — chosen by you upon arrival with the support of your expert adventure guides — is designed for you personally. Whether you want to explore the Don Sheldon Amphitheater to its fullest, climbing its icy walks to trekking deep crevasses, or want a gourmet glacier-top picnic, anything goes at Sheldon Chalet.
At no detriment to its exclusivity, a stay at the chalet feels understated in many ways. The chalet is still family-owned, following the legacy of Don Sheldon himself, and containing all the love of a generations-long passion project. And, among luxury comfort and intimate company, relaxing into your stay takes no second thought.
There are truly not enough superlatives to describe a stay at Sheldon Chalet. Each season brings something unique. In winter, the Northern Lights dance across the amphitheater, while in summer, the sun bathes the surface all day long, causing impressive avalanches on the surrounding peaks you can watch comfortably — and safely — from your window. A stay at Sheldon Chalet is one that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Trekking across Ruth Glacier from Sheldon Chalet
What to Know Before Your Alaska Vacation
If you're looking to start planning your trip to Alaska, there are a few things you should know.
What is the Average Cost of a Trip to Alaska?
The average cost of a trip to Alaska varies greatly depending on how much time you plan on spending in Alaska and what you want to do while you're there. However, for a one or two-week Alaska trip, the average price is around $2000-$5000 per person.
What is the Best Month to Visit Alaska?
Alaska is largely seasonal, with many businesses only opening in the summer months. Despite its short peak season, summer in Alaska is something else. From mid-April until late-August, the midnight sun lights up the night sky. Most people visit Alaska in the summer.
The spring flowers lining Seward Highway
But, that being said, your travel dates should reflect your personal interests. In winter, trips to Alaska offer the chance to see the iconic wilderness blanketed by snow and ice, and the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky.
And, if you want a trip to Alaska with fewer crowds, shoulder season travel — that being travel in spring or fall — offers the chance for a private Alaska vacation, and often one toned red and gold with autumn colors, or pink as the spring Fireweed and Lupine flowers coat the fields.
What is the Best Way to See Alaska for the First Time?
Everyone's idea of the best way to see Alaska for the first time varies. While top destinations include Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Anchorage, and, of course, the Arctic Circle, you might prefer a remote wilderness lodge connected only by a small town, far from the beaten path.
The best way to ensure your Alaska vacation contains everything you want is to follow a custom itinerary, so nothing gets left to chance.
How Many Days Are Needed for an Alaska Trip?
Typically, first-time visitors spend between one and two weeks in Alaska to ensure they can see everything from the Kenai Fjords to Denali National Park. However, more time always allows further exploration as you venture across America's biggest state.
How to Book an Alaska Trip
Planning your Alaska trip often seems overwhelming. From train schedules to cruise ships to whale watching to guided tours, knowing where to begin can feel impossible. But, as travel experts, we have 25 years of experience creating custom trips to suit every traveler's needs.
To begin planning an Alaska trip, decide when you would like to travel and what you would most like to see. Then, let us handle the rest.
From Alaska itineraries designed for every traveler, to on-the-ground support and travel tips along the way, our Travel Designers use their one-on-one connection with you to create your dream Alaska vacation. If you're ready to start planning a trip to Alaska, or if you have any questions, get in touch with a Travel Designer — they are ready to make your Alaska dream come true. Until then, subscribe to our newsletter for more Alaska content, great deals, and more. We look forward to hearing from you soon.