One of the goals on my "bucket list" is to visit all 50 states at some point. I've covered a bunch of them already, and have been eyeing the Last Frontier for my next journey. I've heard about a lot about all the different sightseeing tours in Alaska that are available to travelers, so right now I'm trying to sift through some information to decide which package would be best for me.
Part of my problem is I'm not really sure what I want to do yet. Our 49th state just has so many amazing activities to offer visitors that it's hard to narrow down the choices and settle on a few fun things that would fit into my itinerary. I'll probably only go for a week at the most, so I definitely have to limit my outings. Many tours in Alaska require more than a week because they have to cover such vast distances, but I won't have that much time at my disposal.
I know that whale watching tours in Alaska are very popular, and this is something that's a must for my trip. I've never seen any whales except for one or two in captivity at places like Sea World and city aquariums. Seeing these majestic creatures in the wild, where they have the freedom to swim, romp, and roam wherever they want, would be simply awesome! I certainly don't want to miss out on something like this.
Glacier cruises go hand-in-hand with whale watching tours in Alaska. No one can go that close to Prince William Sound without venturing out on the water for a closer view of the massive glaciers in the area. I've heard of the breathtaking beauty of these glaciers and have seen pictures on the Internet, but I'm sure nothing can compare to seeing the structures in person.
There are tours in Alaska that involve more active pursuits than simply taking in some beautiful sights. For example, I can go hiking in world-famous Denali National Park, where I can push myself to the brink physically and perhaps meet some wildlife along the way. I've heard this kind of adventure can be a somewhat dangerous proposition, however, so I'll have to make sure I'm properly geared up before even attempting such a thing.
Besides Denali, I might also want to check out the Kenai Fjords for more waterfalls, glaciers, and stunning vistas, or go fishing or kayaking somewhere inland. Really, there seems to be no shortage of things to do on the trip.
After reading through some info about tours in Alaska, I'm not any closer to making a final decision. There are so many wonderful possibilities that it would be a shame to leave out any adventures. Maybe the only answer is to try to wrangle another week off from work so I can fit everything in!