September 1, 2004 -- Alaska is one of the world's premier destinations for adventure, wildlife and ecotourism. September marks the end of the summer season and the final opportunity of the year for visitors to experience some of the splendors of Alaska's rich and diverse wildlife in moderate climate.
To help you get there, Alaska Airlines (800/252-7522; www.alaskaairlines.com) is having a "Fall Cleanup Sale" with discounts on flights from what Alaskan's call "the lower 48 states." These sale fares start as low as $129 each way with roundtrip, 14-day advance purchase required (taxes of up to $34 are additional). Tickets must be purchased by 10pm PST, September 10, 2004, and travel must be completed by December 15, 2004. Valid for travel Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays with blackout dates of November 23-24 & 28-29, 2004. These fares are non-refundable but tickets can be changed for a $50 change fee plus any applicable changes in fare and taxes.
Samples of current one-way fares include:
- From Portland, Seattle to Anchorage: $129; to Juneau: $154
- From Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Chicago to Anchorage: $149; to Juneau:$174
- From Newark, Washington, D.C., Boston, Miami to Anchorage: $174; to Juneau: $199
Many Alaskans and visitors choose to travel around the state in small planes and sea-planes, especially when covering large distances, however car rental can also be an easy option for those seeking greater independence and access to wildlife. Alaska Tour and Travel (800/208-0200; www.alaskatravel.com) provides discount travel options on two of Alaska's other transportation options. Travel on the Alaska Railroad after September 6th and save 20% off peak season rates on service between Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali Park and Fairbanks. All season long you can also save 20% on the Park Connection Motorcoach for same day roundtrip transportation from Anchorage to Seward and back.
King Salmon & Beyond
Katmai National Park & Preserve (www.nps.gov/katm) is located across from Kodiak Island, with its headquarters in King Salmon, about 290 miles southwest of Anchorage. Alaska Airlines provide daily flights into King Salmon as there are no access roads. Brooks Camp, approximately 30 miles from King Salmon, has the highest concentration of brown bears in the world,;however it can only be reached via small float plane or boat. Katmai is also famous for volcanoes, fish, rugged wilderness and is the site of the Brooks River National Historic Landmark with North America's greatest number of prehistoric human dwellings (about 900). September (along with July) is recognized as the best month of the year to experience brown bears in their natural habitat at this magnificent location. The experience is not cheap, but it will certainly be a memorable highlight of any Alaskan vacation. Katmai Coastal Bear Tours (800/532-8338; www.katmaibears.com) and Alaska Tours (907 277-3000; www.alaskatours.com) are two companies that feature day tours from Anchorage to Brooks Camp including meals and transportation for approximately $500 per person. Overnight tours are also available.
Seward & Beyond
The small town of Seward is located approximately 125 miles from Anchorage and is nestled between pristine Resurrection Bay and the Chugach Mountain Range. Most importantly it is on the doorstep to the famed Kenai Fjords National Park (www.nps.gov/kefj), another of Alaska's major wildlife viewing locations. The National Park features an abundance of marine and land animals including whales, porpoises, sea lions, sea otters, seals, mountain goats, black bears and more than 80 different species of birds. Some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities are aboard the cruises that are offered within the Park, and those extending into the Prince William Sound. September is considered an ideal month for whale-watching while cruising through the breath-taking glacier-carved fjords of Kenai Fjords National Park and the Prince William Sound. For further information regarding whale-watching and wildlife cruises in this area visit www.kenaifjords.com.
Alaska Heritage Tours (877/777-2805; www.alaskaheritagetours.com), one of the area's main tour operators, has a number of September specials including 20% off any tour to Prince William Sound in September. For example, their 6-hour Wilderness Explorer Cruise with roundtrip coach transportation from Seward is reduced to $135 (regularly $167). Travel must be completed in September and additional restrictions may apply.
Alaska's Point of View Reservation Service (907-224-2323; www.alaskasview.com) offers a free service to help find and make lodging reservations in the Seward area, and it provides discounts on tours to the Kenai Fjord's National Park with companies such as Major Marine Tours, Kenai Fjord Tours, The Alaska Sealife Center and Ididaride Dog Sled Tours.
Alaska offers some of the most spectacular fly-, saltwater-, freshwater- and ice-fishing in the world. You can charter a boat or sea-plane, or take a fishing tour to reel in one of the more than 627 species that inhabit the Alaskan waters. With over 3 million lakes, 3,000 rivers and countless streams, the challenge may not be catching fish, but deciding what kind to catch and where.
Alaska Trip Planners (907/344-8674; www.alaskatripplanners.com) can arrange individual sport fishing tours and tailor made solutions. Although it is the end of the traditional fishing season, September is still an exceptional fishing month for a variety of salmon and other native species, especially in areas such as the streams of Prince William Sound, the Copper River basin/Upper Susitna basin, Bristol Bay and Kodiak offshore.
Juneau & Beyond
Alaska's capital city is the stepping off point for trips to Glacier Bay National Park (www.nps.gov/glba), a unique Alaskan destination that can provide you with a little bit of everything - abundant wildlife, glaciers, rainforests and breathtaking views. With an area of approximately 3 million acres, it would be impossible to see the whole park in a day or even a week, but given a couple of days, you can have an unforgettable experience.
Four Seasons Marine (www.4seasonsmarine.com) operates a Glacier Bay ferry service for the three-hour trip from Juneau, four days a week. If you're in a hurry, Air Excursions' (907/697-2375) six-seater aircraft can do the 60-mile journey more quickly, or Alaska Airlines makes the trip in 18 minutes in a Boeing 737. There are also affordable direct flights for less than $300 roundtrip available from Anchorage.
Glacier Bay Travel (907/697-2475; www.glacierbaytravel.com) can assist you in planning independent or group tours to the National Park including kayaking adventures, small boat cruises, one day or multi day packages. When you cruise, be sure and bring your hat, gloves and a raincoat, as the wind off the glaciers is particularly cold! You're likely to see brown bears, mountain goats, seals, sea lions, whales and a variety of Alaskan birds including kittiwakes, puffins, Arctic terns, Oystercatchers and more.To assist you in planning your September Alaskan adventure, visit www.frommers.com/destinations/alaska or www.alaska.com for additional trips, itineraries and advice.
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