14 August, 2017
Anchorage, Alaska.
National parks are set to be the next big travel trend among
experiential holidaymakers and you can’t get much more
wild than an Alaskan adventure. The state’s most populous city,
Anchorage, extends from the lowland coast to the foothills of
Chugach Mountains, and is a whopping 9.5 hours away by plane from
nearly 90% of the industrialised world – this is the definition of
a road less travelled.
The cold air is spiced with the scent of alder and the isolation
brings a raw, folksy vibe to the city, which acts as a launchpad
for exploring this hard-nut state’s parks, such as Denali, home to
grizzly bears, wolves, moose and caribou.
Although the colder months offer an icy schedule, visit in late
summer when the more forgiving temperatures allow for arctic
biking, camping, touring the fjords of Prince William Sound and
whale watching in the southeast.
This definitely isn’t a conventional
sun and sea kind of holiday, so opt for a pal who doesn’t mind
getting active in cooler climates.
Wild moose. With a population of approximately 1,500, expect to
see them everywhere from the streets to someone’s back garden.
A train ride along the Turnagain Arm, a spectacular waterway
within the Chugach Mountains. On the way back, stop for some
dog-sledding through the artic valleys, picking wild berries along
the way.
Fly direct to Anchorage International Airport, then take a
seaplane to get a birds-eye view of the city.
Thermals, a backpack and a pair of good walking boots which can
take some mileage for your outdoor adventures.
