Alaska itinerary 10 days - how to plan your dream Alaska vacation

With long hours of sunshine and more temperate weather, summer is undoubtedly prime time for Alaska land tours. The warmest months of June, July and August will also be the most crowded dates with prices at a premium. Savvy, cost-conscious travellers should consider the shoulder months of either May and September for decent weather, lesser fees and smaller crowds.

Winter in Alaska, spanning the months from October to April, will have visitors experiencing short daylight hours and extreme temperatures ranging from freezing to -40°C! Road trips to rural outposts could be treacherous at this time and drive-by amenities between towns may be limited. The benefits of bracing the Alaskan winter, however, are significant; you’ll have top sights all to yourself, you’ll be paying less and will have the opportunity of possibly seeing the Northern Lights. Seasonal events such as Fur Rendezvous and the Iditarod are also worthy reasons to travel in winter.

Alaskan weather is bound to keep you guessing, so, to avoid getting caught out, layer up with fleece, a hood and gloves while also packing a waterproof jacket for good measure. Summer travellers should plan around the long hours of daylight and take on extra activities to fill them. Don’t be too alarmed when you find the sun still up at 10 pm!

Alaska’s icy setting sadly hasn’t deterred the mosquito and, believe it or not, the state is notorious for these pesky bloodsuckers. Wear strong mosquito repellent if you are outside around dawn or dusk and consider a stylish face net when exploring the Denali area. Mosquitos notwithstanding, respect Alaska’s wildlife and make sure to adhere to the state’s ‘bear safety measures’. Bears and other wildlife will know if you’re packing a peanut butter sandwich and some animals are brave enough to come and get it. Minimize the risk of a run-in with a grizzly by packing your food tightly if you must carry it, not leaving any food unattended and repressing the urge to feed any animals you do see.

Rural populations tend not to be the biggest LGBTQ+ advocates, and, as such, being out and proud in rural Alaska could garner a frosty response (as well as frosty nips!). Alaska’s only sizable city of Anchorage, however, sees a growing gay community catered to by a number of openly gay bars and clubs as well as an annual week-long Pridefest in June. If you’re wondering about gay destinations across the state, try visiting the Southeast Alaska Gay & Lesbian Alliance, online or in Juneau.

After taking it easy in Anchorage, it’s time to get on the road towards Denali National Park, home of the tallest mountain in North America, Denali. The journey will take around 4 hours straight but we suggest getting an early start to make the route a more fun one with stop-offs for moose-watching at the hay flats, a coffee break at the cute town of Talkeetna and for any decent viewpoint of Denali Mountain you catch along the way.

While a self-drive Alaska road trip is a winner, an alternative is to take the Alaska Railroad from downtown Anchorage all the way to Denali in 7.5 hours. Once in Denali, there are a small number of lodges that book up well in advance or two other options are to stay in Cantwell to the south or Healy in the north. As you enter the park you’ll also have to pay the entrance fee which stands at $10 per person for a 7-day pass.

Next on our Alaska road trip itinerary is our scenic second drive, this time towards historic McCarthy, a town serving as the gateway to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The journey will take a full day so set out early to do it laidback, stopping at whatever sights make you gasp! The Denali Highway will make driving pleasure but do pack up on snacks and drinks (and gasoline!) while you can because towns on the road are few and far between.

Beware of Alaska’s less-than-standard dirt roads which stretch all the way along the Denali Highway and the road from Chitina to McCarthy. Often car rental companies will shirk any responsibility for damages, so do check your insurance for coverage or drive extra carefully! Driving slow will also allow you to keep one eye peeled on the forest either side (one eye remaining on the road!) to catch sight of a majestic moose or two.

Vacating our McCarthy lodge, we make moves to Valdez, with an estimated travel time of 4-5 hours. Stop along the way as many times as you’d like, with a recommended break at the roadside near Worthington Glacier for a ‘wow’ moment or two.

When in Valdez, do as the locals do and take a carefree walk around the town pier, enjoying the fishing activity and ambience. Views from the mountains are best seen from the shores, with the opportunity for bear watching in nearby creeks and salmon farms. From Valdez, you’re in a prime position to get up close to a real Alaska glacier. Consider signing up for a full-day cruise tour of Columbia Glacier to marvel at huge blue ice wall from sea level, marvelling at both its extreme force and vulnerability – for these quietly retreating glacial cliffs show the devastating fallout of climate change. As each iceberg calves and drops into the ocean – sending shock waves outward to your boat – global sea levels rise.

Alternatively, get a little closer to the ice (safely!) with a kayak expedition out to Valdez Glacier. Start slow, gliding over the tranquil Valdez Lake before paddling out to the ice caves and docking your kayak on the glacier. Your guide will teach you about the fascinating nature of glaciers allowing time for an unforgettable lunch atop the ice.

Spending some downtime in Homer is easy, a leisurely walk around this quaint coastal town will lead you through to Homer Spit home to numerous coffee houses and restaurants sat a short way from the shore where you’ll find impressive views of Kachemak Bay and the mountains beyond. In close proximity to Katmai National Park, Homer is also a jumping-off point for enjoying nature in Katmai, such as river or ocean salmon fishing or ever-popular ‘flightseeing’ tours across the park. After landing back on earth, wander the park grounds to find the famed brown bears that hunt at Brook Falls.