ALASKA HOLIDAYS

Far and away the largest animals to grace the Alaskan territory are whales. At least nine different species of these majestic creatures live in Alaskan waters at various times of the year. While certain species live in the region all year-round, some are transient, only passing through Alaskan waters at certain times of the year as part of their migration, so it is worth reading up on their migratory patterns before booking your trip.

As far as whale watching tours are concerned, by far the most commonly spotted whale in Alaska is the humpback. These massive animals are surprisingly social and playful and can often be seen jumping out of the water and splashing down. No one really knows why they do this, but it is a remarkable spectacle nonetheless!

Some of the more easily identified and visually striking whales seen in Alaskan waters are the white beluga whales and orca killer whales, both of which are common to the area. If you’re very lucky however, you might just catch a glimpse of the colossal blue whale as it passes through the area. Far and away the biggest animal ever to have existed, weighing well over a hundred tonnes, the blue whale is an awe-inspiring sight – encountering one is a truly humbling sight.

For those who wish to experience the Alaskan countryside in all of its raw and untamed beauty, the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is an absolute must. Declared a national monument in 1925, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and a Biosphere Reserve in 1986, the park covers an area of well over 5,000 miles, 4,000 of which are officially designated as being wilderness areas which are almost completely untouched by human interference.

Around 80% of visitors to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve arrive via cruise ships and typically stay at the accommodations available at the Glacier Park Lodge. Among the numerous and exciting outdoor activities available to Glacier Bay’s visitors are hiking, mountaineering, camping, rafting and kayaking.

In terms of local fauna, Glacier Bay is home to a rich diversity of Alaska’s iconic animals including mountain goats, snowshoe hares, wolverines and both black and brown bears. Sports hunting is considered a major draw to the Glacier Bay area. However, it is strongly regulated by the National Park Service in accordance with state regulations in order to manage and preserve the local wildlife populations, so a permit is required. Similarly, anyone who wishes to engage in sports fishing anywhere in Alaska must purchase a license whether they plan to fish in the state’s salt or fresh water. Halibut and rainbow trout are the most commonly caught fish in the area, and represent a good challenge for an angler as well as a delicious meal for anyone who catches them. After all, there’s no tastier fish than the one you catch yourself!

Whales aren’t the only awe-inspiring natural wonder of gigantic proportions to be seen around the coast of Alaska. The Aleutian Islands are home to several active volcanoes, including the bizarre looking Mount Shishaldin on Unimak Island. Known to be the most perfect volcanic cone on the planet, it looks like a near perfect triangle which stands close to 10,000 feet tall. It’s unmistakable appearance earned it the nickname ‘Sisquk’ from the local Aleut people. Roughly translated, the name means “the mountain which points the way when I am lost”. Steam can usually be seen rising from Mount Shishaldin, rising some 500 metres above the peak of the volcano.

Despite the fact that it is still active and the most commonly erupting volcano in all of Alaska, having erupted as recently as 2015, Mount Shishaldin attracts many brave climbers. Imbued with the spirit of adventure, experienced mountaineers can climb as high as 6,000 feet, but no further as anything above that level becomes too steep and ice encrusted to climb. It is not an uncommon sight to see people skiing down Mount Shishaldin as they complete their adventure. Take note though, that Mount Shishaldin is an extremely remote location, so only experienced adventurers should attempt the journey.