Kayaking through the fjords, watching bears catch salmon, dancing under the midnight sun, and so much more...
If your life feels like an episode of Murder, She Wrote but without the murders, if the last time you saw true wilderness was in the mirror when your hairdresser went on vacation... well, it’s time for a change! And where do you go for a real change? Alaska, of course!
We’re not talking about your usual easy, comfy little holiday. No, this is the real deal: bears catching salmon like they’re shopping at the supermarket fish counter, glaciers that look like crystal sculptures, and starry skies so stunning they make you forget your own name.
But why Alaska, exactly? Here are seven reasons that will have you booking your flight right away!
Read also: Orkhon Valley: where Genghis Khan used to get drunk, and you can probably do even worse!
1. Alaska is way cooler by motorhome!
In Alaska, the watchword is WILD. In short: go fully off-grid! Here, nature is the one and only queen—and let’s just say she’s got quite the personality...
You can hike in Denali National Park, which is as huge as half of Italy, drive along the legendary Alaska Highway that seems to go on forever, and light campfires under a starry sky that looks like Van Gogh on another level. And you get to do it all aboard iconic motorhomes!
These giant homes on wheels have everything inside: a comfy bed, a kitchen for romantic dinners by the northern lights, and a bathroom sturdy enough for the wild. A different campsite every day, a jaw-dropping view every single time. And in the evening, everyone gathers around the fire, drinking beer under the made-in-USA stars.
Oh yessssss!
2. Denali National Park (a whole lot of wonderfully wild animals...)
Denali National Park is the kind of place that leaves you speechless with how incredible it is. Mountains that seem to scratch the sky, eternal glaciers, forests stretching all the way to the horizon.
And then there are the animals—so many animals: bears, moose, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep... all roaming free and happy in their natural habitat. You might head out on a hike and suddenly find yourself face to face with a bear (don’t worry, it won’t eat you... unless your pockets are full of salmon).
You’ll feel wonderfully small in front of all this greatness, and maybe you’ll realize that your problems aren’t quite as huge as you thought.
3. The legendary (and very unlucky) Into the Wild bus
If you love cinema and adventure stories, get ready: the real Into the Wild bus is here!
Yes, the very one where Chris McCandless spent the last days of his life. It’s an iconic place, full of meaning, one that will make you reflect on the meaning of life, freedom, and the courage to chase your dreams (and maybe also on why not bringing enough supplies is not exactly the world’s greatest idea).
Don’t worry—we’re not leaving you on the bus!
4. Bears catching salmon at Russian River Falls!
Here, nature puts on an unforgettable show: bears fishing for salmon at Russian River Falls!
Massive bears stand right in the middle of the river, waiting for salmon to leap out of the water so they can gulp them down in a single bite.
It’s an experience you absolutely have to live!
And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a few seals or eagles joining the buffet. In short, it’s a full-on wildlife extravaganza!
5. Kayaking through the fjords of Glacier Bay
Now here come the breathtaking fjords: Glacier Bay!
Glaciers plunging into the sea, mountains reflected in crystal-clear water, whales suddenly surfacing... It’s a landscape that looks straight out of a book of Viking fairy tales, USA-style!
And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even kayak among the fjords and feel like a true explorer—or just someone trying not to fall into freezing water, depending on your skill level. But trust us: it’s absolutely worth it!
6. The midnight sun: a 24/7 rave
Have you ever heard of the midnight sun? In Alaska, in summer, it’s completely normal!
Yes, because the summer sun never really sets here!
24 hours of daylight... and endless energy!
At first you think, “Amazing, endless days to enjoy everything!” Then after a couple of days, you start losing track of time completely.
You no longer know whether it’s day or night, you’re always sleepy but can’t actually sleep, and you turn into a vampire powered by coffee and energy bars. Still, just imagine how incredible it is to go hiking at 3 a.m. in full daylight—or have a barbecue at 4 in the morning as if it were noon.
It’s like a rave that never ends—except instead of techno, you’ve got the sounds of the wild all around you. And if you go to Fairbanks in summer, get ready, because the sun doesn’t set there from late May to mid-July!
7. The northern lights show (a natural trip, no extras needed!)
And if the midnight sun blows your mind in summer, the northern lights will fill you with wonder in winter! We’re talking about one of the most incredible natural phenomena on the planet.
Imagine the sky bursting into color—green, pink, purple—dancing like giant waves, changing shape every second. It looks as if nature itself decided to put on a psychedelic fireworks show just for you. And the best part is that in Alaska you can see the northern lights many times a year, especially if you go to Fairbanks, which is practically the aurora capital of the world. But you also have a good chance of catching this marvel in Denali National Park or Anchorage.
Get ready to spend hours staring up at the sky, forgetting about the cold, the hunger, your electricity bill, and every other little annoyance on your mind.
You can deal with those when you get back. For now, there’s only Alaska.
Read also: Zion National Park is waiting for you with open arms and wide-open canyons!
Come to Alaska and dance under the midnight sun with the bears!
So, what are you waiting for? The bears are waiting for you for a salmon feast with the northern lights in the background!
Drop everything and book your Alaska Adventure Trip now: the 13-day Sto Gran Tour Expedition! We promise it will be the wildest and most unforgettable experience of your life. And if you don’t like it, well, that probably just means Alaska isn’t wild enough for you (but trust us—that won’t happen!).
