ANCHORAGE – When you scroll via lists of the highest 20 and even 30 cities within the United States most visited by vacationers, international or home, one place you by no means see is Anchorage.
This is little question due to its remoted location, however the upside is that the most important metropolis in Alaska is due to this fact a grossly underrated gem that deserves to be on each traveller’s bucket listing.
The causes are many, however chief amongst them are outrageously stunning glaciers, which you’ll discover on foot or by helicopter; encounters with improbable beasts together with lovable sled dogs and majestic musk oxen; and the wonderful odds of recognizing the aurora borealis, or northern lights, for those who go on the proper time of 12 months.
And all that is extremely accessible from Anchorage itself, which additionally serves as an introduction to the singular character of Alaska, whose residents are recognized for his or her rugged individualism, eccentricity and heat.
I had, years in the past, briefly stopped in Anchorage en path to Fairbanks – an Alaskan metropolis simply exterior the Arctic Circle – on one other spectacular dog-sledding, aurora-viewing journey through Alaska Railroad’s winter prepare service, one other traveller’s dream.
But on my second, longer journey to Anchorage earlier in 2023, I used to be blown away by the sheer variety of once-in-a-lifetime experiences on supply, which cater to households and journey travellers alike.
I’ve hiked on and near glaciers earlier than, in Iceland and Antarctica, however the two that lie inside placing distance of Anchorage trump them in ease of access and security – and you’ll seemingly come away with higher photos too.
The finest technique to see the Knik Glacier, an ice discipline about an hour’s drive from Anchorage, is with Alaska Helicopter Tours (alaskahelicoptertours.com), whose excursions are nothing wanting cinematic.
A 60-minute Knik Glacier tour, which incorporates half-hour of flight time, prices US$409 (S$558) for adults and US$359 for youngsters aged two to 11.
In a tiny four- or six-seater plane, you are taking off for a thrill journey throughout surreal topography – shut sufficient to the bottom to see individuals on the glacial mattress, however excessive sufficient to understand the icy blue-grey cliffs that tower over it.
