Alaska, the last frontier
Magical night at the “Last Frontier”
Nicknamed “the last frontier”, Alaska is at the end of the Far North Road so why not take advantage of being on Eskimo soil to choose original accommodation and spend a night in an igloo? Perhaps you will have the chance to see an aurora borealis lighting up the sky?
There are also luxurious lodges lost in nature between brown bears and caribou which will disorient lovers of wild lands and curious to follow in the footsteps of trappers. For less expensive accommodation, it is always possible to opt for camping, “bed and breakfast” or youth hostels.
Breathtaking landscapes
The largest national parks in America are located in Alaska. This territory is full of mountains with eternal snows, active volcanoes, fjords, pure water lakes and countless icebergs.
Mount Mac Kinley, America's rooftop at 6195 meters, is located in Denali Natural Park which alone is as large as Lorraine. During a walk in the heart of nature, you can discover a unique fauna such as grizzly bears, black or white bears, and wolves in the wild.
Unforgettable memories
For those for whom the grandiose views and the change of scenery are not enough, it is possible to stuff some souvenirs in your suitcases. If you fall for objects from Eskimo crafts (masks, totems, etc.), prefer them with the mention “native handcraft” which guarantees that they are not made in China! You can also opt for a typical American souvenir and leave with a stetson for each member of your family.
Useful information
Area: 1 717 854 km2
State capital: Juneau
Population: according to an estimate from 2012, there are 731 inhabitants in Alaska.
Official language : English
Change : Alaska being a state of the USA, the currency is the US dollar. In December 2014, one dollar is equivalent to 0,81 euro. Conversely, one euro represents $ 1,22.
Formalities: Before departure, travelers must bring a valid passport or apply for a visa at the United States Embassy. An electronic travel authorization, ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) must be requested for travelers benefiting from the visa waiver regime.
Climate: winter there is long and very cold. The summer lasts very little time with sometimes forest fires caused by lightning. The best season to go to Alaska is from July to mid-August, when the weather is milder. It should be noted that July is often wetter than June and August.
health: No significant health hazard is to be deplored in Alaska. Due to the exorbitant prices for medical consultations (rarely below $ 100) as well as for drugs (price multiplied by two), it is advisable to contact a good insurance including a repatriation option.
How to get to Alaska?
There are no direct flights to Alaska. It will therefore take 16 hours of flight with stopovers for Anchorage. Inland, the road network is very limited while the distances are important, which is why the plane is the preferred means of transport. There are also tiny companies attached to small towns or villages. The rail network is not very dense but nevertheless allows to connect some emblematic places.
We invite you to use our comparator to find a cheap flight to the United States and then to Alaska.
