Partly sitting within the Arctic Circle, it comes with a cold, polar climate, and is home to more than half of the world’s glaciers. But its diverse landscapes also encompass towering mountains and breathtaking granite cliffs, vast Arctic tundra, lush rainforests, volcanic islands, stunning fjords and pristine waterfalls. Wildlife such as orcas and humpback whales, grizzly bears, seals, eagles, moose and vast numbers of seabirds are impressively common sights, while the indigenous cultures and fascinating gold-rush history round off what is a destination with a lot to offer.

When to go?

Due to the weather and ice conditions, cruises to Alaska only operate during the summer months of April to October. High season runs from June to August, when the temperatures can reach up to 20°C on a good day and wildlife viewing is at its best. The shoulder seasons can be much colder, although May is the driest month on average and whale watching is often best earlier in the season, while September/October comes with the chance of seeing the northern lights.

Where to go?

The sheer size of Alaska means there are countless itineraries on offer, but the Inside Passage is one of the most popular. More adventurous itineraries take in the Aleutian Islands in the far south, while other popular destinations include Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Sitka, Thorne Bay and Wrangell. Many routes start in Vancouver, while others are direct to/from Alaskan ports such as Sitka and Juneau. Given its location, the north of Alaska is frequently included in itineraries that travel on to Arctic Canada and Greenland.

Take a deeper dive into Alaska and discover which operators offer the region