Itinerary Help for 1st Week of June 2025

Question

My husband and I will be traveling to Alaska the first week of June. We will be doing a 7 to 8 day land tour on our own before meeting up with other family members and catching a cruise out of Whittier to Vancouver. We have not purchased flights yet. This will be our 2nd trip to Alaska and cruise. We have previously been on the Kenai Fjords National Park Tour, walked on Matanuska Glacier with a Nova guide, went to Independence Mine and drove Hatcher Pass, took a Denali flight out of Talkeetna, took the Denali National Park bus tour, saw Denali on two clear days, and visited the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters. We would love to visit Brooks Falls but realize we are too early for the bears. We are limited to the first week of June due to cruising with family members who chose this time period. We love wildlife and scenery. My husband has an impediment that prevents him from hiking long distances. Please give me suggestions on new places to visit with possible activities, pros and cons, and the amount of time needed. I have looked at Homer, Kodiac Island, Arctic Circle, and Wrangell-St. Elias. Your thoughts and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Answer

Since you’ve already experienced many of the classic Alaska highlights—Kenai Fjords, Matanuska Glacier, Denali flight and bus tour, Hatcher Pass, and Independence Mine—you’ll want to focus on areas that offer new scenery, wildlife opportunities, and experiences suitable for limited mobility or minimal hiking.

Here are some options for the first week of June, along with activities, pros and cons, and suggested time allocations:

Homer/Kachemak Bay:
- Activities: Scenic boat tours, wildlife viewing (seals, sea otters, eagles), short walks along the Homer Spit, visit the Pratt Museum, art galleries, and local shops.
- Pros: Stunning coastal scenery, easy access to short walks and wildlife viewing without strenuous hiking, charming small town with great local food.
- Cons: Weather can be unpredictable in June, ferry to Kachemak Bay hikes require a boat ride, limited time to explore the entire bay if only 1–2 days.
- Time needed: 2 days is sufficient for a relaxed experience.
Kodiak Island:
- Activities: Guided wildlife tours, bear viewing (if seasonally available), coastal scenery, fishing trips, cultural sites.
- Pros: Remote, less crowded, excellent wildlife opportunities including seabirds and possibly early-season bears.
- Cons: Requires a flight from Anchorage; June may still be early for peak bear viewing; tours can be expensive.
- Time needed: 2–3 days.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park:
- Activities: Scenic drives, glacier viewing, flightseeing tours, short accessible trails, photography, wildlife spotting.
- Pros: Vast, dramatic scenery; fewer tourists; accessible by plane from Anchorage or drive to McCarthy for short walks and sightseeing.
- Cons: Remote, long drives, limited amenities; some attractions require bush flights or guided tours.
- Time needed: 2–3 days for a meaningful visit.
Arctic Circle / Fairbanks region:
- Activities: Scenic drives, short hikes, river cruises, wildlife viewing, visit the Arctic Circle sign (by guided tour or drive).
- Pros: Unique northern experience, potential for early summer wildlife, fewer tourists than southern Alaska.
- Cons: Very long drives from Anchorage (8+ hours) if doing by car; better suited for flights or guided tours from Fairbanks.
- Time needed: 2–3 days minimum if including travel from Anchorage.

Suggested itinerary for a first-time revisit, with moderate activity and minimal long hikes:

Day 1 (Arrival in Anchorage): Overnight in Anchorage.
Day 2-3: Drive or fly to Homer; explore Homer Spit, Kachemak Bay (short hikes/boat tour), museums, and galleries.
Day 4-5: Fly to Wrangell-St. Elias area (McCarthy or Kennecott); scenic flights, glacier views, short walks, historic sites.
Day 6: Return to Anchorage; optional sightseeing (Earthquake Park, Alaska Native Heritage Center, local wildlife areas).
Day 7: Day trip options: drive to Talkeetna for small-town charm, or a short Denali area excursion if missed previously.
Day 8: Depart for Whittier to join cruise.

Overall, Homer and Wrangell-St. Elias offer the most new scenery and wildlife without requiring strenuous hiking. Kodiak is excellent if you can accommodate flights and want bears/coastal wildlife. Arctic Circle is an adventurous option but logistically challenging for just a week. Planning flights instead of long drives will maximize time and comfort, especially considering mobility limitations.

Itinerary Help for 1st Week of June 2025

More Alaska (AK) Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions