7 day itinerary southeast Alaska

Question

Pls enlighten me on how to create itinerary covering these places

Anan creek bear viewing

Juneau - Mendahall glacier whale watching

Skyaway train

Glacier Bay

Would like to avoid rental car but if not possible will consider.

Answer

Your destinations — Anan Creek (near Wrangell), Juneau (Mendenhall + whale watching), Glacier Bay (via Gustavus), and the Skagway Train — are all in the Southeast Alaska Inside Passage. These towns are not connected by roads, so avoiding a rental car is actually easy and normal. Travel is done by Alaska Airlines flights and the Alaska Marine Highway System (state ferry). Below is a detailed 7-day itinerary that fits everything together smoothly.

This plan assumes summer travel (late June–August) and uses no rental car. It relies on ferries, organized tours, and shuttles.

The recommended travel order is: Juneau → Gustavus (Glacier Bay) → Juneau → Skagway → Wrangell (Anan Creek). You can reverse it, but this version is most reliable for ferry/flight schedules.

Below is a full 7-day itinerary:

Day 1 — Arrive in Juneau

Arrive in Juneau and settle in. Juneau is very compact; hotels are accessible by shuttle, rideshare, or taxi. You do not need a car here. Walk around downtown and enjoy the waterfront.

Day 2 — Mendenhall Glacier + Juneau Whale Watching

Take a shuttle bus to Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (runs every 20–30 minutes in summer).
Walk the trails, especially Nugget Falls Trail.
After returning to town, take an afternoon whale-watching tour from Auke Bay (tour operators provide all transportation).

This is an easy, car-free day.

Day 3 — Ferry or Flight to Gustavus → Glacier Bay

Take the Alaska Airlines flight or the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Juneau to Gustavus, the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park.

Flights take ~30 minutes.
The ferry takes ~4 hours but runs only specific days.

Check into lodging in Gustavus. All hotels provide shuttles.

Day 4 — Glacier Bay National Park Boat Tour

Take the full-day Glacier Bay boat trip, which is the main highlight of the area. The tour goes deep into the bay to see tidewater glaciers, sea lions, puffins, mountain goats, and possibly whales.

Return to Gustavus and relax.

Day 5 — Return to Juneau → Ferry or Fast Ferry to Skagway

Fly or ferry back to Juneau in the morning. Then take the high-speed catamaran (Allen Marine/Goldbelt) or the Alaska Marine Highway ferry to Skagway. Travel time is ~2–4 hours depending on service.

Skagway is walkable; most lodging is in or near town.

Day 6 — Skagway White Pass & Yukon Route Train

Ride the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. You can choose:

Round-trip Summit Excursion (most popular, no passport needed)
One-way train + bus combo into the Yukon (passport required)

No car is needed; the train depot is in the center of town.

After the train, enjoy the wooden boardwalks and Klondike Gold Rush history.

Day 7 — Fly to Wrangell → Anan Creek Bear Viewing

Fly from Skagway (or Juneau, depending on schedule) to Wrangell. Wrangell is the closest town to world-famous Anan Creek.

Most travelers overnight in Wrangell and do Anan the next day.
However, if your flight arrives early enough and tour slots match, you can do the tour the same day.

Anan Creek requires a permit, and only authorized tour operators can take you there. They provide all transport (boat + guide). This is one of the top bear-viewing locations in Alaska.

Optional: Add a Day 8

If you prefer more breathing room, add an extra night in Wrangell and take the Anan tour on Day 8.

How to Travel Without a Car

Juneau: Shuttles, taxis, and tour transportation cover everything.
Gustavus: Lodges provide all transfers; no rental cars needed.
Skagway: Town is tiny; trains and tours depart from downtown.
Wrangell: The Anan tour includes boat transportation; town is walkable.

You truly do not need a rental car for any part of this itinerary.

Additional Notes

Anan Creek viewing permits sell out early—book this FIRST.
Glacier Bay boat tour reservations should be made several months in advance.
Check ferry schedules early; Southeast Alaska ferries do not operate every day.
Weather can cause delays; allow buffer time if you have tight connections.

Summary — Yes, your plan is possible in one week without a rental car. You’ll rely on ferries, small flights, and tours. This itinerary covers all four locations efficiently and in a realistic order.

7 day itinerary southeast Alaska

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