Thoughts on this 9-day Alaska Itinerary

Question

Hi guys, I'm planning a 9 day trip to Alaska at the end of August (last week of Aug, into the first couple days of Sept) and wanted to get some advice on my potential itinerary. Here is what I was thinking:

Day 1: Fly into Anchorage and spend the night

Day 2-4: Drive up to Valdez. Main points of interest for me here were:

- The drive through on Glenn Hwy, seeing Thompson Pass

- Glacier Kayaking on Valdez Glacier Lake

Day 5 & 6: Talkeetna:

- Driving down to Talkeetna on day 5, flightseeing on day 6

Day 7 - 9: Gridwood

- End the trip with a couple days in Gridwood

- Glacier cruise out of Whittier

- Flight back is in the evening of the 9th, so drive back up to Anchorage on the final day

Have a couple concerns I wanted to get thoughts on:

Is this itinerary too much driving

Is there enough for me to do up in Valdez to justify spending 3 days there? Or can I get a similar glacial experience elsewhere with more to do. The only reason I picked 3 days up there was to have a break from driving

I know I want to spend those middle days in Talkeetna for flight-seeing, everything else is movable

Answer

Your proposed 9-day Alaska itinerary is ambitious but achievable if you are comfortable with long drives and scenic road trips. Alaska’s highways are beautiful but distances can be deceiving due to winding roads and slower speeds, so it’s important to factor in extra time for stops and sightseeing.

Here’s a breakdown of your itinerary and some thoughts:

Day 1 – Anchorage: Arriving and spending the night in Anchorage is sensible. It gives you time to recover from your flight and explore downtown or nearby attractions.
Day 2-4 – Valdez:
- The drive from Anchorage to Valdez via Glenn Hwy and Thompson Pass is spectacular, with multiple scenic pullouts and waterfalls. Plan for 6–7 hours of driving, possibly longer with stops.
- Valdez offers glacier kayaking, which is a highlight. Other activities include hiking in Keystone Canyon, visiting Shoup Bay, and exploring the harbor area.
- Three days in Valdez is reasonable if you want a break from driving and want to explore glaciers, waterfalls, and local trails at a leisurely pace. It also allows buffer time in case of weather delays.
- If you wanted a shorter stay, you could spend 2 days in Valdez and add a stop near Wrangell-St. Elias National Park or explore the Kenai Peninsula glaciers as an alternative glacial experience.
Day 5-6 – Talkeetna:
- Driving from Valdez to Talkeetna is another long stretch (6–7 hours), but Talkeetna is worth the visit for its flightseeing tours over Denali.
- Talkeetna itself is quaint and walkable, with local shops, cafés, and views of Denali on a clear day.
- Flightseeing should be booked in advance. You might want to reserve one morning for it and explore Talkeetna in the afternoon.
Day 7-9 – Girdwood:
- Girdwood is about a 2–3 hour drive from Talkeetna, making it a more relaxed leg of your trip.
- From here, you can do a glacier cruise out of Whittier. Consider starting early to maximize your day.
- The final day’s drive back to Anchorage is around 1.5–2 hours, which is manageable before an evening flight.

Overall, your itinerary is feasible but involves a lot of driving, particularly on days 2–5. Three days in Valdez is reasonable for breaking up long drives and enjoying glacier activities. If you prefer fewer hours behind the wheel, you could shorten Valdez to two days and add another scenic stop along the route back toward Anchorage.

Additional tips:

Alaska weather can be unpredictable, especially for flights and cruises—keep flexibility in your schedule.
Reserve activities like flightseeing and glacier kayaking in advance.
Consider daylight hours in late August, which are still generous but shorter than midsummer.

In conclusion, your plan balances adventure with sightseeing, and the extended Valdez stay is justifiable both for glacial activities and a break from continuous driving.

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