two-week itineray, doubts about Glacier bay and Whittier

Question

Hallo dear friends, I am writing from Italy, my national forum is poor about Alaska, so I am asking to you. I have prepared for next August a two-week itinerary, but I am not sure it works. My first doubt concerns the distances: are they ok for a self-drive tour? My second doubt is about Glacier bay: it takes a lot of time to have the one day cruise there, I was wondering if it was worthwhile, or if the rest of my itinerary would still satisfy my desire to see icebergs. The last doubt is about Whittier: I am curious about it but I am not sure it’s worthwhile to sacrifice other sites to visit it. I need a various itinerary, we won’t hike, we just want to meet culture, ice, nature, wild animals, villages, ocean, all the best we can see over there.

Please help me and sorry for my English. Thank you so much!

Day 1 – Arrive in Juneau (flight from Europe via Seattle or Anchorage)

Day 2 – Glacier Bay Day Tour (from Gustavus?) (Overnight: Gustavus or return to Juneau)

Day 3 – Flight to Anchorage

Day 4 – Anchorage → Whittier → Girdwood, with short cruise in Prince William Sound (Overnight: Girdwood)

Day 5 – Girdwood → Homer

Day 6 – Homer → Seward, stopping at Portage Glacier.

Day 7 – Kenai Fjords National Park (Overnight: Seward)

Day 8 – Seward → Talkeetna

Day 9 – Talkeetna → Denali National Park

Day 10 – Denali National Park (shuttle tour)

Day 11 – Denali → Fairbanks

Day 12 – Fly to Barrow (Utqiaġvik)

Day 13 – Barrow → Anchorage Return flight to Anchorage (direct or via Fairbanks) (Overnight: Anchorage)

Day 14 – Fly home from Anchorage

Answer

Your two-week Alaska itinerary is ambitious but can work if you are comfortable with multiple flights and self-driving segments. Here’s a detailed assessment of your plan, addressing distances, Glacier Bay, Whittier, and overall feasibility.

Self-drive distances and feasibility:

The Alaska road system is limited, and while your plan mostly sticks to drivable areas, some days involve long driving segments:

Anchorage → Whittier → Girdwood: about 100 miles round trip with ferry/road access. It is doable, especially with a short Prince William Sound cruise, but plan for a full day.
Girdwood → Homer: approximately 220 miles, 4–5 hours drive. This is reasonable for a day trip with scenic stops.
Homer → Seward via Portage Glacier: roughly 220 miles, 4–5 hours. Portage Glacier is right off the highway, making it easy to visit.
Seward → Talkeetna: about 220 miles, 5–6 hours. This is a long day but manageable if you start early.
Talkeetna → Denali: around 120 miles, 2–3 hours. Comfortable drive.

Overall, your driving segments are long but feasible. Be mindful of traffic near Anchorage and allow for stops.

Glacier Bay:

Glacier Bay is stunning, and a one-day cruise from Gustavus is the best way to see tidewater glaciers and marine wildlife. Keep in mind:

The tour typically requires an overnight in Gustavus or an early start from Juneau. Returning the same day is possible but very long.
It is worth it if you want to see massive glaciers and icebergs up close. If you skip it, you will still see glaciers in Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords, but Glacier Bay offers a more dramatic experience.
If Glacier Bay is prioritized, I recommend staying the night in Gustavus to avoid rushing.

Whittier and Prince William Sound:

Whittier is mainly a gateway to Prince William Sound. The cruise from Whittier is a highlight for marine wildlife, glaciers, and scenery:

It’s worth visiting if you enjoy wildlife viewing, glaciers, and a short cruise experience.
You can do a half-day cruise and still have time to drive to Girdwood, so it fits well in your plan.
If you had to cut something, you could skip Whittier only if you’ve already done Glacier Bay or Kenai Fjords, but it adds a unique perspective to Prince William Sound.

Other itinerary notes:

Flying from Denali to Fairbanks and then to Barrow (Utqiaġvik) adds complexity. Check flight availability early as direct flights are limited.
Barrow (Utqiaġvik) is very remote and logistically challenging. If your main goal is culture, ice, and wildlife closer to Southcentral Alaska, you could consider skipping Barrow and adding more time in Kenai Peninsula or Denali.
Anchorage, Girdwood, Homer, Seward, Talkeetna, and Denali provide a balanced mix of nature, wildlife, glaciers, and small towns.
Overall, your plan is packed but achievable if you are comfortable with long drives, early starts, and multiple flights.

Summary recommendations:

Keep Glacier Bay if experiencing massive glaciers is a priority. Stay overnight in Gustavus for comfort.
Whittier is worthwhile for Prince William Sound cruises; a half-day cruise is sufficient.
Consider whether Barrow is essential. It is fascinating but logistically heavy. Replacing it with additional time in Kenai Fjords, Homer, or Girdwood could reduce travel stress.
Plan driving segments with buffer time for stops and potential delays.
Book flights and accommodations as early as possible; August is peak season.

With these adjustments and careful planning, your two-week itinerary offers a rich mix of Alaskan culture, glaciers, wildlife, and scenic drives. Just be prepared for long days and early starts on driving days.

two-week itineray, doubts about Glacier bay and Whittier

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