Alaska is great, but I won't be going back, because it's just...
I just got back from Alaska. To be honest, the scenery is truly breathtaking, but I also really experienced how exhausting the process is. Saying I won't come back isn't because it's bad, but because this place is so draining. Once is enough to remember for a long time.
The distances between cities here are ridiculously long. You often spend an hour sightseeing and 3 or 4 hours driving. There's vast wilderness on the road, and very few service areas along the way. You have to get lucky just to buy a bottle of water or find a restroom. It's really tough for people who get carsick. Accommodation prices double during peak season, and even a simple meal is expensive. Experiences like glacier cruises and aurora chasing all cost extra, so it's easy for the budget to exceed expectations on a trip like this.
The weather is also completely a matter of luck. Even if you come in summer, one second it's sunny, and the next it's windy, rainy, and foggy. In Denali National Park, many people wait for days without seeing the highest peak in North America fully revealed. It's even more grueling during the aurora season; you have to drive out to the suburbs in the middle of the night and freeze outdoors for hours. Whether you see it or not depends entirely on Mother Nature.
Complaints aside, the scenes I saw with my own eyes are hard to capture in photos.
Taking a glacier cruise in Seward, the massive glaciers were right in front of me. Every now and then, ice chunks would break off into the sea, and the water shimmered with a pale icy blue. Sea lions lounged on floating ice, basking in the sun, and occasionally, you could see the dorsal fin of a whale flash by.
Inside Denali National Park, you have to take the park bus to go deeper. As we slowly moved along the wilderness, I was lucky enough to see a moose grazing by the water from a distance. The vast tundra stretched out to the foot of the snow-capped mountains, and it was quiet all around, with almost no one else in sight.
On the night I went aurora chasing in Fairbanks, I was frozen stiff while waiting, but when the green ribbons of light flowed across the entire night sky, I was stunned. Then there's Chena Hot Springs—it was freezing outside, but soaking in the warm water while looking up at the starry sky was an experience that's hard to replicate.
As for food, the fresh wild salmon has a firm texture, and the king crab meat is plump. However, tourist restaurants are overpriced, so I recommend trying to find small shops that locals frequent. You can buy simple ingredients at town supermarkets, which can save you quite a bit on dining costs.
Here are a few practical tips from someone who's been there.
1. For self-driving, prioritize an SUV, as some sections are gravel roads. There is no cell signal in remote areas, so be sure to download offline maps in advance.
2. The temperature difference between day and night is huge. Even in summer, don't skimp on jackets and windproof/waterproof clothing. If chasing the aurora in winter, pack hats, gloves, and thick socks. Don't underestimate the night wind.
3. Tickets for the internal buses in Denali Park are hard to get during peak season. Try to book in advance and don't gamble on same-day tickets.
4. The mosquitoes in the wild are fierce, so carry insect repellent with you. If you encounter wild animals from a distance, do not approach them; keep your distance.
5. Keep a relaxed mindset and don't pack your itinerary too full. Don't be obsessed with checking off every single attraction; leave some room for error in case of bad weather.
It's not suitable for people who want a comfortable, relaxing trip. You have to endure long hours of travel, accept the uncertainty of the weather, and it's not cheap either.
But if you love the raw wilderness and want to see glaciers, the aurora, and wild animals in the open, it's still worth coming at least once in your life.