Alaska is a breathtaking and wild state that offers unparalleled beauty throughout the year. Visiting during the fall allowed us to witness the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis and experience the region’s stunning autumn scenery.
To plan our Alaskan adventure, we took several important steps:
- Stay 6 to 7 Nights: This gives you enough time to explore the key cities and attractions.
- Focus on Anchorage and Fairbanks: These cities serve as central hubs for tours and activities, including glacier exploration, wildlife spotting, and Northern Lights chasing.
- Secure Your Rental Car Early: Especially for fall travel, booking your rental car in advance is crucial due to limited availability.
- Consider Winter vs. Fall Travel: If you’re aiming for a winter visit, Fairbanks is the ideal base for increased Northern Lights sightings and various winter activities.
- Embrace Tours: Booking tours is essential for fully experiencing Alaska’s wonders, from witnessing the Northern Lights to exploring glaciers and reaching the Arctic Circle.
Our main goals were to witness the Northern Lights, explore glaciers, visit Denali National Park, and travel along the scenic Alaska Highway 1.
Alaska provides an unmatched adventure and the chance to immerse yourself in untouched wilderness and natural beauty. Whether you’re seeking the Northern Lights, traversing stunning landscapes, or simply taking in the pristine surroundings, the state offers an experience like no other.
Our Alaskan Adventure: Itinerary and Tours
Our Alaskan adventure took place from September 11th to September 17th, 2021. Here’s a detailed look at our itinerary and the exciting tours we experienced:
September 11th, 2021:
- Chicago to Anchorage: We began our journey by flying from Chicago to Anchorage.
- Anchorage to Denali National Park: After arriving in Anchorage, we drove straight to Denali National Park.
September 12th, 2021:
- Tundra Wilderness Tour: We embarked on the Tundra Wilderness Tour to explore the stunning landscapes and wildlife of Denali National Park.
September 13th, 2021:
- Denali to Fairbanks: We made our way from Denali to Fairbanks, soaking in the scenic drive.
- Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs: Later in the day, we visited the relaxing Chena Hot Springs.
September 14th, 2021:
- Fairbanks to Arctic Circle & Northern Lights Tour: This was a highlight of our trip—an unforgettable Arctic Circle and Northern Lights tour.
September 15th, 2021:
- Fairbanks to Anchorage: We traveled back to Anchorage, ready for the final leg of our journey.
September 16th, 2021:
- Anchorage Glacier Tour: We took an awe-inspiring glacier tour, exploring the icy wonders of Alaska.
Alaska is a year-round destination, each season offering its own unique beauty. Spring and summer are renowned for their lush greenery and abundant wildlife, while fall brings a stunning transformation with vibrant foliage. The trees turn a magnificent mix of green and gold, creating a picturesque landscape. Winter, on the other hand, turns the state into a snowy wonderland, perfect for witnessing the Aurora Borealis.
Our dream was to experience Alaska during the fall season and see the Aurora Borealis in all its glory. After thorough research on tour prices, car rentals, and air travel, we chose to visit in the fall. However, it’s important to note that fall is considered an off-season for Alaska. Many national parks and tours close after the second week of September and remain shut until December. Additionally, you’ll find only a few restaurants open during this period.
If you’re planning a trip to Alaska in the fall, aim to visit before the second week of September to ensure you can access the key attractions and services. Despite the off-season limitations, the fall colors and the chance to see the Northern Lights make it a memorable time to visit.
To give you a glimpse of Alaska’s fall beauty, here are some pictures from our trip. The vibrant colors and stunning landscapes truly showcase why fall is such a special time in Alaska.
This version captures your insights and provides practical advice for future travelers, while also emphasizing the beauty of Alaska in the fall.
September 11th, 2021: Arrival and First Impressions
Our adventure began with a flight from O’Hare (Chicago) to Anchorage, Alaska. We landed in the early afternoon and immediately picked up our rental car from the airport. Our destination for the day was Denali National Park, where we had planned to stay overnight.
We booked a room at the Grande Denali Lodge, perched on a hill with stunning views of Denali National Park. The drive from Anchorage to the lodge takes about two and a half hours, but we took our time, savoring the breathtaking scenery along the way.
Upon arrival, we decided to dine at the hotel’s restaurant, situated on top of the hill. The restaurant offered panoramic views of the park, making for a memorable dining experience.
After checking in, we headed to the Denali National Park Visitor Center to gather information about the park’s bus tours. We learned that booking in advance was essential, so we made sure to secure our tickets for the Denali Bus Tour.
There are three types of bus tours available, and we opted for the Tundra Wilderness Tour. This tour promised to showcase the park’s diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes, and we were excited about the adventure ahead.
September 12th, 2021: Tundra Wilderness Tour at Denali National Park
Our second day in Alaska began with an early start to catch the Denali National Park bus tour. We quickly got ready and made our way to the visitor center. Since the tour was set to last half a day, we packed a backpack with water and snacks, and grabbed some coffee from the visitor center—definitely worth a taste!
As the bus arrived, we boarded, and the adventure officially began. The Tundra Wilderness Tour was equipped with a powerful camera on board, which allowed us to get a closer look at distant wildlife. Throughout the tour, we spotted several moose and caribou. The driver provided fascinating insights into Alaska’s unique geography, highlighting how it differs from other parts of the world.
As we climbed in elevation, we noticed the landscape changing—trees and plants gradually disappeared, revealing stunning views of Denali Peak in the distance. The peak looked majestic and awe-inspiring from our vantage point.
The tour was an incredible experience, showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Denali National Park and offering a glimpse into its diverse wildlife and landscapes.
After a fantastic half-day exploring Denali National Park on the Tundra Wilderness Tour, we returned to the visitor center in the early evening. We took some time to explore the nearby area, hoping to find a great spot for dinner.
However, since it was the off-season, we soon realized that dining options were quite limited. After a bit of searching, we decided to head back to our hotel and dine at the hotel’s restaurant. It turned out to be a convenient and pleasant choice, allowing us to relax and enjoy a meal without the hassle of further hunting for food.
September 13th, 2021: Road Trip to Fairbanks
We kicked off the day with a road trip from Denali National Park to Fairbanks, Alaska. With the whole day ahead of us, we decided to explore a few interesting spots along the way, including the University of Alaska and the North Pole.
Our first stop was Rose Cafe, a charming family-owned spot just outside of Denali National Park. It was the perfect place to grab a hearty breakfast before continuing our journey. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend stopping by. Here’s the link to Rose Cafe for more details.
After breakfast, we continued our drive to Fairbanks. We were looking forward to our early morning Northern Lights Tour, so we aimed to get to our hotel and settle in for the night. For those making the same journey, here are the directions from Denali to Fairbanks.
September 14th, 2021: Northern Lights and Arctic Circle Adventure
Our day began bright and early as we prepared for our long-awaited Northern Lights and Arctic Circle tour. This trip would take us along the Dalton Highway, known as one of the most challenging roads in the USA. The journey was expected to last around 18 to 20 hours, so we packed plenty of snacks, lunch, dinner, and water to keep us fueled throughout the day.
If you’re planning a similar trip, here’s what you should bring:
• Lunch and dinner
• Snacks
• Water
• Tripod
• DSLR camera with a minimum 2.8F lens
• Snow jackets (it will be freezing!)
Trip Details: View on Google Maps
We met our tour group at the tour office and boarded the bus. Our first stop was a local grocery store for some last-minute shopping. Afterward, we hit the road and began our adventure.
Our first major stop was the Dalton Highway sign. The drive along this highway was like a journey through different landscapes, each mile offering a new and stunning view. Our next stop was the Yukon River, where we had an hour to stretch our legs, visit the small restaurant, and shop at the gift store.
Along the way, our tour guide and driver made several stops to capture breathtaking landscapes. We also had the chance to sample wild blueberries and admire the unique pink-colored blueberry plants.
The highlight of the day was reaching the Arctic Circle sign—a fantastic spot for photos and a memorable milestone in our journey.
After exploring the Arctic Circle sign and soaking in the stunning landscapes, we began our journey back to Livengood, eager for the finale of our trip—the Northern Lights.
We stopped at a cozy cabin near Livengood, which had all the amenities we needed. Everyone set up their tripods and cameras outside, preparing for the Northern Lights. At first glance, the sky appeared with a greyish hue, making it hard to distinguish the Aurora Borealis. Unsure if we were seeing the lights, we asked our guide for confirmation. He advised us to take a picture, promising that the true colors would reveal themselves on camera.
Following his advice, we snapped a few shots and were thrilled to see the vibrant green hues of the Northern Lights come to life in our photos. To capture the best images of this incredible phenomenon, I made sure my DSLR camera settings were properly adjusted. Here are the settings I used:
• Aperture: f/2.8 (or the widest setting on your lens)
• ISO: 3200 to 6400
• Shutter Speed: 1-15 seconds
• White Balance: 3500k
• Focus: Manually on a distant light
These settings ensured that we captured the Northern Lights in all their glory, creating unforgettable memories of our Alaskan adventure.
After an epic day of adventure, it was almost 3 a.m. when the tour guide and driver wrapped up our Northern Lights tour. We boarded the bus and began our journey back to Fairbanks, heading towards the office where we had parked our car.
We arrived at our hotel in Fairbanks around 5 a.m., exhausted but exhilarated from the day’s experiences. The early morning arrival marked the end of a memorable and action-packed day in Alaska.
September 15th, 2021: Journey from Fairbanks to Anchorage
After our late-night return from the Northern Lights tour, we finally reached our hotel in Fairbanks around 5 a.m. We managed to sleep in and woke up around 10 a.m., ready to start the day. Our plans for the day were set on traveling from Fairbanks to Anchorage, where we would be staying at one of Alaska’s most stunning resorts, Alyeska Resort.
We kicked off the day with a visit to Starbucks for breakfast and coffee, fueling up for the journey ahead. As we set out on the drive to Anchorage, we were treated to one of the most scenic routes imaginable. The springtime beauty of Alaska did not disappoint; the drive was breathtaking with every turn.
We made several stops along the way to capture the picturesque landscapes and natural beauty. Here are some of the pictures and videos we took during the drive, showcasing the incredible scenery we experienced.
We arrived in Anchorage late in the evening, just as heavy rain started to pour. Despite the weather, we decided to press on and drive straight to our resort, Alyeska. Our goal was to reach the resort as quickly as possible, but the drive itself turned out to be an extraordinary experience.
The highway we took, Seward Highway, was unlike anything I’ve ever driven in the USA. The scenery, even through the rain, was absolutely stunning. Seward Highway is renowned for its breathtaking views, and it did not disappoint. The drive was a beautiful introduction to the resort’s surroundings, setting the stage for our stay at Alyeska Resort.
September 16th, 2021: Glacier Cruise Adventure
Today’s highlight was our highly anticipated glacier cruise with Phillips Cruises. The cruise departs from downtown Anchorage, so if you’re planning to drive, keep in mind that there’s ample public parking available. We parked our car in a public lot for the day and boarded the tour bus that would take us to our destination along Seward Highway.
The weather was quite rainy when we arrived at the port, but our bus driver assured us that the rain would clear up once we were out on the ocean. At the ticket window, we exchanged our online reservation for the cruise tickets and chose our seating—my recommendation is to opt for the lower deck. From there, the views of the glaciers are truly majestic.
As you prepare for the cruise, make sure to dress warmly. Bring a heavy snow jacket, gloves, and a beanie, as it can get chilly and windy on the water, with potential for snow or rain. Despite the weather, the experience of seeing the glaciers up close was absolutely breathtaking.
September 17th, 2021: The Scenic Drive on Alaska Highway 1
On our final day in Alaska, we set out to drive along Alaska Highway 1, and it was truly a spectacular way to end our trip. Having taken many road trips before, I can confidently say that the beauty of Alaska Highway 1 is unparalleled. The scenery along this route is simply breathtaking and unmatched by any other road I’ve traveled.
I highly recommend everyone to take this route if you have the chance. It offers some of the most stunning views you’ll experience. To help you plan your journey, I’ve included a screenshot of the map highlighting some must-visit places along Alaska Highway 1.
Wrapping Up Our Alaskan Adventure
As we wrapped up our journey through Alaska, we couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible experiences and stunning landscapes we encountered. From the majestic Northern Lights and the breathtaking glaciers to the scenic drives and charming towns, Alaska proved to be everything we had hoped for and more.
Each moment, whether it was marveling at the wild beauty of Denali National Park or cruising through the icy waters to see magnificent glaciers, added to the rich tapestry of our adventure. Alaska’s unspoiled wilderness, combined with its unique natural wonders, left us with lasting memories and a deep appreciation for the Last Frontier.
If you’re considering a trip to Alaska, embrace every opportunity to explore its diverse landscapes and vibrant wildlife. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights, hiking through national parks, or simply taking in the scenic drives, Alaska promises a journey of discovery and awe.
Thank you for following along on our adventure. Until next time, may your travels be filled with wonder and your journeys be as memorable as ours.
Manoj's Photography 
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