So today we are going to visit our 4th Alaska national park and this time we do not even need to leave the ship… The ship bring us to the park, even the rangers comes to our ship “the pirate way” (through small boat and via ladders)
They gave talks and commentaries and also let us stamp our national park passport
So happy to be back on the ship again since last October… 7 months break from the endless horizon view
Today is technically a sea day but it’s a scenic cruise sea day…. We are checking out and getting close to Hubbard Glacier and can hear the ice caving…
Today is the last day of our land tour… Feeling bitter sweet about it.. Don’t want to say goodbye to all these spectacular inland Alaska landscapes but looking forward to not packing and unpacking for 7 days straight
The drive from copper river to Valdez leads us through the beautiful Thompson pass where we can’t tell the difference between Glacier and snow…. its epic gorgeousness… One minute you are in the mountains amongst the Glacier at 3000 feet above sea level…. the next you are at sea level with huge water falls
The sea side town of Valdez, though plaqued with various unfortunate incidences in history looks peaceful and untouched..
So we were here in Valdez to board a catamaran and sail to Whittier through the beautiful prince William sound… The journey goes on….. All these never ending beauty of alaska just keeps on unfolding in front of us
Pop quiz, what is the largest national park in US？ it is this little known one that we are checking out today…. Wrengell St. Elias National Park and reserve is 13.2 million acres and it’s bigger than Yellowstone, Yosemite and Switzerland combined…
In the afternoon we joined a tour via a scenic van ride and interpretive discussion with a professional naturalist guide. This tour is operated by local nonprofit Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment (WISE) and left us with a sense of peace and awe.. WISE’s educational programs, which cultivate observational skills, understanding of nature and stewardship ethics.
Stopped by the town of Palmer where they held the annual alaska state fair and have lunch… Checked out the local stores and they are delightful
The drive in the afternoon is also spectacularly beautiful with views of the matanuska Glacier
Journey along Alaska’s only National Scenic Byway
Passed by Lake tern on the way
and take a trip into the historic seaside town of Seward…
The highlight is checking out the Alaska sea life center…
Next stop is to explore Exit Glacier, located within Kenai Fjords National Park, on a guided 2.2 mile hike.
Woke up to a misty cold morning
Stopped at an Iditarod Sled dog race headquarters and experienced our first sled dog ride….. Super fun!! The dogs are super excited to run in a group and in races!!
Lunch and free time at Anchorage downtown… 30% of Alaskan population lives here …
After lunch we drove on the Seward highway (one of the voted most scenic highway in Northern America) alongside the Turn again arm water way…. Alaska really have never ending moving feast of gorgeous sceneries every where…. I can’t believe sometimes in the middle of all these beauty, I dozed off…. 😜
We are going to spend the night at the cabin, not check out any trails…just focus on keeping the fire lit and crackling
Signed up for the Devils canyon adventure via jetboat… True Alaskan river experience…. A river excursion on the Susitna River and into the devil’s gorge which is a class v whitewater
Enjoyed a quiet cup of coffee by the lounge window with a view
Today’s highlight is the 5 hour alaska rail trip from Danali to Talkeetna (teklanika train car) with dome glass ceiling.. And there’s only one car on this train just for this connoisseur princess group
The view from the train is epic!! I knew it’s going to be beautiful but still It blows my mind…. I can’t believe I get to stare at these views for 5 hours… I’ll let the pictures speaks for themselves….
The lodge at Mt. McKinley princess wilderness lodge is rustic, cozy and super nice
Enjoyed a big breakfast and a walk around the Princess Lodge community /village… getting ready for our next adventure which is a 6 hour Tundra wilderness tour
The tour again is on a converted tour bus with an expert guide/ driver that helps us spot wild life
Besides the wild lifes.. Of course there’s the breath taking views again
And selfies with them…
