Page 16 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

14  INTRODUCING ALASK A

A Week in the Far Day 4: Prudhoe Bay
North and Arctic Visit the oilfields, with lunch at
a restaurant that caters to the
• Airports Ted Stevens rough-and-ready oilfield workers.
Anchorage International Get a taste of the real north by
Airport is the departure dipping your toe in the frigid
point for an early morning waters of the Arctic Ocean.
flight to Fairbanks, your Overnight in Deadhorse.
base for venturing into
the Arctic. Day 5: Wiseman
• Transport In Fairbanks, Return south toward Coldfoot,
several tour companies stopping en route to stroll
offer tours along the through the historic gold-
famous Dalton Highway, mining village of Wiseman (see
the only highway in the US p224), the only community that
to cross the mighty Yukon is occupied year-round along
River and to connect the Dalton Highway and not
the highway system The remote Dalton Highway, stretching dedicated to oilfield enterprises.
to the Arctic Ocean. across northern Alaska
Day 6: Finger Mountain
If it’s winter, book a dog sled Head back down the Dalton
Day 1: Arctic Circle adventure or take a bus trip to a Highway for a hike at Finger
Arrive in Fairbanks (see pp174- viewing station for a chance to Mountain (see p222). Admire the
8) and join a tour north toward glimpse the aurora borealis, or tundra wild flowers and grand
Prudhoe Bay. Stop at the Arctic Northern Lights. Be prepared, views, then return to Fairbanks
Circle Trading Post on the Elliott though – this is officially the for a hearty dinner at a restau-
Highway before turning onto coldest place in North America. rant along the Chena River.
Alaska’s great wilderness road,
the Dalton Highway (see Day 3: Coldfoot to Day 7: Fairbanks
pp222–3). View the mighty Prudhoe Bay Enjoy a Riverboat Discovery
Yukon River (see pp174–8) and Continue along the Dalton (see p175) cruise and learn about
the Trans-Alaska Pipeline (see Highway to Prudhoe Bay (see life at an Athabaskan Indian
pp174–8), then cross the Arctic p224), with spectacular views village. Take a vintage train to
Circle to get your official Arctic into Gates of the Arctic National pan for gold at Gold Dredge
Circle Certificate. Overnight at Park and the Arctic National No. 8 (see p178). Visit the
the Yukon Crossing or Coldfoot. Wildlife Refuge. After crossing University of Alaska Museum
the precipitous Atigun Pass of the North (see p175), one
Day 2: Coldfoot (see p223), scan the vast Arctic of Alaska’s top 10 attractions.
In summer, take a scenic float tundra for caribou, musk oxen, Alternatively, fly to Barrow (see
down the Middle Fork of the wolves, bears, and peregrines. pp226–7) for a glimpse of Native
Koyukak River, stopping along End the day with a buffet culture and an excursion to the
the shore for a barbecue lunch. dinner in Deadhorse. northernmost point in the US.

Arctic winters in Alaska offer the chance to see the mesmerising, rippling spectacle of the aurora borealis
For practical information on traveling around Alaska see pp280–91

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