ALASKA

The USA’s largest state is more than twice the size of second-place Texas and features national parks that are bigger than entire states. Its diverse terrain features vast swathes of untouched wilderness, cities that can only be reached by sea or air, towns and villages rich in native culture, the continent’s highest mountains, deep fjords and landscapes teeming with wildlife. Get a fast quote from Air Charter Service to charter a private jet to Alaska.

Most visitors reach America’s ‘Last Frontier’ on a cruise from Seattle or Vancouver through the stunning natural beauty of southeastern Alaska’s Inside Passage, a vast coastal region known for its breathtaking scenery. Journeying along the wildlife-rich Alaska Marine Highway between islands and the coastal mountains of the Alaskan Panhandle, you’ll pass isolated communities, vibrant towns and UNESCO-listed national parks. Popular stops include the cities of Ketchikan, Sitka and Juneau – the only state capital accessible exclusively by boat or plane – and the glacial landscapes of Glacier Bay National Park.

While the majority of cruise ships then return to their departure points, some continue north to Seward, the closest port to the state’s main urban hub, Anchorage. With a backdrop of snow-dusted peaks and views out over Cook Inlet and the Kenai Mountain Range beyond, this vibrant city is home to around half of Alaska’s population and boasts a range of cultural, entertainment and culinary attractions.

Alaska’s south-central region has its fair share of natural beauty. Travel north from Anchorage to explore Denali National Park, home to the peak of the same name. At 6,190 metres above sea level, it’s the highest mountain in North America and certainly makes an impact on anyone lucky enough to witness its majesty. Join a ‘flightseeing’ tour to admire the spectacular scenery from the air or take a seasonal shuttle bus to Wonder Lake and see the mountain reflected in the nearby Reflection Pond.

Around 90 minutes south of Anchorage is Kenai Fjords National Park, a land of glaciers, coastal inlets, towering mountains and vast ice fields; while to the west of the city is the country’s largest national park, Wrangell-St Elias. Larger than nine of the USA’s 50 states, here you can hike, spot wildlife, fish, mountain-bike and scale lofty peaks.

One of the most enduring images of Alaska is of great grizzly bears attempting to catch salmon as they leap up waterfalls on their epic journey upstream. This amazing show of nature takes place during the months of June, July and September at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, a lesser-visited park that you may feel you have all to yourself (and a bear or two). Other attractions here include expansive volcanic landscapes, lakes and towering mountains. The state’s southwestern region is also a great place to discover native cultures, learning how the coastal people live off the sea rather than the land.

Seasons rule in Alaska’s interior. During summer the sun barely dips below the horizon, while the Northern Lights illuminate the sky once autumn and winter roll around. The sometimes-elusive Aurora Borealis is best spotted from Fairbanks, the area’s only substantial city, which dates back to the late-19th-century Klondike Gold Rush. During those few daylight hours of winter, you can feel the power of a pack of huskies during a sledding trip, soak in a hot spring or even seek your own riches with a spot of gold panning.

Beyond Alaska’s hotel-laden cities, accommodation is charmingly rustic – think mountain lodges, secluded cabins and inns that feel like cosy homes-from-home. If you really want to get off the beaten track and explore the wilderness, camping is the way to go – and we can’t think of many better places to pitch your tent than on the edge of a lake or in the shadow of a mountain.

Many airports serve Alaska, from international airports in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau to municipal and city airfields. Simply contact a member of our team and we’ll arrange everything you need to charter a private jet to Alaska.