My best mate Isla returned home from her Alaska and Canada trip last month, and I’ve really never seen someone so pleased with themselves for taking a trip. She wouldn’t stop banging on about it for weeks. At first I thought she was pulling my leg, but then she showed me her pictures.
Blimey. No wonder she wouldn’t stop talking about it.
Isla’s Epic Journey Started In Vancouver
Isla flew to Vancouver in late June, apparently landing at just the right moment. The weather, she said, was just as grand, about 20 degrees most days, which meant wandering around without having to wear a proper coat.
Vancouver’s mental busy though,” she said to me over the pint. “But in a good way. Loads of stuff going on, great food and then mountains being right there in the background. Made me feel proper small.”
She was there for three days and spent most of her time walking, eating in different places and rounding out the day with a ferry to Victoria. The harbour seals were apparently having a right laugh in the water, which made her day.
The Train Journey That Blew Her Mind
This is where Isla’s story really starts getting good. She hopped on the train from Vancouver up to Jasper, then over to Edmonton. She spent four days on trains and thought it was the best part of the entire trip.
“You just sit there and watch Canada go by,” she observed. “Mountains, lakes, forests, more mountains. For hours and hours. It sounds so boring but it’s actually dead relaxing.”
The train stops every few hours for you to stretch your legs and buy a coffee. Isla befriended a Canadian couple who had been doing the same route every summer for twenty years. They pointed out all the best places for her to keep watch.
Alaska Properly Delivered
A week into her Canadian stay, Sarah flew up to Anchorage. And that’s when her trip to Alaska and Canada really got started, she figured.
“Alaska’s just massive,” she said. “Like, stupid massive. You think you know big, then you go there and you understand you have no idea.
She took a day trip to Denali National Park and saw real, wild bears. Not in a zoo, not on telly, but real wild bears just doing their thing. Plus loads of moose, which are apparently way bigger than you’d think.
The highlight by far, though, was the glacier cruise she did near Seward. Observing chunks of ice, as large as houses, fall into the sea. The noise, Isla said, was mental loud, a booming sound, something like thunder but longer.
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Timing Really Matters
Isla’s trip was timed for summer, which runs from May through September and sees temperatures in the 60s to low 70s, with 16 to 24 hours of daylight. “It was very weird in a good way to have daylight until almost midnight, and it was great for getting loads done each day,” she said.
“You just kind of lose track of time,” she said with a laugh. “I’d be eating dinner at what felt like lunchtime, then realise it was actually 9 PM but still bright outside.”
May and September are indeed smart times to go if you prefer the crowds to be thinner, but Isla thought June felt ideal for her. Shorts could be worn throughout the day; just a jumper is required in the evenings.
The Wildlife Was Mental
Isla has always been mad on animals, so this trip was like Christmas for her. She saw whales from the boat, seals basking on rocks and enough bald eagles that her neck hurt from looking up.
But the real highlight was probably spotting the bear. “Then this huge brown bear just stepped out of the trees about 50 metres away,” she said. “Guide said it was a mum with cubs, so we had to stay dead still. Proper terrifying but amazing.”
She also spotted caribou, mountain goats, and lots of types of birds. The camera roll on her phone is full of blurry snaps of animals that are basically just brown dots off in the distance, but she’s dead proud of every single one.
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Food Was Better Than Expected
Isla is quite picky about food, so I was shocked when she started raving about what she was eating. Alaska must have wickedly good seafood, and Canada does brilliant maple syrup pancakes.
“Fresh, just-caught-that-morning salmon,” she said. “ And proper chips, not those skinny French fries. Made me feel right at home. Except there were mountains everywhere.”
She had an elk burger in one spot, which she estimated as having much the same taste as beef but somehow a little more … elky. Not sure what she’s talking about, but she was smiling, so.
What I Learned From Her Alaska and Canada Trip
Hearing Isla waxing on about her adventure, I learned a few things. For one thing, an Alaska and Canada trip requires a lot of planning. She pre-booked everything months in advance, particularly the train tickets, which I hear are booked up quickly.
Second, you need way more time than you think. Isla had only two weeks and she estimated that she could have easily stayed another week in Alaska alone.
Third, in the dead of summer, the weather can go cold, so pack layers. Isla had everything from shorts to a real warm coat, and she wore all of it.
Why I’m Booking My Own Trip
After hearing Isla’s stories for the hundredth time, I’ve finally cracked. I researched flights last week (I’m planning my own trip next summer).
We plan to do the same route but perhaps add a few more days in the Canadian Rockies. Isla said Banff is pretty mental, and I do quite fancy attempting to see some of those bears.
What sold me was really the photos. Isla is no David Bailey with a camera, but even her wonky shots of glaciers and mountains are stunning to watch.
Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about an Alaska and Canada trip, just do it. Isla’s not easily impressed, and she came back looking like she’d had the holiday of a lifetime.
Just make sure you book early, pack for all weather, and bring a decent camera. Your mates will thank you for not boring them with blurry phone photos like Sarah did to me.
Though honestly, even her rubbish photos made me want to go.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The information presented is based on publicly available sources and should not be considered professional, legal, travel, or governmental advice. Mention of locations, organisations, laws, or attractions does not constitute endorsement, promotion, or recommendation. Readers should independently verify current regulations, requirements, and travel conditions before making any decisions.
Excellent work! The flow and structure made it a pleasure to read.