Travel

Now is the time to score deals on wildlife tours, Alaska lodges and more

It's not fair to say that this weekend is your last chance for a summer getaway. September tends to be beautiful in Alaska, even though the days are shorter. But some of the seasonal activities and attractions start to shut down around Labor Day. So the pressure is on to get out there, see some sights and have some fun before this summer disappears.

Now is the time that travel companies discount some of their hotels and activities, since the crowds are thinning out. Let's look at some popular getaways:

Seward

Not all of the activities are on sale. But hotel rooms become a little less expensive as fall approaches. The Seward Windsong Lodge is offering a $99 rate Sept. 1-18. Once in Seward, you can hike around Exit Glacier, visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, go on a Kenai Fjords cruise or go fishing.

Major Marine Tours and the Harbor 360 Hotel have a combination special for packages booked through Oct. 9: 10 percent off your cruise and 10 percent off of your hotel room. The room prices vary, so it's best to call ahead for a firm quote: 907-865-6224.

Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, which is located inside Kenai Fjords National Park near Aialik Bay, is offering a 50 percent off special between Aug. 28 and Sept. 5. The lodge is all-inclusive, including a sightseeing/wildlife cruise to take you from Seward to the lodge. The cabins face Pedersen Glacier and the lodge features a selection of hikes, kayak trips and adventures to guests while they're there. All of the meals and activities are included. If you stay two nights, the cost is $1,495 per adult. With the special, that works out to $750 each. Call 800-334-8730 for details.

Homer

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Land's End Resort offers a "Getaway Package" starting on Sept. 24. The cost is $139 per room per night and includes dinner for two at the Chart Room restaurant.

Alyeska Resort

I think the folks at Alyeska have a festival every week or two. This weekend it's the Blueberry Festival. Next weekend it's the Fungus Fair. But I'm holding out for Oktoberfest, which spans two weekends: Sept. 16-17 and Sept. 23-24. Stay overnight at the hotel during the festival. Your package includes two steins of beer (keep the steins!), tram tickets and T-shirts. The package price is $179 per night. There's great music, Bavarian treats and, of course, beer.

Talkeetna

There are a couple of sweet deals heading north. Stay at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge for $99 per night between Sept. 1 and Sept. 10. The lodge features a close-in location, although it sits on a beautiful bluff with a king-size view of Denali.

Up the Parks Highway from Talkeetna is the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. They offer a special $99.95 rate through Sept. 20.

Princess also has a combo deal featuring the train from Anchorage to Talkeetna on Princess' private rail cars. From Talkeetna, take their bus up to the lodge and receive two nights' accommodations. The whole package is $189 per person, double occupancy.

Princess also offers a rail/hotel combo from Anchorage to Denali for three days and two nights. Take the train all the way from Anchorage to Denali. Then, stay at either the Denali Princess or the McKinley Chalets. You'll have plenty of time to take a bus tour into the park. The cost is just $249 per person, double. Your meals are not included — but that's still a great deal. More dates are available in mid-September.

If you love to fish for rainbow trout, consider a trip to the deluxe Kulik Lodge. The lodge is run by the Petersen family — and they also run Brooks Camp inside Katmai National Park. Kulik Lodge is located on the banks of the Kulik River. The guides know exactly where the fish are — you can fish the river or head up in a boat to the upper reaches of the lake. Everything is included, even your airfare from Anchorage: Meals, boats, guides, fishing license, rods, waders and cocktails at the bar! You'll pay extra for fly-out excursions. For two nights, it's $2,195 per person. The special is available between Sept. 15-30.

McCarthy

Have you been out to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park? You can drive there, although it takes about eight hours to get from Anchorage to McCarthy. Park the car, then walk across the footbridge. The folks at Kennicott Glacier Lodge will meet you on the other side and take you up the hill to the ghost town of Kennicott. The lodge is in the middle of the old mining community, with a great view of the Root Glacier and the Wrangell Mountains. Between now and Sept. 11 the lodge is offering a special rate of $99 per night. Meals are served family-style. They're not included in the special price. But if you're headed out for some hiking or to walk on the glacier, they will pack you a lunch. Once you're back there, you can go flightseeing, rafting, ice climbing — or explore the old mine buildings.

Whether you're excited about fishing or just want to relax with a nice view, there are some great late-season specials as the peak visitor season winds down. Don't miss out on your great Alaska summer, since the snow will be here soon enough!

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at zoom907@me.com. You can follow him on Twitter (@alaskatravelGRM) and alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.

Scott McMurren

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at zoom907@me.com. Subscribe to his e-newsletter at alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.

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