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Sitka, Alaska
Come and discover beautiful Sitka...a combination of native culture, Russian history, and Alaskan wilderness !
Location:
Sitka is situated on Baranof Island, nestled between forested mountains and the great Pacific Ocean, on the outer waters of Alaska's Inside Passage. Sitka lies at the heart of the largest temperate rain forest in the world, the Tongass National Forest.
What’s enchanting about Sitka?
With picturesque views of island-studded waters and splendid spruce forests reaching to the water's edge, Sitka is considered Alaska's most beautiful seaside town.
Wildlife adds to Sitka's natural enchanting beauty. The serene climate, rich habitation and relatively low human population makes Sitka one of the best places to view wildlife. Nearby waters are a feeding ground for humpback whales in the late fall and early spring. Summertime provides a wonderful opportunity to view tufted puffins and other sea birds at St. Lazaria National Wildlife Refuge. While out on the ocean, you may also spot sea otters, sea lions, whales and other marine wildlife. Now isn’t that breath-taking!!
Enjoy the fresh outdoors on well-marked mountain trails. Take to the water for a kayaking adventure among nearby islands or charter a boat to nearby fishing grounds to fish for world-class salmon and halibut.
Accomodation:
You can choose accommodation of the standard and the price you are looking for. There are hotels in Sitka ranging from the luxurious to standard. There are also less expensive alternatives such as ideally situated cabins, private bed and comfortable camping sites.
What to see:
- Each November the town celebrates ‘Whale Fest’ at the peak of the October-January southern migration of the hump back whales, the greatest in Southeast Alaska.
- Nearby St. Lazaria island, a seabird haven is a home to puffins, petrels and many other birds.
Sitka offers an abundant variety of outdoor opportunities:
- The Baranof Cross-Island Trail is a popular summer hike. Be careful about inclement weather conditions in the mountains and the required crossing of ice-fields with crevasses.
- The dormant volcano Mt. Edgecumbe is also a popular seven-mile trail up to the top.
- Kayaking is a popular activity and small guided day excursions are offered locally. For longer trips, popular destinations include the Baranof Island located outposts of Goddard hot springs, Baranof Warm Springs, Port Alexander, Port Armstrong, White Sulphur Hot Springs.
- For more experienced and adventurous kayakers, there are many tidewater bays/ lakes that offer exhilarating and dangerous whitewater tidal currents.
- There are a number of popular trails in the Sitka area, including the Indian River Trail, Beaver Lake Trail, Redoubt Lake Trail, and Shelikof Trail.
Other places of attraction:
- Centennial Building
- Indian Cultural Centre
- Sheldon Jackson Museum: one of the largest collections of Alaskan artifacts.
- Isabel Miller Museum
- St Michaels's Cathedral: a replica of the 100-year-old Russian Orthodox athedral that burned down in 1966
Sitka gives you the opportunity to capture a natural beauty of Alaska that most only dream of seeing……Watch the early morning mist as it rises from the waters of Sitka and wraps itself passionately around the islands.