Kobuk Valley National Park is surreal! Have you ever thought to meet sand dunes in the Arctic Circle? The unique geology of the park makes it possible. That’s not all! The Great Kobuk sand dunes stand here, along with the remains of the North American continental glaciers.
Three of the sand dunes in this national park are active or alive. The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, Hunt River Dunes, and Little Kobuk Sand Dunes here cover a mesmerizing 20,000 acres of area in the park.
Today, hiking through these dunes is one of the most popular activities in the Kobuk Valley National Park.
While it is visually unusual or unexpected to see sand dunes in an Arctic National Park, you also need to understand that the Arctic region gets very little rainfall every year. So, this is also a desert region.
“Sand dunes in the Arctic landscape are not what you would expect. Since most people associate sand dunes with a hot desert environment, it is a visually unusual thing to see. In fact, what most people don’t realize is that the Arctic is also a desert with very low levels of rainfall.”
– Christian, a Kobuk Valley National Park Worker
Having said that, how the sand dunes came to be here, and the experience of exploring them will be a great thing to discuss in this article.
This Is How The Kobuk Valley National Park Became The Land Of Sand Dunes
Much of Alaska, including the Kobuk Valley National Park, falls in the Tundra region. Tundra, the coldest of the biomes, gets only around 150 to 250 mm of rainfall and snowfall yearly1. So, the national park has less rainfall than some of the most well-known deserts in the world.
Further, the sand dunes in the Kobuk Valley are as old as the Ice Age. Now, as the mighty glaciers moved forward and made a retreat, the rocks beneath got ground. Now, the blowing wind transported the sand into the empty and ice-free Kobuk Valley. The sand dunes in the park are up to 150 feet high, and they are the biggest, high-altitude, and most importantly, “active sand fields” in the earth.
Are you in the Sahara? No, you are around 35 miles above the Arctic Circle and still find the largest active sand dune field in the world. Today, it is a popular backpacking, hiking, and camping destination in the National Park. You must attend the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center to learn more about the outdoor pursuits in the land of sand dunes.
Let’s quickly look at why the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes is a preferred destination for camping, hiking, and backpacking.
The sand is steady enough for the landing of an aircraft with wheels.
You can put up your tent on any level surface.
Also, you can hike in any direction.
Further, you can board a float plane and reach the Kobuk River. From there, you can take a backpacking tour for around two miles and reach the dunes.
You must visit the Kotzebue Visitor Center if you have plans to take this backpacking journey to and from the Kobuk River.
There is no marked route for hiking.
In summer, the temperature in the sand dunes can reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, fall is the season to see caribou migration here.
However, there’s more to it! Let’s learn about the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes as relics of the Ice Age and how life thrived here.
To know about the formation of the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, we must go back to the Ice Age. Around 28000 years ago, glaciers in the mountains formed. I have already discussed how the glaciers ground the rocks and wind deposited them in the Kobuk Valley.
Further, approximately 14000 years ago, the glaciers made a massive retreat. As a result, there were 200,000 acres of sandy land formation on the river banks. Complex holocene activities and geomorphic preservations keep the sand dune field at the Kobuk Valley National Park active or alive. Along with the Kobuk Valley, small lakes in the park have also accumulated sand over thousands of years.
However, most of the landscape today is occupied by the vegetation of the national park, and the sand dune area consists of only 20,000 acres. The vegetation found here consists of the following varieties.
Wild rye
Grasses
Sedges
Kobuk locoweed
Wildflowers blooming occasionally
These species grow on the shifting sand, and they function as stabilizing agents. You can see shrubs, lichens, mosses, and algae following this vegetation. Finally, there are spruce, birch, and aspen trees covering the landscape.
The slopes of the Kobuk Valley sand dunes are the only place where Kobuk locoweeds grow. These plants belong to the pea family, and they are known for their purple flowers. If you want to see these flowers, you must visit the park in late June and July.
The inland dune field of Kobuk Valley National Park is surrounded by boreal forest.
It’s amazing to see the Western Arctic Caribou walking through the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes. Fall and spring are the migration seasons for these animals. The north of Brook Range is the caribou herd’s calving ground, and they migrate to and from this place.
As the caribou herds pass through the sand dunes, their footprints remain in the ground for the longest time. According to National Park Service data, around 250,000 caribou pass through this national park annually.
No wonder that the Kobuk Valley National Park is one of the “last great migrations” remaining in the world. The table below gives you a brief idea about the animals and birds in the sand dunes.
Birds
Sharp-shinned Hawk Golden Eagle Bald Eagle American Wigeon Northern Pintail Rough-legged Hawk Marsh Hawk
Mammals
Caribou Wolverine Muskox Snowshoe Hare Moose Gray Wolf Grizzly Bear Beaver Arctic Fox American Pine Marten
Human history in the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes is at least 8000 years old. They lived by the Kobuk River and were mainly focused on fishing, hunting, and trapping for survival. It is fascinating to visit the thousand-year-old hunting camps on the edges of the sand dunes.
The golden and shifting Great Kobuk Sand Dunes are located a few miles away from the Kobuk River. Further, the sand dunes soar up to 100 miles in the air.
Kobuk Valley National Park Is Also The Land Of Iñupiaq Subsistence
Human life, which started in the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes 8000 years ago, is still thriving with the mantra of subsistence. The Iñupiaq people here use the available natural resources to fulfil their physical needs and safeguard their spiritual and cultural requirements.
For example, they depend on caribou and salmon to feed themselves and their dogs. At the same time, caribou skin hide is extensively used to make parka jackets to combat Arctic winter. They also make mukluks or boots using reindeer skin to walk through the snow.
Further, the local people made baskets using birch and willow. Moreover, in darkness, caribou tallow or seal oil were the only ingredients to light up their stone lamps.
Irrespective of the trade with the coastal communities, the “customary, traditional and non-commercial” use of natural resources is still important in the park.
Aboriginal people in the Kobuk Valley National Park are committed to passing on their values from generation to generation. The Iñupiat Ilitqusiat value asks them to transfer the knowledge and skill of hunting and everything about life.
In addition, this transfer of knowledge helps to make the most of various seasons and subsistence opportunities. For example, the caribou season comes to this park after the salmon season.
Earlier, Noatak Valley was the destination for these people during the caribou season, and even today, some families move to Noatak Valley. Again, summer camping around the Kobuk River is common for fishing, especially catching salmon and whitefish.
Summer is also the season for harvesting berries and wild greens for the local people.
If you want to learn about the local people and their values, you must be respectful and understand their seasonal activities as a part of their subsistence practices.
Overall, the Kobuk Valley National Park is not just a place to see sand dunes and wildlife. It is a tapestry of human lives depending on nature.
Things To Know Before You Visit The Kobuk Valley National Park
For me, the sand dunes and Iñupiaq subsistence practices are the most fascinating things in the Kobuk Valley National Park. However, keep the following information handy if you are to pay a visit anytime soon.
Mode of Transport: Authorized air taxis from Kotzebue or Bettles
Visitor Center: Northwest Arctic Heritage Center
Entrance Fee: Free
Permits Required: Commercial Use Authorization or CUA for commercial activities, Research Permits, Filming and Photography Permits
Activities to Do: Boating, fishing, camping and backpacking, hiking, flight-seeing and exploring nearby attractions
Best Time to Visit: June to July
Area: 1,750,000 Acres
Established: 2nd December, 1980
Number of Visitors: 17,616 (2023) (National Park Service Data)
Snowfall, downpours, and extreme weather conditions can occur in any season of the year. So, follow the instructions shared at the visitor center and keep your gear ready for survival!
Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!
One of the most enjoyable jobs on the planet is being a tour guide. If you love to travel and enjoy sharing that love with others, as well as the knowledge you have gleaned about the destinations you are guiding them to, then you should consider building a career based on that passion, and become a tour guide!
There are lots of options out there, walking guides for the city sights, cruise and bus tour guides, and museum or special attraction guides. Finding work is fairly easy as there is always a demand, and when that tour operator payment gateway sends you your reward you will feel great knowing you earned it doing something that brought a smile to people's faces!
The best tour guides have a certain set of skills in place that suit their profession, here are some of the most important:
Knowledge –
A tour guide needs to know a lot about where they are taking their group, and what they are showing them. They should have an in-depth knowledge of the area and its attractions that they can share with their group in order to give them the best experience possible. They are always prepared to answer unexpected questions, and ready to give pertinent insights and recommendations. A knowledgeable tour guide is one the tourist never forgets, and they will recommend you to their friends.
Communication –
t's important for tour guides to have excellent communication skills, they should be able to speak clearly and informatively, with proper pronunciation in order to facilitate easy-to-understand directions and information sharing, and to avoid any potential misunderstandings. They should also have a loud enough voice to carry across a crowd without the aid of a microphone or bullhorn and be able to command the attention of many people at the same time.
Charisma –
Being a tour guide is very much a people-oriented profession, one must be able to share their passion for the experiences they are guiding people to, share information in an informative yet fun and engaging manner, and build a cheerful rapport with their group. A successful tour guide has enough charisma to bring repeat customers back, not just to see the sights again, but for the pleasure of their company!
Understanding And Empathy –
People sometimes experience difficulties, even when they are out on a pleasant excursion. A tour guide must be sensitive to the individual's needs, and be able to handle any problems their charge is having with sincerity, kindness, and grace, as well as be accommodating as possible. The best tour guides are quite simply put, nice people!
Flexibility -
Things don't always go as planned, and in the event of a course change, the tour guide has to be able to think on their feet and make adjustments on the fly. Always have a Plan B in place!
Check out the Tourism Australia website for more useful information for both guides and tourists. Good luck with your tour guide career
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People are calling Dubrovnik a travel secret, a hidden gem in the Mediterranean region, and whatnot!
I don’t agree with these, as for the longest time, Dubrovnik has been famous as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”
Also, the Old Town of Dubrovnik was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Moreover, this city in Croatia has been facing overtourism since the HBO series Game of Thrones became so huge.
It is the filming location of the series.
Even if you are not a Game of Thrones fan, you will love the blue water of the Adriatic Sea, the walls around the Old City, the cobblestone streets, and, overall, the quaint charm.
While it takes almost a week to explore the best of Dubrovnik and indulge in its happening culinary scene, here I have curated a quick itinerary of what to do in Dubrovnik.
This time, the best activities in Dubrovnik span over 3 days, and here you go! However, before that, I want to share how I fell in love with this Mediterranean gem and what the best time to visit this beautiful city is.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Dubrovnik?
May to September is the best time to visit Dubrovnik.
Pleasant weather conditions
Affordable hotel rates
Less crowd
An ideal situation for exploring beaches and water activities
These are the benefits of scheduling your trip to Dubrovnik during these months.
Further, have a look at the table below to understand the weather conditions of Dubrovnik by month.
MonthsHighest Temperature (°C)Lowest Temperature (°C)Days of RainfallJanuary13710February1499March15109April17128May22156June27205July30223August31233September27204October23177November191110December 15810
Moreover, if you want to explore the festive scenario of Dubrovnik, you can plan your visit during the following months.
Festivals in DubrovnikTimeSignificance of the FestivalFestival of St. Blaise3rd FebruaryThe two-day festivities include a grand procession, and the city celebrates St. Blaise, its patron saint, on this day. It is also an intangible cultural heritage identified by UNESCO. Dubrovnik Summer FestivalJuly-AugustUnique cultural programs and artistic performances are the festival's highlights. Festivities take place across various areas of Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik Winter FestivalNovember to JanuaryThe historic Old Town comes to life with music, lights, family fun, and more. Dubrovnik Good Food FestivalOctoberIt is a two-week-long food festival, including vibrant events. Stradun ClassicSeptember to OctoberMusicians around the globe perform at Stradun Classic. Midsummer SceneJune-JulyThis festival takes place at the Lovrjenac Fortress.Croatian and British theatre artists collaborate to perform the celebrated Shakespearean plays.
How I Fell In Love With Dubrovnik?
Being the biggest fan of Game of Thrones, I, of course, got to know about this beautiful Croatian City.
Dubrovnik was the King’s Landing or the capital of Westeros in the series. The Red Keep and the unforgettable scene of Cersei’s “Walk of Shame.”
Then, I researched Dubrovnik and its magnificent walls surrounding the Old Town, and the seafood delicacies here made me fall in love with the city.
So, if you thought that Dubrovnik was all about pasta and pizza and exploring the Old Town on the hottest days, it’s time to guide you on how to do it right.
What To Do In Dubrovnik: A Complete 3-Day Itinerary For You
Here is what to do in Dubrovnik during a 3-day trip.
Day 1: What To Do In Dubrovnik
Your day 1 in Dubrovnik will be focused on exploring the walled Old City. You can also take your time to relax by the pool or the sea, visit the local restaurants, enjoy a cable car ride, indulge in fine dining and the best wines, and end your day with a night stroll.
1. Exploring The Walled Old City Of Dubrovnik
The Dubrovnik Old City celebrates Croatia's rich medieval history. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and taking a stroll across the cobblestone street and visiting places like the Cultural History Museum are the ultimate experiences here.
“The 'Pearl of the Adriatic', situated on the Dalmatian coast, became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century onwards. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. Damaged again in the 1990s by armed conflict, it is now the focus of a major restoration programme co-ordinated by UNESCO.”
- UNESCO World Heritage Convention
2. Relaxing By The Pool Or The Sea
If you want a delightful beach experience, you can visit Mlini Bay or Lapad Peninsula in Dubrovnik.
However, if you are feeling too lazy to explore the beach, you can explore hotels with pools for the perfect lounging time.
3. Visiting Local Restaurants
Dubrovnik has places such as Proto, where you can have the best shrimp, scallops, and octopus delicacies.
Further, fish cooked in sea salt is something you cannot miss in Dubrovnik.
4. Enjoying A Cable Car Ride
A ride on the Dubrovnik Cable Car before Sunset is truly magical. During this ride, you can enjoy the changing colors of the Sun in the sky.
Further, as you approach the top of Mount Srd, you will see wonderful views of the Elafiti Islands to the north.
5. Fine Dining And Wine Tasting
Local restaurants, such as Panorama Restaurant in Dubrovnik, offer wonderful views alongside the best local cuisine.
They serve amazing steak sandwiches and Chicken “Rustico.”
Furthermore, you can taste red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines here. D’Vino Wine Bar is another hotspot in Dubrovnik to relish the best of Croatian wines.
6. Taking A Walk In The City At Night
Are you a Dark Academia fan? Do you want to enjoy your “Everything is Grey” moment in the city?
Take a walk around the city at night when there are no cruise passengers, and the lights and darkness create a mysterious ambiance.
Day 2: What To Do In Dubrovnik
Kayaking, chilling by the beach, and exploring the City Walls are some of the best activities you can do on day 2.
1. Adventurous Kayaking In Dubrovnik
Kayaking at the City Beach will be the best way to start your second day. Kayaking tours start here at $43.
2. Relaxing At The Beach
If kayaking is not your forte, you can plan a visit to the City Beach and enjoy the crystal clear water and Sunshine while exploring the views of the Old City.
3. Exploring The Walls of Dubrovnik During The Sunset
You can take a 2-hour walk along the city walls to relish the beauty of the Sunset. Once you reach the top, you can also grab some local snacks and the best coffee at the cafes.
You need to buy tickets to explore the City Walls, and the ticket prices are:
During the high season, tickets for adults to explore the City Walls cost 40 EUR, while children's tickets are 15 EUR.
However, in the low season, ticket prices are 15 EUR for adults and 5 EUR for children.
4. Relishing Croatian Peka Meal
If you're looking for a fun-filled community-building experience, consider the Peka Meal in the signature Dubrovnik style.
Here, you will have the option of lamb, veal, or octopus in a communal pot. Further, potatoes will be cooked over the coal and served to everyone.
Day 3: What To Do In Dubrovnik
Your day three will begin a journey to Lokrum Island. This Island houses the Benedictine Monastery and the Dubrovnik Visitor Center.
The Visitor Center has the Iron Throne, where you can sit and live your Game of Thrones moments.
Furthemore, the Dalmatian Coast has rock slab beaches. You can jump into the water there and enjoy the most unique views of the Old City.
Additionally, you can visit Mljet Island, home to the Mljet National Park and stunning saltwater lakes.
Then, the Red History Museum, located across from the Gruž Ferry Port, will be your next destination. The ticket to the museum is 9 EUR for adults, 7.20 EUR for seniors and university students, and 3.60 EUR for primary and secondary students.
Furthermore, for students under the age of 10, admission to the museum is free.
Where To Stay In Dubrovnik?
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace and Hotel Excelsior are two of the best places to stay in Dubrovnik. Hotel Excelsior is located close to the walls of the Old Town and the City Beach.
On the other hand, Hotel Dubrovnik Palace offers a luxury resort experience, and it offers the best views of the Adriatic Coast.
Avid travel enthusiasts know the importance of finding the best flight and hotel deals. Spending profusely on accommodation and flights means you will be left with less money for recreation, fun activities, delicious meals, and shopping.
Have you considered using VPN for booking flights and hotels? No? This guide tells you how VPN is ideal for helping you find out the best flight and accommodation deals. You can use this travel hack on your next trip.
Doesn’t Incognito Mode Work to Lower the Prices?
You may see using incognito mode as the number one travel hack. But, in reality, it is only great for hiding your browsing history from other people on the device. You cannot change the IP address in this mode, which is what most hotel, flight, and travel booking sites track. Therefore, to be completely anonymous, you must use a VPN.
How VPN Helps in Lowering Flights & Hotel Prices?
Airline ticket and hotel booking prices greatly vary depending on where you are booking from. Travel and airlines booking websites use a dynamic pricing model, which means the prices change according to factors such as your purchase history, IP address, ZIP code, browsing habits, demand as well as supply, the Wi-Fi network you are connected to, etc. You can save hundreds of dollars on your next trip by using VPN.
You can switch your IP address using a VPN to an altogether different location, which means the websites may appear at different prices according to that location. By changing the IP address, you can receive a cheaper price on hotels and flights if the new destination consists of lower demands and is a low-income country. Furthermore, you can even avail of special discounts for the country from which you are connecting. Discounts might be offered because of country-specific holidays or for seasonal reasons.
The plus point is that you can also optimize VPN to search for lower prices on car rentals. Also, using a VPN is a straightforward process. Simply choose a provider and click VPN software download. Then, follow the instructions. More information on how you can use VPN to lower flights and hotel prices is given below.
A Comprehensive Guide to Using a VPN
Here’s a bit-by-bit guide to learning how to optimize VPN to get cheaper flights and hotel deals on your upcoming trip.
Select a premium VPN provider
Choosing a reliable and safe VPN provider is the most significant step in successfully executing this travel hack. However, since they are not built in the same manner, you must be careful during a VPN selection.
An ideal VPN offers server locations in several other countries, ensuring fast and stable connections. Also, it offers 256-AES encryption and other security protocols like OpenVPN and Wizard Guard. Other standout features include a no-logs policy and an automatic kill switch.
A kill switch is essential as it safeguards users’ information if the VPN connection accidentally drops. A no-logs policy is a clear indication that the VPN operator does not keep records of your activities online. So, there’s no record of the IP addresses used by you or the websites you browse to plan your trip.
Another essential feature is knowledgeable and responsive customer support, ready to address all your needs 24/7.
Position the VPN program
After selecting a premium VPN provider, the initial step is downloading and installing the software on your gadget. After that, you can visit the website of your VPN provider and select the best strategy that meets your needs. Then, follow the download and installation instructions.
Most VPN providers offer a 30-day trial period with a money-back guarantee. So, you can try the top VPNs before settling for one.
Connect to a server of your chosen country
Connecting to a server located in a country of your choice is the next step. This step intimidates a lot of people, but it is incredibly simple. Use your VPN to connect to the server country where you wish to visit just like you are browsing the web.
For instance, if you wish to book a flight or hotel while appearing as if you are in the Philippines, you need a VPN to a server located in the Philippines. This will make it seem like you are in the Philippines while you are in another country.
With most premium VPN services, all it takes is a single click to connect to a server. Then, you can start browsing and find those amazingly affordable deals for your trip.
If you are wondering which is the most affordable country to change your VPN server location to, there’s no firm answer. It will depend on your destination and departure date. But some destinations that have proved to be lucky are India, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Singapore, Australia, the Philippines, etc. So, you may have to play a little by changing locations and then see what lands you the cheapest hotel and flights.
Search for flights and hotels
Start searching for your flights or hotels after you have connected to your desired country’s server. First, you can try searching on a travel booking site, as this will provide you with multiple flight and hotel options to choose from. Then, try the airline or hotel website directly, as sometimes the prices may differ when you’re booking through a travel site and directly from an airline or hotel website.
If you do not find a reasonable price, change the VPN’s country again.
Compare prices before booking
After you have searched for hotels or flights, you must compare the prices before booking.
It would be best if you compared the prices with other travel booking websites to guarantee you get the best detail. If you find the most affordable deal, book it immediately, as the prices may quickly change.
Change the location of the VPN to your home country
If you have finished booking your flights and accommodation, change the VPN location back to your country. Or, you can continue browsing, choosing any server you want.
The Bottom Line
If you are up for saving money, try this travel hack for your next trip.
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