FAQ | Small Group Alaska Tours

Our tours run from May through September, and each month offers something different:

• Late May and June: Baby animals appear, the landscape turns green, and daylight peaks at nearly 20 hours around the summer solstice. Salmon season begins, bringing great chances to see brown bears feeding.
• July: Warm temperatures and long, sunny days give you plenty of time to explore.
• August: Wildlife begins preparing for winter, and the fireweed Alaska is known for goes from bright pink blooms to fluffy white “cotton.” As we say here, “When fireweed turns to cotton, summer will soon be forgotten.”
• September: Alaska’s short fall season is ideal for photographers, with golden leaves, red and orange tundra, and wild blueberries and cranberries to pick. Dark nights also bring a chance to see the Northern Lights.

We don’t offer tours from October through April, but our chalets are open year-round. Winter is the best time to see the Northern Lights.

Usually not. The Northern Lights need dark, clear skies, and Alaska’s summer nights are too bright. The best viewing is from November through March, though our September Denali Fall Colors tours offer a chance to see them when conditions are right. Because the lights are hard to predict, we recommend planning four to seven days for a winter aurora trip. Guests at our chalets can sometimes see them right from the front porch.

Plan for four kinds of weather: warm, cool, cold, and occasionally wet. During peak season, temperatures across the state average in the high 60s °F, dropping to the mid-50s in spring and fall. Long hours of sunshine often make it feel warmer. Inland near Denali National Park, highs can occasionally reach 90°F, while Anchorage on the coast is usually pleasant but cooler. Near glaciers, expect cooler temperatures and a breeze.

We recommend that all travelers purchase travel insurance. Alaska’s remote regions and weather can affect flights, cruises, and activities like glacier walks, and many personal medical or insurance policies don’t cover these situations. Depending on your policy, travel insurance may reimburse activities canceled due to weather. You can purchase coverage through our recommended insurer, Travel Guard, or your travel agent.

U.S. citizens traveling to Alaska without passing through Canada don’t need a passport. However, you’ll need a REAL ID–compliant driver’s license or a passport to board domestic flights. A valid passport is required for any travel between the U.S. and Canada.

International guests need a valid passport or other accepted travel documents to enter the U.S.

Alaska is four hours behind Eastern Time, three hours behind Central Time, two hours behind Mountain Time, and one hour behind Pacific Time.

As part of the U.S., Alaska uses U.S. dollars. Most businesses accept Visa and Mastercard, and some accept American Express.

To reserve your spot, you’ll pay a deposit: 25% of the tour fare if you book before November 15 of the year before your tour, or 50% if you book before February 15 of the year you travel. The balance is due by February 15 of your travel year, and bookings made after that date require full payment.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, cashier’s checks, personal checks, and bank transfers or wires. International credit cards carry a 6% service fee.

Our tours are non-refundable. If you cancel before February 15 of your travel year, the cancellation fee is 50% of the tour fare or 100% of your deposit. Cancellations on or after February 15 forfeit the full fare. Because the unexpected can happen, we strongly recommend travel insurance. For full details, see our terms and conditions.

Yes. Guests under 18 are welcome when traveling with a parent or guardian. Some tours and activities have age limits, so ask your tour advisor about any restrictions for children under 16. Children pay the same fare as adults, unless they’re a third or fourth guest sharing a room booked as a triple or quad.

Solo travelers are always welcome. You’ll book a single-occupancy room, which comes at an additional cost. Contact us for single pricing on your tour.

Yes! Our tours follow set itineraries, but we can build add-ons and activities around them. We can help you book almost anything in Alaska alongside your tour, from a stay at a remote lodge to an Inside Passage cruise. If you’re continuing on a cruise, luggage storage is available (a fee may apply). Call one of our Tour Coordinators for details.

Airport transfers aren’t included, since you’ll book your own flights. Getting to your first hotel is easy: taxis and Uber are available right outside baggage claim at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Some hotels also offer a free airport shuttle, and we’ll include those details with your final tour documents.

We travel in two sizes of mini coach: an executive coach for 13–14 passengers and a smaller coach for 7–8. Both have leather seats, large windows for easy viewing, luggage storage, side doors for easy access, binoculars, and complimentary drinks.

Our smaller vehicles can reach back roads and rough terrain that large motor coaches can’t. They also let us stop whenever we spot wildlife or a great view, and they take you to experiences big tours can’t offer, like boating near Knik Glacier, ATV adventures in Denali, and gold panning at Hatcher Pass.

Most days start in the morning and wrap up in the early evening. Drives between stops are usually 1.5 hours or less, with breaks for restrooms, meals, photos, and the day’s excursions. With up to 20 hours of daylight in peak season, you’ll have bright evenings for photos and relaxing.

We stay mostly at smaller, family-owned Alaska hotels with views of creeks, lakes, and mountains. We reserve rooms at several properties in each city 18 months before each season, then assign accommodations once a departure is full. Most rooms have one king bed or two queen beds and a private bathroom. See where we stay.

Our tours are “soft adventures” that involve easy to moderate activity. Please note that our vehicles aren’t wheelchair accessible. If you have questions about specific activities, give us a call and we’ll help you find the right tour.

While cell service in Alaska is spotty, major cities such as Anchorage, Seward, and Wasilla will have cell services and Wi-Fi connectivity. Along our routes, there is intermittent connectivity. All accommodations we stay at will have Wi-Fi.

Each tour includes some meals, typically most breakfasts, one to three boxed lunches, and one or two dinners. Your tour page lists exactly what’s included. For other meals, we make reservations at some of our favorite local spots. Plan to budget about $8–15 for breakfast, $20–35 for lunch, and $25–70 for dinner per person.

Yes. Our boxed lunches come in two options: Standard (turkey and Swiss) or Vegetarian (assorted vegetables on a hoagie roll). All other meals are ordered from restaurant menus, and we keep copies on board so you can preview your options.

Gluten-free choices are usually available in Anchorage, Wasilla, and Seward, but they’re less common elsewhere. If you have dietary restrictions, we recommend bringing some of your own food. For example, you can pick up gluten-free bread in Anchorage and swap it into your boxed lunch. Guests with celiac disease may prefer to skip the sandwich, since some deli meats contain gluten.

Where to shop for gluten-free food:

• Anchorage: Fred Meyer and Natural Pantry (before your tour pickup)
• Wasilla: Fred Meyer and Three Bears (your driver can take you after dinner)
• Denali: Three Bears (your driver stops here for fuel and can bring you along)