Luggage Limits:
We recommend a small 20lb day pack or small backpack while on tour for day water, camera, light jacket, etc. One bag up to 50ls and one check -on is generally recommended by your air carrier. If you have more, you may be subject to airline fees and railroad fees. Check with your air carrier for specific luggage limits and/or baggage fees. We can hold any additional luggage while you are on tour. *If you are on the 10-Day Full Circle tour, you will have one day where you are limited to one #30 lb day bag, that we supply. Your luggage will be held in storage while we fly to a remote lodge.What to wear:
South-central Alaska enjoys warm, sunny summer days. But as with any place in Alaska, the weather can be volatile and unpredictable. As a rule it is best to wear layers, for the chance of a foggy morning or summer shower. Avoid any heavy winter gear, unless of course, you visit Southcentral Alaska in the winter. A light wind / water repellant coat is recommended. But activities at sea may also require a polar fleece style jacket or vest. AAU supplies ear bands, gloves and umbrellas in each vehicle, however, you may want to bring them, if you travel before or after your tour on your own. Alaska is a very casual place. Cruise ships are probably the only places you’ll encounter formal wear. We recommend casual and comfortable attire. No dresses, no suits jackets, just FUN!The following checklist includes some additional suggestions to help you get started – it’s by no means comprehensive, but it’s a good place to begin.Clothing:

• Supportive comfortable walking shoes (2 pair)
• Thermal Socks / extra socks
• Hat or ear cover
• Gloves
• Medium weight jacket depending on your dates of travel / May & September
• Light Jacket/Windbreaker/Rain repellent
• Raincoat with hood
• Sweaters, Sweatshirts & Long-Sleeved Shirts
• Short-Sleeved Shirts
• Jeans or 2-n-1 pants/shorts

Miscellaneous:

• Binoculars (We provide binoculars in our tour vehicles, but you will not have them on the train or cruise ship)
• Camera (extra film or digital cards and batteries)
• Video Camera (if desired)
• Camera cord to view your photos on the TV monitor
• Medications & extra prescription (In case you lose your medications)
• Disposable water camera for rafting (Can be purchased locally)
• Sunglasses (Glaciers are bright!)
• Government-Issued Photo I.D. (driver’s license/military I.D.)
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship (valid passport/notarized copy of birth certificate with photo I.D. – Canadian ports of call only!)
• YOUR TICKETS/VOUCHERS!

It’s a good idea to plan for four types of weather – warm, cool, cold, and (occasionally) wet. Alaska’s vast size, varied topography, and geographical location can result in a wide range of conditions.During the summer months, high temperatures in the inland town of Fairbanks near Denali National Park, can reach 90°F. Walking among the glaciers generally means cooler temps (with more breezes blowing). This can feel very cool. Further along the coast in Anchorage, the weather is normally pleasant and sunny but slightly cooler. Average temperatures across the state hover in the high-60s during peak season and the mid-50s in the spring and fall.

Because Alaska sits near the top of the globe, the sun can shine for as many as 20 hours a day during peak season! Your travel day will usually begin at 8:00 AM and ends around 8:00 PM. However, you will generally only be in the vehicle no longer than 1.5 hours at a time, driving and enjoying photo stops between each destination. Stops are provided for restrooms, meals and photo opportunities; as well as the daily excursions. Evening hours with sunlight will be available for photos and leisure time.

U.S. Guests 18 and over are required to present valid and unexpired government-issued photo identification (i.e., driver’s license or passport) for air travel, and it may be necessary to present this identification at other times during the trip (i.e., rail or ferry boarding). In addition, Guests 17 years of age or younger, may be required to show additional documentation when traveling with a single parent or grandparents. We suggest securing a letter of consent from BOTH parents to take children out of state or across state and county borders. Non-U.S. citizens will require a valid unexpired passport for entry into the United States. These are suggestions, and we recommend you check with your local consulate for your specific travel needs.Upon completion of your tour booking & final payment, you will be given a tour document booklet with vouchers for your activities and accommodations. These are tickets and will be required on your tour. Don’t forget your TOUR ACTIVITY VOUCHERS!

Most of our tours begin and end in Anchorage. You should fly into and out of Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage, unless stated otherwise. Your Adventure Guide will pick up passengers at the Airport (if arriving by noon on Day One) or at your pre-night hotel accommodations, in the lobby. Specific details are provided in your tour documents after final payment.Exceptions:
1) Our “Denali Fall Colors” tour begins in Fairbanks (FAI) and ends in Anchorage (ANC).
2) Our “Gem of Alaska” tour begins in Anchorage (ANC) and ends in Fairbanks (FAI).
3) Our “Full Circle Alaska” tour begins in Anchorage (ANC) and ends in (WHT) Whittier.We highly recommend www.kayak.com to help research great air fares. AAU does not book air tickets but we can help make sure you know the correct dates and times to fly into and out of your correct destination.At the conclusion of your adventure, you will typically fly out of Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage; however we can assist with adding additional day tours such as bear viewing, Arctic Circle, Nome or Glacier Bay. Or consider adding a southbound 7-Day cruise from Alaska to Vancouver. Ask your Tour Coordinator for assistance!

The unit of currency in Alaska is the U.S. Dollar (USD). ATM machines are available in most larger towns to obtain cash in the local currency. Most credit cards are accepted across Alaska, however Visa & Mastercard are widely accepted. Many small towns have only one or two eateries; some of these establishments may ONLY accept cash.

If you are in the United States, please call 800-580-3494 to speak to one of our Tour Coordinators.
If you are located outside the United States, please call 907-373-3494 to speak with one of our Tour Coordinators.
Hours: Monday through Saturday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Alaska time.
You can also send us an email to info@alaksaadventureunlimited.com or fill out a “Quote Request”.

Gratuities: In addition to standard tipping practices (ex: waiters and waitresses, housekeeping staff, taxi/shuttle drivers, and baggage handlers), tipping others who provide personalized services is common in Alaska. AAU Driver Guides who offer a particularly informative trip generally receive a gratuity from guests at the end of the tour. Industry standard is $15 per person, per day. Fishing & rafting guides, as well as pilots or riverboat crew are commonly tipped by guests. Tips are appreciated, never expected; use your discretion.Meals: Most of your breakfasts, some lunches and one dinner are included in your adventure.
For the cost of remaining meals we suggest using the following average meals costs:
Breakfast – $6.00 to $12.00 per person
Lunch – $9.00 to $13.00 per person
Dinner – $18.00 to $40.00 per person
We suggest bringing an average of $40 – $60 a day pp for food on your tour.Alaska restaurants are best known for their fresh seafood, particularly salmon, halibut, king crab and shrimp. You’ll find seafood on the menu in virtually any coastal Alaskan town. At the “Salmon Bakes” in Denali National Park and Seward, expect excellent grilled salmon and halibut. Anchorage has the greatest diversity of restaurants, including classic steak houses, local brewpubs, authentic Thai and Mexican eateries and a wide variety of other ethnic places.

You cannot usually see northern lights in the summer months (May, June & July) because of the long daylight hours. In order see the northern lights, it needs to be dark and clear out. The best time to see them is during the winter months between November – March. However guests on our Denali Fall Colors tour have seen the lights in years past.

Mosquitoes in Alaska are often jokingly referred to as the Alaska’s “state bird”. However most visitors are surprised at how little they affect their vacation. 25 species of mosquitoes can be found in Alaska. While present from April to September, June is the month of larger accumulations, but none carry disease. In Alaska, they are most often found on water-laden coastal flats and in forested valleys. The worst occurrences are in areas of slow moving or standing water. The insects are most active at dusk and dawn, but low temperatures, midday high temperatures and high winds will decrease their activity. It is always wise to bring some protective clothing, like long sleeves and use good insect repellent. We offer complimentary insect repellent, as well as mosquito zappers, on each tour. Most of your activities take place in open areas, minimizing any effects. You do not need head nets.

Alaska businesses abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act, but the rugged nature of Alaska makes many places difficult to visit. So at this time, we cannot offer full access on our adventures. Some guests have been successful with a cane or some minor limitations in mobility.Nevertheless, we can customize a vacation package with a combination of rail and accessible transportation. There are many places where access to the outdoors has been improved. For example, some fishing areas on the Kenai River have boardwalks. Many trails in Inside Passage towns, where cruise-ship traffic is heavy, have been smoothed. Ramps to the docks and onto sightseeing boats make getting aboard easier for everyone.

An example of mixed access outdoors is at Kenai Fjords National Park near Seward. Exit Glacier is reached via an asphalt parking lot and asphalt path a quarter-mile long, but the last hundred yards of trail covers an outwash plain that might stop a wheelchair but could be crossed by someone on foot. Most sightseeing attractions have been improved with friendlier paths and doorways.

So call our tour coordinators an let us know your needs and we can help you customize the perfect vacation for your travel needs.