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This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6pm on day 1 in Anchorage. This trip ends on the morning of day 8 in Anchorage.

Meeting Point: Springhill Suites by Marriott Anchorage Midtown
3401 A Street, Anchorage
Phone: +1 9075623247

The hotel is easily reached by taxi, Lyft, or Uber from Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC). Rates will vary based on the time of day, but will typically take 15-20 minutes and cost around $16 plus tip.

The South (domestic) terminal taxi queue is located on Level 1 just outside Baggage Claim, across from Door 3. All South terminal rideshare pickup services are located on Level 2, Ticketing at doors 1 or 8.

The North (International) Terminal taxi queue is located outside, across from Door 2. All North terminal rideshare pickup services are located on the ground level at door 2 on the inner lane of the terminal.

The beauty of this group style of travel is that it caters to travellers who are travelling solo and who want to meet and share experiences with like-minded people.

Rooming is organised on a twin-share basis. Solo travellers will be paired with another traveller of the same gender.

There is also an optional single supplement available on most trips for travellers who prefer to have their own room. 

This tour is graded 2 - Many of the North American national parks that you'll visit have hiking opportunities where walks up to 4 hours can be an option for you. There are often easier options too.

This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.

While Alaska can experience warm summers, you should still be prepared for cold temperatures, especially at night, and also rain, which can (and does) happen year-round.

This trip is designed to offer a balance of included activities and free time for optional excursions. Your leader will have plenty of recommendations for your free time and will be able to assist with booking optional activities with trusted local suppliers.

We recommend you consider both the season and the part of North America you intend to visit, so that you can best pack for your adventure. We recommend you check the weather in your destination 10 days prior to your arrival to help guide your packing choices.

WEATHER IN ALASKA
Alaska's weather can be highly variable, so it's essential to be prepared for rapid changes in conditions. Alaska is famous for its “midnight sun” during the summer when there can be up to 20 hours of daylight so you may want to bring a sleep mask. Don’t be fooled by the northerly latitude – the sun can be quite strong so bring sun protection. You will almost certainly experience rain during your trip so come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear.

Coastal Areas:
Coastal areas, such as Anchorage and Seward, experience a maritime climate with milder temperatures and more precipitation than interior areas. It is not uncommon to experience a wide range of weather conditions from bright sunshine to cold wind and rain on the same day. Summers (June-August) have long daylight hours (16-19 hours) and high temperatures ranging from about 15°C to 21°C (59°F to 70°F) and average lows from 9°C to 13°C (48°F to 55°F). Fall (September-October) has cooler temperatures and beautiful fall foliage. Fall highs average 10°C to 5°C (50°F to 41°F) and lows average 3°C to -3°C (37°F to 26°F).

Interior Alaska:
Inland areas, like Talkeetna and Denali National Park, have a subarctic climate with warm summers, frigid winters and drier conditions, however they can experience periods of rain during the summer. Mosquitoes can be abundant during summer, so pack insect repellent. Daylight hours are especially long during the summer months in interior Alaska (18-20 hours). In Denali National Park average summer high temperatures are in the 60s to the low 70s Fahrenheit (around 15°C to 24°C) and average low temperatures are 40s to the mid-50s Fahrenheit (around 7°C to 13°C). In the fall, temperatures can drop more than in coastal areas. Average highs in September and October are 28°F to 50°F (-2°C to 10°C) and average lows are 16°F to 38°F (-9°C to 3°C).

All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity).

Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going.

Yes, travel insurance is compulsory on this trip.

When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling.

USA
The most convenient way to access money is via ATMs, which are plentiful throughout the USA. Most optional activities can be paid for with a credit card.

TIPPING
Tipping can be an appropriate way to recognise great service when travelling. While it may not be customary in your home country, it is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations and is greatly appreciated by the people who take care of you during your travels. It is always best to avoid tipping with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes, as this can be regarded as an insult rather than the goodwill gesture it is intended to be.

During your trip you may have a local guide for an included or optional activity. We suggest USD 5 – 10 per traveller per local guide.

We suggest tipping 18% to 22% of your bill at restaurants and USD 1 per drink at bars.

State and federal taxes aren’t normally listed on menus but will appear on your bill. Keep this in mind when your bill comes out slightly higher than the listed prices.

We recommend budgeting approximately USD 10 per traveller to tip local service providers for activities included in this trip. This doesn’t include a tip for your leader.

All luggage is carried in trailers or inside the vehicle so please don't bring more than one medium sized bag, backpack or suitcase (20kg/44lb maximum) per person. Your suitcase/rucksack may get some rough handling, so make sure it's a tough one. A small daypack with your water bottle and camera may be carried with you inside the vehicle.

You should be prepared for cold and wet weather in Alaska, even during the summer.

ESSENTIAL:

• Reusable water bottle. We recommend at least a 1.5 litre capacity. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. Tap water in Alaska is safe to drink and there are many places to fill up along the way, so please save plastic by bringing your own water bottle.
• Sun protection - hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• A warm outer layer, a waterproof jacket and waterproof closed-in/closed-toe shoes. Come prepared to dress for cold temperatures, wind and rain.
• Quick-drying breathable clothing that you can layer, including base layers and warm socks. Fabrics like wool are ideal. Avoid cotton because it does not dry fast and can make you cold.
• Light winter gloves/mittens and a hat
• Personal travel documents which may include a passport, visa, driver's license, travel insurance, flight tickets and your Essential Trip Information. Photocopies of these documents stored separately from the originals will be handy. While not valid, a photocopy of your identification makes it much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.

RECOMMENDED:

• Cell phone, camera with spare batteries, charger, and power/plug adaptor (Types A & B are used in the USA. Voltage is 120V)
• Insect repellent (Mosquitos can be a nuisance in Alaska, especially in July)
• A sleep mask. The sun does not completely set until after midnight in some parts of Alaska during the summer, and even after it sets it does not get completely dark. You might want to bring an eye mask to block out the light.
• Rain pants. These can keep you dry and protect you from wind.
• Swimwear
• Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit but we recommend you carry items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes, anti-diarrhoeal, antibacterial gel, wet wipes, bandaids/plasters etc.

OPTIONAL:

• Travel pillow if you like to sleep during long drives
• Binoculars to help you spot far-off wildlife.
• Ear plugs to guard against a snoring roommate
• A good book, a journal or headphones to listen to music with.

All luggage is carried in trailers or inside the vehicle so please don't bring more than one medium sized bag, backpack or suitcase (20kg/44lb maximum) per person. Your suitcase/rucksack may get some rough handling, so make sure it's a tough one. A small daypack with your water bottle and camera may be carried with you inside the vehicle.

Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips. 

Hotels for 7 nights

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Tipping can be an appropriate way to recognise great service when travelling. While it may not be customary in your home country, it is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations and is greatly appreciated by the people who take care of you during your travels. It is always best to avoid tipping with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes, as this can be regarded as an insult rather than the goodwill gesture it is intended to be.

During your trip you may have a local guide for an included or optional activity. We suggest USD 5 – 10 per traveller per local guide.

We suggest tipping 18% to 22% of your bill at restaurants and USD 1 per drink at bars.

State and federal taxes aren’t normally listed on menus but will appear on your bill. Keep this in mind when your bill comes out slightly higher than the listed prices.

We recommend budgeting approximately USD 20 per traveller to tip local service providers for activities included in this trip. This doesn’t include a tip for your leader.