Q .When is the best time to travel?
A. Alaskan Tour Guides offers small group tours with dates of travel between mid May and mid September. The peak time of travel is the months of June, July and August. Each month tends to highlight something special about that time of year.
Q. Will we see bears?
A. Many visitors to Alaska have the dream of seeing a bear catching a salmon in a stream. These sightings are rare unless you add a bear viewing tour to fly out to the specific locations with better possibilities. Even there, not all dates are ideal. Bear sightings on Alaskan Tour Guides land tours generally happen in Denali National Park while riding the shuttle bus into the park however, this is Alaska and chance possibilities do exist around any corner.
Q. Will we see other wildlife?
A. While we can never guaranteed wildlife sightings, Alaska Tour guides trips are designed to visit the National Park areas known for their rich wildlife habitat. Common sightings in Kenai Fjords National Parks include many varied shorebirds, otters, harbor seals, porpoises and whales of varied species, even land mammal sighting of goat and bear can be observed here. In Denali, we most often see dall sheep, caribou and moose. Possibilities of bear and wolf exist also. As we travel the road system, we stop where we know sightings are more common to watch out for any that presents itself.
Q. How bad are the bugs?
A. Mosquitos are jokingly known as the “state bird”. There’s more hype than what you are likely to experience. ATG does carry bug repellent in all of our vehicles, both deet-free and backwoods formula. We have a few head nets if you’re brave enough to wear the silly looking things.
Q. What will the weather be?
A. Record breaking weather occurrences seem to be the trend, across the planet. The key is Be Prepared – dress in layers and plan for summer temperatures that can range anywhere from 60 – 85 degrees and possibly outside those numbers. It’s best to check with us closer to the time of travel. Do not always rely on internet posted weather for your planning as is it often not accurate or in consistent.
Q. Will I see the Aurora?
A. Not in May, June, July and most of August. There are a few necessities to see the Aurora. First being the dark skies, which is difficult with the long Alaska summer daylight hours. It may be possible to sight them in late August and September, when dark night skies appear again. Other conditions need to be present for viewing the Aurora such as – solar activity and clear weather patterns. We do track the forecasts at the Geophysical Institute in Fairbanks as well as the local weather. If there is a chance while tours are operating, we notify our travelers to so they can stay alert.
Q. Can I add activities?
A. Your itinerary may suggest Options for excursions in different locations. Advance reservations are required to be made by the 90 day final payment date. Added costs are invoiced and charged with the final tour payment. While we strive to make every travelers request a reality however, late reservations are difficult to arrange and not always available. There are additional excursions in most areas beyond those that are listed in our “Optional Excursion Information Pages”. Alaskan Tour Guides is happy to discuss additional options and help you book additional items of interest.
Q. Can I cancel activities?
A. Prior to the 90 day tour cancel policy, you can cancel or change an activity whether it is included in your tour or optional without penalty. Canceled activities with less than 90 day notice are subject to penalty and non-refundable in most cases.
Q. Can I change my travel schedule?
A. Not without costs and some are major costs. It is best to get it figured out before you book your tour and travel. Having said that, there is some flexibility in private tours that allows for last minute decisions and changes. As long as it does not cause you to miss a reserved tour activity. Any missed activities are non-refundable.
Q. What should I pack?
A. The key to comfort is wearing layers so you can put them on and take them off as needed. Alaskan Tour Guides also provides a suggested packing list to tour guests in their detailed confirmation package.
Q. Do you handle airfare or cruise arrangements?
A. Alaskan tour guides is a licensed and insured Alaska land Tour Operator. We cannot handle air or cruise travel like a Travel Agency. Flights should originate or end in Anchorage, Alaska. We also connect with the cruise ports of Seward, Alaska and Whittier, Alaska.
Q. How do I reserve a tour?
A. Please refer to our How to Book Your Tour page for form requests. Call us at 1-800-795-1438 or, email us at info@alaskantour.com