If you are traveling to Fairbanks by train or coach in the afternoon, our morning tour works well for an afternoon departure from the park. A box lunch can be purchased at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. Since you asked specifically about tours and have decided against the transit bus, take the longer Tundra Wilderness Tour if you want the best chance to view wildlife. Alternatively, you may use, Denali National Park and Preserve Hotels and Places to Stay, https://www.reservedenali.com/tours-transits/the-denali-tour-experience/tour-information/, https://www.reservedenali.com/tours-transits/the-denali-tour-experience/#dnht, Denali National Park and Preserve Travel Forum, Denali National Park and Preserve Tourism, Denali National Park and Preserve Vacation Rentals, Denali National Park and Preserve Vacation Packages, Flights to Denali National Park and Preserve, Denali National Park and Preserve Restaurants, Things to Do in Denali National Park and Preserve, Denali National Park and Preserve Travel Guide. Hike in the backcountry, hoot and holler at the Music of Denali Dinner Theatre, or visit an Iditarod champion's dog kennel and hold the puppies! I cannot fathom why the others exist, except as a money grab for cruisers. Alaska's arctic tundra is found in Alaska's interior toward its northern or western coast. Fly with the original flightseeing company in Denali for your best odds of seeing The Mountain while circling it "face to face". The Tundra Wilderness Tour will guide you along the spectacular road corridor, promising different experiences every day, as Denalis wildlife moves at its own pace and according to the seasons. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112686267', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Princess Cruises. The Royal Princess is a Princess MedallionClass ship with a capacity of 3,560 guests. You can use ABTA's approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process if you have a complaint that is not resolved. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112685589', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise/land tours and other large group tours. Let's ride Alaska style! Deb, P.S. A shuttle service can take you from the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge to the main visitor center or the Horseshoe Lake Trailhead a 3-mile trail full of beautiful pathways and beaver dams. Several interpretive stops enhance the experience with an hour of off-bus experience. Changes to your park tour should be made as soon as possible. Changes to your park tour should be made as soon as possible. Join an experienced naturalist and a small group of travelers on this fascinating walking tour! **The Tundra Wilderness tour is a fully narrated 7-9 hour tour, including frequent rest stops. More information to help you plan your day in Denali. You can use ABTA's approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process if you have a complaint that is not resolved. This adventure is filled with thrilling sights as you glide over wild, untamed rivers and climb through huge U-shaped valleys to trace the spine of the Alaska Range. Don't miss this opportunity to cross the Arctic Circle! Like other excursions, we had to pay the full amount of the tour when we booked it. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. This extraordinary evening fly-fishing expedition takes you to the area's streams where you will learn the basics of fly-casting while enjoying this tranquil place and the magnificent wilderness views surrounding it. The National Park Service does not operate these tours. My husband also likes to sit up front if available as he can get car sick on windy and bumpy roads. The driver was soooooooooooo excited because lynx sightings are very rare. 1) best time of year to see the lights. Posted. Spend time on trails in the Denali wilderness as you navigate tree rutted trails, mountain-fed creek beds, and boggy tundra. Went to guest services, they couldn't get hold of the vendor so called me back and said nothing was available for the next day. 5 - 5 1/2 hours, depending on weather and road conditions. I called to upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness (everyone online. Denali Tundra Express by Temsco Helicopters Inc. It may look silly but I don't have to look at it and it allows me to cruise. Smoking or consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on tour buses. Experience the rugged and magnificent Brooks Mountain Range. I am going blind and am checking off my bucket list. When we passed another bus going the other way the driver stopped and jabbered with the other driver about it and that driver got all excited as well. Wolves symbolize Alaska wilderness. Departure times are assigned two (2) days prior to departure." Beginning with a stop at the Denali Bus Depot, learn about the creation of the Denali Park Road with the film Across Time and Tundra. Next, visit the historicSavage Cabin to learn how the cabin was once used and how it continues to be used today. Free rein in Iceland: A horseback tour through the country's barren wilderness is an adventure like no other Irish I was somewhere else! A ranger is available 9 am to 4 pm daily (except on major holidays). 11:00am, 1:55pm & 3:50pm. Thank you so much, Debbie San Diego, CA. Questions concerning departure times, ticket refunds, etc., should be directed to Doyon/Aramark Joint Venture, the concessioner who operates these tours. Our commitment to your safety is key. AVAILABLE FOR GUESTS WITHOUT A PARK TOUR: Glimpse the epic sweep of Denali National Park on this guided tour that travels 17 miles into Denali National Park and Preserve. On 6/26/2022 at 10:47 PM, Bowler Lady said: On 6/27/2022 at 8:18 AM, peachykiehn said: 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. upgrade our natural history tour for the tundra wilderness tour so had our TA cancel the Princess tour and then we booked through the park service. WIth your DH priority of wildlife, do try to take the Eilson Shuttle. Learn more about the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. In the evening, enjoy the "Music of Denali" dinner show. Enjoy a gorgeous tour along the natural boundary of Denali National Park.. Do you have to pay the full price of the excursion to upgrade? For rates, operational dates, and important information, please click here. You can read/see the differences by comparing these links: - https://www.reservedenali.com/tours-transits/the-denali-tour-experience/tour-information/, - https://www.reservedenali.com/tours-transits/the-denali-tour-experience/#dnht. This fee is charged separately with Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses. By my calculation, fo. The KantishnaExperienceis the only tour in Denali National Park which features a National Park Service Interpretive Ranger aboard the bus. Started June 21, 2021, By vs. 4.5 hrs). One of them got rude but I refused to be bullied out of my seat. Today, what is now known as Stampede Road begins near the Nenana River and is popular with travelers on foot, bicycle and snow machine. Knowing how helpful everyone is on this forum, I knew I would also get excellent advice here. Located less than a mile from the Denali National Park entrance, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is your home base for exploring the Great Land's beloved nature preserve. (Theres no firm timeframe yet on when the road will be passable again.) Ride either an automatic single or double ATV through rugged terrain, splashing through water (weather permitting) and traversing rocky creek beds on an ATV that can reach speeds of up to 30 . Tundra Wilderness Tour 4.5 1,256 #18 of 38 Tours & Activities in Denali National Park and Preserve Historical & Heritage Tours Nature & Wildlife Tours Write a review See all photos About Traveling 62 miles into Denali National Park to Stony Hill Overlook, the Tundra Wilderness Tour offers wonderful diversity for visitors. Princess has just shortened our 8 hr. Experience life above the trees ziplining just outside of Denali National Park! A train ride from Denali Lodge to McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, with a stop in Talkeetna Alaska for shopping and ice cream. If youre cold, youre not working hard enough, said Ron Zwahlen, a commercial fishing captain. Privacy Policy and Park tour availability is limited and is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Then it hopped up onto the road and the driver just let the bus roll slowly back down the hill following the wolf. Black Diamond Peak promises dramatic views of the entire Healy Valley and a chance to witness foxes, rabbits and the occasional wolf, bear or caribou. Readers' Choice Awards: Best Cruise Itineraries. I then went to gs and spoke to another guy (who happened to be from the same city as me-so we had something in common)--anyway he really pushed to get us on the upgrade and they "found" two seats. NOTE: There are several departure times. We were unable to. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112684145', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car, have the time and cost is not a concern, do both. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Glaciers cover one million acres, or one-sixth of Denali National Park. Due to Park Service regulations, school buses are used. The driver opened the door and trained his bus camera on the lynx and everybody else could see it clearly on the monitors mounted around the bus. 2) where should we stay? Advance reservations are strongly encouraged. A word of warning: it sounds as if you'll be in Denali on your own (not part of a cruise tour)? Denali Backcountry Safari. Since you asked specifically about tours and have decided against the transit bus, take the longer Tundra Wilderness Tour if you want the best chance to view wildlife. I was right near the front of the line because I prefer a window seat behind the driver the second row back. Report inappropriate content. Staff speak with more conviction when asking guests entering the Horizon Court buffet area to wash their hands, but buffet service is back to normal. Tundra Wilderness Tours are operating smoothly again in Denali National Park & Preserve, though with a shortened route due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide at Mile 45 of Denali Park Road. This year, one bonus of the TWT is that it spends at least half an hour more in the park than the East Fork shuttle does (5 to 5.5 hrs. We suggest you bring warm clothes, rainwear, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera and personal medication as necessary. For rates, operational dates, and important information for booking all tours, please click here. 35 reviews of Denali Tundra Wilderness Bus Tour "We were traveling in Alaska for about 1.5 weeks in September of 2011. Incredible scenery, a narrated history of the park road, and some of the best opportunities to view the park's wildlife inhabitants await you on this tour. This tour has two shorter variations due to spring and fall road conditions. Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge: Huge disappointment - Read 2,057 reviews, view 1,169 photos, and find great deals for Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge at Tripadvisor and stomped on the brakes. Exact departure times can be any time between 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm in the afternoon. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed. All tours are conducted by certified driver-naturalists who will provide a guided, informative trip into the park. Denali transit buses are the best bargain in Alaska! While theyre called reindeer in other parts of the world, that name is strictly reserved for domesticated caribou in Alaska. From suggesting how to dress for daily activities to streaming daily, custom playlists during our time onboard the bus, Gomez took care of every detail as we racked up miles traveling to Kenai, Denali National Park and, finally, Fairbanks. The Eielson Excursion is a Tundra Wilderness Tour which travels a few miles further to the Eielson Visitor Center. Site content may not be reproduced without express written permission. If Princess says yes you can upgrade. She huffed off to the back of the bus because she refused to sit beside me. The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge has 663 rooms, spread out across 16 buildings. The Denali Natural History Tour focuses on the rich natural and cultural history of Denali National Park. Enjoy a scenic float down the Nenana River or an exhilarating jetboat safari. Find the best cruise and vacation deals on the Internet, make cruise and hotel and reservations online, and research vacation destinations online at Dream Vacations tundra marsh, and permafrost so the ground can be totally frozen in some areas and a crafty fox that enjoys stealing balls. NOTE: There are several departure times. Transit buses are a better option for passengers who want to get off the bus to hike, picnic, etc. Denali. Take an exciting trip into the backcountry of Alaska on a fantastic covered Polaris ATV to search for hidden views, secret sights, quarts and granite rocks, coal, and much more! 1. The Tundra Wilderness Tour is the premier tour of Denali National Park and Preserve! Enjoy stunning scenery on your choice of either the mild and beautiful Wilderness Run or the wild splashes of the Canyon Run. Of course, by then, the lightning was behind us. Apr 29th, 2009 . My wife and I were in the right hand front seat - the one that many people don't seem to want - and had a front row view of the lynx running across in front of the bus. The Denali Tundra Wilderness bus tour hasn't changed much through the years. Turns out she was friendly and we had a nice time chatting! Every day is a new opportunity to learn, said Carlos Gomez, tour director for Princess, as guests settled into their coach seats for the approximately two-hour drive from Whittier to Kenai. As do I if I'm not driving. Tundra Tour busses have more comfy seats and provide lunch, you have to bring all your food for the day on the shuttle busses. We have it for our upcoming Alaska Cruise in August. If you wont have a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? CC Help Jenn I am happy to hear that Princess is upgrading or giving credits if you want to do something else. 2.