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Experience True Nature

Alaska

Wilderness Adventure Tours beyond Imagination

DEP#02 Denali Driving Tour, Denali Vacation Package

Join our popular Denali Driving Tour from Anchorage. Discover famous Denali National Park - one of Alaska’s most popular attraction and destinations in the shadows of towering 20.320 ft. Mt. Denali.  Denali National Park is the natural habitat for more than 380 Grizzly Bears, Moose, Wolf, Fox, Lynx, Dall Sheep and Caribou. It is most likely you will spot some of them while taking our full day Denali transit bus or Tundra wilderness tour. You may also enjoy other Denali activities: short guided hikes, Nenana rafting or float trip, backcountry jeep adventure, guided helicopter hiking trips or a sled dog demonstration. If you are of adventurous nature book a flightseeing or helicopter tour around Mt. Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley) and the Alaska Range. The leisure drive from Anchorage provides many spectacular vistas of the Alaska Range. You may take a side trip to Wasilla and visit the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race headquarter, Talkeetna - the base for all mountain climbers or take a canoe trip on Byers Lake in scenic Denali State Park. Please Note: The self drive tour is also available from / to Fairbanks.

  • Tour Itinerary

  • Dates | Rates

  • Options | Extensions

  • Self Drive FAQ

  • Denali National Park FAQ

Day
01

Anchorage

Upon arrival in Anchorage transfer to your hotel. Pick up your rental car and get ready for a Alaska vacation of a lifetime. Anchorage features dozens of parks and 122 miles of paved bike paths. Warmed by a maritime climate, you can spend the day with salmon fishing on downtown's Ship Creek, hiking the nearby mountains, photographing glaciers and dining at a four-star restaurant. Within a 15-minute drive from downtown on the Hillside is the tree-lined trailhead of Anchorage’s most popular hike, Flattop Mountain. A short floatplane ride opens up the possibility of almost any type adventure. That’s one reason why Anchorage’s Lake Hood is the world’s busiest floatplane base. Try some fresh Alaska seafood (Salmon, Halibut and Dungeness Crab) for dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants around the hotel. Afterwards enjoy a stroll along the coastal trail with sweeping views of Mt. Denali and Mt. Susitna aka: the "Sleeping Lady". Overnight: Anchorage
Day
02

Anchorage - Denali National Park (230 Miles)

Leave Anchorage via the Parks Highway and take a break in Wasilla - Home of the Iditarod Trail Headquarter. The museum features historical displays, videos and a gift shop with unique souvenirs. Continue your journey across the unspoiled wilderness areas of the Denali State Park with excellent vistas of the Alaska- and Talkeetna Mountain Range, glaciers and snowcapped mountains. Arriving in Denali National Park and check into your hotel. Optional: Visit Jeff King’s Sled Dog Kennel - Join a warm welcome at the year-round homestead of four-time Iditarod Sled Dog Race champion Jeff King at his Husky Homestead Kennel. Widely heralded as the most authentic and entertaining look into rural lifestyles, your visit includes holding Husky puppies, greeting world-class sled dogs, and sharing forty years of Alaskan tales of the trail. Enjoy the compelling stories and check out arctic survival gear, racing sleds and equipment used to traverse the 1100 mile long "Last Great Race on Earth".
Day
03

Denali National Park

Denali National Park offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and spectacular sceneries. In the morning drive to the Visitor Center where your wildlife tour begins. Pick up your pre-reserved tickets and explore the center if time allows. Board the bus, sit back and watch out for grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolf and fox moving along the ridges and river beds or observe one of the 150 different bird species which inherit the park area. Your driver informs you about the history of Denali National Park, its diverse wildlife and flora. Once a bear, caribou or another animal has been spotted the bus will stop that everyone can watch and take pictures. Your tour turns around at Eielson Visitor Center - 66 miles into the park or a four hour drive. We can extend the bus tour to Wonder Lake or Kantishna Roadhouse. You can get off the bus anytime you wish and take a stroll, go hiking and enjoy the landscape. Return to the Denali Park entrance anytime during the day. Overnight: Denali National Park
Day
04

Denali National Park - Anchorage (230 Miles)

On your return tour to Anchorage don’t miss the opportunity to visit Talkeetna - the base for all mountaineering and flightseeing activities within Denali Nationall Park. Alternative Routing: From the Parks Highway drive via Hatcher Pass Road to the Independence Mine Historical Park - operated from 1938 - 1941 by one of the largest gold producers in the Willow Creek Mining District, - the Alaska Pacific Consolidated Mine Co. Continue via Palmer - located in the heart of the Matanuska Valley to Anchorage. In the afternoon outdoor enthusiasts may enjoy a stroll along the 12-Mile Coastal Trail with never ending view across Cook Inlet and toward Mt. Denali and the Alaska Range before you return your rental car.

Superior Hotel Category
Rates in US $ / per Person Single      Double      Triple      Quad      Child     
May 15 - May 31 $1400.00 $737.00 $540.00 $441.00 $56.00
June 1 - August 31 $1680.00 $878.00 $633.00 $511.00 $56.00
September 1 - September 15 $1400.00 $737.00 $540.00 $441.00 $56.00

 

First Class Hotel Category
Rates in US $ / per Person Single      Double      Triple      Quad      Child     
May 15 - May 31 $1726.00 $900.00 $652.00 $528.00 $56.00
June 1 - August 31 $2018.00 $1047.00 $750.00 $601.00 $56.00
September 1 - September 15 $1726.00 $900.00 $652.00 $528.00 $56.00

 
Departure Days
Daily Departures from May 15 - September 20

 

Services included
  • 3 Nights Superior or First Class Accommodation
  • Hotel Tax
  • 4 Days Rental Car (Compact)
  • Unlimited Free Mileage
  • VLF Rental Car Licensing Fee
  • CFC / State Vehicle Rental Tax
  • Denali Shuttle Bus Ticket to Eielson Visitor Center
  • Tour Documentation
  • Sightseeing Information 
Flexible Tour Options - Upgrades & Sightseeing
Rates in US $ | per Person Adult
Talkeetna: 1-Hour Mt. Denali Flightseeing Tour (Glacier Landing add $120) $265.00
Denali: Extend your Shuttle Bus Tour to Wonder Lake $30.00
Upgrade Shuttle Bus to Escorted 8-Hour  Tundra Wilderness Tour including Boxed Lunch
Departure: 2:00 pm / Return 8:00 pm		 $130.00
Upgrade Shuttle Bus to Escorted 13-Hour Kantishna Wilderness Lodge / Backcountry Lodge Tour
with Lunch, Interpretive Program, Gold Panning, En-route Refreshments
Departure: 6:00 am / Return 7:00 pm		 $160.00
Denali Village: Tour of Jeff King's Husky Homestead Sled Dog Kennel  $ 65.00

 

Rental Car - Upgrade
Rental Car Category Rental Car Type      Tour Upgrade      Additional Day     
Compact Car Chevrolet Aveo or similar Included $ 145.00
Mid Size Car Toyota Corolla or similar $ 10.00 / day  $ 155.00
Full Size Car Chevrolet Malibu or similar $ 17.00 / day $ 160.00
Standard SUV Toyota Highlander or similar $ 98.00 / day $ 250.00
Premium SUV Chevrolet Suburban or similar $ 180.00 / day $ 325.00
Mini Van Toyota Sienna or similar $ 98.00 / day $ 250.00
Rates include Taxes, Unlimited Free Mileage

 

Additional Nights - Anchorage
Rates in US $ | per Person (+tax) Hotel Category      Single      Double      Triple      Quad      Child     
May 15 - May 31 Superior Hotel $185.00 $93.00 $67.00 $52.00 $10.00
June 01 - August 31 Superior Hotel $190.00 $95.00 $70.00 $55.00 $10.00
September 01 - September 15 Superior Hotel $185.00 $93.00 $67.00 $52.00 $10.00
May 15 - May 31 First Class Hotel $315.00 $158.00 $110.00 $89.00 $10.00
June 01 - August 31 First Class Hotel $330.00 $165.00 $116.00 $93.00 $10.00
September 01 - September 15 First Class Hotel $315.00 $158.00 $110.00 $89.00 $10.00

 

Alaska Sightseeing Destinations

Anchorage
Fairbanks
Juneau
McCarthy
Homer
Seward
Cooper Landing
Talkeetna
Self Drive Tours Information - FAQ
  Q:
A:		 I like to spend more time in a certain destination. Can I change the routing?
All of our tours are ”Flex Drives” and we can add, modify or exchange nights in destinations to suit your timetable and preferred routing. Thus, sometimes it will be necessary to observe ferry schedules, national park opening/closing dates etc to match certain dates and/or departures. Please check also each itinerary online.
  Q:
A:		 What is the difference between single, double, triple and quad room?
Single: A room assigned to one person. May have one or more beds.
Double: A room assigned to two people. May have one or more beds.
Triple: A room assigned to three people. May have two or more beds.
Quad: A room assigned to four people. May have two or more beds.
The maximum occupancy per room is four.
We can arrange our self drive tours including 2 rooms and 1 rental car if your group is larger than 4.
  Q:
A:		 I cannot find the list of hotels included?
Each tour includes a choice of pre-reserved superior hotels (*** category) or first class hotels (**** category). If you have any special requirements we can certainly customize any of the advertised tours. Please contact us for advice and applicable rates. Hotel accommodation does not include breakfast or other meals. Please Note: A large number clients and travel agencies are using our pages and travel ideas to plan their “own” customized tours. This is the reason why we do not publish the hotel names for each trip on top of all travel planning information already included on our pages. If you have any particular question about accommodation, please contact us.
  Q:
A:		 Do you offer bed and breakfast accommodation
Yes, we can substitute our advertised hotel category with bed and breakfasts (B&B) accommodation (breakfast included) for any of the advertised itineraries. Please contact us for availability.
  Q:
A:		 Do you have one-way rental cars or tours between Alaska and the Yukon/Canada?
No - we do not provide any one way rentals between Alaska (USA) and the Yukon Territory (Canada) Certain government and insurance regulations do not permit such rentals. We offer one way rentals to Skagway, Haines & Juneau.
  Q:
A:		 Are Car Rental Charges Included?
Yes, the rental of a compact car (automatic) is always included in our flex drive tour packages. Additional rental days or upgrade details and rates for mid and full size car, passenger vans or a sport utility vehicle (4x4) are available on each self-drive page. All upgrade rates are per car and not per person. Our advertised rates include also local taxes, unlimited free mileage, airport concessionaire fees, licensing fees. Rental car insurance is optional. Many Americans have their own car insurance that also covers them with the rental cars. Please contact us if you require rental car insurance. We provide a complimentary transfer from your downtown hotel to the rental station.
A valid driver license and a valid major credit card are mandatory for all individual vehicle rentals and/or tour packages including vehicle rentals. Driving on gravel roads/highways is at own risk. The rental car insurance is void on the following highways Denali Highway, Dalton Highway, Top of the World Highway, Taylor Highway, McCarthy Road, Dempster Highway and all other gravel roads. You will be responsible for any damages. Drivers have to be more than 25 years of age and the drivers license has to be valid for more than 1 year. Contact us if you are below 25 years of age.
  Q:
A:		 What if something unexpected goes wrong during the Tour?
We do not anticipate anything but you can contact us, the rental car company or any of the pre-reserved hotels for assistance. We have a 24 hr emergency help line available for our guests.
  Q:
A:		 What type of Identification do I need to enter Canada and Alaska/USA
The Visa/entry requirements do change frequently. Please check requirements on the appropriate government pages. We are unable to take any responsibility for such information however you will definitely need your passport. Please ask us if your self drive tour enters Canada.
  Q:
A:		 Which services are included in your Self Drive Tours
Please refer to the appropriate tour page for a listing of included services. Our service generally includes the rental car, accommodation, applicable local taxes, ferry trips as scheduled, sightseeing as per itinerary, a detailed tour description, highway or road logs. Not included are: Meals, highway tolls, gasoline, entrance fees, additional sightseeing tours.
  Q:
A:		 What is the advantage of Self-Drive Tour -VS- Escorted Tour
This depends on your personal preference. Alaska and the Yukon are providing some good and scenic highway connections and driving is very easy. A rental car with individual pre-reserved hotels are an independent way to discover the beauty of the northern wilderness areas and national parks: You can stop were you want, you have plenty of time for sightseeing off the beaten path and you are very flexible. Escorted tours are usually limited in flexibility because you are traveling with a group and fixed departures and routings.
  Q:
A:		 When should I book a tour
If you travel during the high season from the middle/end of June until the end of August we recommend to make a  reservation as early as possible to avoid disappointments with sold out situations in highly frequented national parks and destinations - because the northern tour season is very short. The same applies in/around national holidays. Any hotel accommodation, rentals cars and ferry space must be definitely booked well in advance. Thus, tour operator such as our company may still have space on a short notice. Accordingly it is well worth to contact us.
  Q:
A:		 When should I Travel
May, June and September are perfect months for a vacation in the Land of the Midnight Sun. The weather is usually stable and sunny with almost 24 hours of daylight. July and August are prime travel months and are obviously very busy.
  Q:
A:		 When is the best time so see the Northern Lights
Due to the long daylight hours (up to 24-hours) during the summertime, it is impossible to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) from approximately mid May until the middle of August. Northern Lights are occuring mainly during the fall/winter months from end of August until the beginning of April. For further information please refer to our winter tour program.
  Q:
A:		 What’s about sightseeing options during cruises and self-drives
We provide a choice of optional sightseeing adventures and activities such as wildlife viewing, rafting, self drive tours, flightseeing, hiking, rafting and day cruises. If you book these tours with us in advance - instead of onboard the cruise ships or locally - you will save a significant amount of money.
  Q:
A:		 Should I compare rates & services on the Internet
Yes definitely. You notice sooner or later who actually provides the best services, rates and most affordable or specialized tour program because at these days almost everyone within the industry provides similar statements. Thus, you may also notice that some of the competitors web sites are completely outdated, terms & conditions are not published and that some of these people don’t even know the State – actually they are not even located within the USA or Canada. When you compare rates and services look for hidden charges such as reservation fees or ticketing fees, inclusion of taxes (up to 11 %), the exact service description, hotel categories, rental car standards etc and than make your decision.
  Q:
A:		 Could I organize the same tour package by myself for less money
Probably not - because tour operator and corporate identities with a high volume of clients and revenue receive much lower rates than an individual person or a travel agent with a few reservations per year. In addition be prepared for: (1) a significant amount of time to find and identify the right products and destinations (2) to contact the different suppliers may be multiple times and wait for their response (3) exchanging continuously sensitive personal Information over the phone/internet (4) getting professional assistance and advise for the entire tour package - which usually includes a variety of tour components. Virtually impossible ! You can certainly book your hotels through Travelocity, Expedia or other global players – but this does not guarantee any savings either or the success of your vacation. PS: we do not even markup reservations for sightseeing tours. So you'll get always the current original rate when booking with us.
  Q:
A:		 How can I get to Alaska or the Yukon Territory
Seattle is a major Alaska Airlines hub with multiple daily flight connections between the lower 48's and Alaska. In addition Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles and San Francisco are alternative gateways with non-stop flights on Alaska Airlines, United, American Airlines and Delta to/from Anchorage and other destinations within Alaska. Clients from Europe may check Condor Airlines with it's non-stop flights between Frankfurt and Whitehorse, Fairbanks or Anchorage. You can fly to the Yukon Territory (Whitehorse) from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton with Air Canada.
  Q:
A:		 Do you offer railroad tours between Canada and Alaska
No, because there is no railroad access or any connection between Canada and Alaska.
  Q:
A:		 How about traveling by ferry
Bellingham (USA) and Prince Rupert (Canada) are the main gateways for Alaska Marine Highway Ferry trips throughout the extremely scenic Inside Passage in southeast Alaska. Port of calls are: Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau, Sidka, the Glacier Bay, Skagway and Haines. If you plan to travel to Alaska by ferry please check our website for departures, fares, rates and reservations.
  Q:
A:		 Should I purchase travel insurance ?
We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance to cover: cancellation fees associated with an outing as well as airfare or other nonrefundable expense in the event you need to cancel a trip; medical expenses incurred on a trip; and the cost of a possible medical evacuation from a trip. We have made arrangements with Allianz Travel Insurance Services for you to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan. Feel free to contact Allianz if you have questions on this policy or its coverage as we are not equipped to provide specific answers to questions on the insurance program.
Denali National Park - FAQ

  Q:
A:		 Where is the Park?
The Park is located on the George Parks Highway - 120 Miles south of Fairbanks and 240 Miles north of Anchorage. There are only a few smaller communities such as Talkeetna, Cantwell and Nenana between these two major cities and therefore the Park area is somewhat isolated.
  Q:
A:		 How do I get to Denali?
The national park area is easily accessible via the paved George Parks Highway or with the Railroad.

Railroad
Denali Star & the Midnight Sun Express | Daily departures from / to Anchorage, Talkeetna and Fairbanks

Bus and Van Service
Daily departures from Anchorage and Fairbanks

Car
Rent a car, van, or 4x4 in Anchorage and drive to Denali National Park. One-way rentals are available between Anchorage, Fairbanks and Seward.
  Q:
A:		 Can I drive into the National Park?
Private vehicles are not allowed beyond the Savage Creek Ranger Check Station at Mile 15 of the Park Road – except with a permit. Therefore the National Park Service offers a shuttle bus system from approximately end of May until the middle of September (depends on weather conditions) between the Visitor Center and Wonder Lake, at the end of the 90 Mile long Road. The busses are departing from 6:00 am onwards about every 1/2 hour. Passengers have the opportunity to get on and off the bus at any point along the park road for hikes and wildlife viewing. This allows visitors to explore the park at their own pace and leisure. Note: Advance reservations for the shuttle busses are absolutely necessary. If you arrive without shuttle bus reservations you may have to wait one or two days in order to get a ticket.
  Q:
A:		 How long will it take to visit the Park?
The shuttle bus service offers a number of well worth visiting destinations.

Savage River | this is the farthest point (15 Miles from park entrance) visitors can travel in their own vehicle on the park road. At this point there is a small parking  area, picnic tables, and the trailhead for the Savage River Trail (about 2 Miles) Visitors can make use of the free Savage River Shuttle that runs regularly between the entrance area and the Savage River. The Savage River Campground is located at Mile 13 and Savage campers with tickets can be picked up at the bus stop for the shuttle into the park.

Sanctuary River | 23 Miles from the park entrance provides an established campground and a park ranger station. There are seven sites for tent camping and access is by bus. Campers with tickets may use the Park Shuttle system, and great hiking is available in the vicinity of Sanctuary campground.

The Teklanika River | 30 Miles from the park entrance runs through Igloo Forest, creating large gravel bars for easy travel. A rest stop at Teklanika provides restrooms, and expansive views from the deck. Campgrounds are nearby at Teklanika and Igloo Creek campgrounds.

Polychrome Pass & Rest Area | 46 Miles from the park entrance offers a spectacular view of the colorful Alaska Range. The Polychrome Glaciers are nestled in the hills to the south, while bears and caribou often wander on the river bars below. For a day hike, walk along the ridge behind the rest area and enjoy alpine scenery. Buses run as far as Polychrome from June to August.

Toklat | at Mile 53 is a 6-hour round trip. Toklat River is an area of braided glacial rivers and towering cliffs where Dall sheep are often seen. Grizzlies sometimes graze on the riverbed’s soapberries. Buses run as far as Toklat from late May through Mid-Sept weather permitting.

Fish Creek | a trip to the newly build Fish Creek Visitor Center, at Mile 66 takes about 8-hours (round trip) and is the closest location for scenic views of towering Mt. McKinley.

Wonder Lake | at Mile 85 is an 11-hour round trip. The beautiful lake offers a picture perfect view of Mt. McKinley. Along the road to Wonder Lake, alder and willow-carpeted hills are dotted with kettle ponds. Look for beaver along the way, and be sure to keep an eye out for blueberries in late summer and fall. Buses run to Wonder Lake June 8 through Mid-September weather permitting

Kantishna | at Mile 90 is about a 13-hour round trip. The gold mining area is primarily a destination for backpackers heading for the national parks backcountry sections or for clients who are staying at various remote backcountry lodges in the viciity of Kantishna. One Bus travels to Kantishna between June 8 and September 11. Kantishna is primarily a destination for lodge visitors and backpackers headed for the backcountry. Please respect the private lands you may encounter in this area.
  Q:
A:		 What about Sightseeing within Denali National Park?
Denali National Park and Preserve is famous for North America's highest mountain peak - 20,320-foot tall Mount McKinley, spectacular landscapes, rugged mountain peaks and abundant wildlife. More than 6 million acres encompass a complete sub-arctic eco-system.
  Q:
A:		 What about Wildlife Viewing?
Denali National Park is home to a variety of wildlife. Moose, Grizzly Bears, Caribous, Dall Sheeps, Wolves, Foxes, Golden Eagles, Beavers, and a multitude of migratory birds and waterfowl are plentiful throughout the park. Moose and Grizzly Bear sights are possible and rather common even within the improved sections of the park.
  Q:
A:		 Will I see Mt. Denali ?
The more time you spend inside the park, the better are your chances to see Mt.McKinley The entire mountain is visible only on a few days during each summer, however you may be fortunate to get a view of Mt.McKinley or some of the other mountain peaks and glaciers of the Alaska range during your stay. Even when the clouds obscure your view of the mountain from ground level, you can frequently see it while on a hike that gains elevation, or on a flight seeing trip.
  Q:
A:		 Are any hotels directly in the Park?
Only a very limited number of remote wilderness lodges are operating within the national park boundaries. Please check our page: Denali Wilderness Lodges. Most  hotels are located at Denali Village – along the Parks Highway – one Mile from the visitor center.
  Q:
A:		 Can I buy beverages or food in the Park?
There is no food or beverage service available on either the busses or anywhere past Mile 2 of the park road. Please plan ahead and bring your own snacks, lunch, and beverages. Restrooms are available at approximate one-hour intervals along the park road.
  Q:
A:		 Which services are available near the Park?
Within a few miles of the Park entrance there are lodges, restaurants, gift shops, gas stations, small convenience stores, and various other visitor related services.
  Q:
A:		 What’s about other Activities?
There are a number of outfitters and soft-adventure companies operating near the park boundaries. Some of the activities include: flight seeing adventures, helicopter flights, rafting, float trips, sled dog tours, evening dinner theater. Please refer also to our individual sightseeing pages.
  Q:
A:		 How is the Weather?
Weather in Denali is extremely variable. Many of the rangers tell visitors to expect sun, wind, rain, clouds and even snow - sometimes all on the same day. Temperature can range from the mid 20's in early May and September to 85 degrees in July. Normal temperatures are in the high 60's with nights cooling off to between 40 and 50 degrees. Wearing layers of clothing makes it easy to regulate your body temperature. Also, you'll find that a good waterproof raincoat is invaluable. It will be daylight for 24-hours a day throughout May, June and the first half of July.
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