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The trip starts and ends in Anchorage, Alaska. 

Joining point

The Wildbirch Hotel
239 W 4th Ave
Anchorage
99501
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Description: The Wildbirch Hotel in Anchorage offers a cozy, convenient stay with modern amenities in the heart of the city. Its central location provides easy access to downtown attractions, restaurants, and shops, making it a great choice for those exploring Anchorage.

Instructions: To get to the Wildbirch Hotel from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), you can take a taxi or rideshare (Uber/Lyft). The journey takes about 10-15 minutes and typically costs between $17-$25, depending on traffic and the time of day.

Finishing point

The Wildbirch Hotel
239 W 4th Ave
Anchorage
99501
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Description: The Wildbirch Hotel in Anchorage offers a cozy, convenient stay with modern amenities in the heart of the city. Its central location provides easy access to downtown attractions, restaurants, and shops, making it a great choice for those exploring Anchorage.

Instructions: To get to the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), you can take a taxi or rideshare (Uber/Lyft). The journey takes about 10-15 minutes and typically costs between $17-$25, depending on traffic and the time of day.

PASSPORT
You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.

We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. 

INSURANCE

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses, including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region, please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative.

If you have credit card insurance, your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number, rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements. For example, some mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality. Travellers from the European Union, Switzerland or the USA who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.
 

• While Alaska can experience warm summers, you should still be prepared for cold temperatures and rain.
• 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.

Private Van, Boat

AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.

NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.

The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.

While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.

SPENDING MONEY
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 20 per traveller to tip local service providers for activities included in this trip. This doesn’t include a tip for your leader.

YOUR LEADER
You may consider tipping your leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline USD 10 – 20 per traveller per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length and involvement of your leader on your trip. Tipping is always appreciated.

CONTINGENCY FUNDS
We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred because of changes to itineraries, including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights.

Make sure you have access to an extra USD 500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved.

The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of all travellers; however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs. Please confirm with your leader on Day 1 if you need to carry this in cash, or whether access via card or electronically is sufficient.

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.

WEATHER IN NORTH AMERICA
Due to the size and topography of the US and Canada, there's a huge amount of variation in the climate. 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).

USA NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
The following national holidays are observed in the US, which can affect our itinerary as traffic can be extreme, and shops, restaurants and attractions can be closed:

• New Year's Day (01 January)
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday of January)
• Washington's Birthday (third Monday of February)
• Memorial Day (last Monday of May)
• Independence Day (4 July)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• Columbus Day (second Monday of October)
• Veterans Day (11 November)
• Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November)
• Christmas Day (25 December)