Denali Excursions
#1
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Denali Excursions
We will be doing a cruise/tour through Holland America in late May/early June. Our travels include a full day of free time at Denali. Has anyone done a raft ride in Denali? Per Holland America, we have to book the raft ride while in Denali (we can't pre-book with Holland America). Can anyone recommend a raft excursion company? Are there other "must-do's" in Denali? Thanks for your help.
#3
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If you are refering to white water rafting-we went (through Princess)in 2000. It was something I really wanted to do and while the experience was interesting, I can't say I'd highly recommend it. It was only about a 2 hour "tour" and most of it involved getting into and out of the protective clothing-it's glacier water and brutally cold of course-my feet were frozen. Our traveling companions visited a sled dog compound and enjoyed holding puppies. We all went on an unbelievably long bus ride through the park but we got lucky and spotted quite a few animals at very close range-and there's the possibility of seeing Mt.Mckinley, we didn't. There's also a golf course there! Good luck with your Alaska adventure.
#4
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My family did a rafting "float" a few years ago. At the time, there were no<BR>real rafting companies, they were all<BR>floating down the river. It will be ICY COLD.<BR><BR>Do not expect to be able to hike or explore on your own in the Park. It is supervised tours ONLY. For your protection. You may see a lot of wildlife on the tour, you may see nothing. Luck of the draw. <BR><BR>Expect it to be fairly rainy on the cruise--Southeast Alaska is technically a temperate rain forest. Ketchikan gets 188 inches of rain per year. Expect nights to be cool--in the 40s and 50s. Not so rainy on the "mainland." But May can still be quite chilly. I remember the year I got married in Anchorage, it snowed on May 15. <BR><BR>Wear lots of layers. Take mosquito repellent. Be prepared for the most awsome scenery you'll see in your life.<BR><BR>I've done Denali twice ( actually, most of us Alaskans still call it McKinley ),<BR>and didn't see much wildlife either time. Once in June, once in Aug.<BR><BR>We've done two cruises, one northbound, one southbound, and loved them both. We hit the most incredible weather each time. The first time, the sign on a store in Ketchikan said " 11 days of sun in a row! Can you believe it?" The second time was almost as good. The cruise two days before us hit rain or overcast the whole trip.<BR><BR>By the way, you want to see glaciers in overcast, not bright sun, as they are much bluer. <BR><BR>Enjoy!
#6
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We saw very few rafters in the river outside of Denali (which is where you would raft). The water is glacier run off and it is more like slurry--very nasty with mud and gravel.<BR><BR>The bus ride in the park is long and dusty but we saw several grizzlies and moose and lots of caribou. Saw McKinley for two days. I understand we were very fortunate.<BR><BR>The park tour will take 8 hours which will take up a good chunk of your one day. I wouldn't even go to the area if I weren't going to tour or hike the park. There isn't much else there to see/do.<BR><BR>We couldn't wait to get back down to the Kenai Peninsula to spend our vacation time.