Alaska independent tour for group

Old Nov 10th, 2015, 11:23 AM
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Alaska independent tour for group

August 2016 a small group is planning on a 7 day cruise in Alaska. We would like to add a land tour of about 6 nights to go to Denali and Kenai peninsula. The Princess Cruisetours seem too regimented and really do not include anything except transportation and accommodation, so there would be a lot spent on excursions on top of the Cruisetour.

Has anyone engaged the services of a small coach or van and driver to do their own tour? I don't think any of us want the responsibility of driving the long distances required. Not sure how many the group will be, but I would say 8-12. Another option could be an independent tour company that organizes custom tours but isn't outrageously expensive. Any leads most appreciated.

Kathy
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Old Nov 10th, 2015, 01:06 PM
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Uh, what do you want to do?

There's a lot of Kenai Peninsula and few roads. You don't need a coach or van driver to just take you to Seward from Anchorage.

And you might be able to get group discounts if you're toting that many people along.

Denali = usually park tours will give the best access because other than the park bus services, there are few places other vehicles are authorized to go.
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Old Nov 10th, 2015, 03:21 PM
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I wish we had done what you are contemplating, it would give you more freedom to spend time in the areas you want to visit. If you really don't want to drive, You could take the train to Denali. You have to take a bus tour into the park if you want to go very far into it the park service runs those.
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Old Nov 10th, 2015, 04:55 PM
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Thank you for the responses. Big rush-- I figure I will fill in itinerary details once I find a transportation option. Do you know one?

Emalloy, thanks for the vote of confidence. I read the train is a long ride and only last two hours are scenic, but it is an option.
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Old Nov 11th, 2015, 08:17 AM
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No. We (me and her majesty) only traveled with two hobbits, not a group. So we just rented a car in Anchorage and drove to and across the Kenai (Homer, Seward). We took day trips or small tours when we arrived at whichever destination.

And it's BigRuss, not Rush - can't hit the notes Geddy Lee does.
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Old Nov 11th, 2015, 10:38 AM
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I don't think any of us want the responsibility of driving the long distances required. Not sure how many the group will be, but I would say 8-12.

The distances really all that long and the driving is very easy; around 5 hours from Anchorage to Denali, 2 1/2 hours to Seward. I would think that a van with a driver would be cost prohibitive as the driver/van would need to be housed at Denali while you tour, for example.

Instead why not consider renting maybe three vehicles and caravan? You could use cell phones to communicate between the cars, or pop for some $30 walkie talkies - and do it yourselves.
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Old Feb 11th, 2016, 06:44 AM
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I like the idea of driving and glad this is reinforced. We have a family group trip as well with 9 people. It is our 83 yr old father and the rest of the family. He wanted no cruises and loves photography, bears, engineering etc. We have been trying to plan our trip and only dates everyone can go is June 16th for 7 to 8 days. Love everyone's thoughts and opinions on the following plan.

Day 1 Everyone flies into Anchorage. Stay at either • Hotel Aleyeska Hotel or Anchorage lakefront Hotel.Still need restaurant and fun places suggestion. Key was some charm and not a chain skyrise type place.

Day 2 -3 Trip to Denali by car and stay overnight(dont know where) and take the Denali Highway tour. It got high marks from reviews • Drive back to Anchorage and relax rest of evening.

Day 4-5 Drive Seward highway Anchorage to Seward. Hope to see whales on shorelines of Turnagain Arm. Continue to drive and go through Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. Drive to Whittier to Prince William Sound and take a glacier cruise out of Whittier - suggested by you all using Phillips. There is also a 30 minutes cruise in the sound. Does the drive to Whittier take a long time ? Stay in Seward for the night . Any recommendations? Take your Kenai Fjords cruise the next morning, then return to Anchorage that night.
Day 6 Go to a Bear trip taking Regal airplane where you land to view bears not at a distance but on a platform overlooking the river they swim and eat in. Dad very excited for this; wanted Polar bears but wrong time of year!
Day 7 Portage Glacier and Alaska Conservation Wildlife Center
Looking for fun places to eat, brew pubs and wine bars, music.
Please let me know.None of us have ever been to Alaska. No one likes buses and hiking cant be difficult and long trails. Thanks
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Old Feb 11th, 2016, 07:40 AM
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With 9 people + baggage you can rent two cars. Enterprise has full size SUVs, so with two of those, you will have plenty of room.

The Denali portion of your itinerary will not work. You will need almost a full day to drive to Denali, with optional stops in Eklutna and Talkeetna. Then you need a full day for the Denali Wilderness tour with the shuttle bus (when we did the bus tour, we had no less than 8 grizzly bear sightings, some of them very close). So, you need at least two nights in Denali. And then almost a full day to drive back, maybe with a sidetrip to Matanuska Glacier.

So, three days in total for the trip to Denali.

>>Hope to see whales on shorelines of Turnagain Arm
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Old Feb 11th, 2016, 07:47 AM
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nancylynnholleran: Welcome to Fodors. While you have received a useful response from traveller1959, you really would do better if you start a new thread of your own. Some won't notice the dates and and continue posting answers to the original post. Your trip/issues are different and a new thread will help . . .
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Old Feb 12th, 2016, 07:26 AM
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When in August? The dates are important so to know if fall colours and possible Northern Lights should be accounted for in any advice.

What is your AK port does your cruise arrive/depart from and is the cruise northbound or southbound?

I wouldn't recommend an 'organized, commercial' tour. I'd plan a land trip on your own for your fellow travelers, but you are getting quite late in doing so as accommodations will be tough and car rental prices are on the rise.
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Old Feb 12th, 2016, 07:27 AM
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late...
I just noticed the original date of the OP and if things progressed at that point then there's nothing late!!!

oops!
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Old Feb 12th, 2016, 12:54 PM
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Thank you Traveller1959
Denali is the biggest wild card for amount of time and the group hates buses. Even with the jeep trip if we go that route it sounds like day to get there, day for the tour and day to go back to Anchorage. We do plan on Kenai Fjord trip.Thanks again
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Old Feb 13th, 2016, 09:29 PM
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Hi guys
I live in Alaska, on the Kenai Peninsula. I have done all the things you are talking about. My first impression from the postings was that the times may be tight to do it all and enjoy it properly. Last summer we decided to visit Denali. We drove one day and spent the night in Talkeetna (really cute town). I think it was about 5 1/2 hours. Then the next day to Denali another 2 -3 hours. Now remember all of our roadwork is done in the summer and also all the tourists are visiting. So there is traffic and delays. Once in Denali you can only drive so far before you then have to take the bus. The bus ride is long and slow and can take all day depending on how far you want to go back. It's worth hopping off and taking a hike, really beautiful. Or a couple of hikes. So now you can see....you might not want to be rushing through the enjoyment of all this nature viewing and touring the visitor's center, gift shopping and eating. We left on a Thursday and returned on Monday.

From Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula is about 2-3 hours drive depending on traffic and construction. Seward wildlife cruise is definitely worth it and a visit to the Sealife center. This can be done in one day but you will be tired. The train ride from Seward to Anchorage is pretty awesome. You can actually take the train from Anchorage (6 am!!) and spend all day in Seward and it will return you back to Anchorage at 6 am that night. Now remember it will be light NEARLY ALL NIGHT. So no worries about missing the view from the train. Again, I have done this twice. It's extremely scenic and memorable. I highly suggest this if you only have 2 days enjoy the Kenai Peninsula.

Kenai is worth going to if you want to go salmon fishing and see volcanos. If you want to stick to Seward you can go Halibut fishing there as well and see Exit Glacier. If you are into the arts and culture, head to Homer. It is soooo beautiful there. Homer is about 4 hours from Anchorage. You would want to spend at least one night there if not more. I highly recommend....if you have the time and want to experience something really special. Get a taxi across Kachemak Bay. You will not regret it. Stay over on the other side if you can. Check VRBO, it is like Hawaii on the other side. Starfish, otters, halibut, kayaks. Very peaceful and serene.
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