Weve enjoyed not only the economy and flexibility of the transit buses over the years but also often the camaraderie that develops over hours on the transit bus with visitors from around the world. 2023 Price: $150 USD adult, $84 USD child. Journey through 11 miles of awesome rapids on the Nenana River with spectacular views of Denali National Park gems, like Mount Healy and Sugarloaf Mountain. As they wander along the tundra, a herd of caribou is usually detected by their massive horns, long faces and brown fur. #15. After dark, he turned his attention to the skies, scanning for the northern lights. I have read about the shuttle as an option. The most massive glaciers in the park drain snow and ice from the flanks of Denali. Want that clean crisp mountain air? 11:00am, 1:55pm & 3:50pm. TT is much more expensive. Want to experience Alaska? Please visit our front desk for more information. Push notifications, reminders of upcoming events and an overall faster MedallionClass App experience are a few enhancements still in the works. Please check your Welcome Envelope upon arrival for your exact departure time and tour number. Climb on board this tour for a quick but unforgettable experience! If your Alaska cruisetour does not include a Denali National Park tour, reserve your spot via the Cruise Personalizer, by calling Princess Cruises or contacting your travel advisor. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By Hit the greens during this spirited expedition to Black Diamond Golf Course. 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. Day 4 - Denali National Park - Talkeetna - Denali Enjoy an unforgettable rail journey from Denali to Talkeetna in a luxury domed railcar. If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller. 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. The reason we don't want to do shuttle bus is due to age/mobility. Find a better price for any excursion we offer and we will refund you 110% of the price difference. The Eielson Excursion is a Tundra Wilderness Tour which travels a few miles further to the Eielson Visitor Center. Incredible scenery, a narrated history of the park road, and some of the best opportunities to view the parks wildlife inhabitants await you on this tour. We traded the History tour for the Denali Backcountry Adventure tour. The driver was soooooooooooo excited because lynx sightings are very rare. ALERTS IN EFFECT: Please read for the latest information. My husband also likes to sit up front if available as he can get car sick on windy and bumpy roads. Moose are even known to make a splash as they swim toward tasty aquatic plants. . I am investigating a trip to Alaska next year and I like the concept of combining a land tour with the cruise. 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. I'm hoping it was worth the switch. Typically, this is an 8-hour tour that goes to Stony Dome at Mile 56, but that obviously won't happen this year due to the road closure. To add an activity to your stay, please call 1-800-426-0500 for reservations or visit the Tour Desk at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. Several interpretive stops enhance the experience with an hour of off-bus experiences. This thing is so cool. From the website: "Morning departures are generally between 5:00am and 11:00am while afternoon departures are generally between 12:30pm and 4:30pm. In 2023, the Tundra Wilderness Touris a 55.5hour excursion into the park with a certified driver-naturalist. Would appreciate opinions on the differences between Tundra Wilderness & Natural History tours giving no consideration to difference in costs. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. All transit buses travel to the East Fork River (Mile 43). We suggest you bring warm clothes, rainwear, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera and personal medication as necessary. A ranger is available 9 am to 4 pm daily (except on major holidays). In the evening, enjoy the "Music of Denali" dinner show. The Tundra Wilderness Tour is the premier tour of Denali National Park and Preserve! For rates, operational dates, and important information, please click here. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge and Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. Free rein in Iceland: A horseback tour through the country's barren wilderness is an adventure like no other Irish I was somewhere else! See what we've put in place. Binoculars with roof prisms have a sleek, streamlined shape and less bulk. It may look silly but I don't have to look at it and it allows me to cruise. Let us introduce you to Denali National Park - up close! Tundra Wilderness Tour, all Cruisetours feature 2 nights in Denali Iditarod musher's kennel tour Tour the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center where you will see the animals of Alaska in a natural setting Fully escorted by local Alaskan tour director Airport Meet and Greet by representative Deluxe motorcoach transportation Three days prior to your tour day, your departure time will be assigned to you. Traveling 62 miles into Denali National Park to Stony Hill Overlook, the Tundra Wilderness Tour offers wonderful diversity for visitors. Please contact 907-683-8900 or visit the hotel front desk for more information. This fee is charged separately with Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses. . But now, it also gives adult clients the chance to win prizes including shipboard credits, wine tastings and even free cruises every time they enter their stateroom using their Medallion. Please check your welcome packet upon arrival to confirm the exact tour departure time. Surprisingly fast, strong and imposing, moose are also well-adapted to the snow with wide feet and warm coats. Answered: My husband and I are planning a trip to Denali. Find out about the local native culture and their stories at Primrose Ridge. Cruises. It is highly recommended that all parties traveling together book together on one reservation to prevent being split across multiple buses. Passengers on this flight see more of Denali, more often. 1. Agents at the Denali Bus Depot can answer any final questions you have about your trip. I was right near the front of the line because I prefer a window seat behind the driver the second row back. Travel to the Murie Cabin near the East Fork River (Mile 43) to experience where Adolf Murie lived while conducting his famous research inside what was then known as Mount McKinley National Park! Contact the bus company for more details. Departure times are staggered and will be assigned in Denali. Hope you have better luck. Soar through the trees and over the tundra on over half a mile of ziplines.. Get out and ride ATVs in the Alaskan bush! New Details Released. GUEST UPDATES: Please read for the latest updates on closures impacting our operations. I will be interested in how you like the tour after your vacation. Whether theyre traveling with their young or looking for mates in the spring, there are many chances to see caribou when you visit Denali National Park. 5 - 5 1/2 hours, depending on weather and road conditions. Changes to your park tour should be made as soon as possible. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112686850', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruises came to Alaska, it really opened up Alaska to this group of tourists, elders that are no longer active adventurers, and theyre ok to pay more, and be more comfortable. A train ride from Denali Lodge to McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, with a stop in Talkeetna Alaska for shopping and ice cream. P.S. On a Tundra Wilderness Tour, included in all Holland America Line two- and three-night Denali stays, travel deep into the heart of Denali for the adventure of a lifetime. Several interpretive stops enhance the experience with an hour of off-bus experience. 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. Along the way, your driver-naturalist will introduce you to the landscape, geology, and history of Denali National Park. We provide experienced river guides . Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, McKinley Village: See 2,057 traveller reviews, 1,169 user photos and best deals for Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, ranked #3 of 5 McKinley Village hotels, rated 3.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. This fee is charged separately with Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses. A single gravel road goes into the six-million-acre park and only travelers on trips like the Tundra Wilderness Tour have the chance to experience it. TIp: If you are booking this tour independently, you are supposed to call them 24-48 hours prior to confirm your departure time. Ketchikan, Juneau, and the Tongass National Forest near Sitka are just some of the places they dwell. 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 Denali National Park is home to the tallest mountain in North America, Denali at 20,310 feet, as well as over six million acres of diverse wilderness. The one that interests me is the 6 day Princess Copper River tour which starts in Anchorage and circles through Denali, Copper River, Valdez to Whittier. They arent interested in getting off the bus. With the Tundra Wilderness Tour, you cannot get off and head back. Explore the park with a certified naturalist guide. This comfortable, comprehensive and fully narrated, 6- to 6.5-hour excursion takes you 43 miles into the Park's unspoiled wilderness, for up-close views of Mt. (Theres no firm timeframe yet on when the road will be passable again.) You'll create two pieces-one for yourself and one for a friend! . Park tour is approximately 5 hours. Of course, by then, the lightning was behind us. Your home base at the doorstep of Denali National Park. Given that, the NPS (and Princess) are unlikely to commit to 2023 excursions this far in . Farther means more wildlife and more scenery. Deb, P.S. Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge The perfect home base for exploring Denali National Park. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed. For more information please see www.abta.com. Hop on an ATV Side-by-Side machine and strap in for this exciting backcountry adventure through valleys and streams, up foothills and on tundra that offers breathtaking mountain scenery. Tackle the terrain of the Boreal Forest on a new, single rider Yamaha Kodiak ATV! vs. 4.5 hrs). This is the only method to guarantee not having the party split among different buses. What to Know About Riding on the Alaska Railroad, 14 of the Best New Cruise Ships Launching in 2023, Katmandu Park Punta Cana Is Opening March 15, The Top Hotels in Mexico for a Romantic Getaway. Aboard your safari transport, head deep into the Alaskan bush to the Stampede Trail, a forgotten trail in the wilderness that Christopher McCandless took to explore the backcountry. Currently part of the road looks like this: Yes, it is offered. Denali transit buses are the best bargain in Alaska! This short helicopter ride offers views of the essentials of the Alaska Range. A bottle of water and a snack pack are included with this tour. This tour offers wonderful diversity for visitors. August 14, 2018 I hope we can still see some wildlife going to the 43 mile marker. Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is the perfect base camp for exploring Denali National Park.The name ''Denali'' means ''The Great One'' in the native Athabascan language. You can use ABTA's approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process if you have a complaint that is not resolved. AVAILABLE FOR GUESTS WITHOUT A PARK TOUR: Experience the rich diversity of Denali National Park from stunning scenery and abundant wildlife to historical sites and interpretive centers on this popular Natural History Tour. The Royal Princess is a Princess MedallionClass ship with a capacity of 3,560 guests. Natural History Tour vs Tundra Wilderness Tour - Alaska - Cruise Critic Community. Very tight mostly uncomfortable quarters for me in that school bus but we did see some bears through binoculars. Natural History tour vs Tundra Wilderness tour - Alaska - Cruise Critic Community. See the Great Lands glaciers, wildlife, and national parks. My husband also likes to sit up front if available as he can get car sick on windy and bumpy roads. One can look out the window, if they want, correct? This tour offers the opportunity to explore magnificent backcountry with an unforgettable guided hike overlooking the valleys of the Alaska Range. This extraordinary half day 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. I've never been on this, seemed like. Two nights Mo +49 (0)89 / 51703-350 (CET) Call me back; Mon to Fri: 10 am - 5 pm . In an effort to preserve the fragile ecosystem of Denali National Park and Preserve, the National Park Service has limited access on the Park Road for private vehicles. . Several interpretive stops enhance the experience, with an hour of time spent exploring off the bus. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. We have to find a hotel for one night we are doing a rafting trip then taking train back down to telkeetna the next afternoon. Thank you so much, Debbie San Diego, CA. 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. Call Princess and use the excursion option. Enjoy a scenic float down the Nenana River or an exhilarating jetboat safari. Play a round of golf in the Midnight Sun, or rise above it on a thrilling flightseeing tour. 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. These bus tours give you the opportunity for wildlife spotting and also allows you the chance to sit back, relax, and listen to your Certified Interpretive Guide share their stories about the history, culture, and geography that surrounds you. I get seasick and would absolutely want to die on a tender ride but I get the Transderm Scop patch (little round band-aid looking thing I wear behind my ear with time release Scopolamine) and I become impervious to seasickness. By my calculation, fo. With the comforts of home, incredible dining options and expert-crafted excursions, discover your ideal way to explore the Great Land. I would not take the NHT since my interests are scenery and wildlife. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112686267', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Princess Cruises. The wearable, quarter-sized device does everything from unlocking stateroom doors to finding friends and family anywhere on the ship. Tundra Wilderness Tour Travel deep into Denali National Park for sightings of Alaska's Big Five: grizzlies, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves and moose. Denali is the highest peak in North America and is surrounded by one of the world's most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries. Has anyone done both - compare? Of course, usually every seat of a TWT is sold, so I expected someone to eventually sit therebutthe last two women to board the bus had the audacity to ask me to move to an aisle seat at the back of the bus so THEY could sit together! Read a more detailed description of tour buses Non-Narrated Transit Buses These buses are not narrated. DO IT, DO IT, DO IT! 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 historical Savage Cabin to learn how the cabin was once used, and how it continues to be used today. Please visit Denali Bus Depot with confirmation and/or tickets, a photo ID and the National Park Pass to receive Park Entrance Fee Refund. We are coming to Alaska in July for 10 days. 1. Only very observant clients will likely notice that silverware and napkins, once placed on tables, must now be picked up along the buffet line. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Curious how you came to that conclusionI would always recommend the shuttle after both living and working in Denali park. 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. 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. However, Denali National Parks wilderness status makes it one of the only places where wolf sightings are more common. Alaska's arctic tundra is found in Alaska's interior toward its northern or western coast. J. If it happens to you, hold your ground! :( We have 2 nights in Denali Princess Lodge and are looking at what else to do. Princess Cruises is a member of ABTA, (membership number V8764) which means you have the benefit of ABTAs assistance and Code of Conduct. The Stampede Trail was a mining trail blazed in the 1930s. Join an experienced naturalist and a small group of travelers on this fascinating walking tour! This narrated tour through Denali National Park spans four and a half hours and takes you to Primrose Ridge at mile 17. Wildlife in Denali is very spread out. NOTE: There are several departure times. I am happy to hear that Princess is upgrading or giving credits if you want to do something else. It's pretty cool that we did the tour twice and each time saw something that most never see. Everybody got really good views of the wolf. More time spent in the Park equals more chances to see wildlife. Tuesday at 11:45 PM. These include larger hotel chains are for example: Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westmark Hotels, Princess Hotels and Lodges, Clarion Suites, Comfort . Coalminer, Im not sure whether your comment is addressing OP or me. 10. To experience the best of the Park, we suggest taking one of our fascinating and awe-inspiring interpretive tours. There are four bus tours available in Denali National Park & Preserve: Additional information can be found on the tour dates page here. Knowing how helpful everyone is on this forum, I knew I would also get excellent advice here. AVAILABLE FOR GUESTS WITHOUT A PARK TOUR: Glimpse the epic sweep of Denali National Park on this guided tour that travels 30 miles into Denali National Park and Preserve. My trip is not until next year. 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. Stop to view Denali National Park landmarks such as Otto Lake, Healy Valley, and the Alaska Range, and look for wildlife such as moose. Due to Park Service regulations, school buses are used. Departure times are staggered and will be assigned in Denali. I'm not that stupid! The KantishnaExperienceis the only tour in Denali National Park which features a National Park Service Interpretive Ranger aboard the bus. This narrated wilderness hike covers more ground than a walking tour, and offers time to explore the glacier topology, and sub-arctic ecology in depth. Upon arrival to the park, go to the Denali Bus Depot or Riley Creek Mercantile with your pass, photo ID, and bus reservation information to receive the refund. The Tundra Wilderness Tour turns around near the East Fork River (Mile 42). Transit buses are a better option for passengers who want to get off the bus to hike, picnic, etc. Whichever you chose, you'll get to see a part of Alaska you can't explore any other way! Every effort will be made to reserve your tour at the time requested, but please note that due to National Park Service bus limitations, you may be moved to a different time slot. We will be in Denali the end of July and had wanted to do the Katishna Wilderness tour but may not be available on our day so are thinking of the Tundra Wilderness Tour. Las Vegas #1 Posted August 31, 2021 I'm taking a Alaskan cruise/tour July 2022.it includes the History tour in Denali. This tour offers wonderful diversity for visitors. With an estimated 30,000 making Alaska their home, bald eagles can be seen year-round. I booked the preferred shuttle, transit, whatever the correct word for it is, for my first NOT self driven ride thru Denali NP, but for many of our visitors, the TWT busses are their preference. 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. Enjoy all the benefits of a Tundra Wilderness Tour while also exploring the Eielson Visitor Center. For more information please see www.abta.com. 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. Water is provided on all Denali National Park tours. 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. We knew that we would have to be flexible with the weather but we were hopeful things would work out. For rates, operational dates, and important information for booking all tours, please click here. It's all up to you. Plus it was a better time. Mt. Does anyone know if Princess will allow upgrading to the Tundra Wilderness Tour? Check out our Alaska wildlife guide to learn . But if someone else prefers just to watch a movie and see an old cabin, entirely their choice to make. The MedallionClass ships use touchless technologies in the form of a small, quarter-sized customizable Medallion and an app to enhance and personalize individual experiences and health protocols. He had come onboard Princess CruisesRoyal Princess to talk about fishing and crabbing in some of the most dangerous waters in the world the Bering Sea. 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. Princess offers the tundra Wilderness tour for $157. Hello all. molc54. It is expected to reopen for the 2023 season.) Get breathtaking insights into the Alaskan wilderness and listen to the interesting background information given by the guide. #17. Guests who shop with participating merchants receive a 7% shipboard credit on purchases, which can be used on their current cruise or carried over to future sailings. WIth your DH priority of wildlife, do try to take the Eilson Shuttle. One of them got rude but I refused to be bullied out of my seat. If we. In terms of wildlife viewing, look for a diameter of at least 42mm so that even on a dim day, you can spot animals in Alaska. NOTE: There are several departure times. 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. NOTE: Exact departure times are based on tour demand and will be assigned 48 hours before your departure day. Use the map below to orient yourself to locations along the road and preview some of the views you might see. Pick-ups take place steps from the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge lobby, allowing guests to practically roll out of bed and go. Share. However, we suggest you pre-book our boxed lunch for the trip. Please look at this as if you were a bit on the older side with limited mobility & not the fit youngsters you may be now. Filmed: May 2022Are you heading to Denali National Park on a Princess Cruisetour? Focusing on the rich natural and cultural history of the park, this 4 to 5-hour tour travels to Primrose Ridge (Mile 17). They make all the same bathroom and wildlife-viewing stops as a tour bus. However, if those issues aren't a concern to you, being picked up and dropped off at your hotel is certainly handy. Level Contributor 42 posts 19 reviews Hi, we are planning our 6th cruise and I finally got my wife convinced to cruise Alaska. You can use ABTA's approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process if you have a complaint that is not resolved.