Important Tour information 2023

Book Your 2024 Multi - Day Tour By June 1, 2023 And Save $200 Per Person! All Rates Are Per Person And Based On Double Occupancy. The Single Supplement is $1,350. Terms And Conditions Apply. Rates Subject To Change Without Notice. 

Great Alaskan Tours Packing & Protocols:

Packing & Protocols:

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your vacation! We are excited you have chosen to join us this summer. Health and safety is a collective concern and requires a collective effort, so please review carefully the suggestions below. We look forward to hosting you and your travel guests.

Important Notes Before Departure:

• Please review all confirmation documents Great Alaskan Tours has provided for accuracy.

• Please check with your cell phone service to verify if and where it works in Alaska.

• Please make sure we have your cell number on file to contact you in case of emergency or a time delay during your tour.

Weather:

It's a good idea to plan for four types of weather – warm, cool, cold and (occasionally) wet. Alaska's vast size, varied topography and geographical location can result in a wide range of conditions. 

During the summer months, high temperatures in the inland area near Denali National Park, can reach 90°F. Walking among the glaciers generally means cooler temps (with more breezes blowing). 

Further along the coast in Anchorage, the weather is normally pleasant and sunny but slightly cooler. Average temperatures across the state hover in the high-60s during peak season and the mid-50s in the spring and fall. Please note – AK does not have Air Conditioning in many of the accommodations, activity vendors or tour vehicles. 

Please prepare for possible warmer weather in June and July.

Dressing For Alaska:

Touring Alaska's towns, an umbrella may be cumbersome. A lightweight raincoat, however, frees up your hands – perfect if you'll be carrying around a camera, purse or bottled water.

Dressing in layers is the way to go. Pack some cooler clothes, short-sleeved shirts, a pair of shorts, sweat shirts, jeans, breathable wear and sturdy, comfortable light hiking shoe or rubber-soled walking shoe. 

Break in shoes before you travel to avoid discomfort / blisters. Be sure to bring extra socks and a second pair of shoes, so each have time to dry if they get wet.

There is no need to bring formal wear as our tours are casual all the way. We want to show you the "Hands-on" Alaska we have come to know and love. If you are connecting with a cruise ship, you should bring a separate bag with your formal wear that can be stored in the luggage trailer. Luggage is limited to one case max 50 lbs, plus a type of small backpack or tote for day use.

Packing Checklist:

The biggest factor to consider is Alaska's weather, of course. But activities at sea and ashore may also require special packing. 

The following checklist includes some additional suggestions to help you get started – it's by no means comprehensive, but it's a good place to begin.

• Camera (extra digital cards, camera cords and batteries)

• Supportive comfortable walking shoes (closed toes) (2 pair) • Thermal Socks / extra socks

• Hat or ear cover

• Gloves – Cool days can present themselves on a glacier or on the ocean.

• Heavy jacket depending on your dates of travel (May & late August - Sept)

• Light Jacket/Windbreaker/Rain repellent (All summer dates)

• Rain jacket, Rain Poncho, or Umbrella

• Fleece Jacket, Sweaters, Sweatshirts, Long & Short-Sleeved Shirts

• Jeans or Convertible Zip-away Bush Pants & Shorts

• Medications & extra prescription

• Sunglasses (Glaciers are bright!) – Extra pair of glasses or contacts

• Government-Issued Photo I.D. (driver's license/military I.D.)

• U.S. issued State I.D. or Driver’s License (Passport (not-required unless stopping in Canada),

notarized copy of birth certificate with photo I.D. – Canadian ports of call only - Cruises)

• Don't forget your Great Alaskan Tours PDF Confirmations! You can always download the PDF to your phone. • 

A soft-sided day bag is highly recommended. It is for ease of travel on one-day destinations

Small planes have a 30-pound limit per small soft-sided day bag.

Sunny Days:

Because Alaska sits near the top of the globe, the sun can shine for as many as 20 hours a day during peak season! Your travel day will usually begin at 8:00 AM and end at 8:00 PM. 

Evening hours with sunlight will be available for photos and leisure time. If you have difficulty sleeping in light, you may consider bringing eye gear to keep light out. 

If, however, you are traveling in August, as we lose 5 minutes per day, there will be darker evenings. Northern lights are only possible in late August/early September.

Covid-19 Protocols:

No one likes Covid, but it is a reality that needs to be addressed in our current times. There are various opinions on Covid, masks and vaccination; small group travel necessitates patience with others who may have a different view. 

Currently there are no testing requirements for US Citizens to travel to Alaska. The U.S Centers for Disease Control requires that all air passengers arriving to the U.S. from a foreign country show proof of vaccination prior to boarding a U.S.-bound flight and a negative COVID-19 test taken within no more than 1 day prior to departure. 

Great Alaskan Tours does not require proof of vaccination and information regarding vaccination status of individuals on or guiding your tour will not be made available. 

With visitors arriving from across the US, Great Alaskan Tours requests the following:

• Please consider using masks, hand sanitizer and good hygiene practices like washing your hands and social distancing, on your airline flights to Alaska and as appropriate on your tour.

• Be sure to bring a couple of masks that can be disposed of, as some vendors are requiring it to enter their store or participate in their activity.

• Great Alaskan Tours will offer hand sanitizer in each vehicle however we suggest bringing your own to ensure proper supply.

• If you have or develop Covid symptoms we will require and make available Covid testing. If you test positive for Covid during a tour, for the safety of the other guests and tour operators, you will be unable to continue the tour.

I.D. Proof of Citizenship:

The U.S. Department of State requires all US travelers to comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). 

Please visit their website for details that may affect your travel: http://www.travel.state.gov Consider enrolling in the STEP Program. (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) This allows family, friends or the US Embassy to get in touch with you in case of an emergency. 

All international guests must have a valid passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the U.S.

• A Valid passport is required for all air travel between the United States and Canada. A passport is NOT required for US Citizens traveling to Alaska, that are not stopping in Canada.

• U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. An enhanced driver’s license or passport will be REQUIRED after May 2023.

• U.S. cruise guests who travel by air to embark in Vancouver for Alaska cruises and Canadian cruise guests who travel by air to embark in U.S. ports are required to have valid passports for all cruises. 

Foreign nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain details regarding current requirements. Alaska Rail requires State issued Photo ID or Driver’s License for boarding.

We're looking forward to hosting you!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Gratuity Guidelines:

It is customary to tip your Great Alaskan Tours Tour Guide $25 per person, per day at the completion of your tour. Of course, if you choose to tip your Tour Guide more than the customary tip amount, it is very much appreciated!

Recommended guidelines are always at your discretion. It is customary to tip a flight seeing pilot, river guide or Denali Park guide $10 at completion of each activity.

Does Alaska take US Currency?

Alaska is the 49th state in the US. We do take US Currency. Most local businesses honor two major credit cards - Visa and Master Card. Limited businesses will accept American Express. 

How much do meals cost?

For the cost of meals it depends on where you eat and what you like, but on average meals can cost (per person): Breakfast - $6-$12 | Lunch - $10-$15 | Dinner - $23-$40

We suggest bringing an average of $35 - $50 a day per person. 

Can I see the Northern Lights in the Summer?

Usually not, because of the daylight. To see the Northern Lights, it needs to be dark and clear out. The best time to see them is in the winter between November - March. However, our Mid-August through Mid-September tours do present opportunities to see them, if the conditions are right. 

Are Mt. Denali and Mt. McKinley the same thing?

Yes. Denali the "High One" is the name Athabascan native people gave the massive peak that crowns the 600-mile-long Alaska Range. Denali is also the name of an immense national park and preserve created from the former Mt. McKinley National Park.

What is the time difference in Alaska?

Alaska has its own time zone and we also have daylight savings. 

Alaska is:

4 hours behind the Eastern Time Zone 

3 hours behind the Central Time Zone 

2 hours behind the Mountain Time Zone

1 hour behind the Pacific Time Zone

Tidal Safety:

Bore Tides:

The tides of Cook Inlet have the second greatest tidal range in the world, with a maximum range approaching forty feet. 

While these tides are impressive to watch they can also be very dangerous. They boast powerful currents, some as fast as 20 miles per hour, and they come in very quickly. The tidal flats are usually composed of gray clay that acts as a binding quicksand, which coupled with incoming high tides, makes for a dangerous combination.

DO NOT WALK OUT ONTO TIDAL FLATS.

Mosquitoes:

Jokingly referred to as Alaska’s "state bird", 25 species of them can be found in the state. They are present from April to September, however in June they begin to die off and are about gone in July. 

Great Alaskan Tours guests have shared their surprise as to how few mosquitoes we see on tour. In Alaska, they are most often found on coastal flats and in forested valleys. 

The worst occurrences are in areas of slow moving or standing water, which we do not visit. The insects are most active at dusk and dawn. 

It is always wise to use good insect repellent. Each of our vehicles has "spray" repellent in them, both Deet and botanical styles. Most of your activities operate in open areas, minimizing any effects.