Report inappropriate content. Reservations for bus trips are made through our concessioner, Doyon/Aramark Joint Venture. :( We have 2 nights in Denali Princess Lodge and are looking at what else to do. Starting from its glacial headwaters high in the Alaska Range, the Nenana cuts north through the mountains alongside Denali National Park, offering several major rapids and thrilling whitewater rafting. Let's ride Alaska style! We did the Connoisseur land tour/cruise combo from Princess back in August. His visit was part of the Discovery at Sea program (a Princess partnership with Discovery and Animal Planet), and his enthusiasm about our stop in Ketchikan was contagious. At 20,310 feet above sea level. For guests sailing for the first time since the pandemic, consistently masked crew members were a notable change, but otherwise our cruise along Alaskas Inside Passage was reminiscent of life prior to COVID-19. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? Tundra Wilderness Tour Landscape Views from the Denali Park Road National Park Service Check out an assortment of landscapes that can be seen from the road in Denali. Several interpretive stops enhance the experience, with an hour of off-bus experience. I've done the Tundra Wilderness Tour previously when it was an 8 hour tour. They make all the same bathroom and wildlife-viewing stops as a tour bus. It is highly recommended that all parties traveling together book together on one reservation to prevent being split across multiple buses. All tours are conducted by certified driver-naturalists who will provide a guided, informative trip into the park. However, if those issues aren't a concern to you, being picked up and dropped off at your hotel is certainly handy. Went to guest services, they couldn't get hold of the vendor so called me back and said nothing was available for the next day. Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge Duration Approximately 3 hours Price From $94.95 Adult . By theminnow, January 9, 2019 in Alaska. My husband also likes to sit up front if available as he can get car sick on windy and bumpy roads. Departure times are assigned two (2) days prior to departure." On the TWT we have seen a wolf - which is extremely rare. Duration: 30 - 40 minutes. Alternatively, you may use, Denali National Park and Preserve Hotels and Places to Stay, https://www.reservedenali.com/tours-transits/the-denali-tour-experience/tour-information/, https://www.reservedenali.com/tours-transits/the-denali-tour-experience/#dnht, Denali National Park and Preserve Travel Forum, Denali National Park and Preserve Tourism, Denali National Park and Preserve Vacation Rentals, Denali National Park and Preserve Vacation Packages, Flights to Denali National Park and Preserve, Denali National Park and Preserve Restaurants, Things to Do in Denali National Park and Preserve, Denali National Park and Preserve Travel Guide. If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller. I then went to gs and spoke to another guy (who happened to be from the same city as me-so we had something in common)--anyway he really pushed to get us on the upgrade and they "found" two seats. You have no say in the matter. For more information please see www.abta.com. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge and Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. Dall sheep are identifiable thanks to their large, curved horns and thick white coats of fur. TIp: If you are booking this tour independently, you are supposed to call them 24-48 hours prior to confirm your departure time. Hope you have better luck. Please check your Welcome Envelope upon arrival for your exact departure time and tour number. Would appreciate opinions on the differences between Tundra Wilderness & Natural History tours giving no consideration to difference in costs. Step on the glacier and explore dramatic icefalls, crystalline moraines, mystifying ice bridges and icy-blue glacial pools. I thought I would be disappointed in the shortened trip that it is this year. We traded the History tour for the Denali Backcountry Adventure tour. Everybody got really good views of the wolf. Black Diamond Peak promises dramatic views of the entire Healy Valley and a chance to witness foxes, rabbits and the occasional wolf, bear or caribou. Today, you'll be treated to a Tundra Wilderness Tour deep into Denali National Park. The main drawbacks of the TWT (besides not being allowed off to hike like the shuttles do, which isn't a concern of yours) are first: that you can book only AM or PM and don't find out until about 48 hours in advance what starting time you've been assigned. Deb. I am happy to hear that Princess is upgrading or giving credits if you want to do something else. Learn more about entrance fees and passes. Our tours provides an in-depth look at the world of dog mushing and the Iditarod, Alaska's great sled dog race, including the training, racing and breeding of these champion sled dogs. During aurora season (late August onward), he maintains a cabin call list to alert guests hoping to catch a glimpse. Natural History tour vs Tundra Wilderness tour - Alaska - Cruise Critic Community. A bottle of water and a lunch are included with this tour. The Tundra Wilderness Tour is the premier tour of Denali National Park and Preserve! J. We would like to extend the cruise by taking advantage of the cruise tours. This thing is so cool. It's all up to you. Soar through the trees and over the tundra on over half a mile of ziplines.. Get out and ride ATVs in the Alaskan bush! It's treeless and often bitter cold, and dotted with small lakes, or divided into strange geometric patterns. Warm clothes, rain gear, camera, binoculars and personal medication as necessary. Join an experienced naturalist and a small group of travelers on this fascinating walking tour! The park pass will cover one cardholder plus three people in your party (Total of 4 people) This refund is done only in person at the Denali Bus Depot. Level Contributor 42 posts 19 reviews Wolves symbolize Alaska wilderness. Experience the rugged and magnificent Brooks Mountain Range. The buses do not have restrooms; however, rest stops are made approximately every 90 minutes. Denali Tundra Express by Temsco Helicopters Inc. A train ride from Denali Lodge to McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, with a stop in Talkeetna Alaska for shopping and ice cream. Filmed: May 2022Are you heading to Denali National Park on a Princess Cruisetour? 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. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged. 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. Currently part of the road looks like this: Yes, it is offered. Denali is the highest peak in North America and is surrounded by one of the world's most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries. 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. 2023 Price: $115 USD adult, $60 USD child. I tried getting a credit for the Natural History tour from Princess and book the Tundra directly and it turned into a nightmare of over 20 hours on the phone to fix the mess they created. But we didn't do it until we got there. 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. The buses do not have restrooms; however, rest stops are made approximately every 90 minutes. There are 90 rooms with two double beds, 256 . This tour has two shorter variations due to spring and fall road conditions. If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller. (More Alaska ports are anticipated next season.) 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. This extraordinary full 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. Read a more detailed description of tour buses Non-Narrated Transit Buses These buses are not narrated. I cannot fathom why the others exist, except as a money grab for cruisers. One can look out the window, if they want, correct? This is the only method to guarantee not having the party split among different buses. 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. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google The Tundra Wilderness tour goes to mile 53. More information to help you plan your day in Denali. This will allow you to travel to Denali and take our tour all in the same day. Combination Cruise & Alaska Tour: Denali & Mount McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodges Book online. The park road isn't paved after mile 15. One of them got rude but I refused to be bullied out of my seat. Follow in the footsteps of Fannie Quigley to the old mining town of Kantishna on this all-day adventure to the end of the road. 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. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. It should be offered if it works time wise with your specific tour and there could be a limited number of spaces available as well. Deb, P.S. 8. The Tundra Wilderness Tour lasts five hours and will guide you along the spectacular road corridor to mile 43, promising a wonderful experience, as Denalis wildlife moves at its own pace and according to the seasons. Tundra Wilderness Tour - East Fork Cabin The 5-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour will guide you along the spectacular road corridor to mile 43, promising a wonderful experience, as Denali's wildlife moves at its own pace and according to the seasons. 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. We are considering one of Princess Cruise Tours, Off Beaten Path, but only of them the tours only include The History Tour in Denali. Brown bears, also known as grizzlies, are lucky enough to call Denali National Park home thanks to abundant food and a safe environment. If it happens to you, hold your ground! Take home awe-inspiring photographs of Alaska to impress your friends and family in this exclusive, private, small-group photography adventure! And explore the splendid flora and fauna found on the northern side of the Alaska Range. There are a few different bus tours from which to choose. Departure times are staggered and will be assigned in Denali. All transit buses travel to the East Fork River (Mile 43). 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. Having a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet, you can spot the bald eagle riding the wind and soaring across the sky.