Post cruise Land Tours - July 2019

[amisup]

We are a large multi generation group ( about 12 adults) , doing the NCL cruise from Vancouver to Seward. After disembarkation in Seward, we want go to Denali for a couple of days and then head back home from Anchorage.  NCL offers landtours, but they end up costing about a $1000 more per person. I think I will be able to find a cheaper option if I DIY the land portion of our vacation. Problem is I dont know where to start.  

 

Are there any local tour companies that offer package deals for  Denali ?  I tried searching on this forum for recommendations of do and donts on a land tour, but couldnt find much. Any help appreciated.

 

[AKStafford]

Would you be open to renting a couple (or three) vehicles and driving yourself to Denali? The trip would be pretty simple to arrange, you can set your own agenda and you'll probably save some money.

My second choice would be Salmonberry Tours: https://www.salmonberrytours.com/

[mapleleaves]

You can DIY by car, RV, train or bus.  How do you want to travel ?

 

It would be easy enough to do the arrangements yourself given that you're only talking about a couple of nights.  Having a vehicle gives you access to lodging choices other than the large cruisetour hotels near the park entrance.  ie stay in a group of small cabins or rent out an entire B&B or rent the house plus cabins at McKinley Creekside.

Chamber of Commerce site for the Denali area:

http://a1cms.com/_dcc/accommodations/

 

 HERTZ is the only vendor in Seward and a one-way is pretty pricey, so you could either rent a few cars there OR take the train, bus or a transfer to Anchorage to pick up RT rentals.  

 

If you don't want to drive, you can take use the Alaska Railroad or the Park Connection Bus, OR, take the train one way and the bus the other.  (the train only has one departure per day, the bus has 2 so a little more flexibility).

 

If you want someone else to make the arrangements, the Alaska Railroad has package tours and the bus company also has pkg tours or will customize.

https://www.alaskarailroad.com/travel-planning/packages/summer-packages

https://www.alaskatravel.com/

 

 

[amisup]

Thank you for the info. I didn’t realize that the tour and bus company offer packages too. I will look into those first. Renting a car and driving will be last resort. 

[Northern Aurora]

This is a "long shot" idea -- but with that many people I wonder if Premier Alaska Tours might be a possibility.  They are a wholesale tour operator, so if the OP is working with a travel agent the agent may be able to organize a custom tour through Premier Alaska.