Alaskan cruisetour- possible to substitute tour?

[can786]

I will be on an Alaskan cruisetour in June with a stop at Denali. The Natural History tour is included in the cruisetour. I have read that this tour doesn't go nearly far enough and the Tundra Wilderness tour is much better. Has anyone been able to substitute the Wilderness tour for the natural history tour and get credit from the NHT toward the Wilderness tour?

[cacy6893076]

A word or two about the tundra wilderness tour vs the natural history tour, sometimes you can "upgrade" to it dependent on availability for that day......you need to understand that the tundra wilderness tour does go quite a bit farther into the park and is about 8 hours rather than 5....roads are sometimes tough, either way you are on a "school bus", not a deluxe motorcoach as those are the only vehicles allowed in the park.....if you switch be prepared for 8 to 9 hours on a school bus with stops for potty breaks and food, no bathrooms on the busses......seats not as comfortable as a deluxe motorcoach.

[mii]

Cacy I think you can but go over to the alaska board and ask there. There are some really knowledable posters on that board who may help you. This question also came up about two weeks ago. Maybe do a search on this forum.

 

Marilyn

[travellover3]

Yes you can...we asked our TA to make the change. The additional cost was added to our final payment (about $30. pp). Well worth it. Do look on the Alaska boards for any additional info you'd like.

[Host Caroline]

You can sub that tour for Natural History but just be sure that when you do get your time for the Tundra tour you have not cut it too close for any cruisetour travel? If you have that as a full day in Denali no problem.. try to go early in the a.m.

The buses for Tundra tour were comfortable (we were on an independent tour so booked through a diff. company) with some rest breaks, snacks etc. They had screens up and when there was a mamma moose and her baby a little too far for us to see the driver used these amazing binoculars/camcorder thingys he had to bring the shots close in on the screen so we could see them - that was great! They don't have these on the NHT tour. The ride etc. were well worth it for the amazing wildlife we are fortunate to see!

[travellover3]

We were on the SB cruisetour and the train from Fairbanks arrived at Denali around noon. We had enough time to check into the room, grab a light lunch to go at Subway across the street and get on the 1:00 tour. They provide you with a snack box on the tour, as well. Yes, that camcorder "thingy" was wonderful, as the drivers are really knowledgeable about where the wildlife might be. It is a great day! Enjoy!