5 day/4 night Post Cruise Tour - Help Please!

[cf2404]

What do others think about this itinerary for a post cruise tour (we are on Diamond Princess Vancouver - Whittier arrive Whittier 19th May)

 

19th May: Transfer from Whittier - Anchorage. Downtown hotel Anchorage, Explore Anchorage, stay overnight. Looking at Inlet Tower Hotel.

20th May: Pick up rental car Anchorage and drive towards Denali Park.

 

Our idea at the moment is to stay in one hotel in Denali area for 3 nights as a base and explore surrounding area rather than packing/unpakcing and moving around.

 

Main problem is which hotel in Denali Park?? We like to go a bit towards higher end and hotel which has good restaurant attached. Don't mond being isolated as we have car. Also looked at Talkeetna - which is best?

 

Probably head one day to Fairbanks. I would also like to drive a bit further and cross the ARctic Circle line - kust to say I've done it. Is this possible?

 

Do others think it is a good idea to stay in one location for 3 nights or do you think we should move a bit more?

[NancyIL]

On May 21, 2007, the shuttle buses at Denali go to mile 53 at Toklat: http://www.reservedenali.com/shuttle_bus.php

 

With a rental car you might consider staying at the Denali Lakeview Inn in Healy: http://www.denalilakeviewinn.com

 

Fairbanks is ~ 2 hours from Denali, but you don't want to drive your rental car to the Arctic Circle from there. There are day trips you can take from Fairbanks to do that: http://www.northernalaska.com

[cf2404]

Thank you for links Nancy, tell me though, why do we not want to take our rental car to the Arctic Circle???

[NancyIL]

Thank you for links Nancy, tell me though, why do we not want to take our rental car to the Arctic Circle???

 

I hope greatam sees this to answer your question! Well - some car rental companies prohibit driving on certain roads, and the Dalton Highway might be one of them. It's a LONG drive, too, so you might consider a flying tour: http://northernalaska.com/air.cfm or a fly/drive tour: http://northernalaska.com/flydrive.cfm

[cjnky]

To back up what Nancy said - the Dalton Hwy is a gravel road, and rental companies don't like their vehicles on those! We're renting an RV, and they actually say it's ok to go as far as the Arctic Circle, but LOTS of restrictions to do it - including stopping something like every 15 minutes to check for damages! :eek: I decided it sounded like an awfully lot of trouble just to get a picture of the sign! I'd still like to take the flight to Barrow, but not sure that can be worked in this trip.

[Budget Queen]

I hope greatam sees this to answer your question! Well - some car rental companies prohibit driving on certain roads, and the Dalton Highway might be one of them. It's a LONG drive, too, so you might consider a flying tour: http://northernalaska.com/air.cfm or a fly/drive tour: http://northernalaska.com/flydrive.cfm

 

 

Actually ALL the major lines prohibit driving the Dalton Highway.l

[Budget Queen]

You are going early to Denali Park, so there will be limitations on how far you can get into the Park. 3 days is a long time there unless you are into extensive hiking, one day on the shuttle bus is plenty for most people. Fairbanks isn't a day trip from Denali park, my opinion, it isn't worth going to unless you have 2 overnights to invest in. The Denali Lakeview isn't what I consider- "upscale". The Denali Bluffs and Grand Denali are some nice properties to also consider. Talkeetna is 150 miles away, not the place to stay if you are looking at Denali National Park activities??

 

 

As for the Arctic Circle. I have driven there several years ago, it is a gravel road that none of the major rentals allow their cars on. I had an independent Fairbanks rental. There are NO services for miles, you MUST be able to be self sufficient- change your own tires, have your own water/food. Be well prepared. Average speed probably 30mph, must yield to ALL truck traffic etc. NOT for the average driver. And it's a LONG endless day trip.

 

One time was enough, I have since flown and shuttled on combo trips, which are superior. Although the above recommend Northern Alaska tour company without ever using them, they do run very organized tours, which I have gone with twice.

 

With your 5 days, you might also want to consider Denali Park and Seward, instead of Fairbanks?? Certainly a top area for varied wildlife if of interest.