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Alaska: Call of the Wild (Family Travel)
The wild wonders of America's 49th state are calling to you on Tauck Bridges' family Alaska tour. Come with us to explore Alaska by land, air, and sea! Flightsee near majestic Mount McKinley; ride the rails with the Alaska Railroad; and cruise the waters of the Kenai Fjords Coastal Region. Hike into the bush to see how early trappers lived. Meet the Huskies that pull Alaska’s famous dog sleds. Encounter Alaska’s diverse wildlife with naturalist guides and visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and the Alaska SeaLife Center. Explore the wilderness by jet boat along a mountain river. Pan for gold at Crow Creek Mine, go whitewater rafting or take a cruise to see a glacier. You’ll see mighty mountains, blue-white glaciers, rocky coastal shores and a rich variety of Arctic wildlife during your family's memorable Alaska tour.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
2009 Itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to Anchorage and awesome Alaska
Tour begins: 6:00 PM at Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa. A transfer is included from Anchorage International Airport to the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa. Meet the new friends who will share this memorable Alaska travel experience with you and your family at our welcome dinner tonight.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa, Anchorage, AK
Day 2 – Jet boat adventures in the Alaskan wilderness
Your family's Alaska tour begins as you ride a jet boat* with a naturalist guide to look for bald eagles, beavers, moose and even bears that live along the river. Then, hike into the Alaskan bush to see an authentic, turn-of-the-century trapper’s cabin. If the weather is good, you’ll have an incredible view of Alaska’s famous Mount McKinley – which the Athabascan Indians called Denali, meaning "the Great One" – en route to your wilderness lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Talkeetna, AK (Friday departures); Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, Trapper Creek, AK (Saturday departures)
Day 3 – Mush!
Dog sledding is both a very popular sport in Alaska, as well as important mode of transportation to remote places where roads still don’t go. Meet the mighty dogs that respond to the cry of "Mush!" by racing off into the wild, pulling heavy sleds over the snow – along with an Iditarod "musher" – at a summer training facility where Alaskan huskies learn how to be sled dogs, sure to be a highlight of your family's Alaska tour. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying the many activities available at your wilderness lodge.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Talkeetna, AK (Friday departures); Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, Trapper Creek, AK (Saturday departures)
Day 4 – A bird's-eye view of Mount McKinley
Your Alaska tour continues as you soar over the Denali foothills in a small plane for a breathtaking bird's-eye view of towering Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America. Have time to explore Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, before continuing on to the wildlife-rich Kenai Peninsula and a two-night wilderness lodge stay.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Seward Windsong Lodge, Seward, AK (Friday departures); Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, Cooper Landing, AK (Saturday departures)
Day 5 – Rafting on the Kenai River
Today, you can choose how you and your family will experience the wonders of the Kenai Peninsula, as your Alaska tour continues to this wilderness wonderland between Cook Inlet and the Gulf of Alaska. Go kayaking*; take a scenic river-rafting trip*; or hike into the wilderness with a local guide. You can also take advantage of optional opportunities to do some fishing, available for an additional cost; river fishing is available to guests at Cooper Landing, while guests staying in Seward can go open-water fishing.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Seward Windsong Lodge, Seward, AK (Friday departures); Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, Cooper Landing, AK (Saturday departures)
Day 6 – Alaska SeaLife Center and the beautiful Kenai Fjords
Continue your Alaska tour today with an exclusive program for Tauck Bridges families at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, where you'll observe unique and fascinating marine life from diving puffins to the giant Pacific octopus. Then you'll get a close-up look at Alaskan wildlife in their natural habitats on a cruise through the Kenai Fjords region, a wilderness landscape of canyons, waterfalls and rocky coastline; look for otters, harbor seals, and maybe even a humpback whale with help from your naturalist guide. Arrive this evening at your resort in Girdwood, your home for the final two nights of your family's Alaska tour.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Hotel Alyeska, Girdwood, AK
Day 7 – Coastal treasures and a choice of adventures
At the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on Turnagain Arm, meet moose, bison, elk and other orphaned or injured animals being rehabilitated here. Then visit the Crow Creek Mine in Alaska's historic gold rush country, where you'll pan for gold and enjoy lunch. Later, take your choice of a guided hike and whitewater rafting excursion*, or a cruise to see Portage Glacier. Tonight, join us for our farewell dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Hotel Alyeska, Girdwood, AK
Day 8 – Homeward bound
Tour ends: Anchorage, Alaska. As your Alaska tour comes to an end, fly home anytime. A transfer from the Hotel Alyeska to Anchorage International Airport is included for your flight home. Allow a minimum of two hours at the airport for check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
*For activities marked with an asterisk (*) in day-by-day descriptions, participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.
Answer the call of the wild on Tauck Bridges' exciting Alaska tour with your family!
Prices
8 Days from $3,324
| Double | Triple | Quadruple | Single | |
| 2009 Price per Person |
$3590 | $3386 | $3324 | $4399 |
16 meals included.
Children 11 and under Discount $175
Children under 18 must be booked in a room with at least one adult.
Quadruple accommodations are not available for four adults.
All gratuities are included.
Airfare is additional. Tauck can book your airfare to and from Anchorage for travel originating in the United States, subject to availability; ask upon booking for special airfares that may be available.
Your family’s comfort is important to us. Ask us about booking an additional hotel night before your journey begins and be sure to consider our Guest Protection Plan offering important travel advantages and a money-back refund if your travel plans change.
Recommended age: 8+; rafting is available for children 8 and older; children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
*For activities marked with an asterisk (*) in day-by-day description, participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.
Note: Triples and quadruples are usually a two-bedded room plus one rollaway cot, when available.
Need to Know
Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel and lodge accommodations, motor coach transportation, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling, the flight trip over the foothills of Denali National Park, the railroad excursion to Spencer Glacier, the float trip on Spencer Lake, and the services of local drivers, guides and the Tauck Director are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at Anchorage International Airport and provide transportation to the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa, regardless of the day and time, provided we have received accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to your departure. We will also provide transportation from the Hotel Alyeska Prince Hotel to the Anchorage International Airport regardless of the time and day of departure.
Child Discount – Children 11 years of age and younger may receive a discount on the tour price. To qualify for a child discount, the child’s birth date must be provided at time of booking. No child discount is offered on the Tauck Travel Protection plans.
Hotel and Lodge Accommodations – Tauck’s price includes all hotel and lodge accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of may differ slightly from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort. Adjacent and connecting rooms are available by request only and cannot be guaranteed. Quadruple accommodations are not available for four persons 18 years of age and older rooming together. For safety and security purposes, children under 18 years of age must be booked into a room with at least one accompanying adult.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Alaska: Call of the Wild is conducted by a Tauck Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for hotel and restaurant staffs, local guides and drivers, and the Tauck Director are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Protection Plan for more information.
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, mineral water, soft drinks, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport and departure taxes, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures – In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, and aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, and aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
You may also visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Internet website to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items by clicking here.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of publication.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 6:00 p.m. on the first day of the tour at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa Anchorage. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. When making flight arrangements, please allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends with your transfer from the Hotel Alyeska to the Anchorage International Airport on the last day of the tour. When departing from Anchorage, allow at least 2 hours for flight check-in.
Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of publication.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 6:00 p.m. on the first day of the tour at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa Anchorage. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. When making flight arrangements, please allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends with your transfer from the Hotel Alyeska to the Anchorage International Airport on the last day of the tour. When departing from Anchorage, allow at least 2 hours for flight check-in.
Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing to Go
Air Conditioning – None of the hotels on this itinerary are air-conditioned; fans are provided at the McKinley Princess Lodge and the Kenai Princess Lodge. The motor coaches used on this tour are air-conditioned.
ATM and Credit Cards - Tauck recommends that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this event to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. Tauck also recommends that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Clothing and Packing – Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual, cotton clothing is recommended. A sweatshirt and rain-resistant jacket should be enough protection against the morning and evening chill. Although the weather is mild in the summer months, be prepared for a wide range of temperatures. The maritime weather of the Kenai Peninsula is often overcast and damp. Most importantly, bring comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in.
The Alyeska Hotel and Sheraton Anchorage provide valet laundry services. The wilderness lodges have coin-operated laundry facilities, with the exception of Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.
Children may want to consider bringing along pocket toys and games with a "sound off" button or portable radio/CDs with headphones for use on longer travel days. Journals, binoculars and cameras are also great for children to have with them to make the most of their adventure.
Each child will be sent a complimentary backpack from Tauck Bridges! If the child resides in the United States, the backpack will be sent to his home. It will arrive approximately two weeks prior to his departure for Alaska. If the child resides outside of the U.S., the backpack will be waiting for him on arrival at the hotel in Anchorage. This is due to customs regulations that prohibit the easy delivery of the backpacks in advance.
We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription (or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you), a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your journey in Alaska:
- Short and long-sleeved cotton shirts
- Shorts and long pants or jeans
- Tee shirts
- Socks
- Light sweater
- Light-weight jacket
- Windbreaker for the raft trip
- Comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
- Raincoat and rain hat
- Collapsible umbrella
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and sun hat
- Insect repellent
- Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and plenty of film
- Telephoto lens
- Bridges Backpack and/or fanny-pack
- Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your room while traveling
Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is 3,900 feet (1,189 meters).
Health – This is a very active journey. You should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances over uneven terrain, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. However, for the most part, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and towns is at your discretion.
Some of the excursions on this tour are:
Health – This is a very active journey. You should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances over uneven terrain, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. However, for the most part, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and towns is at your discretion.
Some of the excursions on this tour are:
- A two-hour jet boat ride in Denali NP
- A flightseeing journey over the foothills of Mt. McKinley
- A cruise through the Kenai Fjords
- A train ride on the Alaska Railroad to Spencer Glacier
- A float trip on a raft on Spencer Lake
The wilderness lodges are spread out and they require significant walking to maneuver around the various facilities, as do the dog sledding farm visited on day 3 and the Sealife Center on day 6.
We regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.
Please advise your Tauck Director on tour if you or the children traveling with you have any serious allergies. You may want to bring along children's aspirin or medicines as a precaution, as access to these may be limited.
If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
No vaccinations are currently required for travel to the U.S. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also logon on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.
Luggage Restrictions ―
Checked Luggage – General
We regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.
Please advise your Tauck Director on tour if you or the children traveling with you have any serious allergies. You may want to bring along children's aspirin or medicines as a precaution, as access to these may be limited.
If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
No vaccinations are currently required for travel to the U.S. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also logon on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.
Luggage Restrictions ―
Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.
Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
Carry-on Luggage – General
Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not allow for access during daytime travel.
Travel Document Requirements – Alaska: Call of the Wild begins and ends in the U.S.
Currently, all U.S. citizens, including children, and citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda traveling by air, land or sea between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document to enter or depart the U.S. Click here for more information on the U.S. Department of Customs and Border Patrol website.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not require a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation. If you are a frequent traveler to Canada from the U.S., you may benefit from the NEXUS program which is joint initiative between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at Vancouver International Airport, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions. For further information, you may log on to the Nexus Internet site by clicking here.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Canada and of the U.S. to determine what travel documentation will be required.
Anyone with a criminal record (including some misdemeanors such as Driving While Impaired (DWI) charges) may be excluded or removed from Canada, and should contact a Canadian embassy or consulate well in advance of any planned travel to ensure proper travel documentation.
We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen
Travel with Children ―
Age Recommendations – Children 3 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck Bridges journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. We recommend that children be 8 years of age or older to fully participate in all activities planned for this tour. Please note that children must be 8 years of age or older to join the raft trip. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting – Tauck Bridges journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Responsibility for Children on Tour – It is important that children be under adult supervision by their parent or guardian at all times during the journey. For safety reasons children's whereabouts should be monitored and discretion should be used in leaving children alone in hotel/lodge rooms. Children will not be permitted to take part on sightseeing excursions or in activities without an accompanying parent or guardian, and the accompanying adult(s) are solely responsible for the behavior of their child. Your Tauck Director's responsibility is to orchestrate the details of the journey critical to all guests' enjoyment, and can not be expected to supervise, discipline or be responsible for individual children on tour.
Special Documentation for Children Traveling into or out of the U.S.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not require a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation. If you are a frequent traveler to Canada from the U.S., you may benefit from the NEXUS program which is joint initiative between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at Vancouver International Airport, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions. For further information, you may log on to the Nexus Internet site by clicking here.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Canada and of the U.S. to determine what travel documentation will be required.
Anyone with a criminal record (including some misdemeanors such as Driving While Impaired (DWI) charges) may be excluded or removed from Canada, and should contact a Canadian embassy or consulate well in advance of any planned travel to ensure proper travel documentation.
We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen
Travel with Children ―
Age Recommendations – Children 3 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck Bridges journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. We recommend that children be 8 years of age or older to fully participate in all activities planned for this tour. Please note that children must be 8 years of age or older to join the raft trip. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting – Tauck Bridges journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Responsibility for Children on Tour – It is important that children be under adult supervision by their parent or guardian at all times during the journey. For safety reasons children's whereabouts should be monitored and discretion should be used in leaving children alone in hotel/lodge rooms. Children will not be permitted to take part on sightseeing excursions or in activities without an accompanying parent or guardian, and the accompanying adult(s) are solely responsible for the behavior of their child. Your Tauck Director's responsibility is to orchestrate the details of the journey critical to all guests' enjoyment, and can not be expected to supervise, discipline or be responsible for individual children on tour.
Special Documentation for Children Traveling into or out of the U.S.
Authorization for TravelIf you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so.
CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.
All children who are U.S. citizens should also have a certified copy of their birth certificate or baptism record for ID. Children over the age of 14 are also required to have a photo ID.
Authorization for Emergency Medical TreatmentIn the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from BOTH parents authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel and group functions, and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your service extends to Alaska.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The U.S. dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards and travelers’ checks are widely accepted. Travelers’ checks should be taken in U.S. dollars to avoid difficulties.
To obtain the most current exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website, www.oanda.com.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Visitors to the United States (non-U.S. residents) are normally entitled to a duty-free exemption of $100 USD on items accompanying them. To find out more information on what information must be provided to U.S. Customs and Border Control (CBP) upon entry, please refer to the CBP internet website by clicking here.
If you are not a U.S. resident, you should refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
The individual states within the U.S. levy sales taxes on consumer goods and services. There is no federal tax similar to the Value Added Tax (VAT) used abroad; therefore, non-residents can not obtain refunds of the sales taxes levied by each state.
Electrical Current – The electrical current in the U.S. is 110 V, 60 Hz, AC, which accommodates standard U.S. plugs having either two flat pins or two flat pins and a round grounding pin. If you bring electric devices that are not compatible with this system, you should bring the appropriate adapters and converters.
Internet Access is available as indicated below:
Sheraton Hotel Anchorage – High-speed access in rooms for a fee
Mt.McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge - Wireless in common areas and computer kiosk internet free of charge.
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge – Wireless available for a fee
Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge - Wireless in common areas and computer kiosk free of charge,
Seward Windsong Lodge – Not available
Alyeska Prince Resort - Access in rooms and public areas
Time Zones – Alaska is 9 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). Generally, from early March to early November, Alaska switches to Daylight Savings Time and is 8 hours behind.
To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com.
Weather – Weather will be varied and unpredictable in Alaska. Average high temperatures range from 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C) during the summer months; average low temperatures range from 40 to 50°F (4 to 10°C). An extremely warm day can reach 90°F (32°C). Rainfall is moderate in Anchorage where the rainiest months are August through September. The rainy months in Denali NP are June through August. Southeastern Alaska has the most rainfall, although it occurs mostly during the fall and winter months.
To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com.
Weather – Weather will be varied and unpredictable in Alaska. Average high temperatures range from 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C) during the summer months; average low temperatures range from 40 to 50°F (4 to 10°C). An extremely warm day can reach 90°F (32°C). Rainfall is moderate in Anchorage where the rainiest months are August through September. The rainy months in Denali NP are June through August. Southeastern Alaska has the most rainfall, although it occurs mostly during the fall and winter months.
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|
Average Temperature
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|||
|
|
Anchorage, Alaska
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Denali NP, Alaska
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Month
|
Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
|
January
|
22 / 9
|
-6 / -13
|
9 / -8
|
-13 / -22
|
|
February
|
26 / 12
|
-3 / -11
|
15 / -5
|
-9 / -21
|
|
March
|
34 / 18
|
1 / -8
|
25 / 1
|
-4 / -17
|
|
April
|
44 / 29
|
7 / -2
|
39 / 16
|
4 / -9
|
|
May
|
55 / 39
|
13 / 4
|
53 / 29
|
12 / -1
|
|
June
|
62 / 47
|
17 / 8
|
64 / 39
|
18 / 4
|
|
July
|
65 / 52
|
18 / 11
|
66 / 43
|
19 / 6
|
|
August
|
63 / 49
|
17 / 9
|
61 / 40
|
16 / 4
|
|
September
|
55 / 41
|
13 / 5
|
50 / 31
|
10 / -1
|
|
October
|
40 / 28
|
4 / -2
|
32 / 14
|
0 / -10
|
|
November
|
28 / 16
|
-2 / -9
|
18 / 1
|
-8 / -17
|
|
December
|
24 / 11
|
-4 / -12
|
11 / -6
|
-12 / -21
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Seward, Alaska
|
|
||
|
Month
|
Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
|
|
|
January
|
25 / 15
|
-4 / -9
|
|
|
|
February
|
28 / 15
|
-2 / -9
|
|
|
|
March
|
35 / 19
|
2 / -7
|
|
|
|
April
|
42 / 27
|
6 / -3
|
|
|
|
May
|
52 / 34
|
11 / 1
|
|
|
|
June
|
59 / 41
|
15 / 5
|
|
|
|
July
|
63 / 46
|
17 / 8
|
|
|
|
August
|
62 / 45
|
17 / 7
|
|
|
|
September
|
54 / 39
|
12 / 4
|
|
|
|
October
|
41 / 30
|
5 / -1
|
|
|
|
November
|
32 / 22
|
0 / -6
|
|
|
|
December
|
28 / 19
|
-2 / -7
|
|
|
|
|
Average Rainfall
|
|||
|
|
Anchorage, Alaska
|
Denali, Alaska
|
||
|
Month
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
|
January
|
0.7
|
17
|
0.7
|
18
|
|
February
|
0.7
|
19
|
0.6
|
15
|
|
March
|
0.5
|
13
|
0.5
|
12
|
|
April
|
0.5
|
13
|
0.3
|
8
|
|
May
|
0.7
|
18
|
0.8
|
20
|
|
June
|
1.1
|
27
|
2.3
|
58
|
|
July
|
1.7
|
43
|
3.2
|
80
|
|
August
|
2.9
|
74
|
2.5
|
64
|
|
September
|
2.9
|
73
|
1.6
|
41
|
|
October
|
2.1
|
53
|
1.0
|
25
|
|
November
|
1.1
|
28
|
0.9
|
22
|
|
December
|
1.1
|
27
|
0.9
|
23
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Seward, Alaska
|
|
||
|
Month
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
|
|
|
January
|
3.4
|
86
|
|
|
|
February
|
2.6
|
65
|
|
|
|
March
|
1.8
|
46
|
|
|
|
April
|
1.9
|
49
|
|
|
|
May
|
1.8
|
46
|
|
|
|
June
|
1.4
|
37
|
|
|
|
July
|
1.9
|
47
|
|
|
|
August
|
3.2
|
81
|
|
|
|
September
|
6.9
|
174
|
|
|
|
October
|
5.0
|
126
|
|
|
|
November
|
3.2
|
80
|
|
|
|
December
|
4.3
|
110
|
|
|
To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com.
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers a Tauck Protection Plan.
If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties waived. Please click here for more details.
If you choose not to purchase the Tauck Protection Plan, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60 days or more before departure
$350 per person (the amount of the deposit)
59-8 days before departure
$600 per person
7-1 days before departure
$900 per person
$350 per person (the amount of the deposit)
59-8 days before departure
$600 per person
7-1 days before departure
$900 per person