Custom trip information
Businesses cannot drive on the Denali Park Road beyond the main Denali Visitor Center in the entrance area of the Park. The most popular way to go deeper into the National Park for a day trip is on the Denali Park Road is with the bus system.
We recommend booking an activity with us on your first full day in the Denali area, then exploring Denali National Park independently on another day during your visit.
We have Commercial Use Authorization permits to be able to guide on the designated hiking trails within the entrance area to Denali National Park. There is no commercial guiding within the Wilderness Boundary of Denali National Park, which includes areas west of the Denali Visitor Center.
For our private, full day trip we prefer to explore areas that are an off-the-beaten-path experience. Many of these areas have spectacular views of the mountains of the Alaska Range and Denali, weather permitting.
For hiking trips: We do not have an age requirement, our team will customize the adventure for the ages and activity level of your entire group. For hiking trips only, there is no charge for infants under 2 years old, if you will be carrying your child on the adventure.
For rafting trips: Our age requirements are minimum age 5+ for any rafting trip, 12+ for Class III+ experience.
Helpful Alaska information
While we would love to guarantee you will see wildlife during the trip, it is difficult to predict when and where wildlife will be in any particular area. That’s a good thing! We aim to minimize our impact during all activities so the wilderness stays wild.
We recommend bringing a good pair of binoculars if you’re particularly interested in trying to spot wildlife.
Required gear varies slightly depending on the trip booked. We send a required gear list with your confirmation email after booking. In general, expect to bring the following items.
- Worn-in hiking boots/shoes
- Synthetic or wool hiking clothes, NO COTTON
- Warm base layers
- Gloves/hat
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Reusable water bottle (ex. Nalgene)
Policies and helpful trip information
Day trips:
Full payment, which includes a 15% non-refundable deposit, is required in order to secure your reservation.
Multi-day trips:
For multi-day trips, a 25% non-refundable deposit is due to secure your reservation. For trips booked within 60 days of trip departure, full payment is required to complete the reservation.
Final payment is due on or before 60 days prior to the trip start date, in ACH/check form. For trips of $5,000 or more, payment must be made in ACH/check form (or can be made with a credit card, with 3% fee adjusted accordingly).
Please contact us if you have questions regarding trip payment.
Payment via Visa, Mastercard, check or ACH is accepted. ACH is an electronic funds transfer, it is essentially a digital check entered in a completely secure online portal. The only information that is necessary for payment is to enter your account information in the online payment.
For trips of $5,000 or more, payment must be made in ACH/check form (or can be made with a credit card, with 3% fee adjusted accordingly).
See previous payment FAQ for day or multi-day trip payment details. Please contact us if you have questions regarding trip payment.
We are a small, flexible organization; however, we want visitors to understand many of our expenses are incurred prior to trip departure dates.
Alaska is an extraordinary place and extraordinary events are not uncommon. Our policies do not provide free cancellation for unforeseen circumstances (wildfires, floods, storms of any kind, pandemics or viruses, acts of war, terrorism, riots). We STRONGLY suggest you purchase travel insurance to protect your trip from a wide variety of possibilities.
In the event you need to cancel your booking, we offer the following:
Day Trips:
Cancellations made more than 7 days before the trip start date will receive a full refund, less 15% deposit. Cancellations made within 7 days prior to the trip start date will receive no refund.
Multi-Day Trips & Custom Itineraries:
A trip qualifies as a Multi-Day Trip anytime more than a single day trip is booked. Cancellations made more than 14 days before the trip start date will receive a full refund, less the 25% non-refundable deposit. Funds held may be used as a credit toward a future booking with Traverse Alaska, credit valid for 2 years.
Cancellations made within 14 days prior to the trip start date are not eligible for a refund.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your entire Alaska adventure. We partner with Travel Safe to offer trip protection. Request a quote here or contact us with questions. Policies must be purchased within 21 days of trip deposit payment in order to receive full benefits.
Current industry standard is 10-20% of the total cost of your trip or activity. For example, if your trip costs $1,000, consider tipping your guide at least $100.
As we do a variety of adventures, another guideline is tipping approximately $100-$200 per guide, per day.
