Q: When does payment need to be made?

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.

Question 1

Will the trip be cancelled due to weather?

Traverse Alaska · Accepted Answer

It is extremely rare for us to cancel a trip due to weather. However, if the National Park Service completely closes the Denali Park Road for any reason, we cannot operate the trip. If the Denali Park Road is partially closed, we will travel as far as we are permitted. Our Denali Park Road trip covers 66-miles traveling through a number of mountain passes, and the weather can be quite different than the east entrance to the Park. We recommend booking the full-day trip for any day that fits within your schedule, regardless of the weather forecast.

Question 2

Will I see wildlife during the trip?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

When does payment need to be made?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

What types of payment are accepted?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

What should I bring for the trip?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

Lunch, snacks and water for an 8-9 hour day
Extra layers + comfortable footwear (for driving and walking)
Camera(s)
Binoculars
Masks for each member in your group (in the event we are unable to maintain 6' social distancing)
Drivers license(s) for vehicle driver(s)
Proof of your Denali National Park Pass purchase. Passes can be purchased online here.

Question 6

What kind of insects and pests should I expect in Alaska?

Traverse Alaska · Accepted Answer

Common summer insects you may encounter during your Alaska trip include mosquitoes, black flies and midges (no-see-ums). While these small critters can be cumbersome, we are fortunate that Alaska does not have any snakes or chiggers to contend with. There are isolated cases of ticks, but they are non-native and rarely an issue.

Question 7

What is your cancellation policy?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

We are a small, flexible organization; however, we want visitors to understand many of our expenses are incurred prior to trip departure dates. 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.

Question 8

What is the maximum trip size?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

The max trip size is 2 client vehicles and 1 guide vehicle.

Question 9

What gear do I need to bring on my trip?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

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)

Question 10

Should I purchase travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Is the National Park entrance fee included?

Traverse Alaska · Accepted Answer

No. The National Park Service entrance fee to Denali National Park is separate from booking a Traverse Alaska trip. Pre-purchase your entrance fee online here or purchase at the Denali National Park Visitor Center prior to trip departure.

Question 12

How much should I tip my guide?

Traverse Alaska · Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

How long is the trip?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

Total trip length is 8-9 hours depending on road conditions.

Question 14

How is Covid-19 impacting your operations?

Traverse Alaska · Accepted Answer

Our operations remain open year round.

Safety is our top priority and our team continues to monitor and evaluate best practices associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. For operations we will adhere to the most current CDC, state and local guidelines.

We will continue to (as we always have) scrub our vehicles inside and out between every trip, have hand sanitizer and bleach wipes available, and evolve as the situation progresses.

Stay in touch for more information, and if you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to us.

We recommend all visitors review Alaska state travel mandates prior to booking a trip to Alaska.

Question 15

Do we drive our personal/rental vehicle during the trip?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

No. Guests drive a new, Traverse Alaska Suburban for the duration of the trip.

Question 16

Can you drive us into Denali National Park?

Traverse Alaska · Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

Are your trips within Denali National Park?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

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.

Question 18

Are we the only people in our vehicle?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

Yes. You and your private party (up to 8 people total) are the only people in the vehicle. Our driver guide is in a separate, lead vehicle. If there is another private group on the trip they will be in their own vehicle.

Question 19

Are we able to get out of the vehicle and take pictures?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

There are a few designated stopping areas where visitors are able to get out of the vehicle and take photos. While driving on the road itself, passengers are able to take photos from the vehicle but must remain in the vehicle at all times. This is a safety precaution that all vehicles traveling along the Park Road follow.

Question 20

Are we able to do any hiking during the trip?

Kierre Childers · Accepted Answer

The trip is broken up with a couple (approximately 10-15 minutes) rest stops along the way. At rest stops visitors are able to walk around and explore the designated stopping area. Depending on road conditions and travel time, visitors may be able to do a short, independent hike at the Eielson Visitor Center (mile 66).