Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour question

[cafelovercanada]

Our family is booked on the 7 am TWT in Denali mid June. I wanted a little more details about the logistics of the pick-up and drop-off. I presume we will be picked up from the Denali Princess Lodge. After the tour, is there an option for us to be left at the Visitor Centre in the park? Or do we have to return to the lodge? The reason I ask is that we'd like to try to get to the dog sled homestead on our own without having to sign up for the Princess offered tour. I've heard we could get to the dog sled site on foot from the visitor centre. Also heard there is a park shuttle that can take us there. Either option is much less expensive than the $90 for the Husky Homestead tour that Princess offers. A concern I have is the trip back to the lodge after we are finished at the dog sled place. Any info CC posters can offer would be great!

[frugaltravel]

How did you book the tour? If you booked through Princess they will for sure pick you up at the Denali Princess. If you booked independently, you should have been able to request a pick up location when you booked. NOTE - 7am is just a "place holder." Two to three days in advance they will give you an exact departure time, which could be 6am until 9.30am.

 

Yes, there is an option to be dropped off at the visitor center. Ask the driver at the last rest stop coming out (Teklanika). Actually, if you want to get to the dogsled demonstration at 2pm or 4pm, ask the driver first if he can drop you off at the park headquarters. That is where the demonstration is and then you won't have any need to backtrack from the visitor center. But either would work.

 

The Husky Homestead tour is much different than the park's demonstration. Husky Homestead lets you hold puppies and gives you more insight by Jeff King regarding the Iditarod. This is a longer presentation but you only interact with the puppies. At the park kennel, you only interact with some of the adult dogs.

 

Both are good programs, but are different so hard to compare.

[mapleleaves]

Yes, there is an option to be dropped off at the visitor center. Ask the driver at the last rest stop coming out (Teklanika). Actually, if you want to get to the dogsled demonstration at 2pm or 4pm, ask the driver first if he can drop you off at the park headquarters. That is where the demonstration is and then you won't have any need to backtrack from the visitor center. But either would work.

 

Great idea! Being dropped off at the headquarters could be a big time-saver.

 

entrance area map that shows the Park Rd and trails in case you decide to walk to/from:

http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/upload/zFront%20Trails%20w%20icons%2006-2.pdf

[Budget Queen]

There is a lot of difference in these "tours". For clairfication, the actual dog demo at Denali is 1 minute. :) This locations is loaded with friendly rangers and it's a great option. But- some may want more with the dogs, so there are numerous additional options.

 

the Princess lodge will have a shuttle bus schedule. Or you can walk back, a couple miles from the Visitor Center.

[countrygal52]

We did the Husky Homestead tour and it was so worth it!! More involved than just 'seeing" dogs! You got to hold puppies, see Jeff King's video of the Iditarod and he showed how they train in summer. Well worth it!

[frugaltravel]

We did the Husky Homestead tour and it was so worth it!! More involved than just 'seeing" dogs! You got to hold puppies, see Jeff King's video of the Iditarod and he showed how they train in summer. Well worth it!

 

In fairness to the park service's dogsled demonstration, yes the actual dogs running in the loop is a minute or less. But there is much more to the demonstration that just that. Once you arrive, you get to spend some time visiting with and petting some of the dogs that are accessible (some are in their dog houses, behind a rope or behind fences, but quite a few dogs can be petted, etc.). Then there is a program that probably lasts 10-15 minutes where the ranger talks about how they use the dogs in the winter and lots of other informative topics. The entire program lasts about 45 minutes from the time you arrive, interact with some dogs, listen to the ranger, watch the dogs run, and have another brief time at the end for photos on the sled or to interact with the dogs again.

[cafelovercanada]

Is it possible to walk to this demonstration from the visitor centre or do we have to take the shuttle?

[Budget Queen]

Is it possible to walk to this demonstration from the visitor centre or do we have to take the shuttle?

 

Certainly- you can walk, anywhere in the park.

[irismike]

we are planning to do a land and cruise to Alaska with RCCL. Can you give me some tips? Did you do land first and then cruise. Was there a lot of walking in the land portion? Where do you go on the land portion? How expensive was the food on land portion? Were there a lot of extra excursions which you paid extra for?

I know I am asking a lot of questions and would be thrilled if you can help us.

 

We are debating between Princess Cruise lines and Royal Caribbean. THANKS!!!

[flip side of fifty]

Great idea! Being dropped off at the headquarters could be a big time-saver.

 

entrance area map that shows the Park Rd and trails in case you decide to walk to/from:

http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/upload/zFront%20Trails%20w%20icons%2006-2.pdf

 

Thank you for this map! Question:

We are also on the TWT that starts at 7. From the comments it seems we could be dropped off at the Park Headquarters and then walk back to the Denali Princess Lodge after the presentation. How far is that? It's hard to tell from the map. Also - where is the Denali Princess Lodge located on this map?

Thanks again for any info!!:)

[Budget Queen]

Thank you for this map! Question:

We are also on the TWT that starts at 7. From the comments it seems we could be dropped off at the Park Headquarters and then walk back to the Denali Princess Lodge after the presentation. How far is that? It's hard to tell from the map. Also - where is the Denali Princess Lodge located on this map?

Thanks again for any info!!:)

 

Over 3+ miles.

 

On the map, the Denali Princess, is past the river crossing. A bit before the arrow.

[frugaltravel]

Is it possible to walk to this demonstration from the visitor centre or do we have to take the shuttle?

 

You can walk on the road if desired, but there are actually two trails that go in that direction. It is a gradual uphill walk about 2+ miles. There has been a ranger-led walk at 1pm from the visitor center that gets you there in time for the 4pm demonstration.