TRAVEL TIPS
Tours
For certain types of travelers, package tours in Alaska can eliminate some of the guesswork and logistics-induced headaches that often accompany a self-planned tour. For others, the grandeur of the 49th state begs to be explored without such a fixed itinerary. The choice, dear Alaska traveler, is yours.
Several cruise lines—including Holland America, Royal Caribbean International, and Princess Cruises—offer "cruisetours" that combine the comforts of cruise-ship travel with inland forays to luxury lodges. A host of Alaskan owned-and-operated companies offer package tours as well. Standouts include Alaska Tours, Salmon Berry Tours, and the Alaska Railroad. In addition, chances are good that there's a tour operation with itineraries to match your needs and interests, whatever those may be.
Organization
United States Tour Operators Association. 212/599–6599; www.ustoa.com.
Recommended Companies
Alaska Airlines Vacations. 800/468–2248; www.alaskaair.com/shopping/vacations. From $125.
Alaska Railroad Scenic Rail Tours. 907/265–2494; 800/544–0552; www.alaskarailroad.com. From $985 .
Alaska Tour & Travel. 907/245–0200; 800/208–0200; www.alaskatravel.com.
Alaska Tours. 907/277–3000; 866/317–3325; www.alaskatours.com. From $86.
Gray Line Alaska. 907/264–7983; 888/425–1737; www.graylinealaska.com. From $56.
Holland America Line. 877/932–4259; www.hollandamerica.com. From $299.
John Hall's Alaska Cruises & Tours. 800/325–2270; www.kissalaska.com. From $5,789.
Knightly Tours. 206/938–8567; 800/426–2123; knightlytours.com. From $749.
Premier Alaska Tours. 888/486–8725; www.premieralaskatours.com. Call for pricing.
Princess Cruises. 800/774–6237; www.princess.com. From $749.
Royal Caribbean International. 866/562--7625; www.royalcaribbean.com. From $449.
Salmon Berry Tours. 907/278–3572; 888/878–3572; www.salmonberrytours.com. From $49.
Viking Travel, Inc.. Petersburg, Alaska. 907/772–3818; 800/327–2571; www.alaskaferry.com. From $95.
Special-Interest Tours
Cultural Tours
Contacts
Alexander's River Adventure. 907/474–3924; fairbanks-alaska.com/alexander.htm. From $99.
Cape Fox Tours. 907/225–4846; www.capefoxtours.com. Call for pricing.
Northern Alaska Tour Company. 907/474–8600; 800/474–1986; www.northernalaska.com. From $119.
Sitka Tribal Tours. 907/747–7137; 888/270–8687; www.sitkatours.com. Call for pricing.
Ecotours and Learning Vacations
Contacts
Alaska Wildland Adventures. 907/783–2928; 800/334–8730; www.alaskawildland.com. From $2,395.
Natural Habitat Adventures. 303/449–3711; 800/543–8917; www.nathab.com. From $6,290.
Nature Expeditions International. 800/869–0639; 954/693–8852; www.naturexp.com. From $3,895.
Naturequest. 800/369–3033; www.naturequesttours.com. Call for pricing.
Oceanic Society Expeditions. 415/256–9604; 800/326–7491; www.oceanicsociety.org. From $6,290.
Sierra Club. 415/977–5522; www.sierraclub.org. From $1,075.
Smithsonian Journeys. 877/338–8687; www.smithsonianjourneys.org. From $6,290.
Natural History Tours
Contacts
Camp Denali. 907/683–2290; www.campdenali.com. From $1,695.
Hallo Bay Bear Camp. 907/235–2237; 888/535–2237; www.hallobay.com. From $650.
Photography Tours
Contacts
Alaska Photography Tours. 907/781–2208; 888/440–2281; www.alaskaphotographytours.com. From $1,405.
Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris. 206/463–5383; www.photosafaris.com. From $3,095.