What to Expect When You Plan Your Trip With Us
Planning a trip to Alaska is a little different than planning a trip to many other destinations. Lodging, tours, and transportation all need to fit together, and many businesses only operate during the summer season. We've designed our planning process to make everything as straightforward as possible. Here's what you can expect from the time you contact us until you arrive in Alaska.
Inquiry
→
Planning
→
Itinerary
→
Booking
→
Travel Documents
→
Alaska!
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Inquiry → Planning → Itinerary → Booking → Travel Documents → Alaska! →
1. Tell Us About Your Trip
Start by filling out our Design Your Trip questionnaire. This gives us a better understanding of your travel dates, interests, and the type of Alaska experience you're looking for.
We plan trips for travel between late May and early September. Planning for the following summer begins each year in late September.
2. We Get to Know You
After reviewing your questionnaire, we'll follow up by email with any additional questions. This helps us learn more about your travel style, priorities, and the experiences that matter most to you.
3. We Create Your First Itinerary
Using everything you've shared, we'll create your first custom itinerary proposal.
This includes:
Suggested hotels
Rental car
Activities and excursions
A suggested route
An estimated trip cost
This proposal is completely free and serves as a starting point for planning your trip together.
Because we build every itinerary around real hotel and tour availability, some details may change as we finalize your plans.
4. We Refine It Together
Take your time reviewing the proposal and let us know what you'd like to change.
Whether you'd like to add another night somewhere, include a different activity, or adjust your budget, we'll make revisions as needed to create an itinerary that feels like the right fit for your trip.
5. You Give Us the Go-Ahead
Once you're happy with your itinerary, send us an email letting us know you'd like to move forward.
We'll begin making your reservations with our trusted partners across Alaska.
If something becomes unavailable while we're booking, we'll always contact you first and recommend the best available alternative.
Around this time, we'll also send our travel waivers and encourage you to purchase travel insurance, which we highly recommend.
6. Your Trip Is Confirmed
Once everything has been reserved, we'll send your final invoice.
A deposit of approximately 30% is due within two weeks to confirm your trip.
We accept payment by check, wire transfer, or credit card (credit card payments include a 4% processing fee).
7. We Prepare Your Travel Documents
The remaining balance is due 45 days before your arrival.
After we receive your final payment, we'll prepare your personalized travel documents, which are typically delivered about one month before your trip.
Your travel package includes:
A personalized day-by-day itinerary
Reservation confirmations and details
A custom Google Map with pinned locations
Our Alaska Travel Guide
Our Alaska Restaurant Guide
8. Final Trip Review
About one to two weeks before your arrival, we'll schedule a phone call to review your itinerary together and answer any final questions.
9. Welcome to Alaska!
When your travel day arrives, we'll keep an eye on your flight in case of delays that could affect your plans.
While you're traveling, we're available 24/7 by phone or text if you have questions, need assistance, or are looking for a local recommendation.
We also keep track of your itinerary throughout your trip to help ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
10. Until Next Time
Before you know it, your Alaska adventure comes to an end.
Thank you for trusting us to help plan your trip. We truly appreciate the opportunity to share our home with you, and we hope you leave Alaska with memories that will stay with you long after you've returned home.
Ready to start planning your Alaska trip?
Head over to our Design Your Trip page and answer a few quick questions. We'll use your answers to create a personalized itinerary that's thoughtfully planned for you.