Caravan Trip to Alaska
Looking to take a trip to Alaska and thinking of going with a caravan. Anyone taken a caravan trip? If so; any suggestions or advise would be appreciated.
Forum Discussion
Good point, I had height and speed conversion chart on the dash. We were solo but got to know several people in a caravan (meet them at 4 different camp sites) and you've heard some cons but there are also pros.
A caravan is more like a luxury cruise as everything is planned and set up with reservations. The tail gunner will make sure you get help if needed. You don't check in at a CG and the host will be waiting to guide you in either by radio or car. A bus will pick up the group for a tour or dinner or whatever is part of your tour. You'll make friends in the group and have them to share the experience. A morning meeting will discuss the days activities and or driving. So there are advantages.
I thought that a caravan was very expensive and it is but I was amazed at how much we spent in 2013. Tours, plays, dinner etc add up and since it was our first trip we wanted to do a number of the popular ones.
Our most expensive tour was the Fjord Express passenger ferry from Haines to Juneau and back. Highly recommend this tour as the owner/operator is extremely knowledgable and works hard to make it an interesting tour. I hesitated at the $160/person but would do it again without hesitation. SE Alaska is beautiful but you won't see very much of it unless you get out on the water.
I do disagree with the comment about the roads as there are significant frost heaves. There are also significant rocks on the Canadian chip and seal roads, expect damage. Alaskan roads are better maintained. As I tell my friends there is no problem going the speed limit - just bring enough money to buy a new rig!
A caravan is more like a luxury cruise as everything is planned and set up with reservations. The tail gunner will make sure you get help if needed. You don't check in at a CG and the host will be waiting to guide you in either by radio or car. A bus will pick up the group for a tour or dinner or whatever is part of your tour. You'll make friends in the group and have them to share the experience. A morning meeting will discuss the days activities and or driving. So there are advantages.
I thought that a caravan was very expensive and it is but I was amazed at how much we spent in 2013. Tours, plays, dinner etc add up and since it was our first trip we wanted to do a number of the popular ones.
Our most expensive tour was the Fjord Express passenger ferry from Haines to Juneau and back. Highly recommend this tour as the owner/operator is extremely knowledgable and works hard to make it an interesting tour. I hesitated at the $160/person but would do it again without hesitation. SE Alaska is beautiful but you won't see very much of it unless you get out on the water.
I do disagree with the comment about the roads as there are significant frost heaves. There are also significant rocks on the Canadian chip and seal roads, expect damage. Alaskan roads are better maintained. As I tell my friends there is no problem going the speed limit - just bring enough money to buy a new rig!
