Planning our 1st trip to Alaska in 2016. Will be traveling via a 2009 GMC 2500HD towing a 2015 21ks viewfinder trailer. I am seeking all comments and experiences on going by caravan...All comments greatly appreciated. Thank You

A quick search of this forum for the word "caravan" will bring up numerous opinions about travelling with a caravan.Some like the convenience and having the trip all planned, and feel the extra cost is worth it.Others don't like the set schedule with no flexibility to take an extra day or two in an area they are enjoying.Alaska isn't difficult to do on your own. I usually encourage people to give it a go on their own.

Have you booked a caravan, or are you looking for suggestions on which company to use?

We have never used a caravan. I looked many years ago and did not like their schedules. We wanted to see more and spend time on what we wanted to see and do.I printed out a couple of their itineraries and modified them.We have been to Alaska many times on our own. Haven't got lost yet!

You'll get lots of negative comments from the independent RV owners who travel Alaska on their own BUT the main advantages of a caravan are: all of the planning, scheduling, reservations etc. are made by somebody else and all you have to do is follow the leader AND it is the most efficient way to see the sights in the shortest time. You also have the safety in having a Tailgunner who makes sure that everyone makes it to the next destination; not so when traveling alone.You can still spend as much time as you want in researching an Alaskan trip which extends the enjoyment far beyond the time spent there.We used Adventure Caravans for the Western Parks trip and would use them again BUT Alaska is too far for us Seniors!

Caravan is 98% whom you draw for a wagon master. They all basically are going to thee same places, same tours, same shows, etc. If you break down or get sick you get left behind to your own devices. Yes, they have a tail gunner that will give you a day or two assistance but they are not mechanics nor do they carry parts. You can form life time friendships on these caravans, and all but the optional tours or sights are layed out for you. If you want to sleep in one day or spend an extra day at a certain place forget it. The caravan will move on and you have to catch up, which means paying your own campground fees and hurrying past other sites or stops to catch up; same as if you breakdown or get sick. So, if you are broke down for a week you are going to miss out on a lot that you have paid for. The longest caravan is about 60 busy days. My wife and I went solo and spent 90+ days and had a blast. Stayed where we wanted when we wanted. I much prefer going it on my own rather than having to spend that much money and do what someone else thinks I should do. Again many people like caravans. Much of the adventure depends on your luck of the draw on the wagon master. What ever your decision enjoy your trip.

our 1st alaska trip | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

enblethen
Nomad
Oct 25, 2015
We have never used a caravan. I looked many years ago and did not like their schedules. We wanted to see more and spend time on what we wanted to see and do.
I printed out a couple of their itineraries and modified them.
We have been to Alaska many times on our own. Haven't got lost yet!
explorenorth
Explorer
Oct 25, 2015
Have you booked a caravan, or are you looking for suggestions on which company to use?
sue_t
Explorer
Oct 25, 2015
A quick search of this forum for the word "caravan" will bring up numerous opinions about travelling with a caravan.

Some like the convenience and having the trip all planned, and feel the extra cost is worth it.

Others don't like the set schedule with no flexibility to take an extra day or two in an area they are enjoying.

Alaska isn't difficult to do on your own. I usually encourage people to give it a go on their own.

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our 1st alaska trip

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