This was a good trip that could have been a great one with a few improvements by ATG…read more
The biggest positive was the quality of the excursions. ATG selected fantastic local operators for the activities, including the flightseeing tour, the guided walk in Denali, the dog sled tour, the Kenai Fjords boat tour, and the Spencer Glacier float.
Another positive: Our guide was incredibly thoughtful and kind. He constantly checked to make sure everyone was comfortable, anticipated what we might need, made sure we were lined up early to get the best spots for activities, and happily made frequent grocery and restroom stops so no one had to feel like they were inconveniencing the rest of the group. The bus was also stocked with almost everything you could need, including bottled water, snacks, walking sticks, Dramamine, bug repellent, binoculars, just to name a few.
ATG also chose good hotels. The Anchorage hotel was conveniently near a Walmart and restaurants, and the hotels in Denali, Wasilla, and Seward all had beautiful views.
The reason I gave 3 stars was because of three communication issues on ATG's part.
Issue #1: Lack of communication regarding the bus seating.
Although the bus is described as holding 13 passengers, two of the seats are over the wheel wells. Even a small adult can't sit with both feet on the floor because one knee has to remain bent, with that foot on top of the wheel well. Fortunately, our guide asked everyone to rotate through those seats, saying with a smile that "everyone should share the comfort of the back row." Since seat rotation depends on the willingness of the group, and some days you're on the bus for over 4 hours, I think guests should know about this before booking.
Obviously, every bus has wheel wells, and I'm not suggesting they can be eliminated. I just think guests should be told before booking that two of the advertised seats require sitting with one knee bent because of the wheel wells, so they can decide whether they're okay booking the tour under those conditions.
Issue #2: The information guests received before the trip didn't always match what our guide had.
For example, the website says guests can use the van's cooler for some personal food items. Because of my dietary limitations, I specifically confirmed with the office before booking that I would be able to do that. But when I asked the guide if I could put a couple of things in the cooler, he told me it was only for the group's bottled water. Fortunately, I had brought a small insulated lunch bag and an ice pack. Otherwise, it would have been a real problem. On the positive side, ATG did a great job arranging vegetarian sandwiches for me throughout the trip.
The website also says that on evenings when dinner isn't included, the guide will recommend restaurants and let guests choose. Again, I confirmed this with the office before booking, but every night one restaurant was selected for the entire group. Most of the restaurants turned out to be fine, but I would have preferred to have options.
There were also times when the detailed itinerary we received 3 weeks in advance didn't match how the trip was actually conducted, and those differences affected our experience.
For example, in Denali on July 19th, we had reserved the optional 1:30 PM naturalist walk and planned to visit the Visitor Center that morning, per the itinerary. However, our guide told us we would be going to the Visitor Center the morning of the 20th. Since we didn't want to visit twice, we had nothing else planned the morning of the 19th. I wish we'd been able to follow the itinerary we received because it would have made better use of our time in Denali.
Another example involved Exit Glacier. The itinerary sent to guests included a stop there on July 22nd, but our guide told us it wasn't on the itinerary he had received. After comparing the two itineraries, he agreed to take us (and reasonably suggested doing so the morning of the 23rd due to weather). Since the stop hadn't been included in his itinerary, we didn't get much information about what was available there.
Issue #3: Guests would benefit from more advance information about additional optional activities.
ATG already coordinates reservations for some optional activities, like the flightseeing tour. I wish they offered the same service for other activities that require advance reservations for an additional fee. For example, we didn't learn about the narrated Tan Transit Bus in Denali or the guided tours and animal encounters at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center until it was too late to get reservations. We would have happily paid extra for those opportunities.
We also discovered several free or inexpensive opportunities only by accident, including the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center, the guided tour at Independence Mine, and the ranger led walks at Exit Glacier. These are all the kinds of things I think ATG should mention to guests in advance.
