How soon should I make a reservation?   More often than not excursions sell out.  It isn't unusual for over 10,000 cruise passengers per day to enter Skagway all of whom are seeking the most enjoyable way to spend their day.  To avoid disappointment and make the most out of your visit to Skagway, I recommend you book as early as possible.

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What is the cancellation policy?  Cancellations more than 14 days prior to your tour date will receive a 100% refund.  Tours cancelled between 7 to 14 days prior will receive a 50% refund.  Cancellations made less than 7 days prior to tour date aren't refundable.  If your ship does not make it to port, or is delayed in making its scheduled stop and your tour cannot be rebooked, you will receive a 100% refund.  You will also receive a 100% refund if for some reason Private Getaways is not able to conduct your tour.  

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Can I book a tour when I get to Skagway?  If there is availability, tours can be booked after arriving in Skagway by calling me directly at 907-612-0887.  Remember, however, there will often be over 10,000 people vying for available tours each day.  We can also make the best use of your time in port if your tour starts first thing in the morning.  Reservations made directly through me will also eliminate agent fees and give you the best pricing.

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​I don't see a tour that has everything I'm interested in.  Can we customize my tour?  Absolutely!  This is your private custom tour so there are many options we can explore.  Tell me about your group and what types of activities they enjoy.  I can also make recommendations based on my experience.  Let's talk so we create a custom tour to bring you a lifetime of cherished memories!

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What if I'm already on the tour and we want to add some new activities?  Is that possible?

If we're already out on a tour and you want to extend your trip an hourly charge of $180 USD would be applied.  However this is only possible if both your group and I have the time available.  For optimal planning, it's best to determine the length of the tour in advance, but we might be able to add time if I am not already booked for the rest of the day.  Extending your trip up to the village of Carcross for lunch, the magnificent Emerald Lake, or some play time at the Tutshi Dog Camp are some of the activities that would really add to your adventure.  This is your private custom tour and I want it to be your escape from the everyday--a true adventure!​

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Are passports required?  Yes, each guest must have a valid passport before boarding the van as we will be traveling across the Canadian border just 15 miles north of Skagway.  It should also be noted that guests traveling with a foreign Nationals visa from your home country must carry that with them at all times.  Children traveling without one or both parents must also carry a consent letter.  Click here for an example of a consent letter with the information you should include.

 

I'm concerned that my children will be bored. Are there any special activities with them in mind?  If you have children in your group--they are in for a fun day! My tours are set up with children in mind.  We'll keep them engaged throughout the trip with an interactive game of  "I Spy" and a Scavenger Hunt.  Many fun activities can be added which appeal to those who are young at heart.  You might want to consider a visit to the Tutshi Dog Mushing Camp where you can play with soft, cuddly future Iditarod puppies and have the option to ride a cart drawn by 14 well-trained sled dogs.  Further down the road, the thrill of crossing 65 feet above the white-water rapids of the Tutshi River on a suspension bridge might be the perfect addition.

All these activities are fun for kids from ages 1 to 101!  We could also add a short hike into their day or stop to skip stones on a beautiful lake--whatever will bring smiles to the ones you love.  I've even been known to accept a competitive youngster's challenge for a footrace across the Carcross desert, but I'm pretty sure he enjoyed it more than me!  By the way, there are also kid-sized treasures to take home that are sure to bring smiles.  Ask me about these options so we can plan the tour to ensure we have time to include everything that is important to you.  This is your private custom tour and I want it to be a trip your children will always remember!   

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Do you have reviews from previous tours you've conducted? Yes, I love my job and believe my passion is reflected in the service I provide my guests.  It is my goal to give you a tour full of rich experiences and treasured lifetime memories from this magical land of the 1898 Gold Rush. You can read comments from past guests by clicking here .  ​​​

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How do I pay for my tour?  Upon confirmation of availability, you will receive an email with payment options.  A password will be provided allowing you to make Credit Card payments on my website, or we can make arrangements for cash payments through services such as Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App.  Payment is required to guarantee your reservation. You pay any additional fees for the Dog Camp or Yukon Suspension Bridge directly to those vendors on the day of the tour.

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How will I find you? Where will you pick us up?  When you book the tour I will send you detailed instructions for that morning.  I will meet you near your ship and will be holding a Private Getaways sign.  I will be monitoring the status of your ship's arrival and any dock changes.  You can also contact me at 907-612-0887 if you have concerns.  I will be there waiting for you.

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When is our departure time?  A 7:30am departure time allows us to beat the crowds and make the absolute most of your day.  This is another good reason to reserve a tour before you get to town.  Early departure puts us in front of the traffic caused by the large bus tours, minimizes border delays, and gives us a better chance of spotting wildlife.  But this is YOUR day--if you want to sleep in, we'll plan a day that works best for you.

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How should I dress to be comfortable?  In general, Alaskan traveling is most comfortable when you dress in layers.  This allows you to easily add or remove clothing throughout the day as needed.  My relatives from the Arizona desert typically bring a sweater or light jacket to add when they feel chilled, as well as a light rain jacket in case the weather changes.  They also carry a small daypack to store their jackets when not in use (It's also great for storing souvenirs). Umbrellas are not the best idea as rain can often be accompanied by gusty wind.  If you chill easily, you might consider a cap or gloves, but extremely heavy jackets are not recommended. A comfortable pair of walking shoes also makes your day more enjoyable.  For a current Skagway weather forecast click here.

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What should I bring?  Bring a camera so you can capture the incredibly beautiful and dramatically changing landscape on our journey.  A pair of binoculars is also a good idea, but I carry a few pairs of binoculars available to share --including some kid sized binoculars for your young explorers.  When we spot distant wildlife such as Mountain Goats, I'll set up a spotting scope on a tripod for the best views possible.  Our 7 hour tours stop in the tiny Yukon village of Carcross where you can purchase lunch.  Often a local Yukon resident has a roadside stand with snack items and handmade souvenirs, but this is not guaranteed so it's best to be prepared if snacks are needed.

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Is the vehicle comfortable?  Your private tour will be traveling in a 14 passenger high roof van with large touring windows for taking in the amazing views.  It's easy to board and walk through the aisles at each of our stops.  Car seats and booster seats are available upon request for our younger travelers.  Exterior cargo storage can be made available upon request for foldable wheelchairs, strollers or walkers.  Please let me know of your special needs.  The van is equipped with a PA (public address) system so all passengers can easily hear the colorful commentary--or it can be used with your own music if you prefer.  The van is stocked with a first aid kit, satellite texting, and safety equipment.  I carry some other basic necessities as well to make your trip as comfortable and stress free as possible.  (I don't want a forgotten phone charger or raincoat to dampen an otherwise perfect day--yes, pun intended.)

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Will there be restrooms?  We'll make periodic stops with restroom facilities, though the van is not equipped with one.  Modern facilities are available in Carcross and at the Suspension Bridge, with more primitive accommodations at other locations along the way.  Please let me know if you have concerns or questions.

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Will we see bears or other wildlife?  I truly hope so, but they are WILD creatures so the types we see can't be guaranteed.  But that said, I'll be on alert at the best places to watch for animals such as bears, eagles, mountain goats, sheep, caribou, porcupines, marmots and many, many more.  When your ship makes its trek up the fjord between Juneau and Skagway, be sure to watch for the many creatures that call it home--humpbacks, orcas, seals, porpoise, and sea lions to name a few.  Even after 10 years, spotting wildlife brings something very special to the day.

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How does your tour differ from the train ride?  The train also provides a beautiful trip through the mountains. My independent tour service offers you the advantage of a customized day designed to specifically meet the interests and needs of your private group.  We can stop for as many photos as you desire, explore areas and activities not accessible by train, and see more wildlife.  You'll also get personalized attention and avoid the crowds.  I'll answer your questions, capture family photos, make recommendations, and pace the day to work well for both our young and mature guests --whatever we can create together to give you the best day of your Alaskan adventure.  My job is to make your day special and memorable. And I love my job!

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Where will you drop me at the end of the tour?   I can drop you at the location, or locations that work best for you.  Perhaps some of your party members want to do some souvenir shopping or find an afternoon snack.  I can drop them off and take the others in your party back to the ship.  This is your private custom tour from beginning to end.  Need advice on which stores might carry specific items you want to find? I'd be happy to help.

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Should I be concerned about missing my ship?  Your tour is designed with an ample cushion to get you back to your ship well before your designated all aboard time.  Typically, I'll drop you at your ship before 3:00 pm.  Ship sponsored excursions commonly return to ship only 30 minutes prior to departure, but your Private Getaways tour will return you comfortably back well before then.   If you've chosen to be dropped off in town, please watch your time to avoid a stressful jaunt back to your ship.  There are shuttle services operating routinely throughout town if you prefer to ride.

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​How is Private Getaways different?  I offer a very personal, private, customized day to give you an unforgettable experience in Skagway and our trek into Canada's British Columbia and Yukon Territory.   I will listen carefully to your desires, draw upon my experience and personal knowledge of this area, and carefully monitor the day as it progresses.  My goal is to provide a trip full of cherished memories to last a lifetime.  I would be honored to share this magical place with you.  Please contact me at 907-612-0887 or by email if I can provide additional information. PrivateGetawaysSkagway@gmail.com

 

And finally--What is it like to live in Alaska?  Click here