General Tour Information
ENTERING THE UNITED STATES: Non-United States citizens will need a valid passport and may need a tourist visa. Consult your nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate for details.
HEALTH: Alaska presents no major health hazards. Perhaps the most serious problems stem from the use of inadequate gear. Warm and waterproof clothing, waterproof boots and sturdy walking boots are absolutely essential. Although we do not schedule rigorous activities, some walking over uneven ground and spongy tundra is inevitable, as are periods of rain or snow. Comfort in Alaska is first and foremost a matter of keeping warm and dry. Insects can be a nuisance from mid-June to mid-August. An ample supply of repellent and suitable clothing are the best protection.
While large mammals are dangerous, they pose little threat if a few common sense rules are followed. Although Grizzly Bear and others are easily seen in some parts of our Alaskan itineraries, we’ve never had anything like a dangerous encounter with a wild mammal.
CLIMATE: Alaska has a varied climate. Coastal weather is normally cool to cold. Nome and even the Pribilofs experience freezing temperatures into July, and mid-summer maximums are usually in the low 50s F. Wind and rain occur frequently, often in rapidly changing combination.
Temperatures at inland localities are milder — from the 50s to 70s and as high as the 90s F. in mid-summer. Localities at higher elevation, such as parts of Denali National Park, are from 5° to 15° cooler. Again, rain is always possible.
ACCOMMODATIONS: We stay at standard motels or hotels throughout the tour.
DENALI NATIONAL PARK: Denali National Park will not let groups such as ours operate within the Park. This prohibition has been in effect for some years, as has the moratorium on the issuance of permits for commercial activities in the Park. Every year we hope for a loosening of these policies, but thus far there has been no change. What this means is that on the day we spend in the Park, the leader will put you on the tour bus with advice on what to do. He cannot accompany you in his capacity as a WINGS leader. This is less serious than it might seem. The bus ride has an experienced driver-guide and the scenery and big mammals are vastly more important than the birds. If you have any questions about this, please contact the WINGS office.
TRANSPORTATION: On the mainland, we will be using 15-passenger window vans or mini-vans depending on group size. . The internal flights are on commercial airlines.
SMOKING: Smoking is prohibited in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, we ask that you do so well away and downwind from the group.
GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information & Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Midsummer Alaska will be sent to each registrant on receipt of their booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary.
Updated: October 2006