We are partnering up with Green Tortoise for this grand adventure. Green Tortoise has been bussing people around North America since 1974 and know how to show us a good time. Below is a little video tour of the bus and several commonly asked questions.

BUS RUN BUS ALASKA!!! Please read the following. The bus will be filled to capacity, so it’s super important that we follow baggage rules/suggestions. From Lyle: “We always want to keep the weight and luggage limited for legal as well as safety reasons.  This is especially true in Alaska in general but even more so with the road to McCarthy Kennicott and the Denali Highway.   It’s also about where we put the weight, especially on this bus.  Soooo, all that being said please realize we have to follow our luggage restrictions this year with no exceptions.

• Luggage Restrictions

• Traveling Tortoise Style

• Things To Bring

Please note - GT rents tents, sleeping bags and pads as mentioned in the “Traveling Tortoise Style. Please let me know if you would like to rent any of those.

Packlist:

• 1-2 pairs of hiking/running shoes

• Several pairs of socks/undies

• Casual shoes/flip flops/sandals

• Lightweight running jacket

• Medium to heavyweight rain jacket (hopefully it won’t… but best to prepare for a lot of rain)

• Fleece/sweater/light puffy

• Lightweight running gloves

• Lightweight cold-weather hat

• Sun Hat

• Sunscreen

• Sunglasses

• A change of casual clothing

• Reading material

• Personal toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, biodegradable soap.

• Earplugs if you are a light sleeper.

• Simple camp setup - tent, sleeping bag, pad (again these can be rented but I need to know ahead of time). There is the option to sleep on the bus at camp if you choose to not bring a camping setup.

• A small camera (or camera phone)

• Running pack or comfortable day hiking pack.

What are the buses like?

Our converted sleeper coaches are custom designed, hand-made and comfortable. Personal reading lights and volume controls for our sound system are located throughout the bus. Most coaches are equipped with toilets although their use will be selective. The coach has the capacity for 36 passengers to sleep lying down. Though we often drive through the night, because of the vast mileage covered on some of our trips, it may sometimes be necessary to drive during the day.

What should I bring?

You are allowed to bring one checked piece of luggage, one carry-on, plus your sleeping bag/pillow and tent (if you opt to bring one). Your sleeping bag/pillow and tent do not need to fit inside of your checked piece. Our custom designed coaches do not have the same amount of storage space as standard coaches; please heed the luggage guidelines. After you make a reservation with our travel office you will be sent a complete list of things to bring.

Do I need to have a sleeping bag, a tent or camping experience?

We have rental sleeping bags available for most trips. A tent is recommended but not absolutely necessary since you may choose to sleep on the bus in some locations or outside under the stars. Camping experience is not necessary. We welcome first-time campers! The campsites we visit range from remote and rustic to full service with showers.

Can I take a shower every day?

Showers will be available, but not always daily. There is no shower on the bus. We'll take no-soap baths wherever possible in waterfalls, rivers or lakes when developed campgrounds aren't available.

Can everyone sleep on the bus lying down?

Yes. Sleeping space is not assigned and you should expect to share close quarters with limited privacy.

How much additional spending money should I bring on my trip?

This is in all inclusive trip. We will provide food, transportation, maps, etc. Things you might want to bring money for: showers at campgrounds (just a couple bucks), beers/food in restaurants, souvenirs etc.

What if I have special dietary needs?

Pantry and cooler space are limited on the bus. We normally carry enough of a variety of food options to sufficiently accommodate many food allergies or preferences (such as rice or bean noodles, corn tortillas, seaweed, non-wheat cereals, etc for wheat-free diets for example), but because of the amount of orchestration that is involved in creating a meal plan for bus load of folks, the availability of certain items, the cooking facilities that we carry, etc, we cannot guarantee that your needs/preferences will be met.

As our tastes may be different from yours, if you have food allergies or preferences you may find it more comforting to bring along your preferred food items (like non-wheat breads, specialty pastas or cereals, dairy-free cheese, vegan "meats") just in case our taste doesn't jive with yours.

During our meal preparation we will be busily coordinating a delicious, healthy meal for up to 30 people and while we strive to please everybody, it may be difficult for us to recall specific and cater to individualized menus. At each meal you get to pick and choose what ingredients to include when you prepare it - to ensure this and to avoid cross contamination of foods that you do not want to eat, you must be present and participate at every meal during preparation.

Are there bathrooms on the bus?

Most of the coaches are equipped with toilets, but their use will be selective (mostly for emergencies). We stop frequently to use the restroom, even in the middle of the night.