Tour overview
Perfect for rail enthusiasts of all ages, you’ll travel the entire Alaska Railroad system in just nine days! This Alaska rail tour includes travel between Anchorage to Seward, Talketna, Denali and Fairbanks. Discover local attractions at each stop along the route and learn how to live like a true Alaskan. Alaska rail travel provides a leisurely pace for sightseeing and scenic views. The itinerary includes a variety of activities, from cruising the majestic waters of Kenai Fjords National Park to exploring Alaska’s vast interior.
This adventure train tour moves at a leisurely pace and includes many of Alaska’s top attractions. Enjoy a glacier and wildlife cruise in the Kenai Fjords, a thrilling jet boat adventure on a remote river in Talkeetna, and explore Denali National Park on a Desert Tundra Tour. The grand finale is a visit to Fairbanks with its rich gold rush history, including a classic stern wheel river cruise.
What is included
9 nights stay at the hotel
Train from Anchorage to Seward (round trip), Anchorage to Talketna, Talketna to Denali and Denali to Fairbanks
Regular flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage
6-hour Kenai Fjords National Park cruise with lunch
2-Hour Jet Ski Wilderness Tour in Talketney
4-6 hour bus tour to Denali National Park (depending on weather and road conditions)
A half-day sightseeing tour of Fairbanks
3-hour Sternwheeler River Boat Tour
All taxes and fees
DAY 1
Arrival at the anchorage
Arrival in Anchorage and transfer to the hotel on your own. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, located between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Anchorage provides a great start to your Alaska vacation and offers an abundance of shopping, cultural attractions and a wide selection of restaurants. Overnight in Anchorage.
DAY 2
Anchorage to Seward
Very early in the morning, transfer on your own to the Anchorage Railroad Depot to board the Alaska Railroad to Seward (train departs at 6:45 a.m.) This scenic journey takes you along Cook Inlet and into the glacier-filled Kenai Mountains. After arriving in Seward, the rest of the day is at your leisure. The Alaska Marine Life Center, a world-class marine research facility funded by the Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement, is recommended, and add a dog sledding or guided sea kayaking tour (see Tour Add-ons). Overnight in Seward.
DAY 3
Seward to Anchorage
This morning you will embark on a 6-hour cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park. The park boasts an abundance of wildlife, alpine and tidewater glaciers, and breathtaking scenery. Keep an eye out for stellar sea lions, fur seals, puffins, eagles and whales as you cruise through Resurrection Bay. You’ll also cruise along the Alaska Marine National Wildlife Refuge, home to a wide variety of birds, en route to Holgate or Ayalik Glacier. Spend some time in front of the glacier to see the ice fall into the ocean with a thunderous splash! Lunch is served on board. After the cruise, meet the Alaska Railroad for the return trip to Anchorage. Arrival at approximately 22:15, after which you will transfer to the hotel on your own. Overnight in Anchorage.
DAY 4
Anchorage to Talketna
Transfer to the train station this morning to board the Alaska Railroad for Talketna. From the Talkeetna depot, transfer to your hotel by courtesy shuttle or independently. On clear days, the Talketna area offers spectacular views of Denali, the highest peak in North America. This afternoon you will embark on a 2-hour jet boat adventure aboard the Talkeetna Queen. Wilderness Cruise where you take a leisurely 1/4 mile nature walk to an authentic hunter’s cabin with original furnishings. See how hunters lived in the “Bush” in Alaska at the turn of the century. Your guide will show you raw furs from the area, demonstrate trapping techniques and introduce you to the wildflowers and plants that grow here in abundance. Along the river you will have the opportunity to look for bald eagles, beavers, and maybe even moose and bears. Overnight in Talketna.
DAY 5
Talketna to Denali National Park
This morning, relax or take an optional excursion. Depart Talketna at 11:20 a.m. and board the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park. The second half of the day in Denali is free for optional tours such as rafting, hiking and independent exploration. Tonight we can also recommend the delicious salmon dinner and funny antics served in the Cabin Nite Dinner theater show (see Tour Supplement). Overnight at the entrance to Denali Park.
DAY 6
Denali National Park
Today we are going on a bus tour to Denali National Park. Look for wildlife such as bears, caribou and moose as you travel through unspoiled wilderness, as well as views of Mt. Your experienced driver/guide will provide commentary. The tour lasts approximately 4-6 hours and covers approximately 30-43 miles into the park, depending on weather and road conditions. The rest of the day is free for optional tours such as river rafting and sightseeing tours (see Tour Supplement). Overnight at the entrance to Denali Park.
DAY 7
Denali National Park to Fairbanks
This morning you will have time to take part in optional excursions. In the afternoon, depart Denali on the Alaska Railroad to Fairbanks. You will have the opportunity to purchase dinner on board the train prior to your evening arrival in Fairbanks, scheduled for approximately 8:00 PM. Transfer to your hotel via courtesy shuttle or on your own. Overnight in Fairbanks.
DAY 8
Fairbanks
Today, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour that takes you to the highlights of Fairbanks. Immerse yourself in life-size exhibits of traditional Alaska Native culture at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. Then stop at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Observation Deck, where your guide will explain the amazing engineering of the 800-mile pipeline and Alaska’s oil industry. Next, visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North, with exhibit galleries on Alaskan wildlife, art, and natural history (on days the museum is closed, you’ll visit the Antique Car Museum). It’s Christmas all year round in the nearby town of North Pole, where you’ll visit Santa’s house and maybe even meet Santa and his reindeer. In addition, you will go on a stern wheel cruise on the Chena River. Along the way, you’ll see a plane take off in the bush, see a championship line of sled dogs, and learn about the indigenous Athabaskan culture at the village of Chena. Overnight in Fairbanks.
DAY 9
Fairbanks – Anchorage
Today you will transfer by hotel transfer to Fairbanks Airport for your scheduled flight to Anchorage. The flight usually takes place in the afternoon / early evening. The flight time is approximately 55 minutes. Transfer to Anchorage on your own or with a courtesy transfer. Overnight in Anchorage.
DAY 10
Departure from the anchorage
Depending on your departure flight, you may have free time for souvenir shopping or optional excursions, such as a guided hike in Chugach State Park. You will get to the airport on your own to meet your departure flight.
