Call to book1-877-929-7245
Tour Search
#Favorites

Glaciers, Trains & Trails of Alaska

Save
You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
202420252026
10 days From $5,026 per person
4.7 stars(10 reviews)
Gallery
Map

Enjoy this Alaskan adventure that explores the state's backcountry as you weave along beautiful glaciers and trek stunning trails.

Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary

2024 Tour code: WC-GTTR-24

About the tour

This amazing Alaskan adventure takes you to Anchorage, Seward, Girdwood and Talkeetna as you explore the outdoor beauty of this great state. Kick off the tour with a day on your own to explore Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Then the journey begins as you head south to the coast. Explore Kenai Fjords National Park and cruise Resurrection Bay before heading back to Anchorage. Next, a full-day train ride takes you to Denali National Park, where you'll have two full days to explore once you settle in. Your time includes a guided tour as you travel deep into the park along restricted access roads. You have an entire day to explore the park on your own. You can hike, bike, or even fish. The day is yours to make the most of this lovely land filled with wildlife in their natural habitat. A short train ride takes you to the fun village of Talkeetna where your time includes a boat tour of National Wild River Park before you head back to Anchorage.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Anchorage

Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Book an excursion, or explore shops, museums, and restaurants at your leisure. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2 - Sightseeing en route to Seward

Enjoy a full day tour from Anchorage with a local guide. Travel down Turnagain Arm and look our for alpine scenery, glaciers, and wildlife as you journey towards Girdwood. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local eatery before an aerial tram ride up Mt. Alyeska. Visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a 200-acre natural habitat that provides wildlife education and rehabilitation for some of Alaska's favorite animals. As your sightseeing tour continues south into Kenai Fjords National Park, stop for a stroll and views of Exit Glacier before arriving in Seward. Overnight Seward.

 

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 3 - Kenai Fjords National Park

Today you are treated to a cruise traveling through the pristine waters of Resurrection Bay for up close encounters with wildlife. Sail alongside large bird rookeries and sea lion colonies, providing stops for pictures and to view passing whales and sea otters. Another highlight of the cruise is the opportunity to view several types of glaciers, including the enormous Bear Glacier, the largest in Kenai Fjords National Park. Late afternoon, the cruise makes its way to Fox Island to enjoy an exclusive visit and dinner. Overnight Seward.

Includes
  • Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Seward at Leisure

You have a full day to explore the coastal town of Seward. Perhaps visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska's premier public aquarium and only permanent marine mammal rehabilitation facility. You may also choose experience a Dog Sled Ride & Tour or a Flightseeing Tour with Glacier Landing. This evening, board the Coastal Classic Train for a late evening arrival into Anchorage. Overnight Anchorage.

Day 5 - Travel to Denali National Park aboard the Denali Star Train

Travel to Denali National Park aboard the Denali Star Train. This scenic, full-day trip from Anchorage offers views of Mt. Denali along with wildlife and backcountry beauty. The late afternoon arrival at the Park leaves time for exploration. Overnight Denali.

Day 6 - Denali National Park

Set out to explore the park with views from above with a spectacular helicopter ride. Fly above Denali National Preserve and take in the expansive beauty. Keep an eye out for the wildlife that calls this park home - caribou, moose, bear and Dall sheep. View the snowy peaks and glaciers before setting down on ice for a glacier landing. With boots provided, walk upon ancient glacial ice and immerse yourself in the Alaskan Range. Overnight Denali.

 

Day 7 - Denali National Park

Set out for an exciting guided tour of Denali National Park. You will traverse the wilderness through the low valleys as high mountain peaks come into view. Wildlife can be seen roaming about in its natural habitat, and you will be in awe of the untouched beauty of Alaska. Overnight Denali. 

Day 8 - Train to Talkeetna

This morning return to the Denali Train Depot for the short train trip to Talkeetna. This small village is known for its spectacular views of Denali. Overnight in Talkeetna.

Day 9 - Exploring Takeetna

Enjoy a trip aboard the fifty-two passenger "Talkeetna Queen" or one of her 15 or 20 passenger little sister boats, as you are whisked into the heart of the wilderness in comfort. These are the most technologically advanced river jetboats in Alaska designed to safely navigate rivers that were previously inaccessible. Stand in the splendor of Mt. Denali and the great Alaska Range from a spectacular vantage point on the Susitna River. Later today, depart on the Denali Star Train for the final leg from Talkeetna to Anchorage, arriving in the evening. Overnight Anchorage.

Day 10 - Conclusion

Your journey through exciting and scenic Alaska concludes today.

Additional information

Pricing Plans

Moderate
Moderate accommodations include Westmark Hotel, Anchorage; Seward Windsong Lodge, Seward; Denali Bluffs Hotel, Denali; Denali Backcountry Lodge, Kantishna, Denali National Park; and Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Talkeetna. Accommodations on board Alaska Railroad are in Adventure Class.

Superior
Superior accommodations include Hilton Anchorage, Anchorage; Seward Windsong Lodge, Seward; Grande Denali Lodge, Denali; Denali Backcountry Lodge, Kantishna, Denali National Park; and Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Talkeetna. Accommodations on board Alaska Railroad are in GoldStar Class.

Located at the very end of the Denali Park Road in Kantishna inside the Denali National Park; you'll find the Denali Backcountry Lodge. This remote lodge features 42 rustic cedar cabins along Moose Creek with dining room, bar lounge and gift shop. The Park road is approx. 95 miles long. Wonder Lake (with its spectacular backdrop of the mountain Denali) is very close to the lodge. Denali backcountry Lodge is in a scenic valley setting surrounded by wilderness. To stay in Kantishna is a different experience from visiting the park on a bus tour as you are with fewer people and can explore the natural beauty of the park at a relaxed pace.

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Train

Alaska Railroad

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Elevate Your Adventure
Extend your stay
Explore More

Reviews

4.7 stars4.7 / 5 · 10 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (8)
  2. 4 stars
    (1)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Valued Norton Customer

5 stars

Submitted 08 Aug 2023

Great trip. Wonderful destination and rail is a great way to see Alaska. The itinerary was well set up and the lodging, transport and excursions were top rate.

from Vacations By Rail
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your time in Alaska! We look forward to traveling with you again. :)
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

LEA SIGRID SILKE ZILLICH

3 stars

Submitted 12 Jul 2023

We had a wonderful vacation. At the same time, I would not book a trip with vacations by rail again. The communication was very inefficient. For example, I had to ask three times for the correct itineary and in the end call while on a trip to the US. We specifically asked to be in rooms with King Beds instead of two queens. None of the hotels we stayed at received this request and we only had rooms with two queens. As said before, the trip itself was really good. But next time, I would book and plan it myself and in the end I don’t think that would have taken me more time.

Collected by Trustpilot

Kimberly H, North Richland Hills, TX

5 stars

Submitted 25 Jul 2021

We had an amazing time and everything was so professionally done! All the connections with the trains were easy and accommodations were super nice and fun!

Collected by Vacations By Rail

NORMAN

5 stars

Submitted 06 Sep 2019

Well laid out plan with all vouchers ready.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

PATRICIA

5 stars

Submitted 23 Aug 2019

Best trip ever! Sign up, show up.... EVERYTHING is so organized!

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Don and Susan

5 stars

Submitted 29 Jun 2019

very well organized for a pretty complicated itinerary. Everything went without a hitch. All the different hotels, all the different activities and vendors for each of them. all the shuttle services were timely and efficient. If there was one improvement to make, they could have prepared us for all the tipping of the workers along the way. Either include in the price the tips for all the service providers, or let the traveler know more explicitly, that tips will be needed.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Show all 10 reviews
Related inspiration from our journey blog