This is a unique tour of Alaska by train. Ride the full length of the Alaska Railroad with extensive included sightseeing in Seward, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks. Extended two-night stays in both Denali and Fairbanks provide plenty of time to explore and relax! Tour deep into Denali National Park on a wildlife photo safari, cruise Kenai Fjords National Park, see the Alaska Sealife Center, explore Fairbanks, sail the Chena River on the sternwheeler Discovery, and marvel at some of the grandest mountain scenery in the world.

A highlight is the often-neglected Anchorage to Seward portion of the Alaska Railroad. Most tours of Alaska focus on the "railway belt" between Anchorage and Fairbanks. This line is wonderfully scenic, but the southern portion of the mainline from Anchorage to Seward is even more spectacular.

Call 877-929-7245 to book your Alaska by Rail Tour.

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• Services of a Professional Tour Manager
• Alaska Railroad to Seward
• Alaska Railroad to Anchorage
• Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Denali National Park
• Alaska Railroad Denali National Park to Fairbanks
• Deluxe motorcoach transportation for touring
• 8 Meals (2 dinners, 3 lunch and 3 breakfasts)
• Kenai Fjords National Park cruise
• Two nights at Denali National Park
• Wildlife Tour of Denali National Park
• Sternwheeler Discovery Cruise
• Visit to El Dorado Gold Camp
• Visit the Alaska Sealife Center
• Alaska Cabin Nite dinner show
• Optional helicopter "flightseeing" or river float trip
• Ride the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railraoad

Days One - Comfort Inn Anchorage or similar, Anchorage, Alaska

Days Two - Breeze Inn, Seward, Alaska

Days Three - Comfort Inn Anchorage or similar, Anchorage, Alaska

Days Four and Five - Cedars Lodge or similar, Denali National Park, Alaska

Days Six and Seven - River's Edge Lodge or similar, Fairbanks, Alaska

Rooms for the night before the tour are available.

Day One, Saturday, August 30 - Arrive Anchorage
Flights arrive in Anchorage today. Extra nights in Anchorage can be arranged for those wanting more time to sightsee in Alaska's only true city. Transfers are included from the airport to our lodging at the Comfort Inn Anchorage or similar. Our hotel offers a full-service restaurant.

Day Two, Sunday, August 31 (CB) - Alaska Railroad to Seward
Alaska Railroad to Seward - Tour the Sealife Center. You have an early transfer to the station to board the Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic streamliner for Seward. Continental breakfast is included at your hotel. A full breakfast also can be purchased in the diner as we roll south. This line is one of the most scenic train routes in the world. At first, the tracks closely follows the Cook Inlet, with sweeping vistas of the towering peaks of the Chugach Range. Some of the world's highest tides are experienced in these waters; and there is a chance we might see a "tidal bore", a wall of water occurring just after maximum low tide as the ocean waters surge back into the upper basin of the fjord.

After a stop at the Alyeska Ski Resort at Girdwood, the line begins to climb the coastal mountains. At first the tracks twist and turn along the deep Placer River canyon; but then the ascent increases, and you pass so close to the Spencer Glacier that the ice comes to within 500 feet of the line! The Trail and Bartlett Glaciers also are seen enroute. At Grandview there is a stunning vista of eternally snow-covered peaks before you begin the steep descent to the Kenai Fjords and the deep-water port of Seward.

This afternoon you visit the Alaska Sealife Center to learn about the marine life of the north. Far more than just an aquarium, this exceptional exhibit is a non-profit marine science facility dedicated to understanding and maintaining the integrity of the marine ecosystem of Alaska through research, rehabilitation and public education. The Center's naturalistic exhibits immerse visitors in the dynamic marine ecosystems of Alaska. Overnight in Seward at the downtown Breeze Inn.

Day Three, Monday, September 1 (L) - Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise - Alaska Railroad train to Anchorage. Enjoy a spectacular cruise today through the sheltered waters of Kenai Fjords National Park. There is an excellent chance to see whales, sea lions, porpoises, bald eagles, and puffins as we sail. A delicious luncheon is included. There is free time this afternoon to explore Seward before we reboard the train for the return to Anchorage. Dinner can be purchased in the diner enroute. Overnight again in Anchorage at the Comfort Inn or similar.

Day Four, Tuesday, September 2 (CB,L,D) - Train from Anchorage to Denali National Park
Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Denali National Park. You reboard the train this morning for the legendary journey north on the Denali Star streamliner to Denali National Park in spacious reclining seat coach accommodations. This is a full-service train with a dining car (which provides us an included lunch) and a vista-dome car open to all passengers. Seats in this dome car are rotated during the day and cannot be occupied for the entire trip. A limited number of "Goldstar Dome" seats are available for a surcharge of $175 per person, which covers the entire line between Anchorage and Fairbanks. In "Goldstar" class, each passenger has a guaranteed seat in a full-length dome car, which also offers an open-air viewing platform for photographers and a private dining room. Book early if you want this upgrade, as these seats are very limited!

The train follows the Susitna River deep into the interior as it slowly climbs over the Alaska Range. Much of this line is in a true wilderness, with the train the only means of access to the isolated cabins between Talkeetna and Hurricane. On a clear day there are stunning views of Denali/Mount McKinley, which soars to over 20,000 feet and is the highest peak in North America.

On arrival at Denali Park Station, transfer to your hotel for two nights, the Cedars Lodge or similar. This evening enjoy comedy, music and Alaskan folklore at the Cabin Night Dinner Theater.

Day Five, Wednesday, September 3 (Picnic Brunch) - Wildlife Tour of Denali National Park
You make an early departure this morning on a unique wildlife photo safari deep into the interior of Denali National Park. In the early morning light you have a particularly good chance to see moose, Dall sheep, ptarmigan and the monarch of the park, the Alaskan Grizzly bear.

On clear days, the towering peak of "the Great One" (Denali) dominates the skyline! A picnic brunch is enjoyed on the motorcoach. The balance of the afternoon is free. Possible activities include visiting the National Park Service Visitors Center, taking a flight-seeing excursion, or joining a float trip. These activities are paid for on-site and are dependent on the weather.

Day Six, Thursday, September 4 (D) - Free time in Denali National Park - Train to Fairbanks
The morning is free to relax or further explore Denali National Park, possibly using the free shuttle bus service for more views of the interior of the park. Optionally, participants can purchase activities such as a visit to a husky breeder's compound or other excursions noted in Day Five above.

This afternoon you reboard the Denali Star streamliner and roll north to Fairbanks. Immediately upon departure, you enter the yawning depths of the Nenana River Gorge, then cross vast forests enroute to an evening arrival in Fairbanks. Dinner is included in the diner. Once again, the tour price includes reclining seats with access to a dome car. The "Goldstar" guaranteed dome option is available for those who purchased the upgrade on Day Four. Enjoy a two-night stay in Fairbanks at the River's Edge Lodge or similar.

Day Seven, Friday, September 5 (L) - Fairbanks - Sternwheeler Discovery Cruise
The morning features a visit to the Little Eldorado Gold Camp, where you learn about the early 20th century Alaska Gold Rush, ride the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad, and pan for gold. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. This afternoon cruise the Chena and Tanana Rivers on the sternwheeler riverboat Discovery. Sail into the roadless interior, view the home of famous dog-sled "musher" Susan Butcher, and visit an isolated Chena Indian camp while enjoying a wonderful narration by Captain Binkley, the master of the vessel.

Day Eight, Saturday, September 6 - Tour Ends
The tour ends with an included transfer to the Fairbanks Airport this morning. Same-day flights are available to back to the "Lower 48".

   

   

   

 Departure Date:

• August 30 - September 6

 Per Person Rates:

• Twin $2,399
• Single add $750