Alaska Circle Tour Rail & Car

Arrive in Anchorage on your own and check-in at the hotel. Spend the rest of the day getting acquainted with the offerings of the city. Explore Anchorage's museums, gardens and parks or explore the brewery and restaurants to get a taste of the local scene. There's so much to see and do from Alaska's largest city. Overnight in Anchorage.

Embark on a journey aboard the Alaska Railroad's Denali Star, traveling on a northerly route from Anchorage to Denali National Park. Relax and enjoy the scenery as you pass through colorful fields of spruce and fireweed, sparkling salmon streams and towering mountains. Keep an eye out for wildlife on this full day scenic journey. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free evening. Or if you'd like to take in Denali from above, add an evening helicopter tour of Denali with glacier landing. Overnight in Denali.

Take in Denali National Park's alpine tundra and snowy mountains on a half day bus tour of the park, learning about the land and its history along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife that inhabits the park, such as bears and moose, and look on the mountainsides for glimpses at Dall sheep. As you travel further into the park, soak in the sheer majesty of Mount Denali, North America's tallest peak. In the afternoon, your journey continues by rail, as you board the Denali Star once more for a ride to Fairbanks. Known as "Alaska's Golden Heart City," Fairbanks is beloved for its energy and warmth, as well as its beautiful displays of northern lights during the winter months. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Pick up your rental car in Fairbanks today and take the day to explore on your own. Opt to visit the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, the Museum of the North, the Morris Thompson Cultural Center, Pioneer Park or the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Or get out into nature on one of Fairbanks' hiking trails. Overnight Fairbanks.

The driving portion of your Alaska adventure begins today, as you drive past the town of North Pole and the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains taking the scenic Richardson Highway from Fairbanks to Valdez. Immense glaciers, countless waterfalls including the stunning Bridal Veil Falls, and dramatic mountain ranges come into view as you travel along the picturesque byway. The highway has two 100-mile sections designated as State Scenic Byways, so there are plenty of opportunities to pull over for photos during your drive. Soak in the journey. Overnight in Valdez.

Surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and home to five glaciers, Valdez is known as "Little Switzerland"; in fact, this town is known to be one of the prettiest places in all of Alaska. You can enjoy the scenery at your own pace today. Perhaps embark on a glacier and wildlife cruise or kayaking tour. Hiking is popular in Valdez, as well, and there are many lovely trails, including one to Bridal Veil Falls. During the colder months when there is snow on the ground, snowboarding and skiing are also popular. This destination is one of Alaska's best places to spot orca whales and harbor seals, as well as brown bears and seabirds. Overnight in Valdez.

Depart Valdez this morning and begin the spectacular drive to Anchorage. Following the Richardson and Glenn Highways, find yourself surrounded by the tremendous natural beauty of Alaska as you travel west. Travel through the town of Glennallen before coming upon Matanuska Glacier. Stop at a the scenic view point or opt to get out and stretch your legs on this gigantic glacier accessible from the road. Your drive follows along stunning rivers and past waterfalls. Soak in scenes of the towering mountains and verdant rural scapes. Opt to stop at the Alaska Native village of Eklutna before continuing to Anchorage. Overnight in Anchorage.

Your rail and drive tour of Alaska concludes this morning. Not ready for the adventure to end? Add a 3 day extension to head south to explore the Kenai Penninsula and the coastal town of Seward.