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Alaska Wildlife Adventure

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8 days Sold out
4.6 stars(20 reviews)
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Bears and moose, whales and seals: There is no need to leave the United States to embark on a fantastic wildlife safari, thanks to this 8-day Alaskan adventure.

Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary

2024 Tour code: WC-AWAR-24

About the tour

A round-trip journey from Anchorage, this unbelievable vacation takes you on a true wildlife safari without having to stamp your passport. You will see animals in their natural habitats, visit sled dogs at their home, ride aboard three of the Alaska Railroad's most popular branch lines and fly into a remote destination to see some of Alaska's giant bears roaming about.

Your journey begins in Anchorage, where you have ample time to sightsee, explore and acquaint yourself with Alaska before setting out on the Denali Star bound for Denali National Park. Enjoy two nights accommodation at Denali, including a tour of the National Park. From Denali, you will ride the Denali Star back to Anchorage, then the Glacier Discovery Train to Portage, where the Wildlife Conservation Center is the next place you will experience Alaska's wildlife. Animals such as black and brown bears, wolves, lynx, moose, elk, caribou, porcupines and eagles call this park home.

From Portage, the Coastal Classic Train takes you to Kenai Fjords National Park - a place where marine life swims amongst icebergs, fjords and glaciers. Here, you will see humpback whales and orcas, seals and sea lions, otters, seabirds and so much more. The final leg of your trip takes you back to Anchorage and then out to Redoubt Bay by floatplane for guided bear viewing. This adventure is full of amazing sights and unique experiences that you will not soon forget.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Anchorage

Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. The day is yours to explore the shops, museums, and surrounding beauty. Perhaps book an excursion or taste your way through Anchorage's many restaurants and breweries. Overnight Anchorage.

Day 2 - Denali Star to Denali National Park

Board the Denali Star Train and journey north to Denali National Park. Traveling between Anchorage and Talkeetna, cross the Knik River and enjoy views of the Chugach Mountains. North of Talkeetna, the train heads into backcountry Hurricane area; this region offers views of the Indian River and the expansive Hurricane Gulch from the top of a 296-foot bridge. Just south of Denali National Park, Broad Pass offers majestic views of the Alaska Range in all directions. Arrive in Denali late-afternoon and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Overnight in Denali.

Day 3 - Denali National Park

Embark on a narrated bus tour on along the spectaular road corridor. Your experienced guide will keep you informed and on the lookout for bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and more. Enjoy stunning views of the Alaskan range before making the return journey. Overnight Denali. 

Day 4 - Denali Star to Anchorage

The morning is yours to explore in Denali. Later this afternoon, take the Denali Star Train south to Anchorage. Overnight Anchorage.

Day 5 - Glacier Discovery Train to Portage

Ride the Glacier Discovery Train along scenic Turnagain Arm to Portage, where you'll disembark to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This center is Alaska's premier rehabilitation facility for injured and orphaned wildlife. Re-board the train and continue on to the Spencer Glacier, where you'll enjoy an adventurous afternoon of rafting amid glacial icebergs. Overnight Hotel Alyeska. Overnight Hotel Alyeska.

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 6 - Coastal Classic / Kenai Fjords National Park

Board the Coastal Classic Train for Seward, gateway to 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. Return by rail to Anchorage this evening. Overnight Anchorage. Overnight Anchorage.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 - Redoubt Bear Viewing

Depart from Lake Hood, the world's busiest floatplane airport, to Redoubt Bay, home of one of the most concentrated and viewable bear populations in Alaska. Enjoy a half-day of bear viewing with your experienced naturalist guide before returning to Anchorage. Overnight Anchorage.

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 8 - Trip Concludes

Your Alaskan adventures concludes upon check out of your hotel this morning.

Additional information

Pricing Plans

Moderate 
Moderate accommodations include Westmark Hotel, Anchorage; Denali Bluffs Hotel, Denali; and Hotel Alyeska at Alyeska Resort, Girdwood. Accommodations on board Alaska Railroad are in Adventure Class.

Superior 
Superior accommodations include Hilton Anchorage, Anchorage; Grande Denali Lodge, Denali; and Hotel Alyeska at Alyeska Resort, Girdwood. Accommodations on board Alaska Railroad are in GoldStar Class.

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

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Reviews

4.6 stars4.6 / 5 · 20 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (15)
  2. 4 stars
    (1)
  3. 3 stars
    (4)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

KAREN HALDENWANGER

5 stars

Submitted 23/Aug

They make this trip so easy and enjoyable with all the planning for us. Traveling by train is exceptional (we did upgrade to the Gold Star) They definitely keep you busy.

Collected by Trustpilot

KAREN HALDENWANGER
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PATRICIA A FELIX

3 stars

Submitted 20 Aug 2023

Too much time spent travelling by train between towns and no time to explore the towns .Seward excursion was extremely unpleasant with BIG swells and people getting seasick. The trip should've been cancelled. The wildlife viewing was scarce compared to what was advertised. The float trip from Spencer Glacier was miserable, wet and cold. I realize you cannot predict weather but alternatives should be available.

Collected by Trustpilot

MARYANN KINGMAN ROULIER

5 stars

Submitted 12 Aug 2023

I love Alaska!! This was my first visit and I was thrilled: huge mountains, green trees, wildlife, and water everywhere, all visible from the train, a boat, or a floatplane!

Collected by Trustpilot

HAROLD HARDER

5 stars

Submitted 09 Aug 2023

The overall trip was excellent, and the superior accommodations (including Goldstar rail) were also excellent. The only issue was that we booked about a year in advance, but VBR did not secure the accommodations & tours until several months later when they were no longer available; thus, we had to accept different choices.

Collected by Trustpilot

DAVID GABEL

5 stars

Submitted 03 Sep 2022

Every reservation and instruction was perfectly clear and ready for us. We loved the variety of places and activities. We would definitely recommend this trip!

Collected by Trustpilot

DANIEL MAISLER

3 stars

Submitted 31 Aug 2022

Why WHY WHY!!?? would you book us in to a hotel with such negative reviews? (Hilton, Anchorage). The staff broke in to luggage of several members in our party and stole items. The management was no where to be found. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE. The bear viewing was outstanding as were the boat trip to the glacier and the rafting adventure. However, the experience at the Hilton left a very negative impression on the entire trip.

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