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Alaska Wildlife Adventure

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4.6 stars(16 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.

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8 days From $4,849 per person
Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary
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2023 Tour code: WC-AWAR-23

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.

Space is limited in Denali National Park this summer. Please act fast to secure your spot on this trip.

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 · 16 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (12)
  2. 4 stars
    (1)
  3. 3 stars
    (3)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

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.

Collected by Trustpilot

DEANNA MARTINEZ

3 stars

Submitted 31 Aug 2022

Well first thing was the hotel Hilton, the rooms were small and food was terrible only breakfast option. We had our luggage in storage there and had it broke into. With no help from the hotel. The train was good, food options not so good.

Collected by Trustpilot

Lenita

3 stars

Submitted 27 Aug 2022

Bus ride was a waste of time. Float plane and bear viewing was awesome

Collected by Trustpilot

JEANETTE GEORGE

4 stars

Submitted 27 Aug 2022

The itinerary was a bit confusing and lacking some details. The accommodations were disappointing except for the 1 short stay at Alyeska Resort. It was a busy schedule. We could’ve skipped the back country drive and would have preferred a free day to discover Denali park instead. Felt rushed at the Wildlife Conservation Center.

Collected by Trustpilot

Nancy R, Durham, NC

5 stars

Submitted 06 Sep 2021

It was a unique way to see the real Alaska and everything was so well ogranized.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

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