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An Alaskan Odyssey

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4.7 stars(3 reviews)
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Explore the spectacular beauty and fascinating history of Alaska on a journey from the Pacific to the Arctic Ocean.

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
10 days From $4,430 per person
Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary

2023 Tour code: WC-AKOR-23

About the tour

Your Alaskan adventure begins in Anchorage, where you'll depart on a glacier cruise into Prince William Sound, taking in marine life and stunning views along the way. Next, you'll explore Denali National Park's majestic wildlife and scenery, and visit the historic city of Fairbanks, known as Alaska's "Golden Heart City." From Fairbanks, you'll cross the Arctic Circle and take a guided scenic drive along the Dalton Highway, stopping to explore the Arctic Coastal Plane's wetlands and streams. Continue on the guided drive, where you'll traverse the Brooks Mountain Range, cross the Continental Divide, and visit the Yukon River, one of the most famous and beautiful rivers in North America. Finish your trip with time to explore Fairbanks on your own before heading back to Anchorage.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Anchorage

Arrive in Anchorage and transfer independently to your hotel. Spend the day enjoying the capital city at your leisure. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2 - Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise

Start the morning with a short trip on the Alaska Railroad to Whittier, where you'll enjoy a glacier cruise into Prince William Sound, a secluded waterway of the North Pacific known for its abundant marine and coastal life. You will be within a safe distance of tidewater glaciers, but close enough to "hear" the glaciers move and see the brilliant blues in the ice. Return to Anchorage in the evening for dinner on your own at one of the city's many restaurants or breweries. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 3 - Anchorage to Denali National Park

Depart for Denali National Park via motorcoach. Along the way, you can relax and take in the incredible scenery from large picture windows. You'll arrive in Denali at 12 pm and can spend the afternoon enjoying activities on your own such as rafting, a backcountry safari, or walking through the park. Overnight near the Denali National Park entrance.

Day 4 - Denali National Park

Take in Denali National Park's alpine tundra and snowy mountains on a bus tour of the park, learning about the land and its wildlife along the way. You'll see magnificent wildlife, such as bears and moose, and marvel at Denali, North America's tallest peak. A snack is provided. After the tour, board the Alaska Railroad's Denali Star and depart for Fairbanks.

Day 5 - Fairbanks

Start the day with a tour of historic Fairbanks, known as the "Golden Heart City" for its beautiful northern lights and summer midnight sun. On the tour, you'll visit the Museum of the North, a contemporary building housing the best of Alaska's art, science, and history, as well as the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the Morris Thompson Cultural Center and Pioneer Park. In the afternoon, enjoy an exciting trip on the Riverboat Discovery, where you'll meet sled dogs, see a floatplane take off, witness the "wedding of the rivers," and learn about the Athabascan Indian culture in Chena village. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 6 - Fairbanks to Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay**

Today you'll begin your tour into Alaska's Arctic as you fly across the Arctic Circle to Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay. Visit the Prudhoe Bay oil fields, the largest oil field in North America, and dip your toes into the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean. Overnight in Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay.

*Access to the Arctic Ocean and Prudhoe Bay oil field may be limited or not available in 2022. Ownership of the oil field operation is currently changing.

Day 7 - Deadhorse to Coldfoot

Embark on a two-day guided drive along the Dalton Highway, made famous during the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. An experienced driver and guide will provide insight on Alaska's Arctic as you traverse the majestic Brooks Mountain Range and cross the Continental Divide at Atigun Pass. You'll explore the Arctic Coastal Plain up close, taking in the intricate landscape of wetlands, lakes, and streams. Enjoy panoramic vistas and spectacular mountain peaks, and keep your eyes open for grizzly bear and caribou sightings. Overnight in Coldfoot.

Day 8 - Coldfoot to Fairbanks

Continue south along the Dalton Highway, eventually crossing the Arctic Circle. You'll stop at the Yukon River, the northlands' most famous and largest waterway, to learn of its storied past and enjoy stunning views of the massive waterway and its wooded islands. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 9 - Fairbanks to Anchorage

This morning you can relax or explore Fairbanks on your own. In the afternoon, you'll fly back to Anchorage. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 10 - Departure

Check out of your hotel and transfer on own or via hotel shuttle to the airport.

Additional information

Hotel Accommodations

Hotel accommodations are in tourist-moderate hotels (2.5 star) with private bath.

Train Accommodations

Train accommodations are in Adventure Class. Adventure Class cars offer comfortable seating and large picture windows. Open-air vestibules between railcars provide an opportunity for fresh air and excellent photo ops. Adventure Class guests are encouraged to travel between railcars, whether to take advantage of the open seating in our Vista Dome cars or visit the Wilderness Café.

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.

Trains

Alaska Railroad
Denali Star & Coastal Classic

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Reviews

4.7 stars4.7 / 5 · 3 reviews

  1. 5 stars
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  5. 1 star
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STEVEN ANDREW FUSCO

5 stars

Submitted 01 Sep 2022

Most enjoyable train trip we ever took.

Collected by Trustpilot

Adria H, Townsend, TN

5 stars

Submitted 19 Jun 2021

Everything was done on schedule, well planned and professionally carried out

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Dixie Van Hercke, Lees Summit, MO

4 stars

Submitted 08 Aug 2018

It was a great adventure.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

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