Northern Lights & Alaska Highlights

At the cusp of the Cook Inlet and surrounded by powerful displays of nature, Anchorage is a place where deep Alaskan culture and outstanding natural adventures meet. See for yourself as your vacation begins today, here in Alaska's largest city. As you arrive, make your own way to your conveniently located hotel to check in for the night.

With the remainder of the day at leisure, you are then welcome to begin sightseeing at your own pace. The Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center are fantastic places to learn about the local culture while staying out of the elements; however, wandering around Downtown Anchorage puts many shops and public art installations at your fingertips. The city is filled with unique restaurant options catering to a wide range of tastes, and there is a thriving craft beer scene. Overnight Anchorage.

Please note: If you would like more time to explore this unique coastal city, you can speak with a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights in Anchorage.

With the beauty of Alaska's backcountry ahead, make your own way to Anchorage's train station this morning to join the iconic Alaska Railroad. Your journey into the state's Golden Heart takes place aboard the Aurora Winter Train, which follows the same route as the Denali Star.

Board your comfortable, heated railcar, and settle in next to a picture window to watch the route unfold. Enjoy a full day on the train, with meals available for purchase onboard as you look over wide-open landscapes, dramatic mountain ranges capped with snow and the splendors of rural Alaska in the winter. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, such as moose, while weaving through these untamed expanses and passing through places like Wasilla, Talkeetna, the town of Denali, remote Hurricane Gulch, Healy, and Nenana.

The train pulls into the station in Fairbanks this evening, and after a complimentary transfer to your hotel, you can spend the evening unwinding or dining locally. Overnight Fairbanks.

Fairbanks is often called the Land of the Midnight Sun, but during the winter months, the opposite is true, as the dark skies create the perfect canvas for the Northern Lights. With a free day here, you may explore its offerings at leisure. Get a picture under the iconic moose antler arch or visit one of the local museums, such as the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center Museum of the North. Alternatively, you could spend the day resting in preparation for your chosen Northern Lights expedition this evening:

• Aurora Ice Fishing - Head out to a heated hut with all the gear, snacks, and warm drinks you need, and wait for the colors to bloom across the sky as you ice fish. 
• Arctic Circle Northern Lights Tour - This 14-hour expedition takes you across the Arctic Circle along the famous James Dalton Highway with the opportunity to spot wildlife and admire the colors of the Aurora.

Should you wish to do both tours, speak with a Rail Specialist about adding extra nights in Fairbanks. Overnight Fairbanks.

Whether you spend your day lounging at the hotel or tasting your way through Fairbanks' coffee shops, cozy restaurants, breweries and distilleries, the day is yours to continue enjoying the city.

Tonight's excursion takes you to Chena Hot Springs, a resort property outside Fairbanks. Spend your night exploring the sculptures in the Aurora Ice Museum (payable locally) or rejuvenating in the naturally warm waters of the mineral baths founded during the Alaska Gold Rush. You could also visit the warm indoor pool, which has slightly cooler waters - 90 degrees Fahrenheit vs. 106 degrees Fahrenheit.

This resort's remote location also makes it a perfect destination to gaze upon the Northern Lights. If the viewing conditions are right, head outside and look up for another perspective on this breathtaking natural phenomenon. Overnight Fairbanks.

Enjoy another leisurely day to explore Fairbanks' restaurants or historic Gold Rush buildings downtown. In the center of town, Golden Heart Plaza features year-round art installations and a selection of galleries and museums. Of course, the frozen Chena River is also beautiful this time of year if you want to explore the riverwalk. Tonight, you again have a choice of activities, and if you want to participate in both, a Rail Specialist can extend your stay in Fairbanks.

• Aurora Viewing Lodge Tour - Set out into the deep wilderness surrounding Fairbanks to a backcountry yurt, which provides an idyllic - and cozy - vantage point for viewing the Northern Lights.
• Murphy Dome Aurora Viewing - At close to 3,000 feet, Murphy Dome is one of the highest peaks in Fairbanks and puts you amidst the show. Your passenger van climbs to its viewing area above the tree line and keeps you warm while the display unfolds. Please note: There is no restroom at the top.

Overnight Fairbanks.

In Alaska, dog-sledding is an integral part of the culture. It is the state sport and was once an essential means of transportation. Dive into its history and see how it fits into modern Alaskan culture on today's excursion. You will meet a team of sled dogs and a knowledgeable musher in Fairbanks. After learning the terminology and about the dogs and discovering more about the sport's adventurous aspect, you will have the chance to experience it for yourself.

A knowledgeable local guide leads the way, but you are at the reins for your hour-long ride along untamed trails. Enjoy looks at frosted forests and snow-covered fields before the ride concludes at a cabin. Here, you can thaw out and enjoy a last look at the Alaskan wilderness before returning to Fairbanks for your final evening in Alaska. Overnight Fairbanks.

Winter is a magical time in Alaska, and this last week has wrapped us in all its seasonal ambiance. After traveling deep into the state on board the Alaska Railroad, you had four full days to soak up the many offerings of the Fairbanks region by day and while chasing the night skies.

Your Alaskan vacation concludes this morning upon checking out of your hotel. Enjoy a complimentary transfer to Fairbanks International Airport, and then you are free to begin your travels home independently.