Alaska Explorer
Enjoy this trip from inland Fairbanks to the southern city of Anchorage that takes you through Alaska's lush landscape full of beauty, history and heritage.
Tour Description
Explore Alaska on this refreshing 7-day escorted tour. Begin your journey in Alaska's second-biggest city, Fairbanks. Enjoy time on your own to explore this dynamic city, and wrap up the evening with the stunning view of the Northern Lights. A museum visit, a tour of the Alaska Pipeline and a cruise down the Chena and Tanana Rivers gives you ample opportunity to explore this "Golden Heart City."
Next, visit Denali National Park, a 6-million acre land of stunning beauty that's filled with wildlife. With a backdrop of North America's tallest mountain, this nature preserve offers many ways to explore the area. You'll have free time to hike, sightsee via small plane or helicopter, or if you visit during winter, try out a dogsled excursion!
Your tour continues with a ride on the Alaska Railroad down to Anchorage. Watch the rugged landscape sail by your window and capture amazing photographs of the Mat-Su Valley.
When you reach Anchorage, you get a new glimpse of Alaska as you visit this city sparkling alongside the waters of the Cook Inlet. Tour the historic downtown district and visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about this history of the area. Wrap up your trip with an authentic Alaskan style meal, as you bid farewell to your fellow travelers.
Highlights and Inclusions
- Alaska Railroad from Denali to Anchorage
- Hotel accommodations for 6 nights
- Breakfast daily, 1 dinner, 1 snack box dinner
- Sightseeing and scenic excursions per itinerary
- Services of a professional tour guide
Scenic highlights of your trip include:
- Fairbanks Museum
- Alaska Pipeline
- Denali National Park
- Alaska Native Heritage Center
Itinerary
Day 1 - Fairbanks
Welcome to Fairbanks! Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time you may want to take a chance to explore Alaska's second largest city. Overnight Fairbanks.
Day 2 - Fairbanks Sightseeing
Enjoy breakfast and meet your traveling companions and guide who will be with you for the next seven days. This morning board your coach for a tour of Fairbanks including the Museum and the Alaska Pipeline. This afternoon board a sternwheeler for a cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Overnight Fairbanks. (B)
Day 3 - Fairbanks to Denali
After breakfast board your motorcoach for the drive to Denali National Park. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to take advantage of the many activities in the Park. River rafting and flightseeing are examples of the things you can do. Overnight Denali. (B)
Day 4 - Denali Sightseeing
The morning is free to enjoy more optional activities in the Park. This afternoon, travel deep into Denali National Park on the Tundra Wilderness Tour. This tour is approximately eight hours and includes a snack box dinner and hot beverage. Overnight Denali. (B, Snack)
Day 5 - Denali to Talkeetna
This morning travel by motorcoach to the climbing town of Talkeetna. Watch for a glimpse of the majestic Mt. Denali; or black bear along the banks of the Susitna River. Enjoy time on own to explore this quaint Alaska town. This afternoon your journey continues south to anchorage by rail in Deluxe Dome Railcars. (B)
Day 6 - Anchorage Sightseeing
Enjoy a city tour of Anchorage including the historic downtown district and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Tonight, feast on an Alaskan style meal and share tales from the road with your traveling companions at your Good Bye dinner. (B, D)
Day 7 - Anchorage departure
Your tour ends with a transfer to the Anchorage Airport for your flight home.
Train and Hotel Accommodations
Hotels include the Rivers Edge Cottages, Denali Bluffs, and Clarion Suites Downtown.
Alaska Railroad
The Alaska Railroad extends from Seward and Whittier, in the south of the state in Alaska, to Fairbanks, and beyong to Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright. It carries both freight and passengers throughout its system. The Railroad has a mainline over 760 km and is well over 800km including the secondary branch lines and siding tracks.
Hotel accommodations are based on availability; substitutes will be of similar quality and amenities.
+ Vacations By Rail can supply connecting rail from your closest Amtrak.
Testimonials
Click here to view testimonials for Alaska Explorer.
Exceeded my expectations … Everything was excellent!
I just wanted to send you a short note to let you know that our parents, Jacob and Annie are home from their trip to Alaska. They really enjoyed themselves even seeing MT McKinley 100% without a cloud cover. I understand that about 10% of visitors see this, according to the tour guide. They really enjoyed the train ride from Denali to Anchorage. According to our mother, she had no problems sleeping even though Dad insisted on keeping the curtains open during the night hours of daylight! They were able to panhandle for gold, collecting about $40 between the two. They also saw some of the wildlife that Alaska is known for. They did not report any issues to us concerning the Tour package or the accommodations that you helped to put together. In fact, they reported the opposite, that everything went smoothly. I want to thank you for assisting me and my family in making this happen for them, a chance of a lifetime for our parents.
Dates & Prices
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