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Alaska the Greatland

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9 days From $5,395 $5,195 per person
4.6 stars(132 reviews)
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Uncover the best of Alaska on this 9-day grand tour brimming with wilderness adventures and unique insider experiences.

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
Save up to $400

Offer ends April 3rd: Save up to $400 per booking on select escorted trips to the United States in 2024.

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Mobility Rating 3

2024 Tour code: AKG24

About the tour

Nine days: That is all you need to gain an insider's perspective of Alaska on this escorted tour. Your time in The Last Frontier begins in Fairbanks, where a riverboat tour acquaints you with the local waterways, and a trip to Trail Breaker Kennel allows you to experience one of Alaska's favorite pastimes, dog sledding. It is also from Fairbanks that we board the storied rails of the Alaskan Railroad for a ride aboard the  Denali Star. The train will take us right into the heart of Denali National Park, where great adventure meets wildlife spotting and breathtaking scenery. Continuing on the  Denali Star, we move through the vast open terrain as we make our way to Talkeetna. The view along the way is truly inspiring - keep your camera within reach. An overnight stay allows you to soak in the charm of this destination before we continue southbound to Anchorage, down the Turnagain Arm and finally down through the Kenai Peninsula before arriving in Seward. It is in Seward that we have a gateway to one of the most majestic places in southern Alaska, Kenai Fjords National Park. As we wrap up our grand Alaskan journey, we spend some time in Whittier, journey out to Prince William Sound by boat and even take one last ride on the Alaskan Railroad, this time aboard the  Glacier Discovery. If it is adventure that calls you, the great land of Alaska is the answer.

Unforgettable Experiences

Spot Wildlife in Kenai Fjords National Park
Spot Wildlife in Kenai Fjords National Park
Spend a half-day looking for whales, otters, seabirds, porpoises, and seals while cruising past glaciers and icebergs in Kenai Fjords National Park.
Uncover Alaskan Culture by Riverboat
Uncover Alaskan Culture by Riverboat
Aboard the Riverboat Discovery, cruise the Chena and Tanana Rivers in Fairbanks to look upon wildlife and discover indigenous culture at Chena Indian Village.
Visit Denali National Park
Visit Denali National Park
Look upon the tallest mountain in North America, Mt. Denali, and learn about the local culture and history while touring Denali National Park.
Ride the Iconic Alaska Railroad
Ride the Iconic Alaska Railroad
Discover the wild beauty of Alaska while riding on two of its scenic lines, the Denali Star and the Glacier Discovery Train.
Travel to the Top of Mount Alyeska
Travel to the Top of Mount Alyeska
Admire hanging glaciers, the Chugach Mountains, sweeping valleys, and the blue waters of Turnagain Arm while climbing to the summit of Mt. Alyeska by tram.
Cruise Prince William Sound
Cruise Prince William Sound
A catamaran cruise unveils the most beautiful features of Prince William Sound, including Esther Passage and all the spectacular marine life that calls it home.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Fairbanks

Arrive in Fairbanks, transfer to your hotel, check-in for the first of two nights. It is also at the hotel that you will meet your tour manager and fellow travelers. The remainder of the day is yours to settle into your accommodations or to begin your explorations independently.

Overnight Fairbanks, AK.

Day 2 - Riverboat Discovery & Trail Breaker Kennel

This morning begins with breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, we set sail on a 3-hour riverboat tour, which takes us along the Chena River to its confluence with the Tanana. We will learn about the culture and history of the area as a knowledgeable tour guide takes us through the waters. Keep your eyes peeled for some of the local wildlife and the bush planes that take off from these rivers. Next, Alaskan Native Guides take us into Chena Indian Village, where we learn about the history and culture of these indigenous people.

Following the tour, we return to Fairbanks, where you are free to grab some lunch before embarking on our next adventure: touring Trail Breaker Kennel. This quintessential Alaskan experience introduces you to the state port, dog mushing. Enjoy a chase to meet the sled dogs and learn about the adventures - and hardships - the mushers face as they sled through the Alaskan backcountry.

Overnight Fairbanks, AK.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star to Denali National Park

Start your with breakfast at the hotel, and after, you are in for a real adventure as you board the historic Denali Star for a scenic journey to Denali National Park. This Alaska Railroad train meanders through the landscape, allowing us to see wildlife, small village, great stretches of forest, and wide-open land before arriving in Denali National Park.

Six million acres lie ahead in the park, and they are yours to explore however you see fit. Gaze upon the mountains from scenic viewpoints or while on a flightseeing tour. You could also participate in one of the guided ranger programs or set out on one of the many trails for an unforgettable hiking experience. A complete list of optional excursions is available at your hotel's excursion desk an can be booked on-site and paid for locally.

Overnight Denali, AK.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Denali National Park Touring

This morning, we set out into Denali National Park for an exploration of the park's rich natural and cultural history. Our first stop is Savage Cabin, constructed by the Alaskan Railroad Commission in the mid-1920s and used as the original ranger's cabin, Here, we look into the past to discover how the cabin was once used and how it differs from today. Next, we visit Primrose Ridge for a memorable Alaskan Native presentation, where we learn the hallmarks of their culture.

After an informative morning in the Denali backcountry, we return to the lodge for an afternoon at leisure. You may wish to relax in the serene surroundings at he lodge or visit the Denali National Park Visitor Center. You could also participate in an optional excursion, such as helicopter flightseeing, river rafting, or an evening dinner show at Cabin Nite.

Overnight Denali, AK.

Day 5 - Alaska Railroad's Denali Star to Talkeetna

After breakfast, you have some free time to relax, photograph the scenery, or stroll around our hotel's scenic grounds before boarding the Alaska Railroad's Denali Star in Gold Star Class to Talkeetna. En route, watch for views of Denali's south face, cross the summit of the Continental Divide at 2,363 feet, and enjoy incredible photo opportunities. One of the best photo vantage points on the route comes as the train approaches the arched Hurricane Gulch Bridge, spanning 918 feet across and 296 feet above the creek bed. Lunch is served aboard the train, As we arrive in Talkeetna, you are transferred to the beautiful Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge for the night.

Overnight Talkeetna, AK.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 - Anchorage/Kenai Peninsula/Seward

Start the day with breakfast, then enjoy a visit to the Anchorage Museum for a docent-led tour through some of the museum's most enthralling exhibits, including the center's main exhibition titled "Living Out Cultures, Sharing Our Heritage: The First Peoples of Alaska." The exhibition features more than 600 objects from the Smithsonian's collections that were selected and interpreted with help from Alaska native advisers.

Leaving Anchorage, we follow the Turnagain Arm by deluxe motorocoach to Mt. Alyeska. Here, we board a tram that takes up to the top, scaling 2,300 feet of elevation, Relax and admire the stunning views as you spot hanging glaciers, look over the Turnagain arm, and see the valleys of the Chugach Mountain Range. Afterward, we continue down the Kenai Peninsula to Seward, where we check into our conveniently located hotel with the remainder of the evening at leisure to see the town's sites on your own,

Overnight Seward Ak.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 7 - Kenai Fjords National Park

Get ready to explore glaciers and spot playful marine life during your 5 1/2-hour Wildlife Cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park today. Following breakfast at the hotel, we are transferred to the dock to board our catamaran and meet our captain for the day. As our journey unfolds, his narration provides valuable information about the area's history, flora, and fauna.

We set out into the frigid water with our sights set on some Kenai Fjords's most scenic locales and attractions, including its tidewater glaciers. Our catamaran is skillfully navigated to provide you with picture-perfect views of Resurrection Bay and beyond, making this a wonderful experience for all. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Seward.

Overnight Seward, AK.

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 8 - Prince William Sound/Anchorage

Our journey continues this morning as we depart Seward and venture north through the Kenai Peninsula to Whittier. Along the way, we drive through the famous Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel - the longest one-lane highway tunnel in North America. Since vehicles and the Alaskan Railroad share the same tunnel, access is only available at pre-specified times.

Upon arriving in Whittier, we continue onto the town's harbor for a 5 1/4-hour cruise to some of the beautiful places in Prince William Sound. Out on the open water, keep watch for otters, seals, and bird rookeries. We pass through the beautiful Ester Passage and then into waters where dramatic coastlines and massive glaciers provide a backdrop that you must see to believe. We are treated to a delicious lunch, which includes options like salmon chowder and vegetarian chili, before we arrive in Whittier and continue our day's travel by rail. The Alaskan Railroad's Glacier Discovery is out chariot for the final leg of the tour to Anchorage. We arrive at approximately 10 p.m. tonight and are transferred to our lakefront hotel for the night.

Overnight Anchorage, AK.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 - Tour Conclusion

Your tour through Alaska the Greatland concludes this morning. With advance reservations, the hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to Anchorage's International Airport, from which you are free to return home.

Additional information

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.

Hotels

Denali Bluffs Hotel

Denali Bluffs Hotel

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Bear Lodge at Wedgewood Resort, Fairbanks

Bear Lodge at Wedgewood Resort, Fairbanks

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Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Talkeetna

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Courtyard Marriot Anchorage Airport, Anchorage

Courtyard Marriot Anchorage Airport, Anchorage

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Hotel Edgewater, Seward

Hotel Edgewater, Seward

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Train

Denali Star & Coastal Classic

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Reviews

4.6 stars4.6 / 5 · 132 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (94)
  2. 4 stars
    (28)
  3. 3 stars
    (7)
  4. 2 stars
    (3)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Gail

5 stars

Submitted 12 Sep 2023

Enjoyed a wonderful tour of Alaska.

Collected by Trustpilot

DAVE ZERBA

5 stars

Submitted 11 Sep 2023

Tina was outstanding Very knowledgeable !! The variety of things we saw and experiences we had were second to none

Collected by Trustpilot

SUSAN JONES

5 stars

Submitted 11 Sep 2023

Awesome!!!!!

Collected by Trustpilot

ALAN FEIGENBAUM

3 stars

Submitted 10 Sep 2023

Some good things Bit hectic

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Jerry

4 stars

Submitted 07 Sep 2023

We enjoyed the trip. We enjoyed the variety of trains and motor coach and the two six hour wildlife cruises this option provided. We would have appreciated a more formal opportunity to get to know others on the tour (i.e. early intro session with others in the tour) and there were a few times when we were told we would have plenty of free time at some location only to be told we had 15-30 min when we got there. But we stayed in nice places and saw sites we always hoped to see except for clouds covering Mt. Denali on several opportunities but we were given many opportunities nonetheless. We appreciated learning about native culture and dog sledding, too. We would recommend this trip to others.

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Judy

5 stars

Submitted 04 Sep 2023

Overall a fabulous experience. What a great way to see Alaska, experiencing the beauty of the interior and also getting on the water to view some glaciers. The train ride passed gorgeous scenery and was very enjoyable.

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