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Alaska by Rail Tour

Experience the entire rail line of the Alaska Railroad route system and the mountain and glacier wilderness landscapes of Alaska. All aboard for adventure!

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Tour Code: 149CTA

Tour Overview

Perfect for rail enthusiasts of all ages, you will travel the entire Alaska Railroad system in just nine days! This Alaska by Rail Tour includes travel between Anchorage to Seward, Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks. Discover local highlights at each stop along the route and learn what living like a real Alaskan is like. Traveling by rail in Alaska ensures a relaxed pace for sightseeing across scenic vistas. The itinerary includes a host of fun, from a cruise through the majestic waters of Kenai Fjords National Park to exploring Alaska’s great interior region.

This adventure tour by train moves at a relaxed pace and includes many major Alaskan highlights. Enjoy a Kenai Fjords glacier and wildlife cruise, an exhilarating jet boat adventure on a remote river in Talkeetna, and explore Denali National Park with a guided Tundra Wilderness Tour. The grand finale is a visit to Fairbanks with its rich Gold Rush era history, including a classic sternwheeler river cruise.

What's Included
  • 9 nights of hotel accommodation
  • Train from Anchorage to Seward (round trip), Anchorage to Talkeetna, Talkeetna to Denali, and Denali to Fairbanks
  • Scheduled flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage
  • 6-hour Kenai Fjords National Park cruise with lunch
  • 2-hour wilderness jetboat tour in Talkeetna
  • 4-6 hour bus tour into Denali National Park (depending on weather and road conditions)
  • Half-day sightseeing tour of Fairbanks
  • 3-hour Sternwheeler riverboat tour
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Transfers in Anchorage, meals, optional excursions, and gratuities.

 

Tour Itinerary

All aboard for an adventure of a lifetime on one of the most scenic train routes in the world!

Day 1
Anchorage Arrival

Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to your hotel on own.  Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Anchorage provides an excellent start to your Alaskan vacation and offers an abundance of shopping, cultural attractions, and a great selection of restaurants.  Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2
Anchorage to Seward

Very early this morning, transfer on your own to the Anchorage rail depot to board the Alaska Railroad to Seward (train departure at 6:45am) This scenic journey takes you along Cook Inlet and into the glacier filled Kenai Mountains. Upon arrival in Seward the rest of the day is at your leisure. The Alaska SeaLife Center, a world-class marine research facility funded by the Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement, is recommended as well as adding a dog sledding tour or guided sea kayaking excursion (see Tour Add-ons). Overnight in Seward.

Day 3
Seward to Anchorage

This morning you will depart on a 6-hour cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park.  The park boasts abundant wildlife, alpine and tidewater glaciers, and breathtaking scenery.  As you cruise through Resurrection Bay keep watch for Stellar sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, eagles and whales. You will also cruise along the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, home to a large variety of birds, on your way to either the Holgate or Aialik Glacier.  Spend some time in front of the glacier for a chance to watch ice calve off into the ocean with a thunderous splash! A lunch is served on-board.  Following your cruise meet the Alaska Railroad for the return to Anchorage.  Arrival is approximately at 10:15pm where you transfer to your hotel on your own.  Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 4
Anchorage to Talkeetna

This morning transfer to the rail station to board the Alaska Railroad bound for Talkeetna.  From the Talkeetna depot transfer to your hotel by courtesy shuttle or on your own.  On clear days the Talkeetna area has awe-inspiring views of Denali, North America’s tallest peak. This afternoon you will embark on a 2-hour jet boat adventure aboard the Talkeetna Queen.  Cruise to a wilderness site where you will take a leisurely 1/4 mile nature walk to an authentic trapper’s cabin, complete with original furnishings.  See how trappers lived in “Bush” Alaska at the turn of the century.  Your guide will display raw furs from the local area, demonstrate trapping methods, and acquaint you with the wildflowers and plants that grow in abundance here.  Along the river you will have the opportunity to look for bald eagles, beavers, and possibly even moose and bears.  Overnight in Talkeetna.

Day 5
Talkeetna to Denali National Park

This morning, relax or take an optional excursion. At 11:20am, depart Talkeetna and travel aboard the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park. The afternoon is free in Denali for optional tours such as river rafting, hiking, and exploring on your own. Tonight we can also recommend the delicious salmon dinner and amusing antics served at the Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre Show (see Tour Add-ons). Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 6
Denali National Park

Today depart on a narrated bus tour into Denali National Park.  As you travel through the pristine wilderness, look for wildlife, such as bears, caribou, and moose, as well as views of the Mountain. Your experienced driver/guide will provide commentary.  The tour is approx. 4-6 hours long and takes you approx. 30 – 43 miles into the park, depending on weather and road conditions. The rest of the day is free for optional tours, such as river rafting and flightseeing tours (see Tour Add-Ons). Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 7
Denali National Park to Fairbanks

This morning you have time to participate in optional tours. In the afternoon, depart Denali on the Alaska Railroad for Fairbanks. On board the train you will have the opportunity to purchase dinner, before your evening arrival in Fairbanks scheduled for approximately 8:00pm.   Transfer to your hotel via courtesy shuttle or on your own.  Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 8
Fairbanks

Today, enjoy a narrated sightseeing tour, bringing you to the highlights of Fairbanks. Immerse yourself in life-sized exhibits of traditional Alaska Native culture at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. Then stop at a viewpoint for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline where your guide will explain the astonishing engineering of the 800-mile pipeline and Alaska’s oil industry. Next, explore the University of Alaska Museum of the North with exhibit galleries on Alaska’s wildlife, art and natural history (on days when the museum is closed you will visit the Antique Auto Museum instead). It’s Christmas year-round in the nearby town of North Pole where you will visit the Santa Claus House and may even get to meet Santa and his reindeer. Additionally, you will embark on a sternwheeler cruise on the Chena River. Along the route you will watch a bush plane take off, see a champion line of sled dogs, and learn about Native Athabascan culture at Chena Village. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 9
Fairbanks to Anchorage

Today you will transfer via hotel courtesy shuttle to the Fairbanks Airport for a scheduled flight to Anchorage.  The flight is typically in the afternoon / early evening. Flight time is approximately 55 minutes. Transfer in Anchorage on own or via courtesy shuttle. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 10
Anchorage Departure

Depending on your departure flight, you might have some free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions such as a guided hike in Chugach State Park.  You will transfer to the airport on your own to meet your departure flight.

Tour Map

 
 

1Choose Departure Date

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Tour prices are based on double occupancy
Standard Program
Upgraded Program
Date Standard Rate Upgraded Rate


2Choose Tour Program

This Tour has Two Program Levels

Standard Program Offers:

  • Hotels: moderate to standard tourist class hotels (2 and 3 star).
  • Train seating: standard rail car seating / adventure class. You have the option to upgrade your seating to dome rail car seating on selected train routes when you book the tour.

Upgraded Program Offers:

  • Hotels: good moderate to first class hotels (3 and 4 star), wherever possible. Alaska has very limited hotel choices in remote areas and small towns.
  • Train seating: deluxe dome rail car seating wherever possible. All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.


3Room & Traveler Selection

*Child prices are valid for children 11 years and younger, sharing a room with at least 2 full paying adults with the existing bedding. Maximum of 4 people per room.

Number of Rooms

- 1 +

Guests per Room

Maximum 4 people per room

Children ( 0 - 11 years )



Good to Know

To complete this reservation we will need for each person: Full name including middle name(s), gender and date of birth.

After you click "See More Details & Book”, you will see tour availability. "To Be Requested" indicates that the service cannot be immediately confirmed online. This status requires us to check space with the hotel or service supplier and the service may or may not be available.

 


Tour Add-ons

Browsing optional excursions for the Alaska by Rail Tour:

Denali Flightseeing Experience from Talkeetna

Length: 1 hours

Starting at: $331 / pp

This flight tour from Talkeetna takes you within six miles of Denali’s 20,310-foot summit. As your flight departs Talkeetna, you see how the last Ice Age has shaped Alaska’s landscapes. Moments later, you enter a world of rugged high mountain […]... Browse itinerary

two Jeeps on a remote highway, with Denali and spruce trees in the background

Denali Highway 4×4 Jeep Excursion

Length: 4 hours

Starting at: $189 / pp

This guided Denali Highway Jeep, 4×4 day tour, allows you to explore the scenic Denali Highway, just south of Denali National Park. Since driving the Denali Highway is prohibited by most rental vehicle companies, this exclusive excursion provides access to […]... Browse itinerary

We participated in two separate tours while in Alaska and both were wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The northern lights had been at the top of our bucket list and it was well worth the trip to Alaska to experience this natural wonder!

Ashley | Google

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