Alaska by Rail Tour

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.

Early this morning, 6:45 am, transfer on your own to the Anchorage rail depot to board the Alaska Railroad to Seward. 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.

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.

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 (formerly Mt. McKinley), 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.

**  Itinerary on day 5 changed from train to scheduled bus transportation **
This morning at 9 am depart by comfortable motorcoach and travel to Denali. Arrive in Denali at approximately 12:30pm. The afternoon is free 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.

Early this morning depart on a bus tour of Denali National Park. This tour takes you through the best wildlife viewing portion of the Park Road, approximately 55 miles into the 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 and make stops during your approx. 8 hour tour*.  Later this afternoon following the tour you will travel by train to Fairbanks.  You will have the opportunity to purchase dinner while on board the train, with an evening arrival in Fairbanks scheduled for approximately 8:00pm.   Transfer to your hotel via courtesy shuttle or on your own.  Overnight in Fairbanks.

Today enjoy a narrated sightseeing tour, bringing you to the highlights of Fairbanks. During the tour, you will visit the Morris Thompson Cultural Center where you will find great exhibits about Interior Alaska. Then stop at the Trans Alaska Pipeline where your guide will explain the astonishing engineering of the pipeline, the oil field in Prudhoe Bay, and the Alaska oil industry. From there, continue to the Museum of the North with its dramatic architecture and new exhibit galleries (closed on Sundays in September; then tour will go to the Antique Auto Museum instead). And finally, you will visit Santa Claus at his home in North Pole, and buy some Alaska souvenirs and Christmas decorations.

If you start your trip up to Aug 14, you will also enjoy a sternwheeler cruise on the Chena River aboard the Riverboat Discovery .**  Along the route you will see a bush plane take off, see a champion line of Alaskan husky sled dogs, and gain insight into the ancient Athabaskan Indian culture during a stop at Chena Village.  Overnight in Fairbanks.

** If your trip starts Aug 16 or later (day 7 = Aug 22 or later), the Sternwheeler Riverboat Tour is NOT included.

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.

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 own to meet your departure flight.