Anchorage Arrival
Depending on your arrival time in Anchorage you may have time to take part in an optional tour or visit local attractions. Transfer to your hotel on your own. Overnight in Anchorage downtown area.
Home » Tours » Alaska Driving Tours » Rail & Road » Quintessential Alaska: Denali, Glaciers & Fishing
This “quintessential Alaska” vacation combines a visit to Denali National Park, a glacier cruise, and a day of guided fishing! You’ll ride the renowned Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Denali National Park and view the mountains of the Alaska Range while you search for abundant wildlife, such as moose, caribou, and bears. Denali is known for its wildlife and vast scenic views, including the mountain of Denali – the tallest peak in North America, soaring 20,310 feet above sea level. You’ll then take a day cruise into the calm waters of Prince William Sound to view glaciers and likely some marine wildlife up close. Your Alaska vacation tour concludes with two days on the Kenai Peninsula in Southcentral, Alaska. You can enjoy fishing in the plentiful Kasilof River or on the Kenai River, surrounded by the lush rainforests of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
Transfers in Anchorage, meals other than noted, Portage-Whittier tunnel toll fee, fishing license or king salmon stamps, and gratuities. Optional car rental coverage (such as LDW or liability insurance), additional driver, fuel or GPS rental. Car rental category upgrades available at additional fee.
This morning transfer on own to the Anchorage train station for your 8:20 am departure to Denali aboard the Alaska Railroad. This classic route takes you by rivers, over gorges and through mountain ranges offering spectacular views. Upon arrival in Denali at 3:40 pm the transfer to your hotel via courtesy shuttle will be waiting. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.
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, ATV tours and flightseeing tours. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.
This morning around 7 am you are scheduled to depart aboard a comfortable motorcoach travelling southbound for Anchorage. Your driver will provide commentary along the way as you pass through the small towns of Talkeetna and Wasilla on your way back to Anchorage. After arriving in Anchorage at 1:30 pm it is a short walk to the rental car station where you will pick up a rental car. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring Anchorage on your own. Local highlights include the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum, and a walk or bike ride on the Coastal Trail. Overnight in Anchorage downtown area.
Today starts with a scenic drive along Turnagain Arm, one of the most beautiful segments of highway in the country. From Portage you will travel through mountain tunnels to the port town of Whittier where your cruise will depart from. On the 26 Glacier Cruise watch for sea otters, Stellar sea lions, and birds as you travel through the glacier filled fjords. Stops will be made in front of glaciers for the chance to witness large chunks of the glacier fall into the water (known as glacier calving). Lunch is included on board. Following your cruise it is an about 2 hour drive to your destination of Soldotna. Overnight in Soldotna or nearby city of Kenai.
You will depart very early in the morning for a full day of fishing on the Kasilof River or Kenai River (varies by fishing conditions). The best fishing conditions are at the crack of dawn, so be ready for early wake up which you will coordinate with your fishing guide a few nights before. You will float the river in a drift boat or a power drifter. Your expert guide will assist both novice and skilled anglers in the best techniques to get the most from the day on the river. Depending on the season fishing regulations, you may fish for king salmon, sockeye salmon, silver salmon, pink salmon, and/or rainbow trout. Your day of fishing is approximately 8 hours, so be sure to soak in the beautiful scenery around you. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Soldotna or the nearby city of Kenai.
(Please note that rainbow trout fishing is catch and release only.)
Depart the Kenai Peninsula at your leisure and drive north back to Anchorage along the Seward Highway. Optional stops include the aerial tram in Girdwood and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Overnight in Anchorage at a hotel near the Anchorage airport.
It is easy to customize this tour to add one or more days of guided fishing. Fish processing arrangements can be made with your guide if you want to have your catch frozen or smoked and then shipped home for you.
You can start this tour daily (within the listed dates of operation).
Click the "Book Now" button next to the date range you are interested in. After you select the date and number of room / people, you will see all services included in the tour and hotel information. To book the tour, add the package to your cart and checkout.
The program will include a combination of hotels or motels that are considered moderate to standard tourist class. Please be aware not all hotels have shuttle services.
If you would like to book the standard program but with upgraded rail seating, the option and surcharge will be listed when you save to your cart.
The program will include standard rooms at this category of hotel where possible. Alaska has very limited hotel choices in remote areas and small towns. The properties will typically offer a wider range of services such as a full-service restaurant, room service and perhaps a pool or spa facilities. Please be aware the upgraded accommodations in downtown Anchorage do not have hotel shuttle services. Many of the upgraded hotels also offer guaranteed view rooms for additional cost. If you would like a specific room type, in addition to the upgraded program, please ask us about availability and cost difference.
All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.
After you click "book now" and select a date, 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.
Thank you for your interest in this tour! At this time, it is not currently available to book online. Please feel free to continue to peruse our website for more Alaska travel ideas. If you would like options and information from our team of Alaska experts, please call 1-866-317-3325 or fill out the form below.
Length: 2 hours
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We loved Alaska and will go back. We will absolutely contact you to book our next trip. The service you and the management provided was exceptional.
Diana | Missouri
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