Alaska’s Gems Tour

Leisurely tour by train and bus bringing you to many of Alaska's top destinations, from the icy blue waters of Prince William Sound to the "Golden Heart" city of Fairbanks.

Tour Code: 1545CTA

Tour Overview

Our “Alaska’s Gems” Tour is an excellent option for a family vacation in Alaska!  Travel on the Alaska Railroad, take a comfortable scheduled bus transfer and visit Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, and Talkeetna.  Begin your Alaska adventure with a cruise into the world-renowned Prince William Sound in Southcentral Alaska with its magnificent glaciers and coastal mountain scenery.  Your next destination is Denali National Park for a bus tour with the opportunity to see Alaska’s wildlife and view the mountain of Denali, also known as the “Great One.”  This all-encompassing Alaska vacation tour continues to Fairbanks with a riverboat cruise and time for an optional trip to cross the Arctic Circle.  On your return to Anchorage, stop in the unique small town of Talkeetna, the staging area for climbing expeditions to Denali.  This “Alaska Gems” vacation is ideal for families visiting Alaska and those who want to experience the many diverse landscapes that Alaska offers travelers.

What's Included
  • 8 nights accommodation
  • Scheduled motor coach transportation from Anchorage to Denali
  • Train from Denali to Fairbanks, Fairbanks to Talkeetna, and Talkeetna to Anchorage
  • 26 Glacier Cruise from Whittier, including lunch
  • Round-trip motor coach transfers from Anchorage to Whittier
  • 4-6 hour bus tour into Denali National Park (depending on weather and road conditions)
  • Sternwheeler riverboat cruise in Fairbanks
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

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

 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival Anchorage

Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to your hotel on your own. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2
Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise

Begin your day at with an approx. 3-hour bus transfer to Whittier at 9:15am. From Whittier you depart on the 26 Glacier Cruise in the early afternoon. Your comfortable vessel take you on a breath-taking cruise into Prince William Sound to view glaciers and wildlife. On the 5-hour boat tour you will have the opportunity to see many different glaciers up close, both tidewater flowing into the sea as well as many other nestled in the mountain peaks surrounding you.  After the cruise, return to Anchorage by bus transfer in the evening at about 7:30pm. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 3
Anchorage to Denali National Park

Dependent on your travel date, you will depart either in the morning or afternoon from Anchorage on a comfortable motorcoach traveling to Denali National Park. *   The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 4
Denali National Park Tour

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 approximately 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 on your own to explore the Denali park entrance area. You may wish to visit the Denali Visitor Center, or enjoy an optional tour such as river rafting or flightseeing. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 5
Denali National Park to Fairbanks

Your morning is free for optional excursions or do some hiking in the surrounding area. In the late afternoon, you will depart on the Alaska Railroad north to Fairbanks.  Along the way enjoy beautiful views of the Nenana River and many scenic tundra lakes.  Upon arrival in the evening a transfer to your hotel is provided by a courtesy hotel shuttle. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 6
Fairbanks

Today you will travel the Chena and Tanana Rivers for a 3.5 hour float trip on the only authentic sternwheeler riverboat operating in Alaska.  This narrated tour provides background on the area’s natural history and the Athabascan Native culture.  You will see an authentic trapper’s cabin, unique log homes, as well as bush plane in action and sled dogs.  The rest of your day, use your free time to explore the city on your own; or take an optional flightseeing excursion over part of Alaska’s Arctic region (see Tour Add-ons).  Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 7
Fairbanks to Talkeetna

Today depart Fairbanks and enjoy the day on a scenic ride on the Alaska Railroad to the quaint town of Talkeetna.  En route you will pass by Denali and arrive at Talkeetna in the afternoon.  This small town has an authentically Alaskan charm, as well as some of the best views of mountain Denali. Relax in the evening.  Overnight in Talkeetna.

Day 8
Talkeetna to Anchorage

This morning and early afternoon you will have free time to relax or take an optional whitewater jet boat adventure (see Tour Add-Ons).  Depart Talkeetna at 5:00pm for a 3-hour journey on the Alaska Railroad to Anchorage. Upon arrival in Anchorage, transfer to your hotel on own.  Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 9
Depart Anchorage

Transfer on your own to the airport to meet your departure flight, or start an additional program and continue your Alaskan adventure.

* During the month of May and up to June 4th, you will depart Anchorage by scheduled bus transfer at 3:00pm and arrive in Denali at approx. 8:30pm. Starting June 5th, you will depart Anchorage by scheduled bus transfer at 6:30am in the morning and arrive in Denali at approx. 12:30pm.

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates


Child rate for 11 years and younger, sharing room with 2 full paying adults with existing bedding. Maximum 4 people per room.

Our Standard Program Includes:

2 and 3 star hotel accommodations.

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.

Standard train car seating on all rail services (reserved seats).

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.

Our Upgraded Program Includes:

* 3 and 4 star hotels (best available) wherever possible.

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.

Deluxe dome train car seating between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks, or Anchorage and Seward.

All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.

 

Tour Add-ons

Browsing optional excursions for the Alaska’s Gems Tour:

Denali Peak Flightseeing Experience

This Denali day trip is the perfect Alaska flightseeing tour by small bush plane to see the majestic mountain of Denali. It provides up-close views of the rugged glacial beauty of the Alaska Range and Denali National Park. Flexible routing […]... Browse itinerary

Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure

This Alaska ATV day tour from Denali is fun, exciting, and scenic for both novices and experienced ATV riders. You will ride your All Terrain Vehicle along trails surrounded by Denali National Park at speeds up to 30 mph. Your […]... Browse itinerary

This is the second booking we have made via Alaska Tours and each time she has always provided excellent and accurate service and information. Everything went smoothly and the weather was on our side this year!!  Our stay at Katmai Wilderness Lodge was superb in every way. We would definitely recommend... Read more  

Christa & Art | Australia