Glaciers and Wildlife Tour

Sit back and enjoy the Alaskan scenery in comfort aboard the Alaska Railroad and a deluxe motor coach.

Tour Code: 1540CTA

Tour Overview

On this “Glaciers and Wildlife” Alaska vacation, sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery while traveling via a combination of comfortable motor coach and rail on the Alaska Railroad through Alaska’s coastal and interior regions. See two of Alaska’s most famous national parks, including Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. These two iconic Alaska destinations provide the best opportunities for viewing Alaska’s famous wildlife on both land and by sea. Be wowed on a whale watching and marine life cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park, then travel to Denali for two days to explore this iconic wildlife habitat.

What's Included
  • 7-nights accommodations
  • Train from Anchorage to Seward
  • Train from Denali to Anchorage
  • Scheduled motor coach transportation from Seward to Talkeetna
  • Scheduled motor coach transportation from Talkeetna to Denali National Park
  • 6-hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise with lunch
  • 4-6 hour bus tour into Denali National Park (depending on weather and road conditions)
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

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

 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Anchorage Arrival

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

Day 2
Anchorage to Seward

Early this morning transfer on your own to the Anchorage rail depot for travel on the Alaska Railroad to Seward. This scenic journey along Cook Inlet and through the glacier filled Kenai Mountains was rated one of the best train rides in the country! The rest of the day is yours to explore in Seward. Take a leisurely walk to scenic view points or get more adventurous with a glacier hike at Exit Glacier. Time permitting, you may also visit the Alaska Sealife Center or Mitch Seavey’s dog kennel. Overnight Seward.

Day 3
Seward

Today, 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. Cruise past the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge on your way to either the Holgate or Aialik Glacier. Your boat will stop in front of the glacier for a chance to witness the deep blue ice crash off into the ocean. After returning to port at 5:30pm, the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Seward.

Day 4
Seward to Talkeetna

Start your day with a leisurely morning in Seward. At 10:30am, depart on a motorcoach to Talkeetna. While enjoying the mountains and coastal scenery, keep your eyes open for wildlife on the way to Anchorage. In the city you will have 90 minutes for lunch before continuing north to Talkeetna. Talkeetna is known as a starting point for Denali climbing expeditions. When the weather is clear views of the Mountain are spectacular. After arriving in Talkeetna at 5:30pm, the rest of the evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Talkeetna

Day 5
Talkeetna to Denali National Park

Spend a free day in the scenic and historic town of Talkeetna. Explore downtown, relax at your hotel, admire views of Denali, or go for a hike. Optional tours include ski-plane flights to land on a glacier on Denali, fishing trips, and jet boat adventures (see Tour Add-Ons). At about 5:45pm, you will depart to Denali via motor coach, arriving at 9pm. 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 approximately 4-6 hours long and takes you approximately 30 – 43 miles into the park, depending on weather and road conditions.  The rest of the day is free for optional tours (see Tour Add-Ons). Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 7
Denali National Park to Anchorage

Sleep in this morning or enjoy a short excursion before leaving the national park. Transfer by hotel courtesy shuttle to the Alaska Railroad depot for a noon departure. Stunning views from the train include the Alaska Range, Summit Lake, Hurricane Gulch, and – if the weather is clear – Denali’s 20,310’ peak. Stroll through the train cars, visit the dining car, and learn from the knowledgeable local guides on board. Upon arrival in Anchorage about 8:00pm, transfer on your own to your hotel. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 8
Anchorage Departure

Depending on your departure time, you might have free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions. Transfer on your own to the airport. Depart or start an additional program.

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates


*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.

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 Glaciers and Wildlife Tour:

Cabin Nite Dinner Theater

Enjoy old-time Alaska as you enjoy a popular dinner theater performance in Denali National Park set in an authentic Alaska log-paneled roadhouse. Join heroine Fannie Quigley and an unforgettable cast of characters in this true-to-life Alaska Gold Rush tale of […]... Browse itinerary

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

Wilderness Excursion Jetboat Tour

This day tour from Talkeetna treats you to a scenic journey aboard a 15- to 52-passenger jetboat on the Susitna River. It will allow you to experience wildlife, folklore, and historical artifacts. Conditions permitting, enjoy the panoramic view of Denali […]... Browse itinerary

Amazing Alaska! Seeing the aurora borealis was a bucket list item for me. I choose the tour with Alaska Tours for this reason. I could not have asked for better. The accommodations were very comfortable and the train ride from Denali to Anchorage was wonderful!

Laurie0915 | Tripadvisor