Alaska Rail & Car Tour

Arrive into Anchorage and transfer to your hotel by shuttle or 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.

This morning transfer to the Anchorage train station by hotel courtesy shuttle or on your own. At 8:15am, you will travel from Anchorage to Denali National Park aboard the Alaska Railroad. Upon arrival in Denali at 3:45pm transfer to your hotel by courtesy shuttle. With a size of over 6 million acres, Denali National Park is one of the world’s greatest wild animal preserves. Here, protected from hunting, the animals roam freely in a region dominated by the continent’s tallest mountain. Most visitor facilities are grouped near the park entrance. Your evening is free for optional activities or you can relax and enjoy some leisure time. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

This morning, 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. 3-6 hours long and takes you approx. 30 - 43 miles into the park, depending on weather and road conditions. In the afternoon, travel by train to Fairbanks. Upon arrival in Fairbanks at 8:00pm, transfer to your hotel by courtesy shuttle. Overnight in Fairbanks.

This morning you will pick up your rental car in Fairbanks and tour the area on your own. Attractions in Fairbanks include the Museum of the North, Pioneer Park, the Ice Museum, and the Santa Claus House in the nearby town of North Pole. You may also choose to add one of the many tours available in Fairbanks, such as a tour over the Arctic Circle or a Sternwheeler Riverboat cruise (see Tour Add-Ons). Overnight in Fairbanks.

Today you will drive the Richardson and Alaska Highways southeast from Fairbanks to Valdez. As you depart Fairbanks you will drive past the town of North Pole, the home of the Santa Claus House. During your drive you will have many opportunities to stop at scenic overlooks to view the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Denali (on clear days) and the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. Before reaching Valdez you will drive past Worthington Glacier and through Keystone Canyon with its numerous waterfalls, including the spectacular Bridal Veil Falls. Valdez is the gateway to Prince William Sound, with wonderful glacier cruises and kayaking tours (see Tour Add-Ons). Overnight in Valdez.

Valdez was almost completely wiped out by a tidal wave in 1964, but it is now rebuilt and is a busy port city at the end of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Your day is free to explore the small town of Valdez. Local attractions include the Valdez Museum, the Solomon Gulch salmon hatchery, and the Whitney Museum. You may wish to go on an optional glacier cruise to see part of Prince William Sounds and its natural wonders (see Tour Add-Ons). For the more active, kayaking tours are also available.  Overnight in Valdez.

Today you will drive north through Thompson Pass to Glennallen. There are good photo opportunities of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline on this route. Glennallen is located on the western edge of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. Views of the mountains are incredible when the weather is clear. From Glennallen you will  head southwest; this route has wonderful views of the Matanuska Glacier and numerous hiking trails. Pass through the Matanuska Valley as you continue to Anchorage. You may wish to stop at the Alaska Native village of Eklutna along the way. Overnight in Anchorage.

Depending on your departure time, you might have free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions. Return your car to the airport rental station and depart Anchorage.