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Aurora Train Travel in Winter
Explore Alaska with a sampler of winter activities.
Tour Overview
Experience some of Alaska’s best winter activities in both Anchorage and Fairbanks. Begin your tour with day trip from Anchorage on a guided tour along the Turnagain Arm, one of the most scenic drives anywhere! This tour includes a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where you will see moose, elk, caribou, owls and more! Next depart Anchorage on the Alaska Railroad and enjoy the scenic train trip to Fairbanks. Along the way keep an eye out for wildlife all the while viewing iconic Alaska landscapes on this relaxing journey into the wilderness. Fairbanks is one of North America’s great winter cities, and is a world renown location for viewing the Northern Lights. Here you will have a guided tour of the area including visits to the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center. Later this evening a local guide will take you to prime aurora viewing location for your opportunity to view the amazing Northern Lights.
What's Included
- 4 nights accommodation
- Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Fairbanks
- Turnagain Arm Tour on day 2:
For packages starting Sept 20 - Dec 13: 4-hour Turnagain Arm Tour with admission to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
For packages starting Dec 20 - Apr 4: 6-hour Turnagain Arm Tour with admission to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Alyeska tram ticket and lunch - Fairbanks City Tour
- Northern Lights Tour
- All taxes and fees
What's Not Included
Transfers in Anchorage and Fairbanks (hotel courtesy shuttle might be available), meals, and guide gratuities.Tour Itinerary
Day
1Anchorage Arrival
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. Depending on your arrival, you may have time to take part in an optional tour such as local photo tour. Overnight in Anchorage.
Day
2Anchorage
Take a small group guided tour along Turnagain Arm, one of the most scenic drives in the country. Your driver will pick you up from your Anchorage hotel and take you south along the Seward Highway toward the ski town of Girdwood. A professional Alaska tour guide will tell you all about this area and share personal knowledge of Alaska on the way to Mt. Alyeska. Take in the spectacular views as you ride an aerial tram to the top of the mountain. Lunch is included in Girdwood. Afterwards visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where your guide will introduce you to Alaskan animals including moose, elk, caribou, owls and more! As you travel back to Anchorage, keep your eyes open for Dall sheep and bald eagles. Overnight in Anchorage.
** IMPORTANT **
Package starts between September 20 - December 13, 2018 include a shorter (4-hour) Turnagain Arm Tour that does not go to Girdwood due to the tram being closed and no lunch is included on this shorter tour!
Day
3Anchorage to Fairbanks
In the morning transfer to to the Anchorage train station on own. Board the famous Alaska Railroad in the morning and travel through beautiful Alaska's winter landscape to Fairbanks. During the train ride, enjoy spectacular views of the Alaska Range and possibly even Denali (weather permitting). You will arrive in Fairbanks in the evening and transfer to the hotel via hotel courtesy shuttle. Overnight in Fairbanks.
Day
4Fairbanks
This morning your guided tour showcases all the highlights of Fairbanks. 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. At the Morris Thompson Cultural Center you will find exhibits about Fairbanks and Interior Alaska. Visit the Museum of the North with its dramatic architecture and new exhibit galleries. On Sundays the museum is closed and the tour instead visits the Antique Auto Museum.
Late in the evening you will be picked up for an Aurora viewing tour. An approximate 45-minute drive will take you to an Aurora viewing cabin. The cabin is designed especially for viewing the Northern Lights and located away from the city lights that can hinder Aurora viewing. We recommend you dress warmly for this tour so you may view the Northern Lights from outdoor as well as the cabin. Hot beverages are provided and the cabin will have a bathroom or an outhouse facility. Your driver will return you to your hotel around 2:30am. Overnight in Fairbanks.
Day
5Fairbanks Departure
You may have time this morning to explore on your own, before meeting a hotel shuttle to the airport to meet your departing flight.
SPECIAL NOTE: Reserved tour date may change due to Northern Lights activity, weather, or other considerations, after the tour has been confirmed. You will be consulted regarding any changes.
Tour Map
Photo Gallery
Browse Dates & Rates
Thursday Departures only due to the train schedule. No departures on Thursday, Oct 11, 18, 25, 2018 and February 28, 2019.
as well as following Sunday departures February 3, 10, 17, 24 and March 3, 10, 17, 24, 2019.
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.
Browsing Optional Add-on's for the Aurora Train Travel in Winter:
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