Circle Alaska Adventure Tour

This fun and educational Alaska vacation features Denali, Fairbanks, Valdez and Seward.

Tour Code: 1549CTA

Tour Overview

This Circle Alaska vacation is a great family adventure for everyone at every age!  Including a fantastic array of Alaska attractions and adventurous fun, this tour begins with a trip on the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage, a train ride traveling at a leisurely pace with scenic vistas and excellent onboard service.  You will travel north toward Denali National Park with several opportunities to see the mountain of Denali along the way.  After exploring Denali in Fairbanks, you will pan for gold and cruise aboard a classic sternwheeler riverboat.  After your fun, you’ll pick up a rental car and enjoy the freedom of exploring independently for the remainder of your vacation.  You will drive along Wrangell St. Elias National Park to Valdez.  Afterward, you’ll continue to Seward.  In Seward, take an optional boat cruise into scenic Kenai Fjords National Park.  You also have the chance to visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, a unique marine life research facility that is both educational and fun.  Top off your Alaska adventure with a summer sled dog ride at a championship kennel, a thrill for any age

What's Included
  • 11 nights accommodations
  • Train from Anchorage to Denali and Denali to Fairbanks
  • 4-6 hour bus tour into Denali National Park (depending on weather and road conditions)
  • Sternwheeler Riverboat cruise
  • Visit Gold Dredge 8 in Fairbanks
  • Wilderness dog sled ride with the Seaveys in Seward
  • 8 days mid-size car rental, including a one-way fee from Fairbanks to Anchorage and unlimited mileage
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Transfers in Anchorage, meals unless otherwise noted, and gratuities. Optional car rental coverages (such as LDW or liability insurance), additional driver, fuel, or GPS.

 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival Anchorage

Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to your hotel.  Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.  If time allows, visit the Anchorage Museum, the Log Cabin Visitor Center, and other downtown attractions all within walking distance of your hotel. Overnight in Anchorage downtown.

Day 2
Anchorage to Denali National Park

This morning transfer to the Anchorage train station by hotel courtesy shuttle or on your own. Board the Alaska Railroad and depart for Denali National Park at 8:20 am. Arrive in Denali at 3:40 pm and 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.

Day 3
Denali National Park Bus 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 approximately 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 and flightseeing tours (see Tour Add-Ons). Overnight near the Denali park entrance.

Day 4
Denali National Park to Fairbanks

Sleep in this morning or enjoy one of the optional tours at the Denali Park entrance. In the afternoon, travel on the Alaska Railroad to Fairbanks. Upon arrival in Fairbanks at 8:00 pm, transfer to your hotel by courtesy shuttle. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 5
Fairbanks

This morning pick up your rental car at the Fairbanks airport to begin you day of sightseeing around the local area. Arrive at the Gold Dredge 8 for a 2-hour guided tour to learn about the history and folklore of Fairbanks’ gold rush period. Board a narrow gauge train to the dredge where you will see first hand how the dredge worked the gold fields. Once the train arrives at the camp you will receive a brief but informative course in mining, and then you will try panning for gold yourself. You will find gold – its guaranteed! Explore the dredge and feel the colorful history of the era come alive. After the Gold Dredge 8 tour you have time for lunch before your departure aboard a classic sternwheeler riverboat. On this 3 hour river cruise you will see an Athabascan fish camp, Alaskan bush pilot demonstration and a championship sled dog team. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 6
Fairbanks to Valdez

Enjoy a scenic drive along the Richardson Highway, one of the oldest and most scenic highways in Alaska. This route follows the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, one of the world’s greatest engineering feats. Just outside of Fairbanks, stop at the Santa Claus House in the town of North Pole. Along your drive, there are several rest stops, including historic roadhouses and scenic viewpoints. As you near your final destination of Valdez, you pass along Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This region of Alaska offers impressive vistas of several of North America’s tallest peaks. Take some time today to explore and visit the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park visitors center at Mile 106 of the Richardson Highway, then continue into the Chugach Mountains and through Thompson Pass. There are several places to stop and enjoy the amazing landscapes, including Worthington Glacier and Bridal Veil Falls. Overnight in Valdez.

Day 7
Valdez

Today is at your leisure to enjoy Valdez and surroundings. Try a leisurely and scenic kayaking trip or see some of Prince William Sound’s well known glaciers with a glacier cruise (see Tour Add-Ons). Overnight in Valdez.

Day 8
Valdez to Sheep Mountain or Wasilla area

Today drive the Richardson Highway back north to the Glenn Highway. Take the Glenn Highway towards Anchorage to the Sheep Mountain and Palmer/Wasilla area. Check out scenic Matanuska Glacier before you relax for the evening. Overnight in Sheep Mountain or the Palmer/Wasilla area (depending on accommodation availability).

Day 9
Sheep Mountain or Wasilla area to Seward

This morning continue driving the Glenn Highway to Anchorage and continue south on the Seward Highway. The Seward Highway takes you first along beautiful coastal scenery and then through scenic mountain areas. When arriving in Seward, check out Exit Glacier. Overnight in Seward.

Day 10
Seward

Today you have time for an optional Kenai Fjords National Park tours today (see Tour Add-Ons). If time allows, you have the option to visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, an aquarium and Alaska’s only permanent marine mammal rehabilitation facility. Overnight in Seward.

Day 11
Seward to Anchorage

This morning enjoy a 90-minute tour of Mitch Seavey’s Iditarod Racing Kennel in Seward. Here you will meet the famous sled dogs that run the Iditarod sled dog race every year. Cuddle adorable puppies, dress up as an Iditarod musher, and then take in the spectacular Alaskan wilderness as you mush for two miles with an Iditarod racer. Later, drive back to Anchorage. On your drive to Anchorage you first pass through the Kenai Mountains and then along Cook Inlet’s Turnagain Arm. Look for Dall sheep, black bears, and beluga whales along the Arm. En route we suggest a few worthwhile stops, including the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, the aerial tram in Girdwood and the Potter’s Marsh bird sanctuary. Overnight in Anchorage. You will stay in the mid-town area of Anchorage or near the Anchorage airport.

Day 12
Departure

Depending on your departure time, you may have time to visit the Alaska Zoo or the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Return your car to the airport rental station in time to meet your departure flight.

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 Circle Alaska Adventure 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

Columbia Glacier Cruise

This Valdez day tour with a glacier and wildlife cruise through Prince William Sound features a visit to Columbia Glacier. On board, you can view Prince Williams Sound’s diverse wildlife, including sea lions, sea otters, and whales. Learn about mining, […]... Browse itinerary

Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

On this exciting day cruise from Seward, hop on this unforgettable glacier and wildlife boat trip into Kenai Fjords National Park! This Alaska national park boasts abundant wildlife, alpine and tidewater glaciers, and breathtaking scenery. As you cruise through Resurrection […]... Browse itinerary

Meares Glacier Cruise from Valdez

This Valdez day tour takes you on a 110-mile glacier cruise through the majestic waters of Prince William Sound to Meares Glacier. On board, you can spot and photograph Prince William Sound wildlife, including sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, […]... Browse itinerary

Resurrection Bay Kayaking Tour

This kayaking tour from Seward is a fun and adventuresome way to explore the spectacular beauty of Resurrection Bay!  Your kayaking tour starts with a transfer from Seward Small Boat Harbor to Lowell Point, where you board your kayak and […]... Browse itinerary

Wilderness Run Float Trip from Denali

On this Alaska river rafting day trip from the Denali Park Entrance, you’ll float down the Nenana River bordering Denali National Park. You may see moose, sheep, caribou, and bear as you raft downstream 11 miles. Your rafting guide will […]... Browse itinerary

We highly recommend visiting the Anchorage Museum. Weather was great, similar to our Arizona winter. Our group was small so we traveled in a van. Our driver accommodated special requests and taxied us to local restaurants. Just as promised: 5 star scenery with 3 star accommodations.

Monica | Trip Advisor