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Alaska | Tour Code: 12349
Perfect for rail enthusiasts! Experience the ultimate Alaskan adventure, combining luxury rail travel with thrilling wilderness tours, breathtaking wildlife encounters, and rich Gold Rush history, all from the comfort of Alaska Railroad's GoldStar service.
Highlights
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Enjoy Alaska’s spectacular scenery while traveling aboard the Alaska Railroad
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Discover Denali National Park, one of the world's greatest wildlife preserves
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Explore the stunning natural beauty of Kenai Fjords
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Travel aboard a sternwheeler cruise on the Chena River
Entire Bonus
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This holiday package is carefully designed by our team to give you complete Peace of Mind, with access to trusted local partners and expert support at your destination.
Overview
Experience the best of Alaska's rugged beauty at a leisurely pace aboard the Alaska Railroad, where the journey is just as spectacular as the destination. Traveling in the luxurious GoldStar service, you'll enjoy panoramic glass-dome windows offering uninterrupted views of Alaska's most dramatic landscapes, comfortable reclining seats, and access to an outdoor viewing platform for even closer encounters with the wild. Onboard, you'll be treated to first-class dining with meals prepared using fresh, local ingredients, and impeccable service that ensures every moment is memorable.
Your adventure begins with a scenic rail journey from Anchorage, heading south towards Seward, the gateway to the awe-inspiring Kenai Fjords. Here, you’ll embark on a Glacier and Wildlife Cruise, where towering ice formations and marine wildlife such as sea otters, whales, and puffins await. The railway then carries you north through dramatic mountain scenery to the charming town of Talkeetna, where you'll experience the thrill of an exhilarating jet boat adventure along remote rivers. The lush wilderness and breathtaking views in this region are simply unforgettable.
Next, the journey takes you to Denali, where you'll delve into the heart of Alaska’s untamed wilderness with a guided Tundra Wilderness Tour. This incredible excursion deep into Denali National Park offers chances to spot wildlife such as grizzly bears, moose, and wolves, with the towering Denali (Mount McKinley) dominating the skyline. Onboard the Alaska Railroad, every leg of the journey continues to offer exceptional views as the train rolls through vast valleys, dense forests, and rugged mountain passes.
The grand finale of your Alaskan rail adventure takes you further north to Fairbanks, a city steeped in Gold Rush history. Here, you'll explore Alaska’s pioneering past, including a classic sternwheeler river cruise on the Chena River, transporting you back to the bygone days of gold miners and trappers. With each stop, your itinerary perfectly balances adventure and relaxation, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in Alaska's diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage.
Whether gazing at glaciers from the comfort of the train’s glass dome or venturing out into the wild on guided tours, this journey promises a blend of luxury, excitement, and unparalleled natural beauty.
Inclusions
- Alaska Railroad GoldStar Anchorage to Seward
- Alaska Railroad GoldStar Seward to Anchorage
- Alaska Railroad GoldStar Anchorage to Talkeetna
- Alaska Railroad GoldStar Talkeetna to Denali National Park
- Alaska Railroad GoldStar Denali to Fairbanks
- 3 nights in Anchorage at Hilton Hotel
- 1 night in Seward at Harbor 360 Hotel
- 1 night in Talkeetna at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
- 1 night in Denali at Grande Denali Lodge
- 2 nights in Fairbanks at Pike's Waterfront Lodge
- Kenai Fjords National Park cruise including lunch
- Jetboat Tour in Talkeetna
- Denali National Park Bus Tour
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour in Fairbanks
- Sternwheeler Riverboat Tour
- Alaska Airlines Economy Class Flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage
Itinerary
The Alaska Railroad’s premium class of service offers passengers an exceptional way to travel across Alaska. Glass-dome ceilings allow for panoramic views as Alaska unfolds along the tracks, and an outdoor, upper-level viewing platform - the only one of its kind in the world - offers fresh air and an excellent vantage point for photos.
Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to your hotel on own. Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Anchorage provides an excellent start to your Alaskan package and offers an abundance of shopping, cultural attractions, and a great selection of restaurants.
Overnight in Anchorage at the Hilton Hotel
Early this morning, transfer on your own to the Anchorage rail depot to board the Alaska Railroad to Seward. This scenic journey takes you along Cook Inlet and into the glacier-filled Kenai Mountains. Upon arrival in Seward, the rest of the day is at your leisure. The Alaska SeaLife Center, a world-class marine research facility funded by the Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement, is recommended for a visit.
Overnight in Seward at the Harbor 360 Hotel
This morning you will 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. You will also cruise along the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, home to a large variety of birds, on your way to either the Holgate or Aialik Glacier. Spend some time in front of the glacier for a chance to watch ice calve off into the ocean with a thunderous splash! A lunch is served on-board. Following your cruise meet the Alaska Railroad for the return to Anchorage.
Overnight in Anchorage at the Hilton Hotel
This morning transfer to the rail station to board the Alaska Railroad bound for Talkeetna. On clear days the Talkeetna area has awe-inspiring views of Denali, North America’s tallest peak. This afternoon you will embark on a 2-hour jet boat adventure aboard the Talkeetna Queen. Cruise to a wilderness site where you will take a leisurely 1/4 mile nature walk to an authentic trapper’s cabin, complete with original furnishings. See how trappers lived in “Bush” Alaska at the turn of the century. Your guide will display raw furs from the local area, demonstrate trapping methods, and acquaint you with the wildflowers and plants that grow in abundance here. Along the river you will have the opportunity to look for bald eagles, beavers, and possibly even moose and bears.
Overnight in Talkeetna at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
This morning, relax or take an optional excursion. Mid-morning, depart Talkeetna and travel aboard the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park. The afternoon is free in Denali, you may try to do activities such as river rafting, hiking, and exploring on your own.
Overnight in Denali at the Grande Denali Lodge
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 or guide will provide commentary. The tour is approximately 4 to 6 hours long and takes you approximately 30 to 43 miles into the park, depending on weather and road conditions. In the afternoon, depart Denali on the Alaska Railroad for Fairbanks.
Overnight in Fairbanks at the Pike's Waterfront Lodge
Today, enjoy a narrated sightseeing tour, bringing you to the highlights of Fairbanks. During the tour, you will visit the Morris Thompson Cultural Center where you will find great exhibits about Interior Alaska. Then 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. From there, continue to the Museum of the North with its dramatic architecture and new exhibit galleries (closed on Sundays in September; then the tour will go to the Antique Auto Museum instead). And finally, you will visit Santa Claus at his home at the North Pole, and buy some Alaska souvenirs and Christmas decorations.
Additionally, enjoy a sternwheeler cruise on the Chena River aboard the Riverboat Discovery. Along the route, you will see a bush plane take off, see a champion line of Alaskan husky sled dogs, and gain insight into the ancient Athabaskan Indian culture during a stop at Chena Village.
Overnight in Fairbanks at the Pike's Waterfront Lodge
You will transfer via hotel courtesy shuttle to the Fairbanks Airport for a scheduled flight to Anchorage. The flight is in the afternoon/evening. Flight time is approximately 55 minutes. Transfer to Anchorage hotel on your own.
Overnight in Anchorage at the Hilton Hotel
Depending on your departure time, you might have free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions. Transfer on your own to the airport.
Additional Information
FROM price reflects the lowest available price within the advertised travel period (e.g. April to October). Pricing varies depending on travel dates, availability and demand, and may not be available on all departures. Higher pricing applies during peak and shoulder periods. Final pricing is confirmed at the time of enquiry or booking. Please refer to Pricing & Price Conditions for full details, including inclusions, exclusions and other conditions.
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