Itinerary
Rail Onboard Alaska Railroad - GoldStar Service
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 of its kind in the world -- offers fresh air and an excellent vantage point for photos.
Day 1 Anchorage
Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city and is 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 at the Hilton Hotel.
Day 2 Anchorage
Located in Southcentral Alaska on the shores of Cook Inlet, Anchorage stands as a sophisticated metropolis in the midst of the rugged wilderness. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and is where half of the state’s residents live. Moose can often be seen in Anchorage’s urban parks and the city is home to North America’s largest floatplane base, Lake Hood. Today’s 2.5-hour sightseeing tour of the city takes you around Anchorage. Stops during the tour include the Port of Anchorage or the Ship Creek area, Earthquake Park, and Lake Hood. The afternoon is free to explore a variety of shops and restaurants.
Overnight in Anchorage at the Hilton Hotel.
Day 3 Anchorage Seward
Very early in the morning, board the Alaska Railroad to Seward. Sit back and relax as the 4-hour journey takes you along scenic Cook Inlet and into the glacier-filled Kenai Mountains. In the afternoon, visit Exit Glacier, one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska.
During the 2.5-hour guided tour, you will take a scenic hike up to the glacier. Wear your hiking shoes and don’t forget your camera! The rest of the day is yours to explore Seward. Consider the Alaska SeaLife Center, a research and rehabilitation facility that focuses on marine mammals, seabirds, and fish species of the North Pacific. Other options include a visit to a sled-dog kennel.
Overnight in Seward at the Harbor 360 Hotel.
Day 4 Seward
Today, board a sightseeing vessel to cruise through the wildlife-rich and glacier-filled waters of Kenai Fjords National Park. Common wildlife encounters include sea otters, sea lions, harbour seals, and many marine birds such as puffins and cormorants. With some luck, you may even see orcas or humpback whales. This 6-hour journey will also take you to the face of a tidewater glacier where you may see large chunks of ice ‘calving’ into the sea below. Keep your eyes and ears open – the sound of the ice cracking and falling is as incredible as watching it fall. Lunch is included. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight in Seward at the Harbor 360 Hotel.
Day 5 Seward Talkeetna
Enjoy a transfer by scheduled motorcoach to Talkeetna. The Seward Highway showcases the natural beauty of south-central Alaska. Relax and enjoy the scenery. Stop can be made in Anchorage before you travel to Talkeetna on the Parks Highway.
The town of Talkeetna is located approximately 115 road miles north of Anchorage, about 14 miles off the Parks Highway at the end of the Talkeetna Spur Road. This small distinctive community of less than 500 is often said to be the inspiration behind the television series “Northern Exposure”. The town is also the main staging area for climbers waiting to start their Mt. Denali ascents, and the Talkeetna area is probably the best location on the highway or rail system to view "The Mountain”.
Overnight in Talkeetna at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.
Day 6 Talkeetna Denali
In the morning, take a 2-hour Jetboat Adventure Tour from Talkeetna. As you travel 20 miles upriver, your naturalist guide will provide information on the rivers in the area as well as Denali. You may have opportunities to view the mountain of Denali, nest bald eagles, and beaver activities.
Upon arriving at an adventure site you will take a 1/4 mile leisurely nature walk where you will see a replicated Dena’ina Athabascan encampment. After your jet boat tour, you will travel aboard the Alaska Railroad from Talkeetna to Denali National Park. With a size of over 6 million acres, Denali National Park is one of the world’s greatest wild animal preserves. The park is protected from hunting and the animals roam freely in a region dominated by North America’s tallest mountain. Most visitor facilities are grouped near the park entrance. This afternoon you have a chance for optional activities or you may relax and enjoy some leisure time.
Overnight at Denali at the Grande Denali Lodge.
Day 7 Denali
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. The rest of the day is free.
Overnight in Denali at the Grande Denali Lodge.
Day 8 Denali Fairbanks
This morning you have time to participate in optional tours before a courtesy shuttle takes you to the Denali rail depot. You will board the Alaska Railroad for the journey to Fairbanks. Known as the “Gateway to the Arctic”, Fairbanks is located in the heart of Alaska’s Interior and serves as a transportation hub for the North Slope oil fields and Arctic villages. Upon arrival in Fairbanks, transfer to your hotel by courtesy shuttle.
Overnight in Fairbanks at River’s Edge Resort.
Day 9 Fairbanks
Today, enjoy a narrated sightseeing tour, bringing you to the highlights of Fairbanks. Immerse yourself in life-sized exhibits of traditional Alaska Native culture at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. Then stop at a viewpoint for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline where your guide will explain the astonishing engineering of the 800-mile pipeline and Alaska’s oil industry. Next, explore the University of Alaska Museum of the North with exhibit galleries on Alaska’s wildlife, art and natural history (on days when the museum is closed you will visit the Antique Auto Museum instead). It’s Christmas year-round in the nearby town of North Pole where you will visit the Santa Claus House and may even get to meet Santa and his reindeer. Additionally, you will embark on a sternwheeler cruise on the Chena River. Along the route you will watch a bush plane take off, see a champion line of sled dogs, and learn about Native Athabascan culture at Chena Village.
Overnight in Fairbanks at the River’s Edge Resort.
Day 10 Fairbanks Anchorage
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 on your own.
Overnight in Anchorage at the Hilton Hotel.
Day 11 Anchorage
Depending on your departure time, you might have free time for some souvenir shopping or additional excursions. Transfer on your own to the airport.
Accommodation
Grande Denali Lodge
Denali National Park
The Grande Denali Lodge on Sugarloaf Mountain is designed with your comfort and convenience in mind. The interior design highlights the Alaska Native Heritage of its owners while it offers panoramic views of the surrounding Denali wilderness and the Nenana River canyon. You'll find the lodge is a very special place where you can truly relax, meet friends, share a meal, or simply take in the beauty all around you. Grande Denali Lodge offers spacious guest rooms with canyon or hillside views and a selection of Alaskan-style cabins with a range of creature comforts. Our Alpenglow Restaurant features New American cuisine with a focus on fresh Alaskan seafood and tender, all-natural meats combined with seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Harbor 360 Hotel
Seward
This 3-story hotel is located just 1 block from the Seward train station and at the bustling Seward Small Boat Harbor. This hotel offers comfortable hotel rooms, indoor pool and hot tub, safety deposit box at front desk, and on-site guest self-laundry facilities. There are 94 guest rooms all with private bath, hairdryer, iron/ironing board, coffee maker, TV, free wireless internet access, air conditioning, telephone, refrigerator and alarm clock. Microwave available on request.
Hilton Anchorage Hotel
Anchorage
Located in the heart of downtown, within three blocks of the Egan and Dena'ina convention centers, 5th Avenue Mall, and the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. The hotel lobby features an extensive collection of Alaskan art. Visit the fitness center and relax in the indoor pool and steam room. Enjoy American favorites and local specialties, such as wild Alaskan salmon caponata and seared Alaskan halibut in the restaurant.
River's Edge Resort
Fairbanks
This unique resort property offers a full range of accommodations, dining, and RV Park sites and campgrounds. Enjoy the beauty of authentic Alaska in your own private cottage setting situated along the banks of the Chena River. Relax in a river front cottage, where the sounds of the Chena River flowing joins with the rustling of birch leaves.
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Talkeetna
Set on a ridge just above the town of Talkeetna, the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge offers majestic views of the tallest peak in North America. It’s the best of Alaska, outside and in. Outside, we’re at the doorstep for high-energy outdoor adventures in Denali and beyond. Inside, there’s a crackling fire in a giant river rock fireplace, and a carefully-curated selection of Native art in the boutique. Award-winning cuisine, the best wine selection in the area, friendly service—and a great night’s sleep! All rooms feature a full private bath, hair dryer, coffee maker, refrigerator, satellite television, telephone, and wireless internet.
-PC-Glenn-Aronwits-1500x780.jpg?auto=format)
-PC-Glenn-Aronwits-1500x780.jpg?auto=format)
-1500x780.jpg?auto=format)
