Alaska Discovery Road Trip with Alaska Railroad

Day 1 Anchorage to Seward | 239 km/149 mi | Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise This morning travel along the Seward Highway towards scenic Turnagain Arm. Turnagain Arm is a body of water featuring the world’s second highest tides at over 30 feet. In Whittier board the 26 Glacier Cruise and venture deep into Prince William Sound, finding yourself so close to glaciers that you can “hear” them move and gaze at their brilliant blue hues. Lunch is included onboard. Following your cruise it is an approximate 2 hour drive to your destination of Seward.

Day 2 Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 5 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Tonsina Point Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure Resurrection Bay is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and home to several Alaska state parks that offer abundant opportunities to hike, sea kayak and explore! Option 2. Bear Lake Kayak | Canoe Trip Kayak or canoe on this scenic local lake with fun-loving guides. Bear Lake is located just outside Seward, Alaska and normally offers flat calm waters, and a home for Sockeye salmon. On the way there is a stop to visit the salmon weir and learn about their life cycle. Eagles, loons, and bears are often seen while on this adventure Option 3. Wilderness Dog Sled Ride Tour Visit the Seavey Family Homestead in Seward, and tour the beautiful tether free summer camp for Iditarod athletes! Meet the dogs, feel their excitement as teams are hitched to comfortable summer sleds, then mush for two miles through the scenic rainforest. Option 4. Exit Glacier Hike This moderate hiking adventure is great for viewing the jewel of the Resurrection River Valley - Exit Glacier. This massive wall of blue ice descends the mountainside from the Harding Ice Field, down to the Resurrection River. Option 5. Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise Treat yourself to an abundance of wildlife viewing with this 3 ½ hour Kenai Fjords cruise in Resurrection Bay. Travel 55 miles (round-trip) along a rugged coastline and snap plenty of memorable photos as you sail past Bear Glacier. Sail close to sea lion colonies and seabird rookeries, and keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, eagles and mountain goats.

Day 3 Seward to Homer | 270 km/168 mi Continue your journey and follow the Sterling Highway, a designated scenic highway covering miles of spectacular landscape. Along the way view snowcapped mountains, active volcanoes including Mt. Iliamna, Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Augustine, deep ocean bluffs, excellent salmon fishing opportunities along the Kenai River, and a magnificent coastline.

Day 4 Homer | Day at Leisure Homer “Halibut Capital of the World” provides you with truly incredible panoramic views of mountain ranges, white peaks, glaciers and the famous Homer Spit. Use the day to explore the area - kayak to a remote cove, take a scenic cruise and spot wildlife including whales, seals, sea otters and many shorebirds. If you prefer to observe Grizzly bears up close, take an optional scenic flightseeing tour to the Katmai Coast.

Day 5 Homer to Anchorage | 355 km/221 mi This morning, drive north on the scenic Sterling and Seward Highways back towards Anchorage. Along the way we have included admission to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here you can safely get close, observe, and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears, muskox.

Day 6 Anchorage to Denali National Park Entrance | Alaska Railroad Early this morning take the Denali Star, the Alaska Railroad’s flagship train, in the Goldstar Railcar with service to Denali National Park. Watch for views of Denali and keep an eye out for wildlife. Arrive mid-afternoon; the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy an optional activity. (Breakfast & lunch is included onboard the train today)

Day 7 Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Option 1. Denali Backcountry Adventure Tour | Full Day Coach Tour Ranked #2 in Drives of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveler magazine, experience over 65 miles of wilderness and wildlife along the rugged Denali Highway. Flanked by snow-capped mountains, icy glaciers and panoramic vistas, local guides will ensure you have opportunities to view the region’s best landmarks while introducing you to a host of authentic Alaska activities. See Denali and the other giants of the Alaska Range (weather permitting) and enjoy a delicious lunch at Alpine Creek Lodge. (Lunch and snacks included) Option 2. Denali Highway Jeep Excursion | Self-Drive Guided 4x4 Excursion Ranked #2 in Drives of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveler magazine, experience the natural wonders of Alaska’s Denali Highway — this time by Jeep! This 4-hour guided excursion travels along a 135 mi (217 km) gravel road and takes you off the beaten path with your guide in a 4 x 4 to enjoy scenic views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers and wildlife. (Snacks included) Option 3. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour This shorter half day tour offers incredible scenery, a narrated history of the park road and opportunities to view the park’s wildlife inhabitants. Picturesque highlights include the craggy cliffside of Cathedral Mountain, wildlife rich Sable Pass and braided wash of the East Fork River. Your turnaround point is the Murie Cabin, a rustic shelter with a history befitting the wild and remarkable Denali National Park. (It is recommended to take snacks on this excursion)

Day 8 Denali National Park Entrance to Fairbanks | Alaska Railroad This morning is at leisure to enjoy optional activities such as: whitewater rafting down the Nenana River, helicopter flightseeing over the park, landing on a glacier or hiking. By early afternoon, board Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star Train in the Goldstar Railcar to Fairbanks. Enjoy the late afternoon scenery as you travel north to Fairbanks where your incredible Alaskan adventure ends. (Dinner is included on board the train today)

Day 1 Fairbanks to Denali | Alaska Railroad This morning, board the Denali Star, Alaska Railroad’s flagship train, in the Goldstar Railcar for a scenic journey to Denali National Park. Arrive late morning; the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy an optional activity. (Breakfast included onboard the train today)

Day 2 Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Option 1. Denali Backcountry Adventure Tour | Full Day Coach Tour Ranked #2 in Drives of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveler magazine, experience over 65 miles of wilderness and wildlife along the rugged Denali Highway. Flanked by snow-capped mountains, icy glaciers and panoramic vistas, local guides will ensure you have opportunities to view the region’s best landmarks while introducing you to a host of authentic Alaska activities. See Denali and the other giants of the Alaska Range (weather permitting) and enjoy a delicious lunch at Alpine Creek Lodge. (Lunch and snacks included) Option 2. Denali Highway Jeep Excursion | Self-Drive Guided 4x4 Excursion Ranked #2 in Drives of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveler magazine, experience the natural wonders of Alaska’s Denali Highway — this time by Jeep! This 4-hour guided excursion travels along a 135 mi (217 km) gravel road and takes you off the beaten path with your guide in a 4 x 4 to enjoy scenic views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers and wildlife. (Snacks included) Option 3. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour This shorter half day tour offers incredible scenery, a narrated history of the park road and opportunities to view the park’s wildlife inhabitants. Picturesque highlights include the craggy cliffside of Cathedral Mountain, wildlife rich Sable Pass and braided wash of the East Fork River. Your turnaround point is the Murie Cabin, a rustic shelter with a history befitting the wild and remarkable Denali National Park. (It is recommended to take snacks on this excursion)

Day 3 Denali to Anchorage | Alaska Railroad This morning is open for optional activities such as: whitewater rafting down the Nenana River, helicopter flightseeing over the Park, landing on a glacier, or hiking. At midday, board the Alaska Railroad and travel by Goldstar Railcar for the day trip to Anchorage. As you travel along the Susitna River, you may catch a glimpse of the majestic Mount Denali or black bears along the banks of the river. (Lunch & dinner included onboard the train today)

Day 4 Anchorage to Seward | 239 km/149 mi | Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise This morning travel along the Seward Highway towards scenic Turnagain Arm. Turnagain Arm is a body of water featuring the world’s second highest tides at over 30 feet. In Whittier board the 26 Glacier Cruise and venture deep into Prince William Sound, finding yourself so close to glaciers that you can “hear” them move and gaze at their brilliant blue hues. Lunch is included onboard. Following your cruise it is an approximate 2 hour drive to your destination of Seward.

Day 5 Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 5 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Tonsina Point Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure Resurrection Bay is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and home to several Alaska state parks that offer abundant opportunities to hike, sea kayak and explore! Option 2. Bear Lake Kayak | Canoe Trip Kayak or canoe on this scenic local lake with fun-loving guides. Bear Lake is located just outside Seward, Alaska and normally offers flat calm waters, and a home for Sockeye salmon. On the way there is a stop to visit the salmon weir and learn about their life cycle. Eagles, loons, and bears are often seen while on this adventure Option 3. Wilderness Dog Sled Ride Tour Visit the Seavey Family Homestead in Seward, and tour the beautiful tether free summer camp for Iditarod athletes! Meet the dogs, feel their excitement as teams are hitched to comfortable summer sleds, then mush for two miles through the scenic rainforest. Option 4. Exit Glacier Hike This moderate hiking adventure is great for viewing the jewel of the Resurrection River Valley - Exit Glacier. This massive wall of blue ice descends the mountainside from the Harding Ice Field, down to the Resurrection River. Option 5. Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise Treat yourself to an abundance of wildlife viewing with this 3 ½ hour Kenai Fjords cruise in Resurrection Bay. Travel 55 miles (round-trip) along a rugged coastline and snap plenty of memorable photos as you sail past Bear Glacier. Sail close to sea lion colonies and seabird rookeries, and keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, eagles and mountain goats.

Day 6 Seward to Homer | 270 km/168 mi Continue your journey and follow the Sterling Highway, a designated scenic highway covering miles of spectacular landscape. Along the way view snowcapped mountains, active volcanoes including Mt. Iliamna, Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Augustine, deep ocean bluffs, excellent salmon fishing opportunities along the Kenai River, and a magnificent coastline.

Day 7 Homer | Day at Leisure Homer “Halibut Capital of the World” provides you with truly incredible panoramic views of mountain ranges, white peaks, glaciers and the famous Homer Spit. Use the day to explore the area - kayak to a remote cove, take a scenic cruise and spot wildlife including whales, seals, sea otters and many shorebirds. If you prefer to observe Grizzly bears up close, take an optional scenic flightseeing tour to the Katmai Coast.

Day 8 Homer to Anchorage | 355 km/221 mi This morning, drive north on the scenic Sterling and Seward Highways back towards Anchorage. Along the way we have included admission to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here you can safely get close, observe, and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears, muskox.