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Best of Alaska Rail & Glaciers | First-time Favorites
INTRODUCTION
What can you do in Alaska in six days? With our best of Alaska rail tour, you'll experience all the first-time favorites, from watching tidewater glaciers shed huge chunks of ice in Prince William Sound to watching bears forage in the wilds of Redoubt Bay.
Naturally, you'll have ample time to explore the wildlife and scenery of Denali National Park, then wrap up the trip in Fairbanks.
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Itinerary at a Glance
MAP

DETAILED ITINERARY
The below itinerary reflects our recommendations for this specific trip. This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction.
Departing Anchorage|Departing Fairbanks
Day 1 Anchorage | Arrival Upon arrival in Anchorage transfer at your own cost to your hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the sights.
Day 2 Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise | Alaska Railroad Depart Anchorage on Alaska Railroad for an adventure into the exciting world of Alaska’s glaciers. 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. Discover several types of glaciers including Alpine hanging, Piedmont and Tidewater, plus watch for glacier calvings (broken pieces of ice that have fallen into the water and become icebergs). Back in Whittier, board Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery train for the final leg of the tour to Anchorage. (Lunch is included onboard)
Day 3 Anchorage | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Anchorage Brew Tour Get the inside scoop on Anchorage’s beer culture and brewery history on a half-day guided tour. Sample six tasty offerings at three different venues, including three classic breweries that you’re sure to enjoy. Option 2. Eco Nature Tour Anchorage is home to ecological treasures that mirror Alaska’s wild beauty. On this tour, walk through boreal forest, peer into the statewide ecosystem at a fish hatchery and visit a coastal wildlife refuge. Option 3. Upgrade Option: Alaska Bear Viewing Tour (Additional Cost) Enjoy a half day guided tour with an opportunity to see Alaska’s black and brown bears in their natural habitat. Fly 70 miles southwest of Anchorage by float plane to the entrance of Lake Clark Wilderness Preserve, site of Redoubt Bay Lodge. Here you can view Alaskan resident brown bears up close from one of the lodge’s covered pontoon boats. (Lunch is included)
Day 4 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 5 Denali National Park Backcountry Tour | Coach | Flightseeing This full-day narrated coach trip explores the entire 148 km/92 mi of Denali Park Road on your way to Denali Backcountry Lodge. With multiple stops for wildlife viewing and photography, your experienced driver-guide will help search for grizzly bears, moose, wolves, caribou and Dall sheep while sharing the biology and geology of the area. For the return trip, board a small Alaskan bush plane for a flightseeing tour back to the park entrance where if weather permits, you will fly close to Mount Denali (Lunch & snacks included today between Jun 4 - Sep 12) (Please note during May to Jun 4 this tour does not include the scenic return flight and will be replaced with a shorter 6-7 hour Tundra Wilderness Coach Tour while the road further into the park thaws and dries out)
Day 6 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 National Park Backcountry Tour | Coach | Flightseeing This full-day narrated coach trip explores the entire 148 km/92 mi of Denali Park Road on your way to Denali Backcountry Lodge. With multiple stops for wildlife viewing and photography, your experienced driver-guide will help search for grizzly bears, moose, wolves, caribou and Dall sheep while sharing the biology and geology of the area. For the return trip, board a small Alaskan bush plane for a flightseeing tour back to the park entrance where if weather permits, you will fly close to Mount Denali (Lunch & snacks included today between Jun 4 - Sep 12) (Please note during May to Jun 4 this tour does not include the scenic return flight and will be replaced with a shorter 6-7 hour Tundra Wilderness Coach Tour while the road further into the park thaws and dries out.)
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 grizzly bears & moose along the banks of the river. (Lunch & dinner included onboard the train today)
Day 4 Anchorage | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Anchorage Brew Tour Get the inside scoop on Anchorage’s beer culture and brewery history on a half-day guided tour. Sample six tasty offerings at three different venues, including three classic breweries that you’re sure to enjoy. Option 2. Eco Nature Tour Anchorage is home to ecological treasures that mirror Alaska’s wild beauty. On this tour, walk through boreal forest, peer into the statewide ecosystem at a fish hatchery and visit a coastal wildlife refuge. Option 3. Upgrade Option: Alaska Bear Viewing Tour (Additional Cost) Enjoy a half day guided tour with an opportunity to see Alaska’s black and brown bears in their natural habitat. Fly 70 miles southwest of Anchorage by float plane to the entrance of Lake Clark Wilderness Preserve, site of Redoubt Bay Lodge. Here you can view Alaskan resident brown bears up close from one of the lodge’s covered pontoon boats. (Lunch is included)
Day 5 Prince William Sound | Glacier Cruise | Alaska Railroad Depart Anchorage on Alaska Railroad for an adventure into the exciting world of Alaska’s glaciers. 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. Discover several types of glaciers including Alpine hanging, Piedmont and Tidewater, plus watch for glacier calvings (broken pieces of ice that have fallen into the water and become icebergs). Back in Whittier, board Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery train for the final leg of the tour to Anchorage. (Lunch is included onboard)
Day 6 Anchorage | Departure Upon check-out of your hotel it’s time to say goodbye to your incredible Alaskan adventure.
INCLUDED
Package Includes:
- 3 nights accommodation in Anchorage
- 2 nights accommodation in Denali
- Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise + Lunch | Alaska Railroad
-
Anchorage | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions
- Anchorage Brew Tour
- Anchorage Eco Nature Tour
- Upgrade Option: Alaska Redoubt Bay Bear Viewing Tour
- Alaska Railroad - Anchorage to Denali Goldstar Service
(Dome car seating, private outdoor viewing deck & meals included onboard train) - Denali Backcountry Adventure Tour with scenic flight back to Denali
Please note during May to Jun 4 this tour does not include the scenic return flight and will be replaced with a shorter 6-7 hour Tundra Wilderness Coach Tour while the road further into the park thaws and dries out. - Denali National Park entrance fee
- Alaska Railroad - Denali to Fairbanks Goldstar Service
(Dome car seating, private outdoor viewing deck & meals included onboard train) - Meals as per Itinerary
Hotel & Rail Information | Moderate Grade:
- Anchorage - Copper Whale Inn | Queen Private Room
- Denali Park Entrance - Denali Cabins | Standard Cabins
Hotel & Rail Information | Superior Grade:
- Anchorage - Hilton Anchorage Hotel | Standard Room
- Denali Park Entrance - Grande Denali Lodge | Standard Room
Information Required at Time of Booking:
- Passengers names as per passport
- Date of birth
- Body weight
Alaska Railroad | Goldstar All our itineraries except the Glacier Discovery Train includes Gold Star Dome Service. These railcars feature large curved glass windows that run the full length of the car, allowing excellent 360 degree viewing plus a private outdoor viewing deck. The service is inclusive of all meals that are served in the lower level dining room.
Alaska Railroad | Glacier Discovery Train The Glacier Discovery train between Anchorage to Whittier (Prince William Sound) only offers the Adventure Class. These single level railcars with a shared vista dome have high ceilings, large windows, as well as a truly surprising amount of leg room. Most seats recline and have foot rests. Meals can be purchased on-board.
Not Included:
- Gratuities
- Activities other than specified
- Portage fees
DATES & PRICING
Departs from Anchorage: Daily (17 May - 08 Sep) (Tour Code: MPANC23)Departs from Fairbanks: Daily (20 May - 11 Sep) (Tour Code: MPANC23R)
Date | Twin | Single | Triple | Child |
---|---|---|---|---|
Moderate Grade | ||||
17 May - 31 May, 2021 01 Jun - 06 Sep, 2021 07 Sep - 11 Sep, 2021 Anchorage Upgrade Option: Alaska Redoubt Bay Bear Viewing 15 Jun - 31 Aug, 2021 |
$2,222 $2,784 $2,650
$756 | $3,033 $3,704 $3,515
$756 |
| $836 $1,439 $1,390
$701 |
Superior Grade | ||||
17 May - 31 May, 2021 01 Jun - 06 Sep, 2021 07 Sep - 11 Sep, 2021 Anchorage Upgrade Option: Alaska Redoubt Bay Bear Viewing 15 Jun - 31 Aug, 2021 |
$2,405 $3,027 $2,777
$756 | $3,398 $4,190 $3,770
$756 | $2,136 $2,701 $2,508
$756 | $836 $1,439 $1,390
$701 |
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REVIEWS
1 of 1
"They were professional and pleasant to work with."
They were professional and pleasant to work with. When the fires starts in various areas that they would be touring Alaska By Design was great in helping to make adjustments to the clients reservations. The clients were thrilled with there trip.
Jemma L New York
Best of Alaska Rail & Glaciers | First-time Favorites
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