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Signature Alaska Rail Vacation
INTRODUCTION
Visit popular destinations like Kenai Fjords and Denali National Park on this 9-day signature Alaska rail vacation.
Enjoy bear viewing by floatplane in Redoubt Bay, a Glacier Dog Sled Helicopter Tour in Girdwood, a cruise in the Northwestern Fjord and Goldstar Service on Alaska Railroad.
Everything is included on this signature trip!.
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 | ArrivalUpon 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 Anchorage | Floatplane to Redoubt Bay or Chinita Bear ViewingEnjoy a half day guided tour with an opportunity to see Alaska’s black and brown bears in their natural habitat. Depending on the time of year and where the bears are foraging for food, you will fly south-west of Anchorage by float plane to either Redoubt Bay or Chinitna Bay. Here you can view Alaskan resident brown bears up close
Day 3 Anchorage to Girdwood | Glacier Dog Sled Heli-Tour Explore Anchorage this morning on a private tour before traveling to the mountain town of Girdwood. Following Turnagain Arm with stops to look for wildlife and take in the beauty of Chugach State Park, you’ll board a helicopter for a glacier landing & dog sledding tour – the best way to experience Alaska! Returning to the heliport you will be transferred back to Alyeska Resort, with the rest of the day at lei-sure. We have included air tram tickets for the ride to the peak of Alyeska.
Day 4 Girdwood to Seward | Small Group TourJoin your coach midday for a short drive to lunch, then visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here you can safely observe and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears and muskox. If time allows, stop at Exit Glacier where a short and easy walk provides an up-close and personal view of a magnificent glacier. Upon arrival in Seward, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. (Lunch is included today)
Day 5 Seward | Kenai Fjords Northwestern Fjord CruiseToday we have arranged for you to take an all-day Kenai Fjords Cruise. Travel farther into Kenai Fjords National Park than with any other cruise and visit the magnificent Northwestern Fjord, home to three amazing tidewater glaciers, numerous alpine glaciers and marine wildlife like Stellar sea lions, seals, humpbacks, orcas and otters. (A continental breakfast & deli-style lunch is included onboard)
Day 6 Seward to Talkeetna | Coach Mid-morning, board a scheduled motorcoach to Talkeetna. The Seward Highway showcases the natu-ral beauty of south central Alaska. Relax and enjoy the scenery while your driver gives you some histo-ry of the area along the way. Stop in Anchorage at midday for approx 90 minutes before continuing to Talkeetna.
Day 7 Talkeetna to Denali National Park Entrance | Alaska RailroadThis morning take the Denali Star, Alaska Railroad’s flagship train, in the Goldstar Railcar to Denali Na-tional Park. The afternoon is open for optional activities such as whitewater rafting down the Nenana River, helicopter flightseeing over the Park, landing on a glacier or hiking. (Lunch is included onboard the train today)
Day 8 Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 ExcursionsOption 1. 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 & takes you off the beaten path in a 4 x 4 to enjoy scenic views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers and wildlife.Option 2. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour This 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 in Denali National Park.Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Summit Flightseeing | Small AircraftGet a closer look at Alaska’s majestic Denali from the comfortable window seat of a small aircraft. Slip on your provided headset to hear commentary from your guide as you fly over the snow-covered peaks, jagged ridgelines, and glacier carved valleys of Denali National Park, and get within half a mile of the mountain peak.Option 4. Upgrade Option : Denali Glacier Landing | HelicopterBe immersed in the vastness of the Denali National Preserve. On your way to the massive Yanert Glac-ier, your pilot will serve as your guide through this unique glacially-carved environment. Soar over the rolling tundra, keeping an eye out for local residents – caribou, moose, bear, and Dall sheep. Snow capped peaks and glaciers abound on this journey before you set down on a river of ice.
Day 9 Denali National Park Entrance to Fairbanks | Alaska RailroadThis morning is at leisure to enjoy optional activities such as: whitewater rafting down the Nenana Riv-er, 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 RailroadThis 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 op-tional activity. (breakfast included onboard the train today)
Day 2 Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 ExcursionsOption 1. 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 & takes you off the beaten path in a 4 x 4 to enjoy scenic views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers and wildlife.Option 2. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour This 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 in Denali National Park.Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Summit Flightseeing | Small AircraftGet a closer look at Alaska’s majestic Denali from the comfortable window seat of a small aircraft. Slip on your provided headset to hear commentary from your guide as you fly over the snow-covered peaks, jagged ridgelines, and glacier carved valleys of Denali National Park, and get within half a mile of the mountain peak.Option 4. Upgrade Option : Denali Glacier Landing | HelicopterBe immersed in the vastness of the Denali National Preserve. On your way to the massive Yanert Glac-ier, your pilot will serve as your guide through this unique glacially-carved environment. Soar over the rolling tundra, keeping an eye out for local residents – caribou, moose, bear, and Dall sheep. Snow capped peaks and glaciers abound on this journey before you set down on a river of ice.
Day 3 Denali National Park Entrance to Talkeetna | Alaska RailroadAt midday, board the Alaska Railroad and travel by Goldstar Railcar to Talkeetna, best known as base camp for climbers attempting Mount Denali. The evening is at your leisure. Talkeetna is a small but unique gold mining community, famous for its special charm and for its stunning views of Mount De-nali. (Lunch is included onboard the train today)
Day 4 Talkeetna to Seward | CoachThis morning depart Talkeetna aboard a comfortable motorcoach. The driver will provide narration as you travel on the nationally recognized Parks Highway through Alaska’s spectacular scenery and small historic towns. Then a layover of 90 minutes in Anchorage so that you can purchase lunch. Continue on to Seward along scenic Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm.
Day 5 Seward | Kenai Fjords Northwestern Fjord CruiseToday we have arranged for you to take an all-day Kenai Fjords Cruise. Travel farther into Kenai Fjords National Park than with any other cruise and visit the magnificent Northwestern Fjord, home to three amazing tidewater glaciers, numerous alpine glaciers and marine wildlife like Stellar sea lions, seals, humpbacks, orcas and otters. (A continental breakfast & deli-style lunch is included onboard)
Day 6 Seward to Girdwood | Alaska Wildlife Conservation CentreBegin your adventure with a stop to view Exit Glacier, then visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Cen-ter which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here you can safely ob-serve and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears and muskox. Take an aerial tram up Alyeska Mountain for views of Turnagain Arm, up to seven “hanging” glaciers and the endless peaks of the Chugach Mountain Range, then find your overnight accommodation, Alyeska Resort, back at the base of the tram. (Lunch is included today)
Day 7 Girdwood to Anchorage | Glacier Dog Sled Helicopter TourThis morning transfer to the helipad for a helicopter ride, a glacier landing & dog sledding (on snow)! There is no better way to see Alaska than from the air, and there’s no better Alaskan activity than dog sledding! While on the glacier your luggage will be collected from the resort and meet you at the heli-pad for the transfer back to Anchorage with a tour of he city before being taken to your hotel.
Day 8 Anchorage | Floatplane to Redoubt Bay or Chinita Bear ViewingEnjoy a half day guided tour with an opportunity to see Alaska’s black and brown bears in their natural habitat. Depending on the time of year and where the bears are foraging for food, you will fly south-west of Anchorage by float plane to either Redoubt Bay or Chinitna Bay. Here you can view Alaskan resident brown bears up close.
Day 9 Anchorage | DepartureUpon check-out of your hotel, it’s time to say goodbye to your incredible Alaskan adventure.
INCLUDED
Package Includes:
- Accommodation including taxes for 8 nights
- Bear Viewing Safari
- Anchorage hotel to floatplane dock pick up / drop off
- Return float-plane flight between Anchorage
- Bear viewing with professional guides + lunch
- Private Anchorage City Tour with transfer to/ from Girdwood
- Glacier Dog Sled Helicopter Tour
- Aerial tram ride to the peak of Alyeska
- Day tour from Girdwood to Seward with lunch and the following inclusions:
- Admission to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Northwestern Fjord Cruise with continental breakfast & lunch
- Shuttle to/from small boat harbour to accommodation
- Seward to Talkeetna scheduled coach transfer with driver commentary
- Alaska Railroad - Talkeetna to Denali Goldstar Service
(Dome car seating and private outdoor viewing deck with meals included onboard train) - Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions
- Denali Highway Jeep Excursion
- Tundra Wilderness Tour
- Upgrade Option: Denali Summit Flightseeing by Plane
- Upgrade Option: Denali Glacier Landing by Helicopter
- Alaska Railroad - Denali to Fairbanks Goldstar Service
(Dome car seating and private outdoor viewing deck with meals included onboard train) - Meals as per Itinerary
Hotel & Rail Information | Moderate Grade:
- Anchorage - Hilton Anchorage Hotel | Standard Room
- Girdwood - Alyeska Resort | Deluxe Room
- Seward - Seward Windsong Lodge | Standard Room
- Talkeetna - Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge | Main Lodge Room
- Denali Park Entrance - Denali Cabins | Standard Cabin
Hotel & Rail Information | Superior Grade:
- Anchorage - Hotel Captain Cook | Deluxe Room
- Girdwood - Alyeska Resort | Deluxe Room
- Seward - Seward Windsong Lodge | Standard Room with Deck
- Talkeetna - Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge | Mountainside Lodge Room
- Denali Park Entrance - Grande Denali Lodge | Standard Room
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.
Not Included:
- Gratuities
- Activities other than specified
- Portage fees
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Arrange a call with an Alaska Travel Designer and bring your vacation to Alaska one step closer!
DATES & PRICING
Departs from Anchorage: Daily(Tour Code: TRA19)Departs from Fairbanks: Daily(Tour Code: TRA20)
Date | Twin | Single | Triple | Child |
---|---|---|---|---|
Moderate Grade | ||||
18 May 23 - 31 May 23 01 Jun 23 - 07 Sep 23 08 Sep 23 - 12 Sep 23 | $6,114 $6,858 $5,840 | $8,276 $9,547 $7,727 | $5,485 $6,053 $5,302 | $3,647 $3,665 $3,647 |
Superior Grade | ||||
18 May 23 - 31 May 23 01 Jun 23 - 07 Sep 23 08 Sep 23 - 12 Sep 23 | $6,700 $7,277 $6,425 | $9,447 $10,385 $8,899 | $5,881 $6,338 $5,698 | $3,647 $3,665 $3,647 |
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REVIEWS
1 of 6
"We saw spectacular sights, met warm and friendly people, saw the Northern Lights, and made a lifetime of memories. "
We saw spectacular sights, met warm and friendly people, saw the Northern Lights, and made a lifetime of memories. We want to thank you for the wonderful job you did in setting everything up, and also for your courteous assistance and recommendations along the way.
Nick Florida, United States
2 of 6
"Alaska by Design created a perfect itinerary for my clients."
Alaska by Design created a perfect itinerary for my clients. They returned with great memories and were extremely pleased with all aspects of their trip.
Michael Figueriedo Spain
3 of 6
"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
4 of 6
"Nothing was too much trouble for Jennifer or Karen when we were planning our holiday."
Nothing was too much trouble for Jennifer or Karen when we were planning our holiday. They were able to tailor our trip to what we wanted. We have recommended Alaska by Design to our friends.
Anne Mathews Australia
5 of 6
"I enjoyed working with Alaska by Design Absolute Experts "
I enjoyed working with Alaska by Design, I was introduced to them by Debra Roberts and Karen did a great job for me with a couple of my reservations
Haleh M California, USA
6 of 6
"Excellent service. Clients enjoyed a wonderful experience!"
Excellent service. Clients enjoyed a wonderful experience!
Tina M Los Angeles, CA
Signature Alaska Rail Vacation
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