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RSAN07 Alaska Mountains & National Parks - Rail and Drive Tour

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Experience an unforgettable Alaska rail and driving tour from Anchorage to Juneau, combining the Alaska Railroad, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, the Alaska Highway, the Yukon and Southeast Alaska. Travel by train from Anchorage through spectacular mountain scenery to Denali National Park and Fairbanks, where you pick up your rental car and drive along the Alaska Highway through Alaska and the Yukon to Haines. From there, take the ferry to Juneau and explore the glaciers and spectacular waterways of Southeast Alaska, including Glacier Bay National Park and Tracy Arm-Ford's Terror. This one-way Alaska vacation can be combined with a cruise from Juneau or an Alaska Marine Highway ferry journey through the Inside Passage to Bellingham or Seattle. Visit our complete Alaska Guide for helpful travel information and tips. We’re happy to customize this itinerary to suit your needs.

  • Itinerary

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Anchorage ( Overnight: Anchorage )

Arrive in Anchorage during the day and check in to your downtown hotel. Surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage is Alaska's largest city and an ideal starting point for your journey into the state's spectacular wilderness. Depending on your arrival time, take some time to explore the city. Anchorage offers a variety of attractions within easy reach of downtown, including the Anchorage Museum, Alaska Native Heritage Center (complimentary shuttle) and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. A walk along the waterfront or through downtown is a pleasant way to get your first impression of Alaska. In the evening, enjoy dinner at one of the city's restaurants, many of which feature fresh Alaskan seafood and other regional specialties.

Anchorage - Denali National Park | Rail Tour  ( Overnight: Denali Village )

This morning, transfer to the Anchorage Railroad Station and board the Alaska Railroad for your scenic journey north to Denali. Choose between comfortable Adventure Class seating or upgrade to a glass-dome railcar for panoramic views through the Alaska Range. The train travels north through the Matanuska Valley and along rivers, forests, and mountain landscapes, with opportunities to spot wildlife along the way. As the landscape changes from coastal mountains and forests to the vast wilderness of Interior Alaska, the train journey becomes an experience in itself. Arrive in Denali in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel. After checking in, you can explore Denali Village or choose an optional excursion, such as a flightseeing tour, whitewater rafting trip, or visit to a working sled dog kennel.

Denali National Park ( Overnight: Denali Village )

Today is dedicated to exploring Denali National Park and its spectacular wilderness. Board your included Denali Transit Bus and travel into the park along the Denali Park Road. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves. Your driver provides information about the park's landscape, wildlife, and history, with opportunities to stop for wildlife viewing and photography. The included transit bus journey takes you toward Eielson Visitor Center. The flexible transit bus service also allows you to get off along the route for hiking and exploring, then continue later on another bus. Optional upgrades and additional excursions are available for travelers who would like to explore farther into the park or enjoy a more guided experience.

Denali National Park – Fairbanks | Rail Tour ( Overnight: Fairbanks )

Join the sled dog demonstration hosted by Denali Park Rangers this morning or hike around the Denali Visitor Center. Board the Alaska Railroad this afternoon for a scenic ride to Fairbanks. Just north of Denali National Park, the train winds along Healy Canyon, following the curves of the Nenana River below. The train passes through the small community of Nenana, known for the Nenana Ice Classic Lottery. It is a fundraising event in which individuals attempt to guess the exact time the Tanana River ice will break up. Arrive in Fairbanks, the largest city in the Interior and gateway to Alaska's Arctic region. The city enjoys almost 24 hours of daylight during summer. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the Pump House on the banks of the Chena River.

Fairbanks | Start Self Drive Tour ( Overnight: Fairbanks )

Pick up your rental car. You are invited to explore Fairbanks gold rush history, its vibrant traditional native cultures as well as abundant wildlife and fantastic scenery. The allure of crossing the Arctic Circle becomes a possibility once you reach Fairbanks. Guided van tours along the Dalton Highway or flight tours to the Arctic Circle and Yukon River is a super popular choice. Join a bushplane flight to Fort Yukon to understand as well as experience how the Gwich'in Athabascan Natives live in "Bush" Alaska.  Visiting Chena Hot Springs Resort can be added to the 'To-Do' List! Chena Hot Springs Resort offers a large indoor heated pool and a natural outdoor rock lake for relaxation.T he on-site Aurora Ice Museum is a special attraction and was created from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow, all harvested at the resort.

Fairbanks - Tok  ( Driving Distance: 200 miles | Overnight: Tok ) 

Travel southeast from Fairbanks along the Richardson Highway (#2), passing through the town of North Pole, known for its Santa Claus House. Continue onward with views of the Alaska Range in the distance. Arrive in Delta Junction, where the Richardson Highway meets the Alaska Highway at the historic “Triangle,” marked by the symbolic Mile 1422 post. Originally established as a telegraph station in 1904, Delta Junction is also the gateway to the Delta Bison Sanctuary, home to a free-roaming herd of more than 500 wood bison. The route offers impressive views toward peaks such as Mount Hayes and Mount Moffit on clear days. Continue east on the Alaska Highway (#1) toward Tok, traveling through remote wilderness and classic Interior Alaska scenery.

Tok - Haines Junction  ( Driving Distance: 200 miles | Overnight: Haines Junction ) 

Your journey continues on the famous Alaska Highway through endless wilderness areas. Drive south along the shores of beautiful Kluane Lake and stopover at Sheep Mountain and look out for dall sheep gracing alongside the mountain slopes. Arrive in Haines Junction - Gateway to Kluane National Park, encompassing the largest non-polar icefield in the world. This afternoon you can go on a short hiking trip with a park ranger. If you yearn for the wild beauty of an unspoiled Canadian landscape, Kluane National Park is for you. Explore mountains, lakes, rivers and forests that have been home to Southern Tutchone people for thousands of years and discover the heart of their traditional culture and way of life. The park is also home to Mount Logan with 19.545 ft - Canada's highest peak.

Haines Junction - Haines  ( Driving Distance: 150 miles | Overnight: Haines ) 

The Haines Highway, built in 1943, is one of Alaska’s most scenic drives, linking Haines Junction with the coast. The route winds through the front ranges of Kluane National Park and Reserve before climbing to the Chilkat Pass - the highest point on the highway. Crossing into Alaska, the landscape changes dramatically from alpine tundra to lush valleys. Along the way, pass Klukshu, a traditional First Nations fishing site offering excellent photo opportunities, and continue along the Chilkat River with sweeping mountain views. Bears are often seen along the roadside feeding on fresh grass in early summer. Travel tip: Near Klukwan (mile 18–24), the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve protects the world’s largest concentration of bald eagles, often seen along the river flats.

Haines - Alaska Ferry to Juneau ( Driving Distance: 10 miles | Overnight: Juneau ) 

Board the Alaska Ferry to Juneau. Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is situated in the heart of the Tongass National Forest. Nestled at the base of towering mountains overlooking the Gastineau Channel, the community's rich culture and history is displayed throughout the town. Juneau has a vibrant urban feel with great dining, shopping and lodging, while being surrounded by jaw-dropping scenic vistas. Choose hiking miles of scenic trails through temperate rainforest, tidal beaches and up mountains capped by alpine meadows, or take to the air for stunning views of the Juneau Icefield. Helicopters and floatplanes give visitors an exhilarating view and make it possible get a sense of the vast wilderness. Backcountry camping, bird watching, bear viewing and berry picking can all happen in the same trip!

Juneau ( Glacier Bay Day Tour ) ( Overnight: Juneau )

Today join a full day tour to Glacier Bay National Park. Early morning flight to Gustavus, board the high-speed catamaran and discover Glacier Bay's West Arm. For 7-hours passengers will explore a diversified landscape with a rich flora, fauna and history. Explore a waterway that was under a river of ice only 250 years ago. A park ranger assists onboard to spot wildlife and provide information. Glacier Bay includes numerous tidewater glaciers - several are actively calving icebergs into the bay. As water undermines the ice fronts, great blocks of ice - up to 200 feet high - are crashing into the water. The Johns Hopkins Glacier calves such enormous volumes of ice and it is unsafe to get within a 2-mile radius of its cliffs. Watch out for humpback whales, orcas, puffins and murres at the Marble Islands, mountain goats high on the cliffs, and harbor seals on the icebergs. Return to Juneau this evening.

Juneau ( Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Cruise )  ( Overnight: Juneau )

Journey through one of the most dramatic sites in the world — Tracy Arm Fjord. This narrow fjord twists and turns for over 30 miles, culminating in a spectacular view of the twin tidewater Sawyer Glaciers. Your captain will navigate as close as the ice floe allows, stopping for an extended stay at the face of the glacier. Watch for seals relaxing on the icebergs and bald eagles soaring above the cliffs. Learn about the natural history of the fjord, glaciers, and the wildlife from the onboard naturalist. Overcast days will not dampen your enjoyment, as clouds and mist only heighten the drama of the fjord and intensify the glacial blue color. Keep your camera ready for unforgettable photos as ice calving from the glacier creates thunderous splashes and shimmering waves. Included: Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Glacier Cruise  

Juneau ( Overnight: Juneau )

Juneau offers a wide range of activities that showcase the region’s natural beauty and cultural diversity. Visit Mendenhall Glacier - a half-mile wide ice field - for many the most accessible and breathtaking glacier in Alaska. The Mount Roberts Tramway takes guests up to an observation deck, providing arguably the best picture-taking opportunities. Another option is the full day bear viewing tour to Admiralty Island, home to the largest concentration of brown bear in the world. Admiralty Island, also known as the "Fortress of the Bears" is the location for some of the finest brown bear viewing in Southeast Alaska. Depending on when you go, you’ll see bears foraging for clams or fishing for salmon.

Juneau

Spend the morning relaxing or doing your favourite outdoor activities. Sample the city’s local fare is a big part of any vacation and a visit to Juneau delivers tastes that delight the senses. From Alaska salmon, halibut and crab to sourdough bagels, homemade fudge, and award-winning coffee and beer, Juneau can satisfy even the most discriminating palate. One of the local favourites is Tracy's King Crab Shack in downtown Juneau. Return your rental car at Juneau Airport.

Rates in US $ / per Person
Comfort Hotel Category Single Double Triple Quad Child
May 18 - May 31 $7731 $4774 $3895 $3455 $1648
June 1 - August 31 $8568 $5193 $4174 $3664 $1648
September 1 - September 13 $7731 $4774 $3895 $3455 $1648
First Class Hotel Category Single Double Triple Quad Child
May 18 - May 31 $8691 $5420 $4370 $3859 $1860
June 1 - August 31 $9637 $5894 $4686 $4097 $1860
September 1 - September 13 $8706 $5428 $4376 $3864 $1860

What’s included

12 Nights Comfort OR First-Class Accommodation

Hotel and State Taxes

9 Days Midsize Rental Car (For additional Upgrades and Extras Click Here)

Unlimited Free Mileage

Rental Car Licensing Fees

CFC, State & City Rental Car Sales Taxes

One Way Car Rental Fee

Denali Transit Bus Ticket to Eielson Visitor Center

Round Trip Flight to / from Gustavus

Full Day Glacier Bay Wildlife & Glacier Cruise

Lunch & Non-Alcoholic Beverages onboard

Transfers in Gustavus

Glacier Bay National Park Fee

Juneau Tracy Arm -Fords Terror Cruise

Alaska Ferry Transfer from Haines to Juneau / Car

Alaska Ferry Transfer from Haines to Juneau / Passenger

Denali & Fairbanks Railroad Station and Airport Transfers

Tour Documentation

Sightseeing Information

Railroad Transportation Anchorage - Denali National Park

Railroad Transportation Denali National Park – Fairbanks

Comfort Hotel Category includes Reserved Seats in Standard Adventure Class Train
( upgrade to Dome Car Train is available for $340.00 per person )

First Class Hotel Category includes Reserved Seats in Upper Level Panorama Dome Car Train,
Priority Check-in & Boarding, Use of Private Outdoor Viewing Platform,
Priority Dining Room Seating, Enhanced Reclining Seats

Tour Departures

Daily  from  May  18th  –  September  13th

Denali: Exchange Transit Bus Tour to Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour

The fully narrated 62-mile Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park is led by a certified naturalist driver/guide who will also provide historical and geographical background of the area. The tour will last approximately eight to nine hours and includes ample photo and rest stops. When your tour driver is able, he/she will take video footage of animals along Park Road and project these images onto drop-down video screens, featured only our specially designed tour buses. This way you can get a close-up look at the roadside action. At the end of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase a “Tundra Wilderness Tour” DVD, which will feature some of the video footage shot from your tour! Guests cannot switch buses throughout the day (only the Denali Transit Bus allows this).

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Denali: Exchange Transit Bus Tour to Kantishna Wilderness Trails Tour

The Kantishna Wilderness Trails tour is the premier Denali Park wilderness bus excursion. Spend the entire day in Denali National Park and discover a piece of Alaska's gold rush history and warm hospitality at the historic Kantishna Roadhouse, located just past Wonder Lake on the banks of Moose Creek. Your 12 to 13-hour fully-narrated excursion to Kantishna travels via a custom motorcoach through 95 miles of Denali National Park's prime wildlife habitat. The last 30 miles allow for full viewing of Mt. Denali, weather permitting. The wilderness backcountry of Denali Park provides diverse habitats which support big-game species such as black bear, grizzly, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolf, and wolverine. Hot beverages and refreshments are included en route to the Kantishna Roadhouse. After a hearty deli style lunch in the dining room at the Roadhouse, relax and visit the Historical Recorder's Cabin and enjoy a dog sled demonstration or gold panning. Guests cannot switch buses throughout the day (only the Denali Transit Bus allows this).

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Fairbanks: Guided Arctic Circle Van Tour

On this tour you will travel from Fairbanks along the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle in the Brooks Mountain Range. Enjoy the first-hand experience of the Earth’s northernmost circle of latitude in one of our climate-controlled vans. Here, in the summer, the sky is completely light for 24 hours a day! Travel along the famous Dalton Highway and spot wildlife (no guarantee) as you cross the Yukon River. When you arrive, learn about the area’s indigenous culture, take a walk with your guide, snap photos of the arctic landscape, and enjoy lunch amidst the incredible surroundings. You’ll take home an official Arctic Circle certificate to commemorate this amazing Alaska experience.

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Fairbanks: Guided Arctic Circle Fly/Drive to Coldfoot & the Yukon River

Cross the Arctic Circle on this one day guided roundtrip journey by air and land. This tour takes visitors deep into the Arctic tundra within Alaska’s Far North region. The adventure begins with a scenic flightseeing tour from Fairbanks. Gain a birds-eye view of the Gates of the Arctic National Park and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on your way to the mining community of Coldfoot, a remote pipeline camp nestled in the Brooks Mountain Range. Your journey continues on the return drive to Fairbanks via the Dalton Highway, a roadway made famous during the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Experience the grand Yukon River and learn about its storied past and visit the Arctic Circle Trading Post in Joy, Alaska where you will receive an official certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle!

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Fairbanks: Arctic Circle Flightseeing Tour to Fort Yukon & the Yukon River

Experience a breathtaking tour of Fort Yukon by plane. Enjoy the 50 minute flight to For Yukon. Fly north over the Yukon River, across the Arctic Circle, thru the Brooks Mountain Range, and over the Gates of the Arctic National Park. Upon landing you will meet a local host who will take you around Fort Yukon by bus and share their home with you enlighten with facts about the area. The tour does make a stop at the Yukon River for a chance to get out and take pictures. Once the tour is over, you will have a return flight to Fairbanks where you'll receive an official certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle!

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Skagway: White Pass & Yukon Railroad Summit Excursion

Take an unforgettable journey aboard the "Scenic Railway of the World" to the White Pass summit. Begin your excursion as you board the train in Skagway and travel 20 miles from tidewater, to the Summit of the White Pass - a 2,865-foot elevation! On this Skagway train tour, relax in vintage passenger coaches as you retrace the original route to the White Pass summit, passing Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point, and Dead Horse Gulch. Enjoy a breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles, and historic sites along the White Pass Railroad. See the original Klondike Trail of 1898 worn into the rocks, a permanent tribute to the thousands of souls who passed this way in search of fortune. This tour takes about 3 to 3.5 hrs.

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Juneau: Pack Creek Bear Viewing Tour to Admiralty Island

The Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary on Admiralty Island is one of Alaska’s most accessible, and yet most wild, bear viewing areas. After the scenic floatplane flight from Juneau, walk on the same ground as the bears. Human visitation is limited, allowing us to enjoy a wilderness bear viewing experience. Pack Creek is ideal habitat for Alaska’s massive coastal brown bears (grizzlies). Starting in the spring, brown bears come to the meadows to feed and also to pursue mates. This makes it one of the best places to see bears during May and early June. While some Pack Creek bears head into the nearby mountains in mid-June, following fresh green vegetation, some stick around. By the end of June, bears are congregating at the creek, waiting for the first pacific salmon to arrive. From July through early-September, bears can be seen feeding on salmon. This tour is a premium guided and fully-outfitted package. Explore some of the most prime bear country on earth and to observe these amazing animals in the protected Kootznoowoo Wilderness on Admiralty Island. While July and August are the peak of bear activity related to salmon, Pack Creek is an excellent place to see bear activity in May, June and September as well.

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Joe, Atlanta: You've probably forgotten who I am at this stage but I just thought I would give you some follow-up on our trip - in case it is of any use for other clients. My wife and I went in the Denali Star up to Fairbanks and the trip was smooth, seamless, and the staff was awesome! There are many gorgeous things to see on the way up. The open air part of the car was really cool. Food served was excellent. I had the pot roast and mashed potatoes. A definite highlight two week tour was the Glacier Bay cruise and Tracy Arm - can't even find words to describe it ...