Travel Notices

Highlights of Alaska

Explore Fairbanks, Anchorage, & Seward, scenic Deluxe Dome Railcar ride to/from Denali National Park, cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park, and more!

Overview

This package is currently unavailable.
Style Small Group TourTravel with a small, intimate group of no more than 16 likeminded travelers (and often much fewer), escorted by an English speaking guide and/or tour manager for some or all of your journey. (Some exceptions, including special promotional packages, may accommodate up to 30.) More of these packages
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout
Departures Group Size 16 travelers max
Themes Active,  Bucket List,  Nature & Wildlife
Activity Level Moderate
What to Expect This tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations, and may have limited rest stops.
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From its breathtaking landscapes and historical towns to its incredible wildlife and endless activities, Alaska offers travelers the adventure of a lifetime! Start your journey in the Golden Heart City, Fairbanks, before crossing off a bucket list item: a visit to a reindeer farm! Enjoy round-trip travel on a deluxe dome railcar for scenic transfers to and from Denali National Park, where travelers have the chance to witness bears, moose, caribou, and more in their natural habitat. Surround yourself with Alaska's awe-inspiring beauty as you ascend Mt. Alyeska and take in the views of the Turnagain Arm, glaciers, and mountains. Have your camera on hand and ready as you embark on a cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park, admiring the incredible wildlife that calls this area home. End your Alaskan adventure in Anchorage, exploring the city's historic downtown area, Lake Hood and Earthquake Park.

Package includes

  • Train
  • Coach
  • Transfers
  • Hotel
  • Meals
  • Guides
  • 8 nights accommodation in Tourist Class hotels and lodges
  • All ground transportation and transfers
  • 12 Meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners including welcome & farewell dinners with wine or beer
  • Deluxe Dome Railcar to/from Denali National Park
  • Professional tour director
  • Comprehensive touring program and entrance fees

Optional add-ons

  • Alaskan salmon bake dinner
  • Dog musher kennel visit
  • Plus more available locally!

Why you'll love it

  • Explore Fairbanks, the Golden Heart City, on a guided city tour.
  • Visit a local reindeer farm for an up-close-and-personal look at these amazing creatures.
  • Experience the Gold Rush while trying your hand at gold panning.
  • Board a deluxe dome railcar and enjoy the scenic transfer to Denali National Park.
  • Keep an eye out for sightings of bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and more at Denali National Park.
  • Ride the tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska for sweeping views of the Turnagain Arm, glaciers, and mountains.
  • Embark on a scenic cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park.
  • Have a chance to see Alaska's wildlife up close at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
  • Enjoy a city tour of Anchorage, including the historic downtown area, Lake Hood and Earthquake Park.

Itinerary at a Glance

Highlights of Alaska map

Locally Sold Optional Excursions in Denali

Locally Sold Optional Excursions in Talkeetna

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Fairbanks

  • Upon arrival into Fairbanks, be met by a local representative and transfer to your hotel

Pike's Waterfront Lodge or similar

Optional Excursion: Alaskan Salmon Bake Dinner, $49

Enjoy an Alaskan-style meal as you dine on fire-grilled salmon, roasted prime rib, and battered cod with accompaniments. Afterward, stroll through the neighboring Pioneer Park, an Alaskan theme park featuring historical buildings, transportation venues, and shops.

Note: Passengers joining this optional experience should ensure flights arrive no later than 6:00pm.

Day 2 Fairbanks

  • City tour of Fairbanks
  • View the Trans-Alaska Pipeline
  • Visit a local reindeer farm
  • Experience the Gold Rush while trying your hand at gold panning
  • Welcome dinner with wine or beer

Pike's Waterfront Lodge or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary
Trans-Alaska Pipeline Photo by Luca Galuzzi - www.galuzzi.it

After breakfast, explore Fairbanks, the Golden Heart City, on a guided tour. View the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which carries an average of 1.8 million barrels of oil a day. The pipeline crosses more than 800 rivers and streams and three mountain ranges! Continue to a local reindeer farm for an up-close-and-personal look at these fantastic creatures. Finally, grab a pan and try your hand at gold panning!

This evening, get to know your tour director and fellow travelers over a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3 Denali National Park

  • Deluxe dome railcar to Denali National Park
  • Stop by the Denali Visitors Center
  • Enjoy a free afternoon or join an optional tour

Denali Park Village or similar Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary
Denali National Park

Early this morning, transfer to the Fairbanks Rail Depot and board a deluxe dome railcar for a scenic transfer to Denali National Park. Upon arrival in Denali, stop at the Denali Visitors Center to view the exhibits and learn about the exciting things in store for you tomorrow! The rest of the day is leisurely for you to explore or join an optional excursion.

Optional Excursion: Dog Musher Kennel, $69

Enjoy a warm welcome and experience a true Alaskan lifestyle at Husky Homestead, home of Iditarod Champion Jeff King. Gain an authentic look into rural lifestyles based on 40 years of Alaskan adventures, from freight hauling on Denali to crossing the finish line in Nome with a champion Iditarod team. Get a behind-the-scenes look at creating a championship team and carving a life in Alaska's Interior. Hear compelling stories from the trail and see actual racing sleds, arctic survival gear, and equipment used to traverse 1100 miles of Alaska's most rugged terrain.

Note: This excursion is based on availability and is not combinable with other optional excursions sold locally. In the event this kennel is unavailable, there will be a visit to a different kennel. 

Day 4 Denali National Park

  • Travel deep into the park aboard the Tundra Wilderness Bus tour
  • Optional excursions available this afternoon

Denali Park Village or similar Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary
Brown bears

Embark on a full-day exploration of Denali National Park aboard the Tundra Wilderness Bus tour. Keep your eyes open for bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and more! During the tour, learn unique insight into this amazing region.

Day 5 Denali National Park & Talkeetna

  • Board a deluxe dome railcar to Talkeetna
  • Explore this unique town independently, or join an optional excursion

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge or similar Breakfast

Full Day Itinerary
Downtown Talkeetna Photo by Chris Boese on Unsplash

After a leisurely morning, transfer to the Denali Rail Depot and board a deluxe dome railcar for a scenic transfer to Talkeetna. Upon arrival in Talkeetna, spend the remainder of the day exploring this unique town on your own, or join an optional excursion.

Day 6 Anchorage, Girdwood & Seward

  • Stop in Anchorage
  • Visit Girdwood and ride the tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska
  • Arrive in Seward this afternoon

Seward Windsong Lodge or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary
View of Girdwood from atop Mt. Alyeska Photo by Bruce Warrington on Unsplash

Depart Talkeetna after breakfast, heading south to the coastal community of Seward. En route, stop in Anchorage for free time for lunch. Continue south and visit the resort town of Girdwood. Ride the tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska for beautiful views of the Turnagain Arm, glaciers, and mountains. Continue to Seward and enjoy the rest of the afternoon on your own.

Day 7 Kenai Fjords National Park & Seward

  • View wildlife and glaciers during a scenic cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park

Seward Windsong Lodge or similar Breakfast & lunch

Full Day Itinerary
Kenai Fjords National Park

After breakfast, board a marine vessel and cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. Keep your cameras at the ready to capture seals, sea lions, otters, whales, bears, eagles, puffins, and more!

Day 8 Anchorage

  • Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
  • Enjoy a city tour of Anchorage
  • Learn about the history and culture of Alaska at the Alaska Native Heritage Center
  • Enjoy a farewell dinner with wine or beer

Marriott Anchorage Downtown or similar Breakfast & dinner

Full Day Itinerary
Anchorage panorama

Return to Anchorage this morning. En route, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where you will have a chance to see Alaska's wildlife up close.

Upon arrival in Anchorage, enjoy a city tour featuring the historic downtown area, Lake Hood, where almost 200 floatplanes take off and land daily, and Earthquake Park to learn about the 1964 earthquake. Continue to the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about the history and culture of Alaska.

This evening, share the memories from your Alaskan adventure with your fellow travelers over a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 9 Depart Anchorage

  • Transfer to the airport for your flight

Breakfast

Locally Sold Optional Excursions in Denali

Whitewater Rafting/Scenic Float Adventure: $120

Each trip is approximately three hours with a total of two hours on the water. The Canyon Run is an exciting whitewater (Class III/IV) adventure. This is one ride where you will get wet! The Scenic Float is great for families. Enjoy scenic beauty along with Class II/III rapids.

Note: Price is subject to change

Denali ATV Wilderness Adventure: $115

Get ready for some adventure! Whether a novice or expert ATVer, this tour will be a memorable ride in the scenic Alaskan wilderness on your own Single or Side by Side ATV. Ride on several terrain types - coal mining tails, rocky creek beds, hill climbing, water and mud crossings.

Note: Price is subject to change

Helicopter Denali Glacier Landing Expedition: $536

This tour takes you to the base of Mt. Deborah with a landing on the Yanert Glacier. While on the ice, you will be able to take in the spectacular views and actually see and feel the wonders of an active glacier. The return flight follows the ridgelines of the Alaska Range and wildlife may be seen on the mountainsides and valleys below.

Note: Price is subject to change

Fixed Wing Flightseeing: $400

Your six or eight passenger plane will depart from our private airstrip and fly along the Alaska Range into the heart of Denali Park. All seats are window seats, and the tour is fully narrated. Flexible routing allows the pilot to provide you the best views.  90% of passengers see Denali even on days it’s not visible from the road.  Weather permitting, we'll take you all the way around Denali itself.

Note: Price is subject to change

Locally Sold Optional Excursions in Talkeetna

Jetboat Tour: $75

This exciting jetboat excursion whisks you into the heart of the wilderness in comfort. Upon arrival at the Safari site, you will take a 1/4 mile nature walk to visit an authentic trapper's cabin. Wildlife, folklore, artifacts, and panoramic views of Denali and the Alaska Range combine to make this an unforgettable and unique Alaskan river adventure. 

Note: Price is subject to change

Flight to Mt. Denali: $320

Explore Denali within six miles of this magnificent sight.  Fly to the remote western end of Denali National Park and see the south side of Denali, Mt. Foraker and Mt. Hunter.  Fly over the winding Kahiltna glacier, the longest glacier in Denali National Park, and continue on to the climber’s base camp located at 7200 feet on the southeast fork of the Kahiltna Glacier. 

Note: Price is subject to change

Talkeetna Lakes Hike: $64
Chase Trail, Talkeetna Photo by L J Ribar on Unsplash

Explore Talkeetna's best trail with a great naturalist guide. A new scene of beauty unfolds around every turn on this three-mile moderate hike. Look for loons and kingfishers on the lakes, moose and bears in the woods, and Denali on the horizon. This lush old-growth forest is alive with songbirds, wildflowers, berries, and mushrooms. This is a great trip in any weather. 

Note: Price is subject to change

Hotels

Pike's Waterfront Lodge
Tourist Class

Pike's Waterfront Lodge is a family-run establishment, located on the Chena River. The property includes a greenhouse, bocce ball court, miniature golf, putting green and a river walk. A unique focal point of the lodge is their art collection, which focuses on Alaskan subjects by Alaskan artists.

More information

Denali Park Village
Denali Park Village
Tourist Class

There's no place more wild, rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful than Alaska's Denali National Park & Preserve - and no place more ideal to experience it than from Denali Park Village. Located in the heart of Alaska's magnificent interior, the lodge boasts breathtaking views of the untamed landscape.

More information

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Tourist Class

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, set on a ridge above the small town of Talkeetna, offers stunning views of North America's tallest peak.

More information

Seward Windsong Lodge
Seward Windsong Lodge
Tourist Class

Windsong Lodge is a tranquil retreat that showcases Alaska's beauty. The lodge is set on the edge of the Chugach National Forest, alongside the Resurrection River, with Kenai Fjords National Park just minutes away.

More information

Marriott Anchorage Downtown
Marriott Anchorage Downtown
Tourist Class

Marriott Anchorage Downtown boasts an enviable location in the downtown area. Local businesses, shops, restaurants and attractions are all within walking distance of the hotel. A fitness center and indoor pool are also available on-site.

More information

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

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Trip Details

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* Advertised prices may include an "Instant Savings" discount and/or sale discount, available for a limited time. Prices reflect these discounts. Advertised prices are per person, based on double occupancy; single occupancy rooms may be available for an additional charge. Advertised prices are the best available based on the least expensive travel dates, departure city, and other options, and do not include optional excursions or other optional items. Your total price will vary based upon the dates, flights, and other options you select during the booking process. For packages including flights, prices include Airline Taxes, Fees & Sept. 11th Security Fee, but do not include excess baggage fees or advance seat reservations. Prices and availability subject to change. More about our prices.

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