Alaska Railroad · Rail vacation package

Active Alaska Adventure

Active 6-day Alaska rail package combining three trains with hiking and rafting

Alaska Railroad's Active Alaska Adventure is a 6-day, 6-night rail package linking Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, Girdwood and Seward aboard the Denali Star, Glacier Discovery and Coastal Classic Trains. After arriving in Anchorage, the Denali Star carries travelers to Talkeetna and on to Denali National Park, where a scenic flight and a guided backcountry hike lead into day 3's rafting on the Nenana River's Class II to IV rapids. Day 4 adds the Triple Lakes Hike before a rail return to Anchorage. The Glacier Discovery Train then reaches the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop for kayaking among icebergs and a guided glacier trek in harnesses and crampons, followed by an overnight at the Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood. The final day's Coastal Classic Train reaches Seward for a zipline course through a glacier-carved valley. Listed among Alaska Railroad's Summer Packages, this suits physically active travelers who want hiking, rafting and glacier trekking built around the rail journeys rather than a train ride alone. Guests must be 12 or older for all included excursions.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence does not include a starting price for this package, so no from-price can be quoted here; confirm current pricing with Alaska Railroad.
  • Guests must be age 12 or older to take part in all the included excursions, so the package is not suited to travelers with younger children.
  • Only one hotel is named in the evidence, the Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood on day 5; the accommodations for the other five nights are not specified.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Anchorage

    Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Book an excursion, or explore shops, museums and restaurants at your leisure.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Talkeetna

    Ride the Denali Star Train to the charming village of Talkeetna. Upon arrival, board a plane for a scenic flight to Denali National Park, where you'll land for a guided hike in the backcountry.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Denali

    Take the Denali Star Train, the Alaska Railroad's flagship train with service to Denali National Park. Watch for views of Denali and keep an eye out for wildlife. That evening, experience an exhilarating ride rafting on the Nenana River's Class II-IV rapids.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Anchorage

    Get your legs burning on the Triple Lakes Hike before enjoying the relaxing rail journey to Anchorage.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Girdwood (Hotel Alyeska)

    Ride the Glacier Discovery Train to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. Here, you and your guide will kayak amid glacial icebergs to the terminus of Spencer Glacier, where you'll gear up with harnesses and crampons to explore the incredible blue ice and features of the glacier. Travel to Girdwood and overnight at the Hotel Alyeska.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Anchorage

    Take the Coastal Classic Train to Seward and spend the afternoon on a ziplining adventure. Sail through a glacier-carved valley on eight zips, three sky bridges and two repels. Return by rail to Anchorage and overnight.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Denali Star Train reaches Talkeetna, followed by a scenic flight and a guided backcountry hike in Denali National Park.
  • Day 3The Denali Star Train, described as the Alaska Railroad's flagship train, offers views of Denali and wildlife on the way to the park, followed by evening rafting on the Nenana River's Class II to IV rapids.
  • Day 5The Glacier Discovery Train stops at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, where travelers kayak amid glacial icebergs and gear up with harnesses and crampons to explore the glacier's blue ice.
  • Day 6The Coastal Classic Train reaches Seward for a zipline course through a glacier-carved valley, with eight zip lines, three sky bridges and two rappels.

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, the package rides the Denali Star Train, the Glacier Discovery Train and the Coastal Classic Train between Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, Girdwood and Seward.
Which trains are used?
The Denali Star Train, described as the Alaska Railroad's flagship service, the Glacier Discovery Train to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, and the Coastal Classic Train to Seward.
How much activity is involved?
The itinerary includes a guided backcountry hike, the Triple Lakes Hike, Class II to IV whitewater rafting, kayaking and glacier trekking with harnesses and crampons, and a zipline course with sky bridges and rappels. Guests must be 12 or older for all included excursions.
What hotels are used?
Only the Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood is named in the evidence, for one night; other overnight accommodations in Anchorage, Talkeetna and Denali are not specified.
When does it run?
Alaska Railroad lists this as one of its Summer Packages.

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