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Alaska Railroad · Rail vacation package

Active Alaska Adventure

Six-day Alaska rail loop from Anchorage with hiking, rafting, glacier exploration

Illustration of Active Alaska Adventure

Alaska Railroad's Active Alaska Adventure is a six-day rail and adventure package departing Anchorage. Travelers ride three distinct Alaska Railroad trains, the Denali Star, Glacier Discovery, and Coastal Classic, connecting five Alaskan destinations. The itinerary pairs rail journeys with guided outdoor activities: backcountry hiking via bush plane in Denali National Park, Class II-IV whitewater rafting on the Nenana River, kayaking and ice climbing on Spencer Glacier, and ziplining through a glacier-carved valley. Days mix transportation and activity in rapid succession, making this trip suited to active travelers comfortable with physical exertion. Participants must be at least 12 years old. The trip is best suited to first-time rail travelers seeking guided adventures, and those who want to experience Alaska beyond train windows.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary does not specify hotel names or nights for Anchorage, Talkeetna, or Denali; only Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood is named.
  • All included excursions require participants to be age 12 or older.
  • Most nights are unguided; Day 1 explicitly offers explore-at-leisure time in Anchorage.

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 2Fly by plane from Talkeetna to Denali National Park backcountry for a guided hike
  • Day 3Ride the Denali Star Train watching for Denali views and wildlife, then raft Class II-IV rapids on the Nenana River
  • Day 5Board the Glacier Discovery Train to Spencer Glacier, kayak among icebergs, then strap on crampons and harnesses to trek the blue ice
  • Day 6Take the Coastal Classic Train to Seward, then zipline through a glacier-carved valley on eight lines and three sky bridges

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The Denali Star Train, Glacier Discovery Train, and Coastal Classic Train. These are Alaska Railroad trains connecting Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, Girdwood, and Seward.
What activities are guided?
Backcountry hiking in Denali National Park (via fly-in), Nenana River rafting, Spencer Glacier kayaking and ice trekking, and ziplining in a glacier valley. All excursions are guided.
Which hotels are included?
Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood is named for one night. Other accommodations for the remaining five nights are not detailed in the operator's published package information.
Is there an age requirement?
Yes. Guests must be age 12 or older to participate in all included excursions.
What is not included?
The package description does not list meals, airport transfers, or specify which hotels cover the nights in Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Denali.

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