Alaska Tours (alaskatours.com) · Rail package

"Active Alaska" Rail Package

Active 8-day Alaska Railroad tour: rafting, hiking, kayaking

"Active Alaska" Rail Package, a rail journey with Alaska Tours (alaskatours.com)

Alaska Tours runs this eight-day, seven-night Active Alaska Rail Package, traveling by Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Denali National Park, on to Anchorage, and south to Seward, then back to Anchorage for departure. The days are built around outdoor activities rather than sightseeing stops: day 2 pairs the train ride to Denali with white water rafting on the Nenana River, day 3 brings a guided, moderately strenuous hike on the Triple Lakes Trail, and Seward days 5 and 6 add a Resurrection Bay boat cruise and a half day kayaking tour among the icebergs of Bear Glacier. Seven nights of hotel accommodation are included, but many of the transfers between hotels, stations, and the Seward boat harbor are left for travelers to arrange on their own. This suits active, independent-minded travelers who want an itinerary built around rafting, hiking, and kayaking, rather than a fully escorted structure with every transfer handled for them.

What to know before you look closer

  • Several transfers, including to and from the Fairbanks and Anchorage airports, the Seward Small Boat Harbor, and the final departure, are on your own rather than arranged by the operator.
  • Meals, gratuities, and several popular extras (the Tundra Wilderness Bus Tour, the helicopter dog sledding tour, and a visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center) are not included and cost extra.
  • The included rail seating is standard class; Deluxe dome car seating on some legs is an optional upgrade.
  • The evidence does not name the hotels used, their star rating, or any current departure dates; confirm these directly with the operator.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Fairbanks

    Fairbanks Arrival

    Arrive in Fairbanks and transfer to your hotel on own or by courtesy hotel shuttle. Depending on your flight arrival time, you may have time to explore Fairbanks, "The Golden Heart City".

  2. Day 2railovernight: Near the Denali park entrance

    Fairbanks to Denali

    Transfer on your own or by courtesy hotel shuttle to the Fairbanks railroad station. At 8:20am depart on a scenic train ride on the Alaska Railroad and travel to Denali. An exciting white water rafting tour awaits you in the afternoon on the Nenana River in Denali, Class III with one Class IV rapid.

  3. Day 3overnight: Near the Denali park entrance

    Denali National Park

    The park is yours to explore today! In the morning, join a guided hiking tour on the Triple Lakes Trail (3-4 hours, moderately strenuous). Optional Tundra Wilderness Bus Tour or ATV tour available in the afternoon (additional charge applies).

  4. Day 4railovernight: Anchorage

    Denali to Anchorage

    This morning sleep in or explore more of the Denali area. In the early afternoon, continue your train journey south to Anchorage, arriving at 8:00pm. Transfer to your hotel in Anchorage on own.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Seward

    Anchorage to Seward

    Wake up early and transfer yourself to the Anchorage train station. At 6:45am depart on the Alaska Railroad, a 4.5 hour train journey to Seward. Transfer yourself to the Seward Small Boat Harbor and depart on a 4.5-hour boat cruise at 12:30pm through Resurrection Bay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Seward

    Seward

    Half day Bear Glacier Kayaking tour: a 30-45 minute boat ride to the lagoon of Bear Glacier, then kayak through the massive icebergs deposited by the Harding Icefield's largest glacier. Rest of the day at leisure.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Anchorage

    Seward to Anchorage

    Day at leisure in Seward, with optional helicopter dog sledding tour to Godwin Glacier or a visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center (not included, additional cost applies). At 6:00pm depart Seward on the Alaska Railroad for a 4-hour train journey to Anchorage, arriving 10:15pm.

  8. Day 8

    Anchorage Departure

    Trip ends today. Transfer to the Anchorage airport is on your own.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Alaska Railroad departs Fairbanks at 8:20am for the scenic ride to Denali, followed by white water rafting on the Nenana River with a Class III run and one Class IV rapid.
  • Day 3A guided, moderately strenuous 3 to 4 hour hike on Denali National Park's Triple Lakes Trail.
  • Day 5A 4.5 hour Alaska Railroad journey from Anchorage to Seward, followed the same day by a 4.5 hour boat cruise through Resurrection Bay.
  • Day 6A half day Bear Glacier kayaking tour, paddling through icebergs deposited by the Harding Icefield's largest glacier.
  • Day 7An evening Alaska Railroad journey from Seward back to Anchorage, departing 6:00pm and arriving 10:15pm.

Included

  • 7 nights of hotel accommodation
  • Train from Fairbanks to Denali, Denali to Anchorage, and Anchorage to Seward (round trip)
  • 2-hour white water rafting trip in Denali
  • 3-4 hour guided Triple Lakes Trail Hiking Tour in Denali
  • 4.5 hour Resurrection Bay Cruise with lunch
  • 5.5 hour Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking tour from Seward
  • All taxes and fees

Not included

  • Transfers in Fairbanks and Anchorage
  • Meals
  • Gratuities
  • Optional excursions such as Tundra Wilderness Denali Bus Tour
  • Helicopter tour in Seward
  • Visit of the Alaska SeaLife Center

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Alaska Railroad travel from Fairbanks to Denali, Denali to Anchorage, and Anchorage to Seward, with a return train from Seward to Anchorage.
Is it guided or independent?
It is a mix. Activities such as the Triple Lakes Trail hike are guided, but transfers, including to and from train stations, hotels, and the Seward Small Boat Harbor, are on your own.
Which trains are used?
The Alaska Railroad, in standard rail car seating with reserved seats; Deluxe dome car seating is available as a paid upgrade on some legs.
How much walking or activity is involved?
This is an active itinerary: it includes a moderately strenuous 3 to 4 hour guided hike on the Triple Lakes Trail, Class III and IV white water rafting, and a half day kayaking tour among icebergs at Bear Glacier.
What is not included?
Meals, gratuities, transfers in Fairbanks and Anchorage, and optional excursions such as the Tundra Wilderness Bus Tour, the helicopter dog sledding tour, and a visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center.

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