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Vacations By Rail · Rail & Cruise Vacation

Alaska by Land and Sea Featuring 3 nights in Denali

Alaska cruise, rail, and coach from Vancouver to Fairbanks in 13 days

Illustration of Alaska by Land and Sea Featuring 3 nights in Denali

Vacations By Rail combines cruise, rail, and coach travel across Alaska and Canada in 13 days, beginning in Vancouver and ending in Fairbanks. The itinerary starts with a 7-night Holland America cruise through the Inside Passage, where you visit Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, then transitions to a scenic coach journey along the Turnagain Arm through Girdwood to Anchorage. From there, you board the McKinley Explorer dome car for a day-long rail journey to Denali, where you stay three nights at Holland America Denali Lodge and take a Tundra Wilderness Tour with a naturalist guide to view bears, caribou, moose, and wolves against Denali peak. Your final destination is Fairbanks, reached via coach and a paddlesteamer cruise on the Chena River. Meals, all transport, and guided activities are included. This trip suits independent travellers who want structure combined with flexibility, first-time rail travellers, and couples seeking a multi-destination Alaskan experience.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; port taxes of up to $325 per person are additional.
  • Most meals and guided tours are included, but optional shore excursions in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway incur extra charges.
  • This is an independent tour; you navigate most free time on your own without a dedicated escort or guide.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Ship

    Boarding your Holland America ship in Vancouver

    Your Alaska cruise vacation begins in Vancouver; board your Holland America cruise ship for an afternoon departure into the Pacific, passing under the Lion's Gate Bridge. All meals are included aboard, including dinner this evening.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Ship

    A first look at the Inside Passage

    Cruising the UNESCO-protected Inside Passage, pass fjords and inlets of British Columbia and southeast Alaska, first charted by Captain George Vancouver, with opportunities to spot marine wildlife.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Ship

    Arriving at your first port of call, Ketchikan

    Docking in Ketchikan, the 'First City' of Alaska, explore at leisure until mid-afternoon, including the Totem Heritage Center and Totem Bight State Park, home to the world's largest collection of standing totem poles. Optional Holland America excursions bookable at additional charge.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Ship

    A day in Alaska's capital, Juneau

    A free day in Juneau, accessible only by sea or air, to visit the Alaska State Museum, the State Capitol Building, or ride the GoldBelt Tram to the summit of Mount Roberts. Guided excursions to Mendenhall Glacier bookable at additional charge.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Ship

    Delving into Skagway's Klondike Gold Rush past

    A free day in Skagway to wander the historic boardwalk and browse galleries. Optional excursions include gold panning and the White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad (additional charges apply).

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    Awe-inspiring views in Glacier Bay

    A day cruising Glacier Bay, home to tidewater glaciers around 4,000 years old and protected by UNESCO, with opportunities to spot whales, orcas, sea lions and otters.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Uncovering the majesty of College Fjord

    The ship navigates Prince William Sound to College Fjord, a route first charted by Edward Henry Harriman in 1899, with views of up to eight glaciers at once including Harvard Glacier.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Anchorage

    To Anchorage via the Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Center

    Arriving at the ship's final port, Whittier, a motorcoach takes you through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel and past Portage Lake to Girdwood for a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, then on along the Turnagain Arm to Anchorage.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9railovernight: Denali

    Seeing the wilds of Alaska by rail

    Transferred to the railway station, board the McKinley Explorer's upper-level dome car for the journey to Denali, crossing the Knik River, passing the Chugach Mountains, Talkeetna and the Hurricane Gulch bridge, with dedicated hosts narrating the route.

  10. Day 10overnight: Denali

    Astounding views in Denali National Park

    A Tundra Wilderness Tour covers 43 miles of Denali Park Road with a certified naturalist driver-guide, viewing Denali peak and wildlife including bears, caribou, moose and wolves, to the East Fork Cabin and back.

  11. Day 11overnight: Denali

    A day at leisure in Denali

    A full free day exploring Denali National Park's hiking trails and Visitor Center, with optional ranger-led walks, or relaxing at the lodge's Denali Square.

  12. Day 12overnight: Fairbanks

    Discovering Alaskan culture along the Chena River

    A coach transfer to Fairbanks, followed by the Riverboat Discovery paddlesteamer along the Chena River to its confluence with the Tanana, including a stop at Chena Indian Village to learn about indigenous culture.

    Meals: Lunch

  13. Day 13

    Traveling home

    Your journey comes to a close this morning; upon checking out of your hotel, you are free to begin your travels home independently.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Holland America ship in Vancouver and pass under the Lion's Gate Bridge as you depart into the Pacific.
  • Day 6Cruise Glacier Bay to view tidewater glaciers roughly 4,000 years old and spot whales, orcas, sea lions, and otters.
  • Day 7Navigate Prince William Sound to College Fjord and see up to eight glaciers at once, including Harvard Glacier.
  • Day 9Board the McKinley Explorer's upper-level dome car and cross the Knik River, pass the Chugach Mountains, and traverse the Hurricane Gulch bridge to Denali.
  • Day 10Join a Tundra Wilderness Tour with a certified naturalist driver-guide covering 43 miles of Denali Park Road to view Denali peak and wildlife including bears, caribou, moose, and wolves.

Included

  • 5 nights' hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard Holland America's Westerdam
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included
  • Additional Port Tax of up to $325 per person

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes the 7-night cruise, Standard Class rail travel on the McKinley Explorer, coach transfers, 5 nights' hotel accommodation at Holland America Denali Lodge and other hotels, and all guided tours and excursions.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is independent. You travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary. Many days offer free time to explore at your own pace, and optional excursions are available at additional cost.
Which train is used?
The McKinley Explorer, featuring an upper-level dome car with dedicated hosts narrating the journey from Anchorage to Denali.
What meals are included?
All meals aboard the cruise are included, plus breakfast on Day 8 and lunch on Day 12. Meals on other land portions are not included.
What is not included in the price?
Flights, airport transfers, cancellation and travel insurance, port taxes of up to $325 per person, and optional shore excursions and activities booked through Holland America.
How much walking is involved?
The Tundra Wilderness Tour covers 43 miles by coach with a naturalist guide. Denali National Park has hiking trails available during your free day. Free exploration in port cities involves typical walking.

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