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Alaska Railroad · Rail vacation package

Alaska Wildlife Safari

Seven-day Alaska rail and air wildlife tour from Fairbanks to Redoubt Bay

Illustration of Alaska Wildlife Safari

Alaska Railroad's Alaska Wildlife Safari is a seven-day rail vacation for people who want to see bears, whales, and tundra on the same trip. The itinerary strings three named trains (the Denali Star, Glacier Discovery, and Coastal Classic) across interior and coastal Alaska, starting in Fairbanks and ending at Redoubt Bay. You ride the Denali Star south through the Alaska Range to Denali National Park, tour the tundra by bus to spot moose and grizzlies, then continue by train to Anchorage. From there, the Glacier Discovery Train takes you along Turnagain Arm to glacier rafting at Spencer Glacier, and the Coastal Classic runs to Seward for a fjord cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park. On Day 7, you fly by float plane to Redoubt Bay for a full day of bear viewing with a naturalist guide. The trip suits wildlife photographers, repeat rail travellers, and anyone seeking a guided mix of scenic rail, wildlife encounters, and active days.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package spans Anchorage hotels for three consecutive nights (Days 4, 5, and 6), meaning you return by train each evening rather than stay near your daytime activities
  • The fly-in bear viewing on Day 7 involves a scenic float plane flight; weather or aircraft availability may affect this segment

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Fairbanks

    Arrive in Fairbanks. Book an excursion, or explore shops, museums and restaurants at your leisure.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Denali

    Travel south on the Denali Star Train to Denali National Park. Enjoy an evening of entertainment and a hearty meal.

  3. Day 3overnight: Denali

    Embark on the Tundra Wilderness Tour, a 5-hour bus tour of the first 43 miles of the famed Denali Park Road. Wildlife sightings are common, so keep your camera handy.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Anchorage

    The morning is yours to explore in Denali. That afternoon, take the Denali Star Train south to Anchorage.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Anchorage

    Ride the Glacier Discovery Train along scenic Turnagain Arm to Girdwood, where you'll disembark to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Reboard the train and continue on to the Spencer Glacier, where you'll enjoy an adventurous afternoon of rafting amid glacial icebergs.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Anchorage

    Board the Coastal Classic Train for Seward, gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Spend the day cruising the fjords, watching for humpback and orca whales, sea lions, otters and more. Return by rail to Anchorage and overnight.

  7. Day 7

    Depart from Lake Hood, the world's busiest float plane airport, to Redoubt Bay, home to one of the most concentrated and viewable bear populations in Alaska. Enjoy a day of bear viewing with your experienced naturalist guide before returning to Anchorage.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Travel south on the Denali Star Train to Denali National Park
  • Day 3Embark on the five-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour along the first 43 miles of Denali Park Road, commonly spotting wildlife
  • Day 5Ride the Glacier Discovery Train along Turnagain Arm, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, then raft amid glacial icebergs at Spencer Glacier
  • Day 6Board the Coastal Classic Train to Seward and cruise Kenai Fjords National Park watching for humpback and orca whales, sea lions, and otters
  • Day 7Fly by float plane from Lake Hood to Redoubt Bay for a day of bear viewing with a naturalist guide

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. The package includes the Denali Star Train, Coastal Classic Train, and Glacier Discovery Train. Day 7 uses a float plane instead of rail to reach Redoubt Bay.
Is this trip guided or independent?
Mostly guided. An experienced naturalist guide leads the bear-viewing day (Day 7). The Tundra Wilderness Tour is guided. Day 1 and the morning of Day 4 are free to explore on your own.
Which trains are included?
The Denali Star Train (Days 2 and 4), the Glacier Discovery Train (Day 5), and the Coastal Classic Train (Day 6).
Where do I sleep each night?
Fairbanks (Day 1), Denali (Days 2 and 3), and Anchorage (Days 4, 5, and 6). Day 7 ends in Anchorage after returning from Redoubt Bay.
What activities are included?
Rail travel on three named trains, a five-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour by bus, a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, glacier rafting, a Kenai Fjords fjord cruise, and a day of bear viewing by float plane and on foot.
How much walking is involved?
The Tundra Wilderness Tour is by bus. The bear-viewing day involves walking with your naturalist guide. Glacier rafting and fjord cruising are the main active components; otherwise standard hotel and train station transfers.

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