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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Deluxe Alaska Highlights

Alaska rail loop through glaciers, fjords, and Denali by three trains.

Illustration of Deluxe Alaska Highlights

Vacations By Rail's Deluxe Alaska Highlights is an 8-day independent rail journey through the heart of Alaskan wilderness, starting and ending in Anchorage. You travel aboard three Alaska Railroad lines: the Glacier Discovery Train, the Coastal Classic, and the Denali Star. The itinerary balances structured guided experiences with days of free time. You float the Placer River to Spencer Glacier, cruise Kenai Fjords National Park with a park ranger spotting marine wildlife, explore Exit Glacier and ride a dog sled at a former Iditarod champion's homestead, and ride a tour bus 43 miles into Denali National Park searching for grizzly bears, moose, wolves and caribou. Hotels range from the Anchorage Marriott Downtown to properties in Girdwood, Seward and Denali. The package suits independent travellers who want guided highlights and free time to explore, as well as repeat rail travellers eager to discover Alaska's three main railroad routes.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most accommodations are pre-selected (Anchorage Marriott Downtown or Hotel Captain Cook; Denali Bluffs Hotel or Grande Denali Lodge), so your final hotel depends on availability and tier.
  • The from-price of USD 4,095 is for Adventure Class train seating; GoldStar Class (superior) carries a higher cost.
  • Lunch is mentioned on day 3 and day 4, but the three meals included daily are not itemized by day; confirm meal details with Vacations By Rail.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Anchorage

    Anchorage

    Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Free time to explore on a sightseeing trolley, visit the Anchorage Museum or the Alaska Native Heritage Center, or head to local hiking trails. Optional add-on nights and activities such as helicopter or flightseeing are available.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Girdwood

    Spencer Glacier

    Board the Glacier Discovery Train south to Portage, viewing the Knik Arm and Chugach Mountains. Guided shuttle to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a 200-acre sanctuary for orphaned and injured animals (bears, moose, caribou, porcupines, bald eagles, wolves, wood bison). Reboard the train to Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop for a two-hour, seven-mile float trip on the Placer River to Spencer Glacier, then transfer to Girdwood's Alyeska Resort.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Seward

    Kenai Fjords National Park

    Board the Coastal Classic Train to Seward via Turnagain Arm and Grandview. In Seward, join a six-hour cruise through Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park with a park ranger aboard, spotting orcas, seals, whales, otters, porpoises, bald eagles and puffins. Lunch served aboard the ship. Evening at leisure in Seward.

  4. Day 4overnight: Anchorage

    Seward

    Leisurely morning in Seward, then the Real Alaska Tour: sites around the 'Gateway to Alaska', Kenai Fjords National Park's Exit Glacier (the only part of the park accessible by land) via a short nature walk, lunch at Resurrection Roadhouse, and a visit to the Seavey Homestead (three-time Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey's sled dogs) with a two-mile wheeled sled ride. Board the Coastal Classic back to Anchorage in the evening.

  5. Day 5overnight: Denali National Park

    The Denali Star to Denali National Park

    Board the Denali Star north through the Chugach Mountains and Knik River, past Talkeetna with views of Mt. Denali, across the 296-foot bridge over Hurricane Gulch, and past the Alaska Range, Healy Canyon and the Nenana River, arriving at Denali National Park late afternoon.

  6. Day 6overnight: Denali National Park

    Denali National Park Sightseeing

    Guided sightseeing tour bus travels 43 miles along the park's road corridor to Murie Cabin near the East Fork River, looking for Alaska's 'Big Five' wildlife amid glacial lakes and mountain valleys.

  7. Day 7overnight: Anchorage

    At Leisure in Denali

    Free morning in Denali National Park to hike, add an excursion (scenic river float, flightseeing tour, or Denali helicopter adventure with glacier landing), or visit a wildlife corridor. Board the Denali Star for the return journey to Anchorage in the afternoon. Option to extend the stay in Denali or continue north to Fairbanks on the Denali Star.

  8. Day 8rail

    Tour Conclusion

    Journey concludes this morning; return home at leisure or discuss extension options with a Rail Specialist.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Float seven miles down the Placer River to Spencer Glacier on the Glacier Discovery Train route.
  • Day 3Join a six-hour cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park with a park ranger aboard, spotting orcas, seals, whales, otters and bald eagles.
  • Day 4Walk to Exit Glacier and ride a wheeled dog sled at Mitch Seavey's Seavey Homestead, home of a three-time Iditarod champion.
  • Day 5The Denali Star passes the 296-foot Hurricane Gulch bridge and glimpses Mt. Denali as it travels north through the Alaska Range.
  • Day 6Join a guided bus tour 43 miles into Denali National Park in search of the Big Five: grizzly bears, moose, wolves, caribou and Dall sheep.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 7 nights
  • Rail transportation throughout including travel aboard the Glacier Discovery Train, Coastal Classic, and Denali Star Train
  • 3 meals

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes rail transportation aboard the Glacier Discovery Train, Coastal Classic, and Denali Star for the entire trip.
Is this escorted or independent?
It is independent travel on a pre-planned itinerary with guided excursions. You travel on scheduled trains and included coach tours, but have free time on some days.
What is included in the price?
Hotel accommodations for 7 nights, rail transportation, 3 meals, and guided excursions including the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Kenai Fjords cruise with a park ranger, Seward tour, and Denali sightseeing bus tour.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes a short nature walk to Exit Glacier, a two-hour float trip, guided bus tours, and free time to hike in Denali or explore on your own. The activity level is generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility.
When does this trip run?
No specific departure dates are published in the itinerary. Contact Vacations By Rail for current availability.
Can I add more nights or different activities?
Yes. Optional add-ons include helicopter or flightseeing in Anchorage, scenic river float, flightseeing tours or helicopter adventures in Denali, and extensions to Fairbanks or additional nights in Denali.

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