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PTG Tours · Escorted tour

Rail & Natural Wonders of Alaska

Escorted Alaskan rail journey on three historic trains through glaciers and wilderness.

Illustration of Rail & Natural Wonders of Alaska

PTG Tours operates this 13-day escorted rail adventure across Alaska and into Canada's Yukon. Beginning in Vancouver and ending in Whitehorse, the journey follows three historic railways through some of North America's most remote and dramatic landscapes. The Denali Star carries passengers southward from Fairbanks in GoldStar observation cars with views of Mount McKinley; the Coastal Classic routes through glacier scenery to Seward on the Kenai Peninsula; and the White Pass & Yukon Route winds through mountains and past alpine lakes from the gold-rush town of Skagway toward Canada. Between rail segments, travellers fly from Anchorage to Juneau and sail the Inside Passage by ferry. Wildlife sightings of bears, eagles, and whales are common. A tour manager escorts the group throughout, and hotels, most meals, and internal flights are included. This trip suits repeat rail travellers, photographers drawn to glaciers and mountain backdrops, and those seeking guided travel comfort with substantial included experiences.

What to know before you look closer

  • The base price from GBP 3,760 is for joining at Fairbanks (Day 2-3); the full Vancouver start costs GBP 4,100. International flights to Vancouver are not included and are estimated at GBP 800-1,200.
  • Day 9's steam train ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route (approx. GBP 170) and Day 6's Kenai Fjords tour (GBP 180) are optional extras at additional cost.
  • Maximum group size is 24 people; only one departure is currently listed (July 2026).
  • Day 3 in Fairbanks and Day 10 in Skagway are free days; the tour manager is not guiding activities those days.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Various flight options from the UK to Vancouver, clearing Canadian customs. Overnight in a hotel near the airport. Possible to join the holiday in Seattle or Fairbanks instead.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Fairbanks

    Onward to Fairbanks

    Early Amtrak Cascades train to Seattle (approx. 4 hours), a break in the city, then Skytrain to the airport for an Alaska Airlines flight north to Fairbanks. Option to join the tour today.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Fairbanks

    Fairbanks

    Free day for acclimatisation and exploration of Fairbanks, 'the Golden Heart of Alaska'. Optional visit to Pioneer Park and a ride on the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Anchorage

    Denali Star to Anchorage

    Morning departure on the Denali Star, the premier train of the Alaska Railroad, travelling south to Anchorage in GoldStar accommodation with a chance to see Mount McKinley.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Anchorage

    Whittier & Spencer Glacier

    Round trip to Whittier and Grandview on the 'Glacier Discovery' train (09:45 departure, 21:15 return), along Turnagain Arm with a stop at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop for a walk to Spencer Lake, and time in Whittier.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Anchorage

    Seward on the Coastal Classic

    Round trip to Seward on the 'Coastal Classic' train through glacier scenery and over Moose Pass, followed by a Kenai Fjords catamaran tour on arrival.

  7. Day 7overnight: Juneau

    Fly to Juneau

    Flight with Alaska Airlines from Anchorage to Juneau (approx. 1h40). Free afternoon; optional Mount Roberts tramway for views over Juneau and Bald Eagle sightings.

  8. Day 8overnight: Skagway

    Ferry to Skagway

    Alaska Marine Highway sailing from Juneau to Skagway via Haines (approx. 7 hours), arriving mid-day. Stay at the Westmark Inn in the centre of town.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Skagway

    Skagway - Fraser steam train (optional)

    Optional ride at extra charge on the regular Skagway-Fraser steam train, expected to be hauled by Baldwin steam loco 73, climbing to the Summit and into Canada before descending back to Skagway.

  10. Day 10overnight: Skagway

    Free day in Skagway

    A free day to relax and explore the town.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Skagway

    Skagway to Carcross

    Early departure on Train 1, running the full length of the White Pass & Yukon Route from Skagway to Carcross via Fraser (Canadian customs on board) and a series of lakes to Bennett, with a packed lunch served on the train and time for an ice cream in Carcross before an early evening return to Skagway.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Whitehorse

    Transfer to Whitehorse

    Free morning in Skagway, then a mid-day train to Fraser with an easy transfer onto a connecting bus to Whitehorse.

  13. Day 13

    Departure

    Mid-day transfer to Whitehorse airport for return flights home, via Vancouver.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4The Denali Star departs Fairbanks in the morning, climbing southward on the Alaska Railroad's premier train in GoldStar class with views of Mount McKinley (20,320 feet), North America's highest peak.
  • Day 5The Glacier Discovery train departs Anchorage at 9:45 am, skirting Turnagain Arm to Whittier and making a whistle stop at Spencer Glacier for a walk to Spencer Lake before a 21:15 return.
  • Day 6The Coastal Classic trains from Anchorage through glacier scenery and over Moose Pass to Seward, followed by a catamaran tour of Kenai Fjords and its wildlife.
  • Day 11Train 1 on the White Pass & Yukon Route runs the full length from Skagway to Carcross via Fraser, crossing into Canada for customs on board and traversing a chain of northern lakes with a packed lunch served aboard.

Included

  • Rail and road travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary
  • Good quality hotel accommodation
  • Gold star upgrade on Denali Star and Coastal Classic trains
  • Services of our Tour Manager (escorted from Vancouver to Whitehorse)
  • Meals as shown in the itinerary (breakfast, lunch and dinner where indicated)
  • Internal flights: Seattle to Fairbanks, and Anchorage to Juneau

Not included

  • International flights to/from UK (estimated £800-£1,200, confirmed at time of booking)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes rail travel on the Denali Star (GoldStar class), Coastal Classic (GoldStar class), White Pass & Yukon Route trains, Amtrak Cascades from Vancouver to Seattle, and the Glacier Discovery. Internal flights and the ferry from Juneau to Skagway are also included. International flights to and from the UK are not included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is fully escorted. PTG Tours provides a tour manager who accompanies the group from Vancouver to Whitehorse, coordinating all transport, hotels, and included activities.
Which specific trains will we ride?
The Amtrak Cascades (Vancouver to Seattle), the Denali Star (Fairbanks to Anchorage in GoldStar), the Glacier Discovery (Anchorage to Whittier and Spencer Glacier), the Coastal Classic (Anchorage to Seward in GoldStar), the White Pass & Yukon Route trains (Skagway to Fraser and Skagway to Carcross), and optionally a steam locomotive on the White Pass & Yukon Route.
What is included in meals?
Meals as shown in the itinerary are included, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided where indicated. GoldStar trains include complimentary drinks at your seat and priority seating in the dining room.
What are the hotels like?
Hotels are mid-range properties: Westmark Fairbanks, Westmark Anchorage, Baranof Juneau, Westmark Skagway, and an Elite Hotel in Whitehorse with an upgrade to the Captain Cook Hotel available. One night is at an airport hotel in Vancouver.
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
Day 5 includes a walk to Spencer Lake at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. Days 3 and 10 are free for self-guided exploration of Fairbanks and Skagway. Day 7 offers an optional Mount Roberts tramway. Most other days involve modest city walking and hotel-based activities.

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