Alaska Railroad · Rail package

The Borealis

Nine-day winter rail trip to an off-grid aurora basecamp

Alaska Railroad's The Borealis is a 9-day winter rail itinerary linking Fairbanks, Talkeetna and Anchorage aboard the Aurora Winter Train, built around chasing the aurora borealis. After arriving in Fairbanks, day 2 travels to Borealis Basecamp, an off-grid property in a remote boreal forest where travelers stay in a geodesic dome with a see-through ceiling or a private Cube with floor-to-ceiling windows made for watching the aurora from bed. A full day there allows optional dog sledding or snowmobiling before the train continues south to Talkeetna for a guided dog sledding tour and free time to explore, then on to Anchorage. Optional add-ons along the way include Denali flightseeing, a guided snowshoe excursion and a Knik Arm Tour. With most stops held for 2 nights rather than one, this suits travelers whose priority is a real shot at aurora viewing from a distinctive basecamp, paired with train travel and a guided dog sledding experience, rather than a fast multi-city tour.

What to know before you look closer

  • Accommodation is named only for the two nights at Borealis Basecamp; hotels for the Fairbanks, Talkeetna and Anchorage nights are not specified in the evidence.
  • Guided dog sledding or snowmobiling at Borealis Basecamp, flightseeing in Talkeetna, the guided snowshoe excursion, and the Knik Arm Tour in Anchorage are optional add-ons, not included in the base price.
  • The evidence details 8 of the trip's 9 days; the final day is not itemized.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Fairbanks

    Fairbanks

    Arrive in Fairbanks. Overnight in Interior Alaska's largest city.

  2. Day 2overnight: Borealis Basecamp

    Borealis Basecamp

    Travel to Borealis Basecamp, an off-the-grid destination in a remote boreal forest. Stay in a comfortably appointed geodesic dome with see-through ceiling, or a private "Cube" complete with large floor-to-ceiling windows to accommodate aurora viewing from the comfort of your warm bed.

  3. Day 3overnight: Borealis Basecamp

    Borealis Basecamp

    Enjoy a full day exploring Borealis Basecamp; opt in for a guided dog sledding or snowmobiling. Tonight brings an opportunity for world-class aurora viewing.

  4. Day 4overnight: Fairbanks

    Fairbanks

    The day is yours to explore Interior Alaska.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Talkeetna

    Fairbanks to Talkeetna

    Board the Aurora Winter Train and travel south to Talkeetna, arriving in the late afternoon. Enjoy an evening exploring this small town's charming Main Street.

  6. Day 6overnight: Talkeetna

    Talkeetna sled dog tour

    Try your hand at Alaska's state sport on a guided dog sledding tour. Enjoy the rest of the day as you wish or opt to add on one of Talkeetna's most renowned excursions: flightseeing Denali and the Alaska Range.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Anchorage

    Talkeetna to Anchorage

    The day is yours to explore Talkeetna; opt to join a guided snowshoe excursion. That evening depart aboard the Aurora Winter Train, bound for Anchorage.

  8. Day 8overnight: Anchorage

    Anchorage

    Take a day to experience Alaska's largest city and its surroundings. Add on a Knik Arm Tour to see musk ox, mountains and more.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Travel to Borealis Basecamp, an off-grid destination in a remote boreal forest, with lodging in a geodesic dome with a see-through ceiling or a private Cube with floor-to-ceiling windows built for aurora viewing from bed.
  • Day 3A full day at Borealis Basecamp includes the option of guided dog sledding or snowmobiling, with a chance at world-class aurora viewing that night.
  • Day 6A guided dog sledding tour in Talkeetna lets travelers try Alaska's state sport.
  • Day 7The Aurora Winter Train departs Talkeetna in the evening, bound for Anchorage.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The Aurora Winter Train carries travelers between Fairbanks, Talkeetna and Anchorage.
What is distinctive about the lodging?
Two nights are spent at Borealis Basecamp, an off-grid property in a remote boreal forest, with rooms in a geodesic dome with a see-through ceiling or a private Cube with floor-to-ceiling windows for aurora viewing.
Is dog sledding included?
A guided dog sledding tour in Talkeetna is a core part of the itinerary. Dog sledding or snowmobiling at Borealis Basecamp is an optional add-on.
What else can I add on?
Flightseeing over Denali and the Alaska Range in Talkeetna, a guided snowshoe excursion in Talkeetna, and a Knik Arm Tour in Anchorage.
Where do I stay besides Borealis Basecamp?
The evidence names Fairbanks, Talkeetna and Anchorage as overnight stops but does not specify the hotels.

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