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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail & cruise vacation

Yukon and Triple Denali National Parks

Cruise and rail adventure from Vancouver to Anchorage through Alaska and Yukon

Illustration of Yukon and Triple Denali National Parks

Vacations By Rail's Yukon and Triple Denali National Parks tour spans 14 days and combines cruise, rail, coach, and flight travel from Vancouver to Anchorage. The journey opens with three nights aboard a Holland America cruise ship sailing through Alaska's Inside Passage to Juneau and Skagway, with an optional excursion to Tracy Arm and Sawyer's Glacier. Upon disembarking in Skagway, travellers meet a professional Journey Host and continue overland through the Yukon Territory by the historic White Pass Train and coach, stopping in Whitehorse and Dawson City along the Klondike gold rush route. A short flight then leads to Fairbanks, where a visit to Gold Dredge 8 precedes arrival at Denali National Park. Three days in Denali include a fully narrated Tundra Wilderness Tour and free time for independent exploration before the journey concludes with a ride aboard the McKinley Explorer, a domed-glass railcar with 360-degree views, to Anchorage. This itinerary suits independent travellers who enjoy both guided moments and free days to explore frontier towns and wilderness on their own terms.

What to know before you look closer

  • Port taxes are not included and are subject to change at time of booking.
  • The journey includes long overland segments; one reviewer described the coach portions as tiresome.
  • Hotel standards vary by location; one reviewer reported concerns about a Whitehorse property, so confirm accommodations with the operator.
  • Cancellation and travel insurance are not included; they can be arranged separately.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Cruise ship

    Arrive in Vancouver

    Travel to Vancouver by your own means to board your Holland America cruise liner, your home for the next three days.

  2. Day 2overnight: Cruise ship

    Scenic Cruising

    A full day aboard the ship sailing through the Inside Passage, enjoying onboard amenities, entertainment and classes.

  3. Day 3overnight: Cruise ship

    Tracy Arm and Juneau

    Optional excursions to Tracy Arm and Sawyer's Glacier with wildlife viewing, then time to explore Juneau independently or on optional excursions.

  4. Day 4overnight: Skagway

    Skagway

    Disembark in Skagway to meet the Journey Host, with a historical city tour of the downtown's wooden boardwalks and false-fronted buildings.

  5. Day 5overnight: Skagway

    Skagway

    A free day in Skagway, with optional excursions or independent exploration of sites such as the Jewell Gardens, Red Onion Saloon Brothel Museum and Gold Rush Cemetery.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Whitehorse

    Transit to Whitehorse

    Travel from Skagway to Fraser aboard the historic White Pass Train, a narrow-gauge line dating to the late 1890s, then continue to Whitehorse aboard an Explorer coach.

  7. Day 7overnight: Dawson City

    Transport to Dawson City

    An approximately 7-hour journey through the Yukon Territory to Dawson City, tracing the Klondike gold stampeders' route, with a lunch stop in Minto.

  8. Day 8overnight: Dawson City

    Dawson City

    Explore Dawson City's history independently or on optional excursions, including the Dawson City Museum and Palace Grand Theatre, plus an afternoon cruise on the Klondike Spirit paddlewheel boat.

  9. Day 9overnight: Fairbanks

    Fairbanks

    A short flight from Dawson City to Fairbanks, 'The Golden Heart City', with the rest of the day free to explore its parks, museums and botanical gardens.

  10. Day 10overnight: Denali National Park

    En Route to Denali National Park

    A stop to pan for gold at the historic Gold Dredge 8, then on to Denali for a three-night stay.

  11. Day 11overnight: Denali National Park

    Denali National Park

    The Tundra Wilderness Tour, a 5-6 hour fully narrated sightseeing excursion into the heart of Denali National Park for wildlife and mountain views.

  12. Day 12overnight: Denali National Park

    Denali National Park

    A free day to explore on your own or take optional excursions, including a visit to Denali Square.

  13. Day 13overnight: Anchorage

    Journey to Anchorage

    Board the McKinley Explorer, a domed-glass railcar with 360-degree views, bound for Anchorage; the Journey Host departs on arrival, with the rest of the day free.

  14. Day 14

    Trip Conclusion

    Transfer to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport for the return flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Optional excursion to Tracy Arm and Sawyer's Glacier from the ship with wildlife viewing.
  • Day 6Travel aboard the White Pass Train, a narrow-gauge line dating to the late 1890s, from Skagway to Fraser.
  • Day 8Afternoon cruise on the Klondike Spirit paddlewheel boat in Dawson City.
  • Day 11The Tundra Wilderness Tour, a 5-6 hour fully narrated sightseeing excursion into Denali National Park for wildlife and mountain views.
  • Day 13Board the McKinley Explorer with domed-glass railcars offering 360-degree views for the journey to Anchorage.

Included

  • Two nights of hotel accommodations in Skagway and Dawson City
  • One overnight in each in Whitehorse, Fairbanks and Anchorage
  • Three overnights in Denali National Park
  • Three overnights aboard a Holland America cruise ship
  • High staff-to-guest ratio for personalized care
  • Spectacular meal offerings, spa services, classes and entertainment, and use of on-board fitness rooms
  • Motorcoach transfer
  • Flights and airport transfers
  • Flight from Dawson City to Fairbanks
  • Services of a professional Journey Host

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Port taxes are not included and are subject to change at time of booking

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes three nights aboard a Holland America cruise ship, the White Pass Train from Skagway to Fraser, and the McKinley Explorer from Denali to Anchorage. A flight from Dawson City to Fairbanks is also included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Vacations By Rail provides a professional Journey Host from Skagway to Anchorage for service and support. However, many days include free time for independent exploration of towns and attractions.
Which trains are featured?
The White Pass Train, a historic narrow-gauge line dating to the late 1890s, runs from Skagway to Fraser. The McKinley Explorer operates between Denali National Park and Anchorage with domed-glass railcars.
What is the accommodation breakdown?
Two nights in Skagway, one night each in Whitehorse, Fairbanks and Anchorage, two nights in Dawson City, three nights in Denali National Park, and three nights aboard a Holland America cruise ship.
How much walking is involved?
Days include city walking tours and independent exploration of towns. Denali offers a 5-6 hour fully narrated Tundra Wilderness Tour; other days allow self-directed activity.
What meals are included?
The package includes meal offerings aboard the Holland America cruise ship. Other meals are not specified in the package inclusions.

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