Alaska Discovery Road Trip with Alaska Railroad

Day 1 Anchorage to Seward via Whittier | 239 km/149 mi | Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise Depart Anchorage and follow the Seward Highway toward Turnagain Arm, one of Alaska’s most dramatic coastal corridors. The road traces tidal flats and mountain slopes below the Chugach Mountains, with waterfalls, rocky cliffs and sweeping inlet views along the way. Continue through Portage and the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to Whittier, where you board the Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise. Cruise into a sheltered world of fjords, floating ice, waterfalls and tidewater glaciers, watching for sea otters, seals, whales, seabirds and mountain goats. After the cruise, continue by road to Seward, set between Resurrection Bay and the mountains of the Kenai Peninsula. (Lunch is included onboard today.)

Day 2 Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 12 Excursions Today, enjoy a full day in Seward and choose the experience that best matches your travel style. Explore Kenai Fjords by boat, paddle the protected waters around Resurrection Bay, hike near Exit Glacier, meet sled dogs at a summer training camp, or upgrade to a glacier flightseeing, dogsledding or iceberg kayaking adventure. Option 1. Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise Cruise from Seward into Kenai Fjords National Park, where tidewater glaciers, steep coastal cliffs, remote islands and rich marine habitat create one of Alaska’s classic coastal wilderness experiences. Watch for seals, whales, puffins, sea otters and other wildlife as expert narration brings the park’s glaciers, fjords and natural history to life. Option 2. Tonsina Point Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure Paddle the protected waters of Resurrection Bay, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forested shoreline and the wild coastal scenery that makes Seward so memorable. This active sea-kayaking adventure offers a close-to-nature way to experience the bay, with opportunities to explore shoreline areas near Tonsina Point. Option 3. Bear Lake Kayak | Canoe Trip Kayak or canoe on calm Bear Lake, located just outside Seward. With local guides, visit the salmon weir, learn about the salmon life cycle, and watch for eagles, loons and other wildlife in a peaceful mountain setting. Option 4. Wilderness Dog Sled Ride Tour Visit the Seavey family homestead and meet the Iditarod athletes at their summer training camp. Feel the excitement as the dogs are harnessed, then ride through the scenic rainforest on a comfortable summer sled. Option 5. Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise Cruise the blue waters of Resurrection Bay, where mountains, glaciers and rugged cliffs create a spectacular coastal setting. Watch for whales, puffins, otters and other marine wildlife, then enjoy lunch on Fox Island during this memorable Kenai Fjords experience. Option 6. Exit Glacier Hike Explore the Resurrection River Valley on a guided hike to Exit Glacier, where blue ice descends from the Harding Icefield. This is one of the most accessible glacier experiences in Alaska and a strong choice for travellers who want to feel close to the landscape. Option 7. Upgrade Option: Guided Walking Salmon Fishing | Seward Area Walk scenic rivers and streams near Seward with an expert guide and try your hand at salmon fishing in a classic Alaska setting. This is an ideal upgrade for travellers who want a more hands-on outdoor experience. Option 8. Upgrade Option: Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking Adventure Kayak among the floating icebergs of Bear Glacier Lagoon, where ice breaks from the largest glacier in the Harding Icefield. Paddle through a changing maze of blue and white ice, with possible sightings of harbour seals, black bears and coastal wildlife. Option 9. Upgrade Option: Helicopter Kenai Fjords National Park Tour with Landing Fly above Alaska’s spectacular wilderness on an unforgettable helicopter adventure, taking in glaciers, mountain valleys and remote landscapes. Land on or beside ancient ice, explore the dramatic surroundings and experience the scale and beauty of Alaska from a remarkable perspective. Option 10. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled Take a scenic helicopter flight over mountains and glaciers before landing on a glacier snowfield for a true Alaska dogsledding experience. Meet an Alaskan sled-dog team and mush across real snow in summer. Option 11. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled with Kenai Fjords National Park Tour Fly above Alaska’s spectacular wilderness on a scenic helicopter journey, taking in glaciers, mountain valleys and remote landscapes before landing at a glacier dogsled camp. Meet the huskies, learn from experienced mushers and drive a dog team across ancient ice. Option 12. Upgrade Option: Helicopter Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking Adventure Begin with a scenic helicopter flight over mountains and glaciers, then kayak through Bear Glacier Lagoon among monumental icebergs. This is one of Seward’s most dramatic adventure upgrades, combining flightseeing, kayaking and remote glacier scenery.

Day 3 Seward to Homer | 270 km/168 mi Leave Seward and continue across the Kenai Peninsula, following highways shaped by rivers, lakes, forest and mountain views. The route passes through some of Alaska’s best-known fishing country, with the Kenai River and nearby salmon streams giving the region much of its character. As you travel toward Homer, the scenery opens toward Cook Inlet, with possible views across the water to the volcanoes of the Alaska Peninsula. Arrive in Homer, set above Kachemak Bay and known for its long Spit, working harbor, mountain backdrop and strong coastal personality.

Day 4 Homer | Day at Leisure Enjoy a full day at leisure in Homer, one of Alaska’s most scenic coastal towns. Explore the Homer Spit, browse local galleries, walk the harbor, visit waterfront shops and cafés, or take in sweeping views across Kachemak Bay toward glaciers and distant peaks. Optional excursions include a bear-viewing flight across Cook Inlet to Katmai or Lake Clark National Park, or a guided halibut combo fishing charter from Homer Harbor. Homer | Optional Excursions Option 1. Katmai or Lake Clark Bear Viewing Flight Fly from Homer across Cook Inlet for a wilderness bear-viewing experience in Katmai or Lake Clark National Park. Enjoy aerial views of volcanoes, glaciers and remote coastline before landing with an experienced pilot-guide to observe coastal brown bears in their natural habitat. Routing and timing depend on tides, weather and bear activity. Option 2. Homer Halibut Combo Fishing Charter Depart Homer Harbor on a guided fishing charter into the waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet. Fish for halibut and other local species depending on season and conditions, with gear, bait, instruction and onboard filleting included.

Day 5 Homer to Anchorage | 355 km/221 mi | Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Depart Homer and drive north through the Kenai Peninsula, leaving the coastal scenery of Kachemak Bay and following the Sterling Highway through forest, river country and wide Cook Inlet viewpoints. Continue past the Kenai River region, where salmon streams, mountain views and small Alaska communities shape the journey north. As the route joins the Seward Highway, follow one of Alaska’s great scenic drives along Turnagain Arm beneath the Chugach Mountains. Stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where admission is included. This spacious sanctuary cares for injured and orphaned wildlife, giving you the chance to safely observe and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals, including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears and muskox. Continue to Anchorage with tidal flats, waterfalls and broad mountain-and-water views closing the day..

Day 6 Anchorage to Denali National Park Entrance | Alaska Railroad Board Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star and travel north from Anchorage toward Denali National Park Entrance. The journey begins with the wide landscapes of Southcentral Alaska, passing Knik Arm, river country, wetlands and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley before continuing toward the Alaska Range. From the dome car or outdoor viewing platform, watch the scenery build from forest and braided rivers to mountain horizons, with possible clear-day views of Denali along the way. (Breakfast and lunch are included onboard the train today.)

Day 7 Denali National Park | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions Today, enjoy a full day in the Denali region and choose the experience that best matches your travel style. Travel the legendary Denali Highway, journey into Denali National Park by coach, or upgrade to flightseeing over the Alaska Range or a helicopter glacier landing. Option 1. Denali Highway Jeep Excursion | Self-Drive Guided 4x4 Excursion Ranked #2 in “Drives of a Lifetime” by National Geographic Traveler magazine, experience the natural wonders of Alaska’s Denali Highway - this time by Jeep. This 4-hour guided excursion travels along a 217 km/135 mi gravel road and takes you off the beaten path in a 4x4 to enjoy sweeping views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers, tundra and possible wildlife. Option 2. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour Travel into Denali National Park on a narrated coach tour along the park road, where the landscape opens into tundra, braided rivers, mountain valleys and wildlife habitat. Watch for moose, caribou, Dall sheep, bears and other wildlife while learning about the park’s geology, ecology and wilderness character. Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Summit Flightseeing | Small Aircraft Fly toward Denali and the surrounding Alaska Range for a dramatic view of snow-covered peaks, glacier-filled valleys and rugged ridgelines. From the window seat of a small aircraft, this upgrade gives you a powerful sense of the scale of North America’s tallest mountain. Option 4. Upgrade Option: Denali Glacier Landing | Helicopter Fly by helicopter across the Denali region toward the Yanert Glacier, passing tundra, mountain terrain and glacier-carved valleys along the way. Land on the glacier for a spectacular high-alpine Alaska experience.

Day 8 Denali National Park Entrance to Fairbanks | Alaska Railroad Board Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star for the journey north into Interior Alaska. The scenery changes as the train leaves the mountains around Denali and travels through broad river valleys, boreal forest, open sky and small northern communities. Settle into the dome car, step onto the outdoor viewing deck and watch the landscape grow quieter and more expansive before arriving in Fairbanks. (Dinner is included onboard the train today.)

Departing Fairbanks Day 1 Fairbanks to Denali National Park | Alaska Railroad Board Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star in Fairbanks and travel south through Interior Alaska toward Denali National Park Entrance. The route carries you past boreal forest, river valleys and small northern communities before the Alaska Range begins to define the horizon. Arrive near Denali with the rest of the day free to enjoy the mountain setting. (Breakfast is included onboard the train today.)

Day 2 Denali National Park | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions Today, enjoy a full day in the Denali region and choose the experience that best matches your travel style. Travel the legendary Denali Highway, journey into Denali National Park by coach, or upgrade to flightseeing over the Alaska Range or a helicopter glacier landing. Option 1. Denali Highway Jeep Excursion | Self-Drive Guided 4x4 Excursion Ranked #2 in “Drives of a Lifetime” by National Geographic Traveler magazine, experience the natural wonders of Alaska’s Denali Highway - this time by Jeep. This 4-hour guided excursion travels along a 217 km/135 mi gravel road and takes you off the beaten path in a 4x4 to enjoy sweeping views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers, tundra and possible wildlife. Option 2. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour Travel into Denali National Park on a narrated coach tour along the park road, where the landscape opens into tundra, braided rivers, mountain valleys and wildlife habitat. Watch for moose, caribou, Dall sheep, bears and other wildlife while learning about the park’s geology, ecology and wilderness character. Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Summit Flightseeing | Small Aircraft Fly toward Denali and the surrounding Alaska Range for a dramatic view of snow-covered peaks, glacier-filled valleys and rugged ridgelines. From the window seat of a small aircraft, this upgrade gives you a powerful sense of the scale of North America’s tallest mountain. Option 4. Upgrade Option: Denali Glacier Landing | Helicopter Fly by helicopter across the Denali region toward the Yanert Glacier, passing tundra, mountain terrain and glacier-carved valleys along the way. Land on the glacier for a spectacular high-alpine Alaska experience.

Day 3 Denali National Park to Anchorage | Alaska Railroad Board Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star and travel south from Denali toward Anchorage. The route follows river valleys, forested backcountry and open northern landscapes before continuing through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley toward the coast. On clear days, watch for views of Denali and the Alaska Range before the scenery softens into wetlands, rivers and the broad valley landscapes north of Anchorage. (Lunch and dinner are included onboard the train today.)

Day 4 Anchorage to Seward via Whittier | 239 km/149 mi | Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise Depart Anchorage and follow the Seward Highway toward Turnagain Arm, one of Alaska’s most dramatic coastal corridors. The road traces tidal flats and mountain slopes below the Chugach Mountains, with waterfalls, rocky cliffs and sweeping inlet views along the way. Continue through Portage and the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to Whittier, where you board the Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise. Cruise into a sheltered world of fjords, floating ice, waterfalls and tidewater glaciers, watching for sea otters, seals, whales, seabirds and mountain goats. After the cruise, continue by road to Seward, set between Resurrection Bay and the mountains of the Kenai Peninsula. (Lunch is included onboard today.)

Day 5 Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 12 Excursions Today, enjoy a full day in Seward and choose the experience that best matches your travel style. Explore Kenai Fjords by boat, paddle the protected waters around Resurrection Bay, hike near Exit Glacier, meet sled dogs at a summer training camp, or upgrade to a glacier flightseeing, dogsledding or iceberg kayaking adventure. Option 1. Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise Cruise from Seward into Kenai Fjords National Park, where tidewater glaciers, steep coastal cliffs, remote islands and rich marine habitat create one of Alaska’s classic coastal wilderness experiences. Watch for seals, whales, puffins, sea otters and other wildlife as expert narration brings the park’s glaciers, fjords and natural history to life. Option 2. Tonsina Point Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure Paddle the protected waters of Resurrection Bay, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forested shoreline and the wild coastal scenery that makes Seward so memorable. This active sea-kayaking adventure offers a close-to-nature way to experience the bay, with opportunities to explore shoreline areas near Tonsina Point. Option 3. Bear Lake Kayak | Canoe Trip Kayak or canoe on calm Bear Lake, located just outside Seward. With local guides, visit the salmon weir, learn about the salmon life cycle, and watch for eagles, loons and other wildlife in a peaceful mountain setting. Option 4. Wilderness Dog Sled Ride Tour Visit the Seavey family homestead and meet the Iditarod athletes at their summer training camp. Feel the excitement as the dogs are harnessed, then ride through the scenic rainforest on a comfortable summer sled. Option 5. Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise Cruise the blue waters of Resurrection Bay, where mountains, glaciers and rugged cliffs create a spectacular coastal setting. Watch for whales, puffins, otters and other marine wildlife, then enjoy lunch on Fox Island during this memorable Kenai Fjords experience. Option 6. Exit Glacier Hike Explore the Resurrection River Valley on a guided hike to Exit Glacier, where blue ice descends from the Harding Icefield. This is one of the most accessible glacier experiences in Alaska and a strong choice for travellers who want to feel close to the landscape. Option 7. Upgrade Option: Guided Walking Salmon Fishing | Seward Area Walk scenic rivers and streams near Seward with an expert guide and try your hand at salmon fishing in a classic Alaska setting. This is an ideal upgrade for travellers who want a more hands-on outdoor experience. Option 8. Upgrade Option: Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking Adventure Kayak among the floating icebergs of Bear Glacier Lagoon, where ice breaks from the largest glacier in the Harding Icefield. Paddle through a changing maze of blue and white ice, with possible sightings of harbour seals, black bears and coastal wildlife. Option 9. Upgrade Option: Helicopter Kenai Fjords National Park Tour with Landing Fly above Alaska’s spectacular wilderness on an unforgettable helicopter adventure, taking in glaciers, mountain valleys and remote landscapes. Land on or beside ancient ice, explore the dramatic surroundings and experience the scale and beauty of Alaska from a remarkable perspective. Option 10. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled Take a scenic helicopter flight over mountains and glaciers before landing on a glacier snowfield for a true Alaska dogsledding experience. Meet an Alaskan sled-dog team and mush across real snow in summer. Option 11. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled with Kenai Fjords National Park Tour Fly above Alaska’s spectacular wilderness on a scenic helicopter journey, taking in glaciers, mountain valleys and remote landscapes before landing at a glacier dogsled camp. Meet the huskies, learn from experienced mushers and drive a dog team across ancient ice. Option 12. Upgrade Option: Helicopter Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking Adventure Begin with a scenic helicopter flight over mountains and glaciers, then kayak through Bear Glacier Lagoon among monumental icebergs. This is one of Seward’s most dramatic adventure upgrades, combining flightseeing, kayaking and remote glacier scenery.

Day 6 Seward to Homer | 270 km/168 mi Leave Seward and continue across the Kenai Peninsula, following highways shaped by rivers, lakes, forest and mountain views. The route passes through some of Alaska’s best-known fishing country, with the Kenai River and nearby salmon streams giving the region much of its character. As you travel toward Homer, the scenery opens toward Cook Inlet, with possible views across the water to the volcanoes of the Alaska Peninsula. Arrive in Homer, set above Kachemak Bay and known for its long Spit, working harbor, mountain backdrop and strong coastal personality.

Day 7 Homer | Day at Leisure Enjoy a full day at leisure in Homer, one of Alaska’s most scenic coastal towns. Explore the Homer Spit, browse local galleries, walk the harbor, visit waterfront shops and cafés, or take in sweeping views across Kachemak Bay toward glaciers and distant peaks. Optional excursions include a bear-viewing flight across Cook Inlet to Katmai or Lake Clark National Park, or a guided halibut combo fishing charter from Homer Harbor. Homer | Optional Excursions Option 1. Katmai or Lake Clark Bear Viewing Flight Fly from Homer across Cook Inlet for a wilderness bear-viewing experience in Katmai or Lake Clark National Park. Enjoy aerial views of volcanoes, glaciers and remote coastline before landing with an experienced pilot-guide to observe coastal brown bears in their natural habitat. Routing and timing depend on tides, weather and bear activity. Option 2. Homer Halibut Combo Fishing Charter Depart Homer Harbor on a guided fishing charter into the waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet. Fish for halibut and other local species depending on season and conditions, with gear, bait, instruction and onboard filleting included.

Day 8 Homer to Anchorage | 355 km/221 mi | Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Depart Homer and drive north through the Kenai Peninsula, leaving the coastal scenery of Kachemak Bay and following the Sterling Highway through forest, river country and wide Cook Inlet viewpoints. Continue past the Kenai River region, where salmon streams, mountain views and small Alaska communities shape the journey north. As the route joins the Seward Highway, follow one of Alaska’s great scenic drives along Turnagain Arm beneath the Chugach Mountains. Stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where admission is included. This spacious sanctuary cares for injured and orphaned wildlife, giving you the chance to safely observe and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals, including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears and muskox. Continue to Anchorage with tidal flats, waterfalls and broad mountain-and-water views closing the day. Arrive in Anchorage, where your Alaska vacation comes to an end.