Grand Alaska Rail & National Parks Vacation

Day 1 Anchorage | Arrival Arrive in Anchorage and transfer independently to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Alaska’s largest city, set between Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains. Walk part of the coastal trail, explore downtown restaurants and local galleries, or settle in with mountain views as your Alaska vacation begins.

Day 2 Anchorage to Seward | Alaska Railroad | Kenai Fjords Cruise Board Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic train in GoldStar Service for one of Alaska’s most spectacular rail journeys. Leaving Anchorage, the route follows the edge of Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm, where the Chugach Mountains rise sharply from the water and the railway curves through a dramatic corridor of tidewater, cliffs, forest and glacier-carved valleys. Continue into the wild mountain scenery of the Kenai Peninsula before arriving in Seward, a harbour town set between Resurrection Bay and snow-capped peaks.

Upon arrival, transfer by shuttle to the small boat harbour for a 6-hour cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. Cruise through Resurrection Bay and into a landscape of rugged coastline, alpine glaciers, tidewater ice and rich marine habitat. Watch for Steller sea lions, harbour seals, puffins, bald eagles, sea otters and whales as your vessel passes the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge on the way toward Holgate or Aialik Glacier. Pause near the glacier face to listen for the movement of the ice and, conditions permitting, watch for pieces of ice falling into the ocean. Enjoy lunch onboard before returning to Seward. (Breakfast and lunch are included today.)

Day 3 Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 11 Excursions Enjoy a full day in Seward, one of Alaska’s most dramatic coastal towns, set between Resurrection Bay, forested mountains and the glacier country of Kenai Fjords National Park. Today, choose the experience that best matches your travel style, from kayaking and wildlife cruising to Exit Glacier, dog sledding, fishing or premium helicopter and glacier adventures. Option 1. 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 2. 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 3. 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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 10. 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 11. 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 4 Seward to Anchorage | Private Transfer | Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise | Alaska Railroad This morning set off on a private transfer to Whittier. Along the way, we will experience the famous Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel - the longest one-lane highway tunnel in North America which is shared with Alaska Railroad. In Whittier, board the 26 Glacier Cruise and cruise deep into Prince William Sound where you will see 26 named glaciers and many more unnamed. Cruise close to these towering masses of ice, so close you can “hear” the glaciers move and gaze at their brilliant blue hues. Lunch is included onboard. Back in Whittier, we board the Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery for our final leg of the tour to Anchorage. (Lunch is included onboard today.)

Day 5 Anchorage | Floatplane Fly-in Bear Viewing Excursion Fly from Anchorage by floatplane into one of Alaska’s remote bear-viewing regions. Depending on the season, weather and bear activity, your destination may be Redoubt Bay, Katmai National Park, Lake Clark or Chinitna Bay. From the air, Alaska opens into a vast landscape of coastline, rivers, mountains, wetlands and wilderness valleys. After landing, join professional guides for a bear-viewing experience in natural habitat, with opportunities to watch brown or black bears fishing, foraging or moving through the landscape. (Lunch is included today.)

Day 6 Anchorage to McCarthy | Wrangell–St. Elias National Park | Mail Plane Flight via Glennallen Depart Anchorage this morning on a scenic Alaska mail-plane flight into the Copper River Basin. As you leave the city behind, the landscape quickly opens into a vast aerial panorama of mountain ranges, forested valleys, braided rivers and remote northern wilderness. Arrive in Glennallen and connect with Copper Valley Air Service for the onward flight to McCarthy. From the air, the scale of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve begins to unfold, with glacier-fed valleys, rugged peaks, icefields and backcountry terrain stretching in every direction. Watch as the Copper River region gives way to one of Alaska’s most dramatic wilderness landscapes before arriving near McCarthy, a small frontier community deep within Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Surrounded by mountains, mining history and true backcountry character, McCarthy offers an unforgettable introduction to one of the most remote and spectacular regions in Alaska.

Day 7 McCarthy | Wrangell–St. Elias National Park | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Today, enjoy time in the McCarthy and Kennecott area, deep within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Choose the experience that best matches your travel style, from historic copper-mining stories and landmark buildings to glacier hiking or a gentle paddle through the surreal rock-and-ice landscape at the toe of the Kennicott Glacier. Option 1. Kennecott Mill Town Tour Step into the remarkable history of Kennecott, once one of Alaska’s richest copper-mining communities. Join a knowledgeable guide for a tour of the historic mill town and gain access inside the dramatic 14-story concentration mill, where weathered buildings, mining equipment and mountain scenery tell the story of life and work in this remote wilderness. Option 2. Root Glacier Half-Day Hike Walk through the historic Kennecott townsite before continuing toward Root Glacier for a guided glacier hiking experience in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Strap on crampons and explore an ever-changing world of blue pools, glacial streams, canyons, crevasses and ice features, with views toward the Stairway Icefall and Mt. Blackburn adding to the scale of the landscape. Option 3. Kennicott Glacial Lake Paddle Paddle across the calm waters at the toe of the Kennicott Glacier, where rock, ice and glacial water create a striking moonscape beneath the mountains. Your guide shares insight into the glacier, geology and surrounding wilderness as you travel by packraft through a landscape of floating ice, glacier views and dramatic Wrangell-St. Elias scenery. After your chosen excursion, return to McCarthy for an evening in one of Alaska’s most atmospheric wilderness towns. Depending on season and availability, dining may include refined lodge-style cuisine, a lively saloon setting or a relaxed café stop, all surrounded by historic buildings, mountain air and the unmistakable character of old Alaska.

Day 8 McCarthy to Anchorage | Wrangell–St. Elias National Park | Scenic Flights via Glennallen Depart McCarthy and fly back toward the Glennallen / Gulkana area, with the return flight offering a different perspective on the vast landscapes of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve. From the air, look down over glaciers, winding rivers, mountain valleys and the wide Copper River Basin, watching the remote backcountry slowly give way to broader open landscapes. Arrive in the Glennallen area and connect with the mail-plane flight to Anchorage. As the journey continues west, the scenery shifts again, with braided rivers, forested valleys, distant peaks and sweeping views across Southcentral Alaska. Approaching Anchorage, the wilderness gradually gives way to the dramatic meeting of city, mountains and water, with Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains forming a striking final backdrop.

Day 9 Anchorage to Talkeetna | Alaska Railroad | Denali Flightseeing with Glacier Landing Depart Anchorage aboard Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star and travel north into the broad, open landscapes of Southcentral Alaska. From your GoldStar dome seat or private outdoor viewing deck, the city quickly gives way to forest, wetlands, braided rivers and mountain horizons. The route follows the Knik Arm area before crossing river country near the Eklutna, Knik and Matanuska rivers, with the Chugach Mountains behind you and the Talkeetna Mountains rising to the north. Continue through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, where open sky, distant ridgelines and long stretches of wilderness create a powerful sense of Alaska’s scale. On clear days, watch for Mt. Susitna, known locally as Sleeping Lady, and possible views of Denali as the train approaches Talkeetna and the Susitna River. (Breakfast is included onboard the train today.) Arrive in Talkeetna, a historic Alaska rail town and one of the best gateways for Denali flightseeing. This afternoon, take to the air for an unforgettable Denali Flightseeing experience with a glacier landing, weather permitting. Fly toward the Alaska Range, where rivers, forests and foothills give way to vast glaciers, ice-carved valleys, granite walls and snow-covered peaks. From the aircraft, the scale of Denali and the surrounding mountain world becomes truly dramatic. Land on a glacier for time on the ice, surrounded by the silence, height and beauty of one of Alaska’s most powerful landscapes, before returning to Talkeetna for the evening.

Day 10 Talkeetna to Denali National Park Entrance | Alaska Railroad Rejoin Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star and continue north from Talkeetna toward Denali National Park Entrance. This is a wilder, more remote stretch of the rail journey, where the line moves beyond the main highway corridor into backcountry landscapes of river valleys, forest, mountain views and open northern sky. Watch for views toward the Alaska Range as the train travels through country shaped by rivers, glaciers and long Alaska winters. On clear days, Denali and the surrounding peaks may appear above the horizon before you arrive near the entrance to Denali National Park. (Lunch is included onboard the train today.)

Day 11 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 12 Denali to Anchorage | Choose 1 of 2 Options Option 1. Denali to Anchorage | Coach | Included Depart Denali early this morning by comfortable motorcoach and travel south along the Parks Highway through broad river valleys, boreal forest and small Alaska communities. Watch for views of the Alaska Range before continuing through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, where mountain scenery, braided rivers and wide northern landscapes unfold along the route. Arrive in Anchorage this afternoon, where your Alaska vacation comes to an end. Option 2. Denali National Park to Anchorage | Alaska Railroad | Upgrade Option Enjoy a relaxed morning near Denali, with time for optional activities such as rafting, hiking or flightseeing before boarding Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star in GoldStar Service for the journey south to Anchorage. Travel past rivers, forests and broad valley scenery, with chances to watch for wildlife along the way before arriving in Anchorage this evening, where your Alaska vacation comes to an end. (Lunch and dinner are included onboard the train today.)