Alaska Trains & Kenai Fjords

Day 1 : Fly to Fairbanks

We settle in for two nights in Fairbanks.

Day 2 : Fairbanks

After a leisurely morning, we head out for a photo stop at the Trans-Alaska pipeline. Lunch today is at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge. This afternoon, we enjoy a narrated cruise on the Chena River aboard the Riverboat Discovery III sternwheeler, with a chance to go ashore and explore a recreated Athabascan fishing and trapping camp. Native guides give us an insider’s account of their culture and traditions.

Day 3 : A Rail Journey

All aboard the Alaska Railroad this morning! Today's breathtaking journey takes us into the heart of the wilderness and Denali National Park, six million acres of pristine and protected land. At the end of this spectacular day, we arrive at a Denali Park Lodge, where we settle in for a comfortable two-night stay.

Day 4 : Denali National Park & Preserve

Today a naturalist guide joins us on a journey into the tundra of Denali National Park. Our expert guide helps us keep watch for grizzly bear, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. If the skies permit, we may also catch a glimpse of Denali, the highest peak in North America. This evening back at our lodge, delight in the toe-tapping revelry of the Music of Denali Dinner Theater, full of tales and lore from the days of yore.

Day 5 : The Iditarod Trail

A scenic morning drive takes us to Wasilla and the Settlers Bay Lodge, where we have lunch in a lovely setting. Next, we learn about extraordinary sled dogs at the Iditarod Trail Headquarters and the treasured Anchorage-to-Nome race. Later, traverse the Matanuska Valley, a major agricultural center, before arriving in Anchorage for two nights.

Day 6 : Anchorage

Today we see the major sights of Anchorage, with plenty of insight into the city’s ties to the great outdoors. More than 40% of Alaska’s population calls this coastal city home, though that only adds up to 300,000. Our tour ends at the Anchorage Museum, where the state's culture and history come to life. The afternoon is ours, with free time to explore or shop for hand-crafted souvenirs. Tonight, we gather for dinner at the Bridge Restaurant.

Day 7 : Kenai Cruise

We board a train this morning heading south into the Kenai Peninsula. This portion of the Alaska Railroad offers magnificent scenery that can only be seen by rail and is considered to be the finest in Alaska. Upon arrival in Seward, embark on the Coastal Explorer for a narrated 120-mile cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park. Sea otters, seals, whales, and other marine life are likely to greet us. Our captain will pause for incredible views of a towering tidewater glacier. Tonight our accommodations are in Seward.

Day 8 : Alaska SeaLife Center

Today’s highlight is a morning stop at the Alaska SeaLife Center, where research and rehabilitation help some of Alaska’s threatened marine life. There are often puffins in residence here, so be sure to introduce yourself! After a special Farewell Lunch in Seward, we return to Anchorage for our overnight flight home.

Day 9 : Arrive Home

We arrive home with wonderful memories of Alaska.