Alaska Trains & Kenai Fjords

Day 1 : Fly to Fairbanks

We settle in for two nights in Fairbanks.

Day 2 : Fairbanks

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading out to see the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline, an engineering marvel and fascinating story of American ingenuity.

Then, enjoy a Holiday Vacations Welcome Lunch at Pike's Waterfront Lodge before we begin our afternoon adventures.

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.

Later, enjoy time at leisure to reflect in the spectacular beauty or get out for a bit of adventure. Hiking, rafting, flightseeing, or an ATV adventure are among the possibilities.

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 Music of Denali Dinner Theater, full of tales and lore from the days of yore.

Day 5 : The Iditarod Trail

A highlight this morning is our photo stop at the Alaska Veterans Memorial. Dedicated in 1984 as a place of remembrance, the memorial honors each branch of service.

Enjoy the views over lunch at Settlers Bay Lodge.

After lunch, we head to the Iditarod Trail Headquarters where we'll learn about the epic Anchorage-to-Nome dog sled race and the canine athletes that are so vital to this famous competition.

Later, we arrive at our hotel for a two-night stay in the heart of downtown Anchorage.

Day 6 : Anchorage

Today we see the major sights of Anchorage. See historic homes, the Statehood Monument, Balto at the starting line for the Iditarod, Ship Creek, and Lake Hood, the busiest float plane airport in the world.

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 handcrafted 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 a high speed catamaran 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

Explore the interactive exhibits and learn about the research and rehabilitation efforts at the Alaska SeaLife Center. 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.