8-Night Discover Authentic Alaska

Day 2

Daily Itinerary

Rail Journey - Anchorage to Denali - Glass-Dome Car

Today you will travel in style from Anchorage to Denali. The journey will take about 8 hours.

Take in the incredible scenery from your luxury glass-domed car as Alaska unfolds in front of you. There is also an outdoor upper-level viewing platform offering fresh air and excellent photo opportunities.

Along with your luxury setting, you will also have meals inclusive, a private bar with two complimentary adult beverages, comfortable forward facing seats and an Alaskan guide providing narration along the way.

Most would agree that this is one of the most scenic rail journeys in the World, it is hard to beat the incredible views of Mount Denali!

Sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Arrive at Denali and take a taxi to your hotel located just a mile from the entrance to the National Park and surrounded by wilderness. Settle in and relax for the evening or venture over to the Denali Park Salmon Bake for dinner, famous for its floors that slope about 3 ft.

Overnight Location

Denali National Park, Alaska

The towering granite spires and snowy summits of Denali National Park and Preserve straddles 160 miles of the Alaska Range and display so much elevation they are often lost in the clouds. Dominating this skyline is North America's highest peak; Denali ascends majestically to 20,310 feet and is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Alaska. Approximately 400,000 intrepid travelers journey to Denali National Park and Preserve each year, primarily between late May and early September.

Along with spectacular scenery, there is much wildlife to be spotted such as moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and wolves.

Day 3

Daily Itinerary

Denali Day Trip - Tundra Wilderness Tour

Today you will set off to visit one of Alaska's most famed highlights and hopefully spot some wildlife!

Traveling 62 miles into Denali National Park to Stony Hill Overlook, your tour offers a wonderful and diverse experience. Incredible scenery, a narrated history of Park Road, and some of the best opportunities to view the park’s wildlife inhabitants await you on this tour.

While wildlife is unpredictable your tour allows plenty of opportunities to look for Dall sheep, moose, caribou, wolves, and grizzly bears. On days when Denali (meaning “the high one” or “the great one”) is visible, the tour bus travels to Stony Hill Overlook for an amazing view of Denali from base to summit.

Day 4

Daily Itinerary

Rail Journey - Denali to Fairbanks

Take a taxi back to the train station and set off for another great Rail Journey to Fairbanks.

The upgraded dome car experience will be reserved for you once again so you can get the most out of your 4-hour journey.

On arrival in Fairbanks take a taxi to your waterfront hotel, an ideal setting for your next two nights.

Overnight Location

Fairbanks, Alaska

At 65 degrees north latitude, the sky takes on a capricious life of its own—a canvas for the aurora borealis, the midnight sun and sunsets, and sunrises that last forever. Here there are serious mountain ranges, pristine rivers and lakes, abundant wildlife, and a certain poignant solitude that is found nowhere else on earth. Locals embrace the natural world and have created a vibrant river city in the far north. Enjoy all the amenities of a charming downtown, a thriving arts community, rich Alaska Native culture, authentic Alaskan activities, and attractions, all in this remote locale.

Day 5

Daily Itinerary

Independent Day Trip to Chena Hot Springs

Pick Up Your Rental Car

Collect your rental car in downtown Fairbanks. We are happy to make an advance car rental reservation for you, which you would pay directly at the rental desk, thereby allowing you to use your personal auto insurance policy coverage and/or coverage provided by your credit card company, as applicable.

The day really is your own to explore but we highly recommend visiting Chena Hot Springs which is just 1.5 hours northeast of Fairbanks and it is home to Alaska's best known natural hot springs. Relax and soak in the peaceful ambiance.

Summer dog cart rides and sled dog kennel tours are also on offer amongst other activities.

Chena Hot Springs makes for a great day out.

Another unique option out of Fairbanks is the world-famous Santa Clause House, open year-round and located half an hour south.

Day 6

Daily Itinerary

Drive South to Valdez

Stock up on supplies for the journey ahead, today you will drive 7 hours south to Valdez. We recommend leaving early so you can take advantage of many stops you'll want to make along the way

You will be passing alongside Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, home to nine of the sixteen highest peaks in the United States, and Kennicott, a historic copper-mining boomtown.

As you near Valdez enjoy the views of the Chugach Mountains, stop at the Worthington Glacier & Recreation Site, view the beautiful Horsetail and Bridal Veil Waterfalls, and just as you get closer you can also enjoy the Crooked Creek Spawning Area with observation deck to see spawning salmon in late summer and fall.

Arrive at your log cabin overlooking the lake, a welcome reprieve after the days drive.

Note - We recommend having lunch along the way and taking some essentials with you to your self-catering lodge. There is the option to drive 15 minutes into nearby Valdez to access many dining options.

Overnight Location

Valdez, Alaska

Located near the head of a deep fjord in Prince William Sound, Valdez is a mix of tidewater glaciers, rainforests, and majestic mountains, wildlife on both land and sea and so much more. Valdez offers unparalleled natural scenery that is matched only by the abundant activities offered throughout the year.

Day 7

Daily Itinerary

Wildlife Cruise with Glacier Visit

Today makes for another day's discovery of an iconic Alaskan highlight.

Set off on your Wildlife Cruise through Prince William Sound. Along the journey you will have a chance to view Prince Williams Sound’s native wildlife, including sea lions, sea otters, and whales. Learn about mining, oil shipping, the 1964 earthquake, and fishing history, and as well as stories about the first people to explore and live in the area.

Visit the fastest moving glacier in Alaska, cruise along the terminal moraine around massive icebergs for a truly memorable experience.

Day 8

Daily Itinerary

Drive to Anchorage

The drive from Valdez to Anchorage takes 6 to 7 hours on average. There are many scenic vistas and unique places to stop along the way making it easy to spend more than 6 hours on the road.

Arrive into Anchorage and spend your last night in downtown, enjoy the many restaurants, take a deep breath and slow down after your incredible few days. Soak up the Alaskan atmosphere for one last night. What better place to be!

Overnight Location

Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska's largest city is a gateway to many adventures. With more than 60 glaciers within 50 miles of downtown, a salmon stream in the heart of the city, six surrounding mountain ranges, 300 miles of wilderness trails, and one of the largest state parks, the city has so much to offer. By day, dog sled across an icy glacier, spot copious wildlife, fly out to Denali, and get to know Alaska’s first people. By night, enjoy hip, metropolitan amenities, a dining scene abundant fresh-caught seafood, and the frontier spirit of the city. 

Day 9

Daily Itinerary

Depart from Anchorage Airport

Set off for Anchorage Airport and drop off your car rental.

Bid farewell to Alaska and the great experiences had over the last nine days, memories that will last a lifetime and will have you coming back for more. After all, there is just so much to explore and see in Alaska, think about a winter visit for a completely different adventure!