Alaska Circle Tour Rail & Car

Your Alaskan vacation begins today in Anchorage. As you arrive, make your own way to your downtown hotel to check in for the night, and then the rest of the day is yours to get acquainted with this metropolis on the Cook Inlet. You might like to explore the exhibits at the Anchorage Museum or the Alaska Native Heritage Center, or you could spend some time wandering downtown, keeping watch for public art installations and interesting shops.

Anchorage is known for its craft beer scene, and there are numerous breweries throughout the city. Additionally, as the state's largest city, Anchorage and its culinary landscape have been influenced by cultures around the globe. For dinner, you could try some fresh Alaskan seafood, a fine-dining restaurant or opt to explore the global offerings. Overnight Anchorage.

Leaving coastal Alaska behind, make your own way to the railroad station to step aboard the iconic Alaska Railroad for today's journey on the Denali Star. This all-day route takes you deep into Alaska's remote and unspoiled interior to Denali at the cusp of Denali National Park.

Sit back and relax while the train weaves past spruce forests and fields of colorful fireweed. Look upon sparkling streams and mountains framing the backdrop, and keep your eyes peeled for Alaskan wildlife, such as moose, elk, or bears, roaming near the tracks or near bodies of water. For your convenience, grab-and-go meals are available for purchase in the onboard Wilderness Café.

As the Denali Star arrives late this afternoon, enjoy a complimentary transfer to your lodge hotel, located just over a mile outside Denali National Park. Once you have checked in, you are free to relax in these picturesque surroundings or make your way downtown to find dinner locally. Overnight Denali.

Views of North America's highest peak, alpine tundra and wild landscapes lie ahead as you set out into Denali National Park on a guided tour. As your driver guide leads you along Denali Park Road, the only road in the park, keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife that inhabits the park, such as bears and moose, and look on the mountainsides for glimpses of Dall sheep. You will also have opportunities to soak up the sheer majesty of Denali, towering more than 20,000 feet above the landscape, before returning to your lodge hotel.

In the afternoon, your journey continues by rail, as you rejoin the Denali Star for the final leg of its route to Fairbanks. Called "Alaska's Golden Heart City," Fairbanks is a year-round hub of adventure, known for its Midnight Sun during the summer and beautiful Northern lights in the winter. A complimentary transfer takes you to your waterfront hotel for check-in, and then the remainder of the day is yours to get acquainted with the city. Overnight Fairbanks.

With a full free day ahead of you, there are endless ways to enjoy Fairbanks and the spectacular nature that surrounds it. Begin your day by picking up your mid-size rental car in town, and then, with the freedom this affords, you can choose to stay in Fairbanks or head out to one of the surrounding regions.

You could opt to visit the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, the Museum of the North or the Morris Thompson Cultural Center, or visit the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. There is a vast system of hiking trails throughout the region, including some scenic trails that you can access without leaving Fairbanks. You could also drive to Chena Hot Springs, located an hour outside the city, to soak in the healing waters.

For dinner tonight, Fairbanks has a wide range of offerings, from Alaskan favorites, such as king crab and salmon, to comfort food. Overnight Fairbanks.

The driving portion of your Alaska adventure begins today, as you depart Fairbanks this morning and begin your drive toward Valdez. Your route has been expertly planned, yet you are welcome to travel at your own pace, stopping at destinations that interest you or pulling off at scenic overlooks for picture-perfect views.

Your route takes you past the town of North Pole and the Wrangell and St. Elias Ranges as you follow the scenic Richardson Highway. Alaska's first long-distance roadway, it is surrounded by immense glaciers, countless waterfalls - including the stunning Bridal Veil Falls, and dramatic mountain ranges. The highway has two 100-mile sections designated as State Scenic Byways, so there are plenty of opportunities to pull over for photos during your drive.

Arriving in Valdez later today, you are surrounded by even more awe-inspiring views, as this city sits alongside a deep-water fjord on Prince William Sound. Check in to your hotel for the next two nights, and then you might like to have dinner overlooking the water. Overnight Valdez.

Surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and home to five glaciers, Valdez is often referred to as "Little Switzerland." In fact, this town is known to be one of the prettiest places in all of Alaska.

You can enjoy the scenery at your own pace today. Perhaps embark on a glacier and wildlife cruise or a kayaking tour, all payable locally. Valdez's waters are a fantastic place to spot orcas, whales and harbor seals, as well as seabirds soaring overhead and brown bears hunting on the shores.

Hiking is also popular in Valdez, and the local trails cater to a range of abilities. One of the top hikes in the region takes hikers to Bridal Veil Falls. Your route yesterday took you past Wrangell St. Elias National Park, and if you wish, you could return to explore the immensity of America's largest national park. Overnight Valdez.

Departing Valdez this morning, begin the spectacular drive to Anchorage. Your route today takes you along the Richardson and Glenn Highways, immersing you in Alaska's tremendous natural beauty as you travel west.

Travel through the town of Glennallen before coming upon Matanuska Glacier. Here, you might like to stop at a scenic viewpoint for pictures, or you could opt to stretch your legs at Matanuska State Park. By booking a guide ahead of time (payable locally), you can even trek atop this gigantic glacier.

Your drive crosses the Knik River and the Knik Arm, passes stunning waterfalls, and presents scenery of snowcapped mountains and verdant valleys. Should you wish to make one more stop en route to Anchorage, you might like to visit the Alaska Native village of Eklutna. The Dena'ina Athabascan people have occupied this village for more than 800 years, and it was later inhabited by the Russians. You can see evidence of both cultures at the impressive Eklutna Historical Park Cemetery before continuing to Anchorage for your final night in Alaska. Overnight Anchorage.

Having experienced America's Last Frontier aboard its most iconic train and while driving through the state on an unforgettable road trip wrapped in natural grandeur, your vacation comes to a close this morning.

Upon checking out of your hotel this morning, make your own way to Anchorage's airport for your onward travels home. Or if you are not ready to end your adventure, you can speak with a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights or a three-day extension that travels south to the Kenai Peninsula and the coastal town of Seward.