Alaska Northern Lights & Aurora Train

Your wintertime vacation to Alaska begins today in the state's "Golden Heart," Fairbanks. As you arrive today, enjoy a complimentary transfer to your conveniently located hotel, and then take the rest of the day to get acquainted with your new surroundings.

Fairbanks is the largest city in Alaska's interior and has a prime location under the auroral oval, making it an ideal place to spot the Northern Lights. By day, though, it is a city brimming with Alaskan culture and a fascinating place to explore in every season. You might like to head downtown to get a picture under the antler arch at the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center before having dinner in one of the many restaurants or craft breweries. You could also relax with views of the Chena River at the hotel. Overnight Fairbanks.

Spend the day at leisure in Fairbanks. Winter is a great time to explore the city's fascinating museums, including the Museum of the North, the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum and the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center. Traveling into the wilderness instead, Running Reindeer Ranch is the perfect place to learn more about these majestic animals and maybe even take a walk with them through the boreal forest.

This evening, prepare for a Northern Lights viewing experience like none other at Chena Hot Springs Resort. An excellent location outside the city puts this resort in a prime position to seek the Aurora Borealis. Its amenities ensure your experience is as relaxing as it is scenic. Unwind in Chena Hot Springs's legendary mineral water baths or stroll through the Aurora Ice Museum. When the atmospheric conditions are just right, lift your eyes to the sky to see nature's most colorful display dance across the sky in hues of red, violet and green. Overnight Fairbanks.

Even when the temperatures drop, the fun does not slow down in Fairbanks. Outdoor adventures, including ice fishing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, abound. There are plenty of local companies offering rentals and tours (all payable locally), whether you crave a thrilling excursion, like a snowmobiling tour, or a calm way to experience nature.

Another Northern Light viewing experience beckons tonight when you venture to an Aurora Viewing Yurt outside of Fairbanks. These cozy buildings have clear roofs to ensure a perfect view of the multi-hued sky. Feel free to get comfortable inside and watch the show unfold, or venture outside for an even more incredible perspective. After all, these yurts are carefully placed away from city lights, with remote locations that promise the best vantage points from which to see the Northern Lights. Overnight Fairbanks.

With a complimentary transfer to the station this morning, get ready for an all-day expedition through the vast wilderness of Alaska on the Alaska Railroad. Today's journey takes you to Anchorage, and your chariot for this memorable journey is the Aurora Winter Train - the cold-weather equivalent of the Denali Star.

As the Aurora Winter Train departs Fairbanks, spend the day marveling at views of the tranquil, snow-clad landscapes. The rail line ventures through parts of Alaska inaccessible by car, and you can watch these hidden views from a large picture window in your heated rail car. Relax in your comfortable seat and enjoy access to paid onboard dining options during your grand showcase of Alaska's untouched lands. On arrival in Anchorage, make your own way to your hotel with the remainder of the evening at leisure. Overnight Anchorage.

Please note: If you want to spend more nights under the auroral oval, speak to a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights in Fairbanks.

Leaving your hotel this morning, a coach transfer takes you along the scenic highway from Anchorage to Talkeetna. Keep an eye out for the snow-covered peak of Denali on the horizon during the drive.

On arrival, immerse yourself in the time-honored tradition of dog-sledding, a sport that has carved its place in Alaskan history, on a full-day excursion at a kennel in Talkeetna. During your time here, race through snow-covered forests and great expanses of wide-open terrain at the heels of these powerful dogs. Once your driver-guide returns you to the kennels, you are welcome to meet the dogs and their puppies and learn about the history of the sport, how it used to be the prime mode of transportation in the state, and its place in the modern world. Lunch is also included at a local restaurant during the excursion.

Returning to Anchorage, the evening is yours to explore the city's best restaurants and brewhouses as you please. Overnight Anchorage.

• Lunch

At twenty-seven miles long, four miles wide and approximately 21,000 years old, the Matanuska Glacier is an icy behemoth of epic proportions. This ancient stretch of ice sits at the head of the Matanuska Susitna Valley (Mat-Su Valley) and is the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States.

Your guided hiking excursion today takes you directly onto its face. Once fitted with all the proper gear for safe trekking, you set off with a guide amidst otherworldly scenery. Capture breathtaking views of the Alaska Range, the Talkeetna Mountains and the Chugach Mountains, and explore brilliant blue meltwater pools and remarkable ice formations. As you hike, your guide introduces the glacier's history and notes how it has changed the landscape of the Mat-Su Valley. Wrap up your adventure with lunch overlooking the glacier's impressive ice before returning to your Anchorage hotel for an evening to unwind. Overnight Anchorage.

Please note: This activity requires the ability to walk one to two miles (2 to 3 hours) on uneven surfaces. Ice cleats, walking sticks, and helmets are provided.

• Lunch

A showcase of the magic winter can bring to Alaska, this journey has highlighted both the natural and cultural wonders of the season. Beginning in Fairbanks, your days were at leisure to get to know this city built on the shoulders of the gold rush while your nights were spent searching the skies for the Northern Lights in remote locations. After traveling on the Alaska Railroad to Anchorage, a dog sledding excursion and a glacier hike introduced even more of Alaska's wonders.

Your Northern Lights adventure concludes this morning upon checking out of your hotel. You are free to transfer to Anchorage's airport at your leisure and begin your journey home. Should you wish to explore more of Anchorage and the surrounding area, speak to a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights.