Alaska the Greatland

Your incredible discovery of Alaska begins as you arrive in Fairbanks and transfer to our hotel independently. After checking in for two nights, you can meet the Tour Manager and fellow travelers.

The remainder of the day is yours to settle into your room or to begin your explorations in this charming city. Set beside the winding Chena River, the town has many cultural attractions reflecting life in the Last Frontier. There is also a great selection of dining options to choose from, with an array of eateries serving international and local cuisines. Regional specialties to look for include reindeer sausage and excellent seafood, particularly grilled Alaska salmon. Overnight Fairbanks, AK.

Our first full day together in Fairbanks begins with breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, there's time for some independent sightseeing and exploration of downtown Fairbanks.

This afternoon, we board the riverboat Discovery and set sail on a tour along the Chena River to its confluence with the Tanana. During the trip, we learn about the culture and history of the area from our knowledgeable guide. Keep your eyes peeled for some of the local wildlife and the bush planes that take off from these rivers. Disembarking the ship, we enter Chena Indian Village to learn about the history and culture of the area's indigenous people.

From here, we visit the Trail Breaker Kennel for a quintessential Alaskan experience. We are introduced to the state sport, dog mushing, enjoying the chance to meet the sled dogs and learn about the lives of mushers as they sled through the Alaskan backcountry. Afterward, we gather for dinner on the property. Overnight Fairbanks, AK.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast is served at the hotel this morning, before we enjoy a vacation highlight.

Boarding the historic Denali Star in Adventure Class, we embark on a scenic journey to Denali National Park. Completed in 1923 when President Warren G. Harding drove in a ceremonial golden spike at Nenana, the Alaska Railroad provided a vital connection between Fairbanks and the coast at Seward. Skirting the Nenana River, this attractive route meanders through the landscape, allowing us to see wildlife, small villages, great stretches of forest, and wide-open land from our large picture windows, before arriving in Denali National Park.

Six million acres of pristine park lie ahead, and they are yours to explore however you see fit. Gaze upon the mountains from scenic viewpoints or while on a flightseeing tour. You could also participate in one of the guided ranger programs or set out on one of the many trails for an unforgettable hiking experience. A complete list of optional excursions is available at your hotel's excursion desk and can be booked on-site and paid for locally. Overnight Denali, AK.

• Breakfast

Today, we set out into Denali National Park for an exploration of the world-famous Denali Park Road on an amazing tour.

Standing at more than 20,000 feet tall, Denali is North America's highest peak and Alaska's most iconic landmark. On our journey, incredible scenery, a narrated history of this 92-mile route, and some of the best opportunities to view the park's wildlife inhabitants and natural history await. Among the animals that roam this astonishing landscape are bears, caribou, moose, and wolves.

After an informative day in the Denali backcountry, we return to the lodge for an afternoon at leisure. You may wish to relax in the serene surroundings or visit the Denali National Park Visitor Center. You could also participate in an optional excursion, such as helicopter flightseeing, river rafting, or an evening dinner show at Cabin Nite. Overnight Denali, AK.

• Breakfast

There's a relaxing morning after breakfast, during which you could stroll around our hotel's grounds, soaking in the scenery of Denali National Park for one final time.

Back aboard Denali Star we take our seats, this time in GoldStar Class. In Alaska Railroad's premium level of service, we enjoy spectacular views from glass-domed railcars, a second-story outdoor viewing platform, and lunch in the lower-level dining car. En route, local tour guides provide informative insights into the landscapes passing our panoramic windows. After crossing the Continental Divide south of Cantwell, look out for views of Denali's south face, and enjoy incredible photo opportunities. One of the best photo vantage points on the route comes as the train approaches the arched Hurricane Gulch Bridge, spanning 918 feet across and 296 feet above the creek bed.

As we arrive in Talkeetna, you are transferred to the beautiful Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge for the night. Overnight Talkeetna, AK.

• Breakfast, Lunch

An early breakfast is followed by a trip to Alaska's most populous city, Anchorage. Traveling by deluxe motorcoach, we continue south along the Parks Highway to the "City of Lights and Flowers" - so called because Anchorage is renowned for its summer blooms.

Here, we enjoy a visit to the Anchorage Museum for an expert-led tour that includes an exhibition about the first peoples of Alaska, featuring more than 600 objects from the Smithsonian's collections that were selected and interpreted with help from Alaska native advisers. Leaving Anchorage, we follow the Turnagain Arm by motorcoach to Mt. Alyeska and board an aerial tram that takes up to the top, scaling 2,300 feet of elevation. Soak in the stunning views as you spot hanging glaciers and see the valleys of the Chugach Mountain Range.

Afterward, we continue down the Kenai Peninsula and check in to our hotel near Seward, with the remainder of the evening at leisure. Overnight Seward, AK.

• Breakfast

Get ready to marvel at incredible glaciers and look out for playful marine life during a stunning wildlife cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park today.

After breakfast at the hotel, we are transferred to the dock to board our boat and meet our captain for the day. As our journey unfolds, the captain's narration provides valuable information about the area's history, flora, and fauna. We head out on to the icy water with our sights set on some Kenai Fjords' most scenic locales and attractions, including its tidewater glaciers. Our vessel is skilfully navigated to provide you with picture-perfect views of Resurrection Bay and beyond. Keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales, orcas and sea lions in the water while eagles and kittiwakes fly overhead.

Returning to Seward, the remainder of the day is at leisure to unwind or soak in the views of our location beside the Resurrection River. Overnight Seward, AK.

• Breakfast

Our journey continues this morning as we depart Seward and venture north through the Kenai Peninsula to Whittier. Along the way, we drive through the famous Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel - the longest one-lane highway tunnel in North America. Since vehicles and the Alaskan Railroad share the same tunnel, access is only available at pre-specified times.

Upon arriving in Whittier, we continue to the town's harbor for a cruise through beautiful Prince William Sound. Out on the open water, keep watch for otters, seals, and bird rookeries. We sail along the stunning Esther Passage and then into waters where dramatic coastlines and massive glaciers provide a backdrop that must be seen to be believed. Onboard, we are treated to a delicious lunch before we return to Whittier and continue our day's travel by rail.

Concluding our travels in style, we board Alaska Railroad's Glacier Discovery for the final leg of the tour to Anchorage. We arrive late tonight and are transferred to our hotel for an overnight stay. Overnight Anchorage, AK.

• Breakfast, Lunch

From the wild interior of Fairbanks and the monumental Denali National Park to the Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound, our explorations have revealed why Alaska is known as the Greatland. Summer activities such as a Chena riverboat cruise and a trip on Alaska Railroad's iconic Denali Star showcased the unique wonders of the season.

Your Alaska vacation concludes this morning. With advance reservations, the hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to Anchorage's airport, from which you are free to return home.