Deluxe Alaska Highlights

A hub for indigenous culture, a gateway to endless wilderness and Alaska's largest city, Anchorage is the starting point for your journey through America's Last Frontier. After arriving today and transferring to your hotel for check-in, you are free to get acquainted with your new surroundings however you see fit. You may wish to ride a sightseeing trolley through the city for an overview of its popular sights or visit one of the local museums, such as the Anchorage Museum or the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Downtown is brimming with shops, restaurants, and breweries to explore, and natural adventures abound just outside the city limits. Take to one of the local hiking trails or venture atop a glacier - the possibilities are endless. Overnight Anchorage.

Please note: If you wish to see more of Anchorage, speak with a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights and activities, such as a helicopter or flightseeing to get up close to mountains, glaciers or even bears.

This morning sees you on your first route aboard the Alaska Railroad. Board the Glacier Discovery Train with views of the Knik Arm and the Chugach Mountains guiding the way to Portage. On arrival, a shuttle takes you to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a 200-acre sanctuary for orphaned and injured Alaskan wildlife. Hop back on the shuttle to the station and reboard the Glacier Discovery Train to Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, where you join a float trip on the Placer River to Spencer Glacier.

Grab your life jacket and settle into your raft for the seven-mile journey down the Placer River. This braided waterway is surrounded by magnificent scenery, with forested mountains and glacial ice formations. The pièce de résistance of the float comes as you approach the Spencer Glacier. A sack lunch is included as you explore today.

Following the two-hour excursion, return to the shore for a transfer to Girdwood's famous Alyeska Resort. Alaska's largest ski resort is surrounded by the steep slopes of the Chugach Mountains and offers a picturesque retreat for the night. Overnight Girdwood.

• Lunch

A complimentary transfer takes you to the train station this morning to board the Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic Train to Seward. This train's route is one of the most scenic in North America, weaving along the Turnagain Arm and through scenic Grandview. Once past Grandview, rugged mountains, waterfalls and glaciers pass by your windows. Arrive in Seward with stunning views of Resurrection Bay, the host for the day's excursion.

A 5 1/2-hour cruise through the protected waters of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park introduces you to some of the best views in south-central Alaska. A park ranger joins the boat, providing entertainment and invaluable insight as you cruise past several types of glaciers and coastal rainforests. Keep your eyes on the water to see orcas, seals, whales, otters and porpoises. Bald eagles perch alongside the water, and you may spot seabirds overhead. Lunch is served as you cruise, so you can continue watching the fantastic views unfold.

You are transferred to Seward following the cruise, with the remainder of the evening at leisure in the port town. Overnight Seward.

• Lunch

Experience the Seward region at its best today on a Real Alaska Tour. This excursion begins in Seward, with a guide pointing out interesting and significant sites in the "Gateway to Alaska." Learn about its history, connection to nature, and the Iditarod Competition before continuing to Kenai Fjords National Park's Exit Glacier, the only part of the park accessible by land. A short nature walk takes you to the glacier's face, and the well-kept trail is awash in beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

The day continues with lunch at Resurrection Roadhouse and a visit to the Seavey Homestead, where three-time Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey raises and trains sled dogs. Learn about the sport's place in Alaskan culture, hold puppies and set out on a two-mile wheeled sled ride alongside Box Canyon Creek and to the base of Resurrection Mountain.

Even more scenery beckons as you make your own way back to the train station this evening to board the Coastal Classic Train to Anchorage, where you stay for the night. Overnight Anchorage.

• Lunch

Hundreds of miles of wild scenery and a full day of adventure lie ahead as you transfer to the station independently this morning to board the Denali Star. Your all-day route travels from the coast's icy waters to the dramatic peaks and lush valleys of the interior in Denali National Park. Settle into your seat, and enjoy the opportunity to purchase meals on the train as the journey unfolds.

The Chugach Mountains and Knik River set a lovely backdrop for the first stretch; then, as the train approaches Talkeetna, keep watch for views of Denali's peak in the distance. From here, the train navigates the Hurricane backcountry and crosses an expansive 296-foot bridge. Look over the Indian River and the dramatic vistas provided by Hurricane Gulch before the route wraps up with panoramic views of the Alaska Range, Healy Canyon and the Nenana River.

The Denali Star arrives at the park late this afternoon, and a complimentary transfer takes you to your hotel. After settling in, you can spend the evening admiring your tranquil surroundings. Overnight Denali National Park.

Denali National Park is a treasure trove of wildlife and remarkable scenery, all of which is yours to behold today as you set out on a guided sightseeing excursion. The park's incredible diversity is displayed as your tour bus travels along the park's road corridor, traversing 43 miles to the East Fork Cabin, also known as the Murie Cabin, near the East Fork River.

Look upon serene landscapes composed of glacial lakes and picturesque valleys sweeping down from rugged mountain peaks. Keep watch for the large animals, including Alaska's "Big Five," that roam freely. You never know where a roaming moose, a mountainside Dall sheep or goat, or a bear searching for a meal might appear. Of course, your guide points out all the best sights and ensures your time in the remote wilderness is as informative as it is inspiring. This tour is truly the best way to experience Denali.

After your tour, the evening is yours to find dinner locally or unwind at your hotel. Overnight Denali National Park.

One million acres of glaciers, six million acres of untamed wilderness, and infinite possibilities greet you during your free morning in Denali National Park. Whether you crave thrilling experiences or low-key sightseeing, there are plenty of ways to fill your time. Hike one of the scenic trails, or head to a well-known wildlife corridor or scenic outlook with a camera. You can also add an optional tour for a more structured adventure.

You have until late this morning to explore as you board the Denali Star for the return journey to Anchorage this afternoon. Enjoy an encore presentation of the mountain scenery and backcountry grandeur while you sit back and relax. The train pulls into the station this evening, at which time you can transfer to your hotel for your final night in Alaska. Overnight Anchorage.

Optional Excursions

Helicopter Denali Glacier Landing -  See Denali National Park, the Alaska Range and, if conditions allow, a spectacular view of Denali on a memorable helicopter tour. Your pilot acts as a guide, showcasing points of interest from the sky as you fly toward the Yanert Glacier. Also included is a landing atop the glacier, during which time you can step onto its surface and experience this picturesque sheet of ice.

Denali National Park Rafting - Head toward the entrance of Denali National Park for a whitewater rafting trip on the most scenic stretch of the Nenana River. This 11-mile float is as thrilling as it is beautiful and offers an unparalleled perspective on the surrounding beauty. Look upon mountains and forests and keep watch for Alaskan wildlife as your guide leads you along the river. Please note: If you are not ready to return to Anchorage, speak with a Rail Specialist about extending your stay in Denali or continuing your journey north to Fairbanks on the Denali Star.

Far-north culture and quintessential Alaskan scenes set a memorable backgroud for the last week in the Last Frontier. Each day brought a new way to appreciate the untamed beauty, whether traveling aboard the scenic lines of the Alaska Railroad, cruising rivers or ice-laden bays, or embarking on picturesque driving routes. Complete with incredible excursions and a stay at the beautiful Alyeska Resort, this has been the best way to experience Alaska.

Upon checking out of your hotel this morning, your Alaskan journey comes to a close. You are welcome to return home at leisure, or if you would like to extend your stay, speak with a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights in Anchorage.