Alaska Rail Journey with the Arctic Circle Adventure - Cruise Connector

Day 1 - Seward or Whittier to Anchorage

Seward Cruise Ship Terminal to Anchorage | Small Group Tour Disembark the ship and begin your adventure with a short and easy walk to see views of Exit Glacier. Next, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here you can safely observe and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears and muskox. Take an aerial tram up Alyeska Mountain for views of Turnagain Arm, up to seven “hanging” glaciers and the endless peaks of the Chugach Mountain Range, then continue to Anchorage to arrive late afternoon.  

Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal to Anchorage | Small Group Tour Disembark the ship to tour north through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel – the longest highway tunnel in North America. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here you can safely get close, observe, and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears, muskox. Then take an aerial tram up Alyeska Mountain for views of Turnagain Arm, up to seven “hanging” glaciers and the endless peaks of the Chugach Mountain Range. Continue to Anchorage to arrive late afternoon.

Meals Included – Lunch

Day 2 - Anchorage to Denali National Park Entrance on the Alaska Railroad

Early this morning take the Denali Star, the Alaska Railroad’s flagship train, in the Goldstar Railcar with service to Denali National Park. Watch for views of Denali and keep an eye out for wildlife. Arrive mid-afternoon; the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy an optional activity.

Meals Included – Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Denali, Freedom of Choice

Today you can personalise your day by choosing one of these excursions

Option 1. Denali Highway Jeep Excursion | Self-Drive Guided 4x4 Excursion Ranked #2 in Drives of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveller magazine, experience the natural wonders of Alaska’s Denali Highway — this time by Jeep! This 4-hour guided excursion travels along a 135 mi (217 km) gravel road & takes you off the beaten path in a 4 x 4 to enjoy scenic views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers, and wildlife.

 Option 2. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour This half day tour offers incredible scenery, a narrated history of the park road and opportunities to view the park’s wildlife inhabitants. Picturesque highlights include the craggy cliffside of Cathedral Mountain, wildlife rich Sable Pass and braided wash of the East Fork River in Denali National Park.

 Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Summit Flightseeing | Small Aircraft Get a closer look at Alaska’s majestic Denali from the comfortable window seat of a small aircraft. Slip on your provided headset to hear commentary from your guide as you fly over the snow-covered peaks, jagged ridgelines, and glacier carved valleys of Denali National Park, and get within half a mile of the mountain peak.

Option 4. Upgrade Option: Denali Glacier Landing | Helicopter Be immersed in the vastness of the Denali National Preserve. On your way to the massive Yanert Glacier, your pilot will serve as your guide through this unique glacially carved environment. Soar over the rolling tundra, keeping an eye out for residents – caribou, moose, bear, and Dall sheep. Snow-capped peaks and glaciers abound on this journey before you set down on a river of ice.

Day 4 - Denali National Park Entrance to Fairbanks on the Alaska Railroad

This morning is at leisure to enjoy optional activities such as: white-water rafting down the Nenana River, helicopter flightseeing over the park, landing on a glacier or hiking. By early afternoon, board Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star Train in the Goldstar Railcar to Fairbanks. Enjoy the late afternoon scenery as you travel north to Fairbanks.

Meals Included – Dinner

Day 5 - Fairbanks, Arctic Circle Air Adventure Tour

An Alaska travel experience would not be complete without an opportunity to experience first-hand the vast wilderness expanses and Alaska’s Arctic. Fly over the expansive Yukon River Valley, home of traditional peoples that sustain their lifestyle and culture as they have for thousands of years. Thrill at the excitement of crossing the Arctic Circle. Experience the rugged and magnificent Brooks Mountain Range as the flight route passes just south of the Gates of the Arctic National Park. Participate in a ceremonious Arctic Circle landing at a wilderness community on the Middle Fork Koyukuk River and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate. Then bask in the long daylight hours of the Midnight Sun on the return flight to Fairbanks.

Day 6 - Fairbanks Departure

Today check-out of your hotel it’s now time to say goodbye to your magical Alaskan adventure.