Denali Adventure by Rail and Trail with Fairbanks

Arrive in Fairbanks and meet your guide, who will assist with your transfer to your hotel. In the evening, join a welcome reception to connect with fellow travelers and learn about the adventures ahead. Toast the start of your journey as you settle in and get ready for the days to come. Overnight in Fairbanks at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge or a similar hotel.

Begin the day with a visit to a local reindeer facility, walking with these gentle animals and learning about their role in Alaska. Then head to a family-run gold mining site to try panning for gold and hear stories from Fairbanks’ mining history. In the afternoon, explore the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitor Center and gain insight into life in Alaska’s northern communities. Overnight in Fairbanks at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge or a similar hotel.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before boarding the coach south toward Denali National Park. At the Denali Discovery Center in Healy, enjoy a box lunch and take a short guided hike with a naturalist who introduces the area’s landscape and wildlife. Continue to the Denali National Park Visitor Center, where you can explore exhibits, speak with a ranger, or walk the nearby trails for a first look at Alaska’s iconic wilderness. Overnight at Denali Bluffs Hotel or similar.

Enjoy breakfast before heading deep into Denali National Park on a guided Tundra Wilderness Tour, spending 5 to 5.5 hours searching for wildlife such as bears, moose, and caribou while learning about the park from your driver-guide. In the afternoon, continue exploring the backcountry on a guided hike of about three hours, experiencing Denali’s terrain up close and gaining more time in nature. Overnight at Denali Bluffs Hotel or similar.

Begin the day with free time to relax or explore nearby trails before transferring to the Denali Rail Depot. Board the scenic dome rail train and enjoy lunch as you travel south, taking in sweeping views of mountains and valleys along the route. Arrive in Talkeetna, a lively base for climbers heading toward Denali, and choose where to have dinner, either at the lodge or in town. Overnight at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge or similar.

Start the day with breakfast at the lodge before hiking the Curry Ridge Trail. Cover 5–6 miles / 8–9.7 kilometers over approximately 4 to 4.5 hours as you take in views of surrounding peaks, forest, and local plant life. In the afternoon, kayak on Byers Lake in Denali State Park and watch for wildlife along the shoreline and in the water. Dinner is included this evening. Overnight at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge or similar.

Enjoy breakfast before setting out on a guided hike in the Talkeetna Lakes area. Follow forested trails with about 200 feet of elevation gain and uneven terrain while watching for loons, kingfishers, moose, and possibly bear. Return to Talkeetna for an included lunch, then travel south by motor coach to Anchorage for your final night. Overnight at The Voyager Inn or similar.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast while reflecting on the experiences of the past week. A transfer will be arranged to the Anchorage airport for departure. Leave with lasting memories of Alaska’s landscapes, wildlife, and adventures.