Alaska by Rail & Sea: Denali, Glaciers & the Kenai Fjords
August 12, 2027 thru August 20, 2027
Discover the unforgettable landscapes, wildlife, and rich traditions of the Last Frontier on this 9-day Authentic Alaska adventure. Begin in Fairbanks with a classic sternwheeler cruise aboard the Riverboat Discovery, meet Alaska’s famous sled dogs, see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and explore the fascinating Museum of the North. Then journey into the heart of Denali National Park, where sweeping tundra, towering mountains, and opportunities to spot grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep make for an extraordinary wilderness experience.
Continue south in GoldStar Service aboard the Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star, enjoying spectacular scenery on the journey to Anchorage. Discover Alaska’s Indigenous heritage and history before traveling along beautiful Turnagain Arm to Girdwood for a ride on the Alyeska Aerial Tram. The adventure culminates in Seward with a spectacular Kenai Fjords National Park cruise, where glaciers, rugged coastline, and abundant marine wildlife showcase Alaska at its wildest. With scenic rail travel, memorable wildlife experiences, fascinating cultural attractions, and breathtaking landscapes, this is Alaska the way it was meant to be experienced.
Transportation
Air
Roundtrip air included in package price.
Transportation
Motorcoach
Transportation / Activity
Rail
Activity
Cruises
Duration
9 days, 8 nights
Activity Level 3
Moderate
Meals
16 Meals (8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners) included
Availability
Available
Tour Highlights
- Denali National Park – Venture deep into Alaska’s iconic wilderness on the narrated Tundra Wilderness Tour, with opportunities to spot grizzly bears, moose, caribou and Dall sheep.
- Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star – Travel from Denali to Anchorage in GoldStar Service, enjoying glass-domed panoramic views and meals aboard the train.
- Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise – Cruise among dramatic fjords and glaciers while watching for whales, sea otters, seals, puffins and other marine wildlife.
- Riverboat Discovery – Cruise the Chena and Tanana Rivers aboard a classic sternwheeler while discovering the history and traditions of Alaska’s Interior.
- Alaska’s Legendary Sled Dogs – Meet remarkable canine athletes at Trail Breaker Kennel and learn about Alaska’s enduring dog-mushing heritage.
- Alyeska Aerial Tram – Ride 2,025 vertical feet up Mt. Alyeska for spectacular views of the Chugach Mountains, glaciers and Turnagain Arm.
- Alaska Native Heritage Center – Experience the living traditions, stories and cultures of Alaska’s Indigenous peoples during a guided visit.
- Fairbanks to Seward – Journey through the heart of the Last Frontier, from Fairbanks and Denali to Anchorage, Girdwood and the beautiful shores of Resurrection Bay.
Inclusions
- Roundtrip economy air transportation from ABQ
- Transfers & motorcoach transportation
- 8 nights lodging at excellent hotels
- 16 Meals (8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners)
- Admissions & tours as described
- Baggage handling (where available)
- Services of a Professional Tour Director
- Taxes and tips for included items (except hotel housekeeping)
Day 1 - Welcome to Alaska’s Golden Heart
Our Alaska adventure begins as we depart for the Last Frontier, traveling north to Fairbanks in the heart of Alaska’s vast Interior. From the moment you arrive, the immense landscapes, long summer days, and unmistakable frontier spirit remind you that you’ve reached a truly special corner of America.
Upon arrival at Fairbanks International Airport, meet our motorcoach and transfer to our hotel for a comfortable two-night stay. Take some time to settle in, relax after your travels, and get acquainted with your fellow travelers. This evening is at leisure, with dinner on your own.
Overnight: Aspen Suites Hotel Fairbanks
Day 2 - Fairbanks: Riverboats, Sled Dogs & the Alaska Pipeline
After breakfast, experience one of Fairbanks’ signature attractions aboard the Riverboat Discovery. This memorable three-hour sternwheeler cruise travels the Chena and Tanana Rivers, offering a fascinating introduction to the history, people, and traditions of Alaska’s Interior. Along the way, discover what life is like along these legendary waterways and enjoy a glimpse into Alaska’s colorful frontier heritage.
Following the cruise, spend time in downtown Fairbanks, where lunch is on your own and you’ll have an opportunity to explore. This afternoon, visit Trail Breaker Kennel for a fun and fascinating look at Alaska’s famous sled dogs. Meet some of these remarkable canine athletes and learn about the important role dog teams have played in Alaska’s history and modern culture.
Continue to the Alyeska Pipeline Viewing Point, where we’ll get an up-close look at a section of the extraordinary Trans-Alaska Pipeline System—one of the world’s great engineering achievements. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for an included dinner at Fairbanks’ historic Pump House Restaurant, a fitting end to our first full day in Alaska.
Overnight: Aspen Suites Hotel Fairbanks
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Alaska’s Interior: Fairbanks to Denali
After breakfast, visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North, one of Alaska’s premier museums. Through fascinating exhibits and collections, discover the state’s wildlife, geology, Indigenous cultures, art, and history while gaining a deeper appreciation for the enormous and diverse land we’re traveling through.
Leaving Fairbanks behind, journey south through Alaska’s beautiful Interior to the historic community of Nenana. Enjoy time for lunch on your own and a little independent exploration. Among the community’s sights are the historic Alaska Railroad Depot and impressive Mears Memorial Bridge, reminders of the important role the railroad has played in opening Alaska’s Interior.
This afternoon, continue along the Parks Highway as the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic on our way to Denali National Park. Arrive at the Grande Denali Lodge for a relaxing two-night stay surrounded by spectacular wilderness. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at the lodge’s Alpenglow Restaurant.
Overnight: Grande Denali Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Into the Wild: Denali National Park
Today we venture into the magnificent wilderness of Denali National Park & Preserve, one of the crown jewels of America’s national park system. An early start rewards us with a full morning surrounded by some of Alaska’s most spectacular scenery on the narrated Tundra Wilderness Tour.
Travel deep into the park along the famous Denali Park Road as forests gradually give way to expansive tundra and rugged mountain landscapes. Our naturalist driver-guide brings the park to life with stories of its history, geology, wildlife, and ecology. Keep your camera ready for possible sightings of grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and other wildlife that roam this vast protected wilderness. Weather permitting, we may even catch a glimpse of mighty Denali, rising to 20,310 feet as the tallest mountain in North America.
A boxed lunch is included during our excursion. Returning to the lodge around midday, enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at your own pace. Relax amid the beautiful surroundings or take the hotel shuttle into Denali Village for shopping, sightseeing, and dinner on your own.
Overnight: Grande Denali Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 - All Aboard the Denali Star
Enjoy breakfast before saying farewell to Denali and transferring to the rail station for one of the most memorable experiences of our journey. Today we board the Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star for a spectacular rail journey south to Anchorage.
Settle into GoldStar Service and enjoy panoramic views from the train’s glass-domed railcar as we travel through a landscape largely untouched by roads. Watch Alaska unfold outside your window—mountains, forests, rushing rivers, remote wilderness, and tiny communities accessible by rail. The elevated viewing areas make this one of the most scenic ways imaginable to experience the Last Frontier.
Both lunch and dinner are included aboard the train, along with soft beverages and two adult beverages, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenery throughout the journey. This evening, arrive at the Anchorage Rail Station, meet our motorcoach, and transfer to our hotel for a two-night stay.
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – The Stories & Cultures of Alaska
Today is devoted to discovering the remarkable people, cultures, and history of Alaska. Begin at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, an important cultural institution dedicated to sharing and preserving the traditions of Alaska’s Indigenous peoples. During our guided visit, learn about the diverse cultures that have called this immense land home for thousands of years.
Afterward, enjoy lunch on your own before continuing to the Anchorage Museum. This outstanding museum brings together Alaska’s art, history, science, environment, and northern cultures through engaging exhibits that help tell the story of the state and its people. Together, today’s two museums offer a fascinating perspective on both Alaska’s ancient traditions and its modern identity.
Return to our hotel later this afternoon. The evening is yours to relax, explore Anchorage independently, and enjoy dinner on your own.
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 – Mountains to the Sea: Alyeska & Seward
After breakfast, depart Anchorage and travel south along the spectacular Turnagain Arm, where mountains rise dramatically from the water and every turn seems to reveal another postcard-worthy view. Our destination is the mountain community of Girdwood and Alyeska Resort.
Here we’ll board the Alyeska Aerial Tram for an exciting seven-minute ride approximately 2,025 vertical feet up Mt. Alyeska. At the top, enjoy sweeping views across the surrounding Chugach Mountains, hanging glaciers, forests, and the waters of Turnagain Arm. There will be time to take in the scenery and enjoy the mountaintop surroundings before continuing our journey.
This afternoon, follow one of Alaska’s most beautiful highways across the Kenai Peninsula to the seaside community of Seward. Nestled between towering mountains and Resurrection Bay, Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Check into the Harbor 360 Hotel for the night, with the evening free to explore this charming harbor town and enjoy dinner on your own.
Overnight: Harbor 360 Hotel, Seward
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 - Glaciers & Wildlife of Kenai Fjords
Today brings another unforgettable Alaska experience as we set sail from Seward on a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise. This spectacular national park protects a dramatic meeting place of mountains, glaciers, and sea, much of it accessible only by boat.
Cruise through Resurrection Bay and into a world carved by ice, with rugged coastlines, towering mountains, glacier-filled fjords, and spectacular marine scenery surrounding us. Keep watch for Alaska’s abundant wildlife, with possible sightings of whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, bald eagles, and other seabirds. The sight and sound of an immense tidewater glacier is an experience that truly captures the wild spirit of Alaska. A deli lunch is included aboard the vessel.
Following our cruise, return to the motorcoach and journey north across the beautiful Kenai Peninsula and along Turnagain Arm to Anchorage. Tonight, gather one final time for an included farewell dinner, sharing favorite memories from our Alaska adventure.
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Farewell to the Last Frontier
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before it’s time to bid farewell to Alaska. Transfer to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport for our flights home.
Our journey may be ending, but we’ll return with wonderful memories of the Last Frontier—from Fairbanks and the wilderness of Denali to the Alaska Railroad, Indigenous cultures, towering mountains, sled dogs, glaciers, wildlife, and the spectacular waters of Kenai Fjords National Park. It’s been an unforgettable exploration of Alaska.
Meals: Breakfast
Itinerary subject to change.
Fun Facts
Denali
North America’s tallest mountain, rising 20,310 feet above sea level in the heart of the Alaska Range.
Alaska
Has more glaciers than any other U.S. state, with thousands spread across its immense landscape—including the spectacular glaciers of Kenai Fjords National Park.
The Alaska Railroad
More than 100 years old and travels through remote wilderness where some communities and backcountry areas have little or no road access.
Hotel Information
Aspen Suites Hotel
Fairbanks, AK
Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport
Anchorage, AK
Harbor 360 Hotel
Seward, AK
Package Pricing
$6,595 per person
Double occupancy
Deposit: $200
$8,425 per person
Single occupancy
Deposit: $200
Final Payment Due:
May 6, 2027
Deposit: n/a
Price Includes
• Roundtrip economy air transportation from ABQ
• Transfers & motorcoach transportation
• 8 nights lodging
• 16 Meals (8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners)
• Admissions & tours as described
• Baggage handling (where available)
• Services of a Professional Tour Director
• Taxes and tips for included items (except hotel housekeeping)
Booking Policy
CANCELLATION FEES:
- None thru May 6, 2027
- $200 – May 7 – June 2, 2027
- 60%* – June 3 – July 5, 2027
- 100%* – After July 5, 2027
*Fee as percentage of total package price.
We pride ourselves on great service and an enjoyable experience for all and will go over our booking policies after you make your request for booking. If you’d like to learn more about our booking policies before your trip, give us a call at (505) 889-8888.
Travel Insurance
In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to help protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer a Travelex Insurance Services protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. TRAVEL PROTECTION IS ENCOURAGED. Please click here for more information.
ACTIVITY LEVEL RATING
Level 3: Moderate
Expectations: Expect a moderate amount of walking, 2-3 hours of walking each day. There will be time to rest on the coach and between attractions. To enjoy this tour, you should be prepared to walk slightly longer distances, climb stairs and tolerate periods of standing, for example on city walks, sightseeing stops or ship excursions. The daily pace and timing can fluctuate significantly between longer and shorter travel days, with additional activities possibly occurring in the early morning or evening. There may be some changes in altitude or temperatures.
Appropriate for: Most travelers beginning with those who are moderately fit, lead semi-active lives, are comfortable participating in long days of activities and expect some physical exertion without the use of a cane or walker mobility aid.
ITINERARY
You will be issued your boarding pass the morning of our departure, after your arrival at the Albuquerque International Sunport. If you have a frequent flyer number, or a TSA number, please call our office at least 3 days prior to the tour to ensure we can note these in your reservation.
If you are joining the tour from locations other than Albuquerque, we can make other arrangements for you to join the tour. Please call our office for more details.
AIRLINE TICKETS
For your reference, we send to you a detailed itinerary approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the scheduled tour departure. This has day-by-day times and events, hotel information where you can be reached in case of an emergency, and airline information.
The times listed on the itinerary are all approximate. We cannot be held responsible for schedule changes due to unforeseen circumstances with the weather, transportation agents, highway conditions, hotels or contracting agents.
AIRPORT SECURITY
Do not forget to bring your government issued picture ID to show at the airport. If you do not have the proper ID, the airline will turn you away.
Note that a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or state-issued ID will be required to board domestic flights (starting May 7 2025)
BAGGAGE
We have arranged for handling for one piece of luggage per person regarding the skycaps (where available) and hotels. If you check through luggage note that the maximum weight for the checked piece of luggage is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height). If your bag weighs over 50 pounds the airlines will levy an extra fee that you will be responsible to pay. If you feel the need to lock your checked through luggage and your bag is searched, your lock could be damaged in the process. You can purchase a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) accepted and recognized lock at any luggage store. Make sure you ask for a TSA approved lock. These locks are the kind that TSA screeners can open by using a special tool without breaking. Passengers can carry-on 1 bag (dimensions are limited to 10x16x24 inches), plus a personal type bag, like a purse. We advise that you pack your carry-on lightly. There are restrictions regarding your carryon baggage and contents due to enhanced security measures. If you have further concerns, please visit the TSA's Web-site at www.tsa.gov. There is room inside the motorcoach for your hand carried bag.
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES
On our airline for this tour, passengers may be assessed a fee per checked in bag, by the Airlines, upon checking in for the flight.
EMERGENCY CONTACT
It is always a good idea to carry on your person a list of medications that you are taking and an emergency contact phone number while you are traveling. And we suggest making a copy of the itinerary and provide it to a friend or family member.
GRATUITIES/ITEMS INCLUDED IN PRICE
The traditional end-of-tour gratuity to your tour director is included on this tour. All hotel porterage and airport skycap (when available) fees are included. We also include the gratuities for the coach drivers. Hotel housekeeping tips are not included.
LODGING REQUESTS
If you would like to request special accommodations at the hotel(s) where we are lodging, please call us as soon as possible and we will forward these requests for you. The phone numbers of the hotel(s) where we are staying are listed on the itinerary.
Many hotels around the country have instituted a "reconditioning fee" of $300 or more that is levied upon a guest that smokes in a non-smoking room. If this occurs during our tour you will be responsible for paying this fee to the hotel prior to check-out.
TRAVEL REQUESTS
We pay close attention to your requests but please realize that these are merely requests and cannot be guaranteed.
RESPONSIBILITY
SUN TOURS acts solely as an agent in arranging hotels, transportation, sightseeing, baggage-handling, and other services and does not assume any liability for injury, damage, loss or delay due to any act or default of any company or person. We, along with our subcontractors, reserve the right to make changes to an itinerary if it is necessary for the proper handling of a tour.
WEATHER AND CLOTHING/MISC. SUGGESTIONS
August is a wonderful time to explore Alaska, with generally mild daytime temperatures and long hours of daylight. Expect daytime highs mostly in the 50s and 60s, with cooler mornings and evenings. Conditions can change quickly, particularly in Denali and along the coast, so travelers should pack layers, a waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, a warm hat and light gloves. The Kenai Fjords cruise can feel considerably cooler on deck due to wind and proximity to glaciers, making a warm outer layer especially important.
Call 505.889.8888 to Book Today!
If you aren't ready to inquire by email or would rather call and speak to a team member, we look forward to hearing from you.
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