New! Alaska By Rail
 August
30-September 6, 2008
Land tour from $2399.00
FLASH! One Room is Available Again on this tour.
Join us late next summer on a unique tour of Alaska by
train. We ride the full length of the Alaska Railroad (ARR) with
extensive included sightseeing in
Seward,
Denali National
Park, and
Fairbanks.
Extended two-night stays in both Denali and Fairbanks provide plenty of
time to explore and relax! We tour deep into Denali National Park on a
wildlife photo safari, cruise
Kenai Fjords National Park, see the
Alaska Sealife Center,
explore Fairbanks, sail the Chena
River on the sternwheeler DISCOVERY, and marvel at some of the
grandest mountain scenery in the world. This tour is escorted by Rail
Travel Center founder and General Manager Carl Fowler.
Denali National Park--Mount McKinley--"The Great One"
A highlight is the often-neglected Anchorage to Seward
portion of the Alaska Railroad. Most tours of Alaska focus on the “railway
belt” between Anchorage and Fairbanks. This line is wonderfully scenic,
but the southern portion of the mainline from Anchorage to Seward is even
more spectacular. So why do most tours neglect this route? The answer lies
in history.
 The
Alaska RR was built to carry freight and passengers from the deep water
port at Seward north to Anchorage and Fairbanks, and this remained its
primary function until World War II. But during the war, the Federal
government became concerned that the port facilities at Seward were
exposed to potential attack by Japanese submarines. As a result, a short
branch line was drilled through the Chugach Mountains from just south of
Anchorage to the fjords at the tiny hamlet of Whittier, where a new rail
port was constructed. The entry to the fjord leading to Whittier was
narrow and could be more easily defended against submarines. Accordingly,
Whittier largely supplanted Seward as the primary deep-water rail port;
and the original route to Seward was downgraded to the status of a branch
line. Regular passenger service to Seward was discontinued from 1953 until
1986.
Ironically, it was during the 1960s and 70s that tourism
to Alaska exploded. The ARR was heavily promoted for tours into the
interior; but during this time no passenger trains ran to Seward.
Therefore, that route never gained the renown it deserved. In 1986, the
ARR resumed summer passenger operations to Seward; but by then the
standard Alaska tour pattern had evolved, focused on riding the trains
between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks. Our tour corrects this error and
offers the magnificent full-length of the ARR, including the incomparable
scenery on the Seward line.
Best of all, this tour can be combined with our unique
sternwheeler cruise immediately following on the
EMPRESS OF THE NORTH from September
6-13, 2008. The cruise visits not only well-known ports seen on large
cruise ships such as Juneau, Skagway (for the narrow-gauge White Pass and
Yukon Ry.) and Sitka, but also highlights unique stops at tiny villages
like Petersburg and Wrangell. Participants booking both programs will
qualify for our multi-tour discount of $75 per person off this tour!
Complete details follow. All aboard!
Day One, Saturday, August 30
Arrive Anchorage. Flights arrive in
Anchorage today.
 
Seaplane at Anchorage Anchorage Skyline
We can arrange extra nights here for those wanting more
time to sightsee in Alaska’s only true city. Transfers are included from
the airport to our lodging at the Comfort Inn Anchorage or similar. Our
hotel offers a full-service restaurant.
 Day
Two, Sunday, August 31 (CB)
Alaska RR to Seward; tour the Sealife Center. We
have an early transfer to the station to board the Alaska RR’s
COASTAL CLASSIC streamliner
for Seward. Continental breakfast is included at our hotel. A full
breakfast also can be purchased in the diner as we roll south. This line
is one of the most scenic train routes in the world. At first, the tracks
closely follows the Cook Inlet, with sweeping vistas of the towering peaks
of the Chugach Range. Some of the world’s highest tides are experienced in
these waters; and there is a chance we might see a “tidal bore”, a wall of
water occurring just after maximum low tide as the ocean waters surge back
into the upper basin of the fjord.
After a stop at the Alyeska Ski Resort at Girdwood, the
line begins to climb the coastal mountains. At first the tracks twist and
turn along the deep Placer River canyon; but then the ascent increases,
and we pass so close to the
Spencer Glacier that the ice comes to within 500 feet of the line!
The Trail and Bartlett Glaciers also are seen enroute. At Grandview there
is a stunning vista of eternally snow-covered peaks before we begin the
steep descent to the Kenai Fjords and the deep-water port of Seward.
This afternoon we visit the
Alaska Sealife Center to
learn about the marine life of the north. Far more than just an aquarium,
this exceptional exhibit is a non-profit marine science facility dedicated
to understanding and maintaining the integrity of the marine ecosystem of
Alaska through research, rehabilitation and public education. The Center's
naturalistic exhibits immerse visitors in the dynamic marine ecosystems of
Alaska. We overnight in Seward at the downtown Breeze Inn.
Day Three, Monday, September 1 (L)
Kenai Fjords National Park cruise; ARR train to
Anchorage. We enjoy a spectacular cruise today through the sheltered
waters of
Kenai Fjords National
Park. There is an excellent chance to see whales, sea lions,
porpoises, bald eagles, and puffins as we sail. A delicious luncheon is
included. There is free time this afternoon to explore Seward before we
reboard the train for the return to Anchorage. Dinner can be purchased in
the diner enroute. We overnight again in Anchorage at the Comfort Inn or
similar.
 Day
Four, Tuesday, September 2 (CB,L,D)
ARR from Anchorage to Denali National Park.
We reboard the train this morning for the legendary journey north on the DENALI STAR streamliner to
Denali National Park in spacious reclining seat coach accommodations. This
is a full-service train with a dining car (which provides us an included
lunch) and a vista-dome car open to all passengers. Seats in this dome car
are rotated during the day and cannot be occupied for the entire trip. A
limited number of “Goldstar Dome” seats are available for a surcharge of
$175 per person, which covers the entire line between Anchorage and
Fairbanks. In
“Goldstar” class,
each passenger has a guaranteed seat in a full-length dome car, which also
offers an open-air viewing platform for photographers and a private dining
room. Book early if you want this upgrade, as these seats are very
limited!
The train follows the Susitna River deep into the
interior as it slowly climbs over the Alaska Range. Much of this line is
in a true wilderness, with the train the only means of access to the
isolated cabins between Talkeetna and Hurricane. On a clear day there are
stunning views of
Denali/Mount
McKinley, which soars to over 20,000 feet and is the highest peak in
North America.
On arrival at Denali Park Station, we transfer to our
hotel for two nights, the Cedars Lodge or similar. This evening we enjoy
comedy, music and Alaskan folklore at the Cabin Night Dinner Theater.
Day Five, Wednesday, September 3 (Picnic Brunch)
Wildlife Tour of Denali N.P.; free time at the
park. We make an early departure this morning on a unique wildlife photo
safari deep into the interior of
Denali National Park. In the early morning light we have a
particularly good chance to see moose,
Dall sheep,
ptarmigan and the monarch
of the park, the
Alaskan Grizzly
bear.
On clear days, the towering peak of “the Great One”
(Denali) dominates the skyline! A picnic brunch is enjoyed on the
motorcoach. The balance of the afternoon is free. Possible activities
include visiting the National Park Service Visitors Center, taking a
flight-seeing excursion, or joining a float trip. These activities are
paid for on-site and are dependent on the weather.
 Day
Six, Thursday, September 4 (D)
Free time in Denali National Park; train to
Fairbanks. The morning is free to relax or further explore Denali National
Park, possibly using the free shuttle bus service for more views of the
interior of the park. Optionally, participants can purchase activities
such as a visit to a husky breeder’s compound or other excursions noted in
Day Five above.
This afternoon we reboard the DENALI STAR streamliner
and roll north to
Fairbanks.
Immediately upon departure, we enter the yawning depths of the Nenana
River Gorge, then cross vast forests enroute to an evening arrival in
Fairbanks. Dinner is included in the diner. Once again, the tour price
includes reclining seats with access to a dome car. The “Goldstar”
guaranteed dome option is available for those who purchased the upgrade on
Day Four. We enjoy a two-night stay in Fairbanks at the River’s Edge Lodge
or similar.
Day Seven, Friday, September 5 (L)
Fairbanks; Sternwheeler DISCOVERY cruise. The
morning features a visit to the Little Eldorado Gold Camp, where we learn
about the early 20th century Alaska Gold Rush, ride the narrow-gauge
Tanana Valley RR, and pan
for gold. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. This afternoon we
cruise the Chena and Tanana Rivers on the sternwheeler riverboat
DISCOVERY. We
sail into the roadless interior, view the home of famous dog-sled “musher”
Susan Butcher, and visit an isolated Chena Indian camp while enjoying a
wonderful narration by Captain Binkley, the master of the vessel.
The Sternwheeler "Discovery" at Fairbanks
Day Eight, Saturday, September 6
Tour ends. The tour ends with an included
transfer to the Fairbanks Airport this morning. Same-day flights are
available to join our EMPRESS OF THE NORTH Inside Passage cruise at
Juneau, or back to the "Lower 48".
TOUR PRICES include all hotels; rail, coach and cruise
fares; transfers; sightseeing; admission to all attractions and meals
noted as included above; and escort service. Luggage handling is included
at the hotels and on our included transfers, but please note that checked
baggage is not available on the ARR trains. You should be able to carry
your luggage on and off the train. There are large luggage storage areas
on the train.
$2399.00 per person, double occupancy
$3149.00 single occupancy
Conditions and Booking Information (the fine
print)
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