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- Alaska Rail & Sail
Alaska Rail & Sail
From £3,649 pp
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16 nights
Rail
Cruises
Rail & Cruise-
Economy flights
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Available May - September
Offering the perfect way to independently explore the Great Land, the journey begins in the 'Golden Heart City' of Fairbanks. Here you will learn of the state’s rich gold rush history before heading south on the iconic Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park where you can experience the majesty of North America’s highest peak, Denali. After you have explored interior Alaska embark on your 7 night Princess cruise. Learn the rich history, culture of these waterside communities along Alaska’s inside passage region and get up close and hear the rumble of calving glaciers, keep a look out for the abundant marine wildlife on offer within the region before heading into the Canadian province of British Columbia and the city of Vancouver.
What's Included
- International flights from the UK based on economy class
- 9 nights hotel accommodation
- Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Denali in GoldStar service with breakfast included
- Alaska Railroad from Denali to Anchorage in GoldStar service with lunch & dinner included
- Scheduled transfer from Anchorage to Whittier Cruise terminal
- 7 nights on board Princess Cruises in an inside cabin
- Full board on Princess Cruises
Special Offers
Take advantage of the following offers on this holiday
Save up to 30% on Hotels
Save up to 30% on selected hotel stays
Enjoy an up to 30% discount on selected hotel stays. Offer applies to holidays departing between 18th November 2024 & 31st October 2026. Selected hotels have limited availability so book now to avoid disappointment. Book by 31st December 2024.
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Accommodation in British Columbia Offer
Receive up to a 30% discount on hotel stays
Save up to 30% across our extensive hotel range in the province of British Columbia. Offer valid for selected dates and hotels for the 2024/2025 seasons. Call us today for more information.
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Holiday Map
Explore our interactive map to discover your holiday route and key points of interest.
Start
Finish
Stops
Point of interest
Your day-to-day plan
Day 1-2
Fairbanks
Arrive at Fairbanks International Airport and transfer independently to your downtown hotel. The next day is yours to explore the 'Golden Heart City'. Explore the rich goldrush history at Gold Dredge 8, a national historical monument and not to be missed on a visit to Fairbanks, giving visitors the opportunity to strike gold with their own poke filled with dirt. Visits between mid-August and mid-April are in prime aurora-watching season and with Fairbanks being under an aural oval, this makes it one of the world’s best places to watch the northern lights. There are multiple tours on offer that enable you to view the Aurora Borealis as well as teaching you how to photograph them to capture their stunning beauty.
Day 3
Alaska Railroad to Denali
Travelling through some of Alaska’s most spectacular scenery, the Alaska Railroad is an iconic way to travel through the vastness of the state. Step aboard Alaska Railroad’s flagship train, Denali Star. Offering two levels of service, Adventure Class or GoldStar Domes, the railroad offers spacious comfortable seating and knowledgeable local guides. The GoldStar Dome service offers bilevel carriages with a full-length upper level dome offering a 360 degree view as well as an outdoor viewing platform, meals are served in the dining room downstairs as part of the GoldStar service. The four-hour journey will pass the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Nenana & Tanana Rivers and cross a 700-foot-long steel bridge, one of the longest single span bridges in the world. Take in the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System at Clear Air Force Base at Clear as well as coal mining and gold mining communities.
Day 4
Denali National Park
Denali National Park is in the heart of Alaska and encompasses six million acres of wild land, boasting magnificent wildlife, vast tundra and of course the towering Denali, which at 20,310 feet is the highest peak in North America. During your stay in Denali take one of the popular Tundra Wilderness tours into the park itself to see its wildlife up close and learn more about the park’s history. For those more adventurous why not jump on one of the hop-on, hop-off buses to hike the park independently.
Day 5
Alaska Railroad to Anchorage
Board the Denali Star for your second day service travelling southbound to Anchorage. Today will see you pass the town of Talkeetna (Denali’s gateway), the official start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Willow as well as the Mat-Su Valley region and Chugach Mountain Range.
Day 6
Anchorage
Alaska’s largest city offers fine restaurants, museums, shops, theatres, and an excellent music scene. The state’s largest museum, Anchorage Museum, offers a place of narratives and perspectives. The museum itself is a Smithsonian Affiliate and celebrates Alaska Native cultures through presenting voices, stories, and cultural heritage pieces. The museum Discovery Centre offers 5 distinct zones of exploration including an earthquake simulator and volcanic eruption demonstrations.
Day 7
Princess Cruises*
Today board your coach transfer to the cruise terminal at Whittier to embark on your 7 night southbound cruise.
*This is a sample itinerary that may vary by sailing date.
Day 8
Hubbard Glacier
The largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier towers over 30 stories above the water. The calving glaciers often produce icebergs 3-4 stories high.
Day 9
Glacier Bay National Park
Sail through one of the most iconic locations in Alaska, Glacier Bay National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to more than 1,000 glaciers. Enjoy the day cruising by calving glaciers, cliff-flanked fjords, and remarkable wilderness.
Day 10
Skagway
Once the gateway to Alaska's Gold Rush, Skagway strikes a dramatic image nestled between the water's edge and mountains. Follow in the footsteps of miners with a ride on a scenic train along the famous White Pass route through coastal mountains. During your Alaska cruise, explore the Yukon's pristine wilderness, pan for gold with professionals or meet sled dog puppies in training.
Day 11
Juneau
Juneau is unlike any other city in the United States. With no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska or North America, it is truly a protected destination. Founded as a gold mining town and now the state’s capital, Juneau has one foot in history and one in the future. Embark on a whale watching tour or sail past Mendenhall Glacier on an Alaska cruise.
Day 12
Ketchikan
Known for its timber, Ketchikan hosts the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where athletes throw, race, and chop their way to victory. Explore one of the world’s oldest collections of totem poles at the Totem Pole Heritage Centre or stroll along Creek Street. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing. Cast your rod into a sea of opportunity on a cruise to Alaska.
Day 13
Inside Passage
Enjoy your first day at sea as you sail south towards Canada. There is always something happening on board — from heading to the Princess Theatre for a lavish original musical production to enjoying a blockbuster movie poolside under the stars. Or indulge in a manicure, pedicure or a makeover in the salon, or a soothing massage in the Lotus Spa.
Day 14-16
Vancouver
Disembark your cruise in Vancouver where you now have time to explore this enchanting coastal city. Take a stroll round Stanley Park, head over to Granville Island to discover a world of food, art and culture or take a shuttle bus over to the North Shore and the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, hanging 70 metres over the Capilano River.
Day 17
Fly Home
Today marks the end of your Alaskan adventure. Before heading to the airport head down for some last minute shopping at Robson Street or down to Canada Place to visit the inspiring FlyOver Canada immersive flight experience. Transfer independently to Vancouver International Airport for your flight home.
Related Itineraries
Please note Parks Canada charge fees at most national parks and historic sites across the country. Parks Canada passes can be purchased as part of your holiday, speak to your sales advisor for more details. Early booking is recommended.
For further information about national parks and historic sites in Canada or to reserve campsites and activities, please visit:
Please note selected national parks in the USA require reservations for vehicles in order to enter the parks. Reservations are required in advance. This is in addition to purchasing a national park entrance ticket. Early booking is recommended.
Further information on the parks, where vehicle reservations are required and how to book can be found on:
USA National Parks
This holiday requires an ETA for entry to Canada, for full details and to apply please see below:
This holiday requires an ESTA for entry to the United States, for full details and to apply please see below:
Images on this page are courtesy of Alaska Railroad
