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RSJU01 Best of Alaska Holiday - Rail & Drive Tour from Juneau

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RSJU01 Best of Alaska Holiday - Rail & Drive Tour from Juneau

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Juneau is many things: a mountain town, a coastal community and the most scenic capital city in the U.S. A natural wonder, wildlife hotspot and cultural jewel, Juneau is rich in history, art, music and Native heritage. Your rail, drive & fly tour starts with the exciting day trip to Glacier Bay National Park - one of Alaska's most spectacular National Parks and best viewed during the day cruise on board the “Spirit of Adventure” catamaran. The bay is rich with marine life, including the endangered humpback whale, orcas, threatened Stellar sea lion, harbor seals, sea otters and porpoises. In addition Glacier Bay is home to a large bear population, both brown and black, as well as the blue glacier bear, a rare color phase of the black. Fly to Anchorage, which is home to lot of adventures along with metropolitan amenities. Board the last full-service railroad in North America and choose between the “Adventure Class” seating in the one-storey railway car or the “Deluxe Dome Railcar” on board the Alaska Railroad or with one of the privately operated trains. All train cars feature large panorama windows ensuring unobstructed views around every bend of the majestic beauty of the glaciers, mountains and Alaskan wildlife. Stay two days at Denali National Park which is the natural habitat for many types of wildlife including caribou, moose, wolves, Dall sheep, bald eagles, and the mighty grizzly bears. It is most likely you will spot some of them while taking our full day Denali Transit Bus to Eielson Center, Wonder Lake or Kantishna Roadhouse. Your train journey continues to Fairbanks where you’ll pick up your rental car. Fairbanks is the bouncing-off point for trips into Alaska’s remote villages, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Gates of the Arctic National Park. Your itinerary takes you to Copper Center, the gateway to Wrangell - St. Elias National Park. It is your choice to spend a full day at Kennicott / McCarthy, drive to Valdez and join the Columbia Glacier Cruise or try your luck fishing for salmon in famous Copper River. The finale to this tour is Anchorage. Please read our itinerary to have more detailed day-to-day experience. On request, this trip can be customized and can be organized in reverse order.

  • Itinerary

  • Prices & Dates

  • Attractions & Add-ons

  • Accommodation

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Juneau ( Overnight: Juneau )

Arrive in Juneau during the day. Originally a fishing outpost for local Tlingit Native Americans, the area now known as Juneau was founded in 1880 after two prospectors, Richard Harris and Joseph Juneau, discovered gold. Juneau became the capital of Alaska in 1906. This afternoon you may join a sightseeing tour of Juneau including the visit to Mendenhall Glacier - a half-mile wide and 1,800-feet deep ice field - which is for many the most accessible and breathtaking glacier in Alaska. The Mount Roberts Tramway takes guests up to an observation deck that is appr. 2,000 ft. above Juneau, providing arguably the best picture-taking opportunities in the state.

Juneau ( Overnight: Juneau )

Today join a full day tour to Glacier Bay National Park. Early morning flight to Gustavus, board the high-speed catamaran and discover Glacier Bay's West Arm. For 7-hours passengers will explore a diversified landscape with a rich flora, fauna and history. Explore a waterway that was under a river of ice only 250 years ago. A park ranger assists onboard to spot wildlife and provide information. Glacier Bay includes numerous tidewater glaciers - several are actively calving icebergs into the bay. As water undermines the ice fronts, great blocks of ice - up to 200 feet high - are crashing into the water. The Johns Hopkins Glacier calves such enormous volumes of ice and it is unsafe to get within a 2-mile radius of its cliffs. Watch out for humpback whales, orcas, puffins and murres at the Marble Islands, mountain goats high on the cliffs, and harbor seals on the icebergs. Return to Juneau this evening. Included: Glacier Bay Day Tour

Juneau - Flight to Anchorage ( Overnight: Anchorage )

Morning flight to Anchorage. Nestled along the Chugach Mountains, the coastal city of Anchorage is not the frozen tundra of Alaska you might imagine. You will find it’s brimming with activities for the outdoorsy and adventurous, as well as the more relaxed. Being the largest city in Alaska, it is rich in indigenous culture; you can spend your afternoon enjoying the Alaska Native Heritage Center, visiting the Anchorage Museum, or browsing through the Saturday Market. Visit Lake Hood - the world’s busiest floatplane base and take a scenic floatplane flight over Cook Inlet, go for a walk along the Coastal Trail with views of Mt. Susitna or hike on top of Flat Top Mountain. In the evening don't miss to try out one of Anchorage popular seafood restaurants.

Anchorage – Denali National Park | Rail Tour ( Overnight: Denali Village )

Morning transfer to the railroad station where you'll board the train to Denali National Park. Choose between the standard rail car or the glass-dome compartments with large panorama windows ensuring unobstructed views of snowcapped mountain ranges, pristine scenery and abundant wildlife. Enjoy the comfortable ride as the train takes you via the Matanuska Valley towards the Alaska Range and Mt. Denali. Onboard services feature a restaurant, gift shop and snack bar. Arrive at Denali Village late afternoon. Transfer to your hotel and check into your room. Once you settled take a stroll through Denali Village, join a flightseeing tour, wildwater rafting trip or visit Jeff King’s Husky Homestead Kennel for a personal tour with four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King and his sled dogs.

Denali National Park ( Overnight: Denali Village )

Denali National Park offers excellent wildlife viewing and spectacular sceneries. Pick up your tickets, board the bus and watch out for grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolf and fox moving along the ridges and river beds. Your driver informs about the history of Denali National Park, its diverse wildlife and flora. Once an animal has been spotted the bus will stop that everyone can watch and take pictures. The bus turns around at Eielson Visitor Center - 66 miles one way/8 hours round trip. You can get off the bus anytime to go for a hike. Return to the Denali Park entrance anytime during the day. Optional: We can extend the transit bus tour to Wonder Lake or exchange to the Tundra Wilderness Tour, Kantishna Wilderness Trails or Backcountry Lodge Tour. Included: Denali Transit Bus to Eielson Center

Denali National Park – Fairbanks | Rail Tour ( Overnight: Fairbanks )

Join this morning the sled dog demonstration hosted by Denali Park Rangers or hike around the Denali Visitor Center. Board the Alaska Railroad this afternoon for a scenic ride to Fairbanks. Just north of the Denali park, the train winds along Healy Canyon, following the curves of the Nenana River below. The train passes through the small community of Nenana, known for the Nenana Ice Classic Lottery. It is a fundraising event in which individuals attempt to guess the exact time the Tanana River ice will break up. Arrive in Fairbanks, the largest city in the interior and gateway to Alaska's Arctic northern region. The city enjoys almost 24 hr of daylight during summer. In the evening enjoy a dinner at the Pump House on the banks of the Chena River.

Fairbanks – Copper Center | Start Self Drive Tour ( Driving Distance: 250 miles | Copper Center or Glennallen )

Pick up your rental car this morning. Travel on the Richardson Highway to Delta Junction - a telegraph station established in 1904. The intersection, marked by an oversized white milepost for Mile 1422 is known as the Triangle. Delta Junction is also home to the 90,000-acre Delta Bison Sanctuary. The area features spectacular views of the Alaska Range and the Delta River. On clear days the panoramas of Mount Hayes, Mount Moffit and other peaks are stunning. Continue to Paxson with it's many sled dog kennels and further on to Copper River area - known as a paradise for anglers and rafters searching for big fish and whitewater adventure. Gakona, Copper Center and Glenallen are great jump-off points to fish for the famed Copper River Sockeye.

Copper Center (Wrangell - St. Elias National Park) ( Overnight: Copper Center or Glennallen )

Today you have several options to spend your day. Visit historic Kennicott in Wrangell - St. Elias National Park for a day. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is home to nine of the sixteen highest peaks in the United States and Kennicott, a historic copper-mining boomtown. This tour includes the scenic flightseeing tour to McCarthy and the 1/2 day Root Glacier Hike or Kennecott Mill Town Tour with a delicious lunch at Kennicott Glacier Lodge. Another option is the day trip to Valdez and join the Columbia Glacier Cruise. Stopover at Worthington Glacier and drive through scenic Keystone Canyon, take pictures at the "Bridal Veil Falls" and arrive in Valdez. Take a scenic cruise to the Columbia Glacier. Spot the Sound's marine wildlife, including Bull Head Sea Lions, Seals, Otters and Whales.

Copper Center – Anchorage | End of Self Drive Tour ( Driving Distance: 180 miles )

Drive on the scenic Glenn Highway towards Palmer and pass Matanuska Glacier. The glacier is one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers, a 27-mile long river of ice poking out of the Chugach Mountains that is visible for miles along the highway. A self-guided hike leads to the gravel-laced ice. Travel towards the Matanuska Valley - a fertile farmland that was settled by families as part of a New Deal relief program in 1935. Because of the fertile farmland and the immense amount of summer sunlight, vegetables grow to incredible sizes. The Alaska record cabbage is 106 pounds! This is just one of the attractions at the State Fair held in Palmer. Arrive in Anchorage during the day and drop off your rental car. Contact us to extend the tour.

Rates in US $ / per Person
Comfort Hotel Category Single Double Triple Quad Child
May 25 - May 31 $4751 $3133 $2653 $2413 $1398
June 1 - August 31 $5126 $3353 $2821 $2555 $1412
September 1 - September 15 $4751 $3133 $2653 $2413 $1398
First Class Hotel Category Single Double Triple Quad Child
May 25 - May 31 $5652 $3719 $3133 $2837 $1529
June 1 - August 31 $6055 $3967 $3329 $3007 $1554
September 1 - September 15 $5652 $3719 $3133 $2837 $1529

What’s included

8 Nights Comfort OR First-Class Accommodation

Hotel and State Taxes

03 Days Midsize Rental Car (For additional Upgrades and Extras Click Here)

Unlimited Free Mileage

Rental Car Licensing Fees

CFC, State & City Rental Car Sales Taxes

One Way Rental Fee

Round Trip Flight from Juneau to Gustavus

Full Day Glacier Bay Wildlife & Glacier Cruise

Lunch & Non-Alcoholic Beverages onboard

Return Transfer in Gustavus

Glacier Bay National Park Fee

Flight from Anchorage to Juneau

Denali Transit Bus Ticket to Eielson Visitor Center

Juneau, Denali & Fairbanks Railroad Station and Airport Transfers

Tour Documentation

Sightseeing Information

Railroad Transportation Anchorage – Denali National Park

Railroad Transportation Denali National Park – Fairbanks

Comfort Hotel Category includes Reserved Seats in Standard Adventure Class Train
( upgrade to Dome Car Train is available for $280.00 per person )

First Class Hotel Category includes Reserved Seats in Upper Level Panorama Dome Car Train,
Priority Check-in & Boarding, Use of Private Outdoor Viewing Platform,
Priority Dining Room Seating, Enhanced Reclining Seats

Tour Departures

Daily  from  May  25th  –  September  15th

Juneau: Pack Creek Bear Viewing Tour to Admiralty Island

The Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary on Admiralty Island is one of Alaska’s most accessible, and yet most wild, bear viewing areas. After the scenic floatplane flight from Juneau, walk on the same ground as the bears. Human visitation is limited, allowing us to enjoy a wilderness bear viewing experience. Pack Creek is ideal habitat for Alaska’s massive coastal brown bears (grizzlies). Starting in the spring, brown bears come to the meadows to feed and also to pursue mates. This makes it one of the best places to see bears during May and early June. While some Pack Creek bears head into the nearby mountains in mid-June, following fresh green vegetation, some stick around. By the end of June, bears are congregating at the creek, waiting for the first pacific salmon to arrive. From July through early-September, bears can be seen feeding on salmon. This tour is a premium guided and fully-outfitted package. Explore some of the most prime bear country on earth and to observe these amazing animals in the protected Kootznoowoo Wilderness on Admiralty Island. While July and August are the peak of bear activity related to salmon, Pack Creek is an excellent place to see bear activity in May, June and September as well.

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Juneau: Tracy Arm Fjords Glacier Cruise

Journey through one of the most dramatic sites in the world - Tracy Arm Fjord. This narrow fjord twists and turns for over 30 miles, culminating in a spectacular view of the twin tidewater Sawyer Glaciers. Your captain will navigate as close as the ice floe allows, stopping for an extended stay at the face of the glacier. Watch for seals relaxing on the icebergs and bald eagles soaring above the cliffs. Learn about the natural history of the fjord, glaciers and the wildlife from our onboard naturalist. Gain insights into Tlingit Native culture. Overcast days will not dampen your enjoyment as clouds and mist only heighten the drama of the fjord and intensify the glacial blue color. The vessel features two spacious levels with large windows for unobstructed views, heated cabins and a open upper deck.

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Valdez: Columbia Glacier Cruise

Join our scenic 7-hour Columbia Glacier Cruise. The journey throughout Prince William Sound will feature a visit at the Columbia Glacier area where you have a chance to view history in the making as Columbia Glacier retreats back into the Chugach Mountains. In addition to the amazing ancient ice pack of the Columbia Bay you have the opportunity for wildlife along the way that calls the Sound home and to learn about the mining, oil shipping, earthquake, and fishing history of the area.

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Valdez: Meares Glacier Cruise

This 9-hour tour is perfect to discover all of what Prince William Sound has to offer - amazing glaciers, exiciting wildlife and a rich history. Cruise the majestic water of Prince William Sound from Valdez to Meares Glacier. In route our captins will travel the shorelines looking for the critters that call the Sound home. This tour has the time to travel the locations where we typically spot sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, Humpback or Orca Whales, porpoise, eagles, puffins, cormorants and more. Our captian will share with you stories about the history of the Sound from early explorers, gold and copper mining, oil shipping, commercial fishing and the 1964 earthquake. Lunch and afternoon soup snack is served.

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Copper Center: Kennicott / McCarthy Historical Day Trip

Meet us at 9 AM at Chitina Airport and join us for a spectacular flight into the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Attend our Kennicott History Tour which includes a 2.5 hour guided tour of the Kennicott Mine and lunch at Kennicott Glacier Lodge. Use our shuttle and visit the frontier town of McCarthy. Explore the historic town built in the early part of the century. Copper was discovered on Bonanza Ridge and that discovery led to the development of the famous Kennicott mines. The boom town of McCarthy sprang up 5 miles away and became the miners town, with saloons, gambling and a thriving red light district. In 1938 the mine closed and left two "ghost" towns, right in the middle of what was to become the largest and most spectacular US National Park. Scenic return flight at 5:00 PM

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Copper Center: Kennicott / McCarthy Glacier Adventure Day Trip

Meet us at 9 AM at Chitina Airport and join us for a spectacular flight into the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Our Root Glacier hike is most likely the best day hiking trip in Alaska, and almost certainly the best glacier hiking in Alaska! After meeting your guide and getting fitted for crampons, you'll start out on the 1.8 mile hike to the "white ice" of the Root. Along the way your guide will share interesting details on the local natural and human history. Once on the ice you will explore other-worldly formations unlike anything else you have ever seen: blue pools, waterfalls, canyons, crevasses and moulins - holes drilled hundreds of feet deep into the ice by the flowing meltwater. After a picnic lunch on the ice, you'll head back on the trail to Kennecott. Scenic return flight at 5:00 PM

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Denali: Exchange Transit Bus Tour to Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour

The fully narrated 62-mile Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park is led by a certified naturalist driver/guide who will also provide historical and geographical background of the area. The tour will last approximately eight to nine hours and includes ample photo and rest stops. When your tour driver is able, he/she will take video footage of animals along Park Road and project these images onto drop-down video screens, featured only our specially designed tour buses. This way you can get a close-up look at the roadside action. At the end of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase a “Tundra Wilderness Tour” DVD, which will feature some of the video footage shot from your tour! Guests cannot switch buses throughout the day (only the Denali Transit Bus allows this).

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Denali: Exchange Transit Bus Tour to Kantishna Wilderness Trails Tour

The Kantishna Wilderness Trails tour is the premier Denali Park wilderness bus excursion. Spend the entire day in Denali National Park and discover a piece of Alaska's gold rush history and warm hospitality at the historic Kantishna Roadhouse, located just past Wonder Lake on the banks of Moose Creek. Your 12 to 13-hour fully-narrated excursion to Kantishna travels via a custom motorcoach through 95 miles of Denali National Park's prime wildlife habitat. The last 30 miles allow for full viewing of Mt. Denali, weather permitting. The wilderness backcountry of Denali Park provides diverse habitats which support big-game species such as black bear, grizzly, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolf, and wolverine. Hot beverages and refreshments are included en route to the Kantishna Roadhouse. After a hearty deli style lunch in the dining room at the Roadhouse, relax and visit the Historical Recorder's Cabin and enjoy a dog sled demonstration or gold panning. Guests cannot switch buses throughout the day (only the Denali Transit Bus allows this).

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Sarah, Washington D.C.: I am very happy to give you some feedback: Already for the second time we had our trip to Alaska organized by Alaska Active Tours and the booking team was again a bliss to work with. They organised all the different mode of transportation for us - including flights, train travel and rental car, selected and booked wonderful hotels and lodges, gave us comprehensive advice and perfect travel and sightseeing tips. Our own wishes were easily integrated into the itinerary. If I have to pick a must-do activity, then it is the Glacier Bay cruise and the Admiralty Island bear viewing tour. Denali Park is a very special place but unfortunately it was raining that day. We can highly recommend this special travel agency and look forward to our next trip to Alaska in a few years.. Until then a nice holiday and greetings from Washington D.C.