Alaska Rail Tours

When one thinks of Alaska, the thought of outdoor adventure and abundant wildlife immediately comes to mind. Many people today tour the state by cruise ship or car, but to really see the back country and view the sites in comfort and style, the Alaska railroad is the best way to do this. The railway offers tour packages that cover the different tastes of travelers and adventurers. The tours are reasonably priced and, at the same time, offer five star services. The days of high prices and long rail rides with little amenities are over. Rail has become an adventure, especially in the beautiful, awe inspiring wilderness of Alaska.

Selecting and reserving a tour from Alaska Railroad is as easy as a reservation for a cruise getaway. There are several choices and the railroad even allows you to select specific destinations and activities on your vacation. The price of the rail tours depend upon the season of the year you wish to travel. The most inexpensive fares run through the last part of May and the first two weeks of September only. The time in between is considered the peak season and is almost twice as expensive. As you plan your vacation, remember that the rail rates are one way. So if you have a hotel in Fairbanks or Anchorage, you need to plan carefully to return after the day's excursion or else book a hotel room at the destination.

A popular destination is the Denali National Park and the rail service will provide you with information so that you can make the most of this beautiful area. A reasonable priced tour of Denali and Spencer Glacier starts at around $1600.00 per person. The tour begins in Anchorage where you will receive complimentary passage from your hotel to the train station. There you will travel by rail to Denali National Park and be furnished a cabin and tickets to attend a dinner theater performance that night. The next morning you will begin with a Wilderness Tundra tour and then have a chance to fly around Mt. McKinley before landing in Talkeetna, Alaska, where you will be given a nights rest at the Talkeetna Lodge. The following day you will tour the Devil's Gorge aboard the Denali Star Train on your way back to Anchorage. Your train tour will cover close to 150 miles of the Denali Park and the traveler will see more landscape and sights than the visitor who is driving a car. The last day of the tour package includes a round trip aboard the Glacier Discovery Train that will let you tour Spencer Glacier and see some of the most breath taking landscapes in the world.

This tour is not all inclusive. Some meals are provided, but on some days you are on your own. If you come during the peak time the weather changes with elevation and the time of day. Carry in a day bag either shorts or long pants to change into if the weather turns. It is also advisable to bring rain gear due to the changes in the weather that come off the mountains. Mosquito repellent is a must. Without it you will still have wonderful memories of your rail trip to Alaska, but you will take home some painful memories from the bites.