Alaska
Discover Alaska by Rail: A Traveling Adventure
Program No. 1014RJ
Learn about the Alaska Railroad while journeying its entire length. Explore a cross-section of Alaska life (and wildlife) in Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage and Seward.
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800-454-5768
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Jun 20 - Jun 30, 2025
Starting at
8,149DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
May 30 - Jun 9, 2025
Starting at
9,999Jun 20 - Jun 30, 2025
Starting at
10,079Jul 11 - Jul 21, 2025
Starting at
10,079Not seeing the date you're looking for?
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
11 days
10 nights
25 meals
10B 6L 9D
3
Train to Denali; Welcome to the Subarctic
Denali National Park
4
Heart of the Wilderness, Journey into Denali National Park
Denali National Park
5
Wildlife of Denali; Enjoy a Hike or Free Time
Denali National Park
6
Visit a Local Dog Musher, Train to Anchorage
Downtown Anchorage, AK
7
Alaska Native Heritage Center; Anchorage Museum
Downtown Anchorage, AK
10
Alaska SeaLife Center
Anchorage
11
Program Concludes
Anchorage
At a Glance
All Aboard! Journey the entire 470-mile length of the historic Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Seward. Along the way you'll learn about life in the North and its people, culture and wildlife. Ride to Denali National Park- home of North America’s tallest mountain, 20,310-foot Denali where you'll explore its trails with one of Denali Education Center's educators. Then you'll head to Anchorage and experience the cultures of Alaska’s Native groups before heading to the harbor town of Seward to take in the grandeur of Kenai Fjords National Park.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
This program is "On Your Feet." Your mobility must match the description. Reach out to Road Scholar or DEC with questions. Activities include city walking, hiking on maintained trails with varied terrain, wet/dry conditions, and even ice/snow. You must move about on a boat in open water and get on/off a motorcoach. Distances are up to 2 mi during scheduled activities. Hikes are optional with trails up to 2 mi in length with elevation changes up to 200 ft. Pace of the hikes is up to 2 mi/hr.
Best of all, you’ll…
- View stunning scenery and wildlife on a journey into Denali National Park.
- Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about Alaska's diverse array of cultures and traditions.
- Explore Kenai Fjords National Park by boat to spot glaciers, marine mammals, birds and the rugged coast.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Katie Miller
Katie Miller is a hospitality specialist with over two decades' experience in the travel and restaurant industry. Her love of travel brought her to Alaska in 2010 where she worked on the Wilderness Express, providing education and guest service for travelers on the Alaska Railroad. Katie’s career focus is on the growth and connection of the guest experience through travel and community. In her free time, Katie enjoys tending to her native plant garden and cooking for family and friends.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Katie Miller
View biography
Katie Miller is a hospitality specialist with over two decades' experience in the travel and restaurant industry. Her love of travel brought her to Alaska in 2010 where she worked on the Wilderness Express, providing education and guest service for travelers on the Alaska Railroad. Katie’s career focus is on the growth and connection of the guest experience through travel and community. In her free time, Katie enjoys tending to her native plant garden and cooking for family and friends.
Suggested Reading List
(12 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Discover Alaska by Rail: A Traveling Adventure
Program Number: 1014
The Wilderness of Denali
Originally published by Charles Scribner's Sons in 1930, The Wilderness of Denali is a memoir of three years of hunting the area of Alaska surrounding Mt. McKinley. It is a classic of American adventure—a book written by a man who was willing to risk his life in pursuit of grizzly bears and the elusive mountain sheep. The account was written each night by campfire as Sheldon discovered what is still regarded as the most scenic wilderness in America.
The Seventymile Kid: The Lost Legacy of Harry Karstens and the First Ascent of Mount McKinley
The Seventymile Kid tells the remarkable account of Harry Karstens, who was the actual—if unheralded—leader of the Hudson Stuck Expedition that was the first to summit Mount McKinley in Alaska. All but forgotten by history, a young Karstens arrived in the Yukon during the 1897 Gold Rush, gained fame as a dog musher hauling U.S. Mail in Alaska, and eventually became the first superintendent of Mount McKinley National Park (now known as Denali National Park and Preserve). Aided by Karstens's own journals, longtime Denali writer and photographer Tom Walker uncovered archival information about the Stuck climb, and reveals that the Stuck "triumph" was an expedition marred by significant conflict. Without Karstens's wilderness skills and Alaska-honed tenacity, it is quite possible Hudson Stuck would never have climbed anywhere near the summit of McKinley. Yet the two men had a falling out shortly after the climb and never spoke again. In this book, Walker attempts to set the record straight about the historic first ascent itself, as well as other pioneer attempts by Frederick Cook and Judge Wickersham.
Two Old Women: An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival
Based on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska, this is the suspenseful, shocking, ultimately inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by their tribe during a brutal winter famine.
Though these women have been known to complain more than contribute, they now must either survive on their own or die trying. In simple but vivid detail, Velma Wallis depicts a landscape and way of life that are at once merciless and starkly beautiful. In her old women, she has created two heroines of steely determination whose story of betrayal, friendship, community, and forgiveness "speaks straight to the heart with clarity, sweetness, and wisdom" (Ursula K. Le Guin)
Denali's Howl
In the summer of 1967, twelve young men ascended Alaska’s Mount McKinley—known to the locals as Denali. Engulfed by a once-in-a-lifetime blizzard, only five made it back down.
Andy Hall, a journalist and son of the park superintendent at the time, was living in the park when the tragedy occurred and spent years tracking down rescuers, survivors, lost documents, and recordings of radio communications. In Denali’s Howl, Hall reveals the full story of the expedition in a powerful retelling that will mesmerize the climbing community as well as anyone interested in mega-storms and man’s sometimes deadly drive to challenge the forces of nature.
Arctic Dreams
Based on Barry Lopez’s years spent traveling the Arctic regions in the company of Eskimo hunting parties and scientific expeditions alike, Arctic Dreams investigates the unique terrain of the human mind, thrown into relief against the vastness of the tundra and the frozen ocean. Eye-opening and profoundly moving, it is a magnificent appreciation of how wilderness challenges and inspires us.
Two in the Far North
This enduring story of life, adventure, and love in Alaska was written by a woman who embraced the remote Alaskan wilderness and became one of its strongest advocates. In this moving testimonial to the preservation of the Arctic wilderness, Mardy Murie writes from her heart about growing up in Fairbanks, becoming the first woman graduate of the University of Alaska, and marrying noted biologist Olaus J. Murie. So begins her lifelong journey in Alaska and on to Jackson Hole, Wyoming where along with her husband and others, they founded The Wilderness Society. Mardy's work as one of the earliest female voices for the wilderness movement earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Snapshots from the Past: A Roadside History of Denali National Park
Visitors come to Denali National Park and Preserve for many reasons - spectacular scenery, wildlife, the continent's highest peak, and the cultural experiences. This amazing book does a wonderful job of presenting snapshots of Denali's past and telling many of the stories that have shaped its history. This book included user-friendly maps of the Park's road and innumerable historic photos to highlight its content. It is arranged to follow the park road from east to west, from the park entrance to Kantishna, and is a must-read for anyone interested in delving into the Park's rich history.
Rhythm of the Wild
Rhythm of the Heart is a memoir about Kim Heacox’s 30+ year relationship with the most iconic landscape in Alaska, Denali National Park.
Woven throughout the personal narrative are stories on the human and natural histories of the Park, garnished with a conservation polemic. Heacox shows how a place like Denali can touch a life, even save a life, quietly, profoundly, day after day, year after year, and how that saving multiplied by millions of lives over a century makes the world a better place.
Heacox makes the argument, through his beautiful and impassioned prose, that we must save these places so they in turn will save us. Denali National Park is the most accessible subarctic sanctuary in the world, and has awakened millions of people to what’s authentic, priceless and true.
Coming Into the Country
Coming into the Country is an unforgettable account of Alaska and Alaskans. It is a rich tapestry of vivid characters, observed landscapes, and descriptive narrative, in three principal segments that deal, respectively, with a total wilderness, with urban Alaska, and with life in the remoteness of the bush.
Alaska Native Cultures and Issues
Making up more than ten percent of Alaska's population, Native Alaskans are the state's largest minority group. Yet most non-Native Alaskans know surprisingly little about the histories and cultures of their indigenous neighbors, or about the important issues they face. This concise book compiles frequently asked questions and provides informative and accessible responses that shed light on some common misconceptions. With responses composed by scholars within the represented communities and reviewed by a panel of experts, this easy-to-read compendium aims to facilitate a deeper exploration and richer discussion of the complex and compelling issues that are part of Alaska Native life today.
Shopping for Porcupine A Life in Arctic Alaska
Seth Kantner returns to the setting of his debut novel , Ordinary Wolves, with an autobiographical account of his own life growing up in Northern Alaska. Beginning with his parents’ migration to the Alaskan wilderness in the 1950s and extending to his own attempts to balance hunting with writing, Kantner recalls cold nights wrapped in caribou hides, fur-clad visitors arriving on dog sleds, swimming amidst ice floes for wounded waterfowl, and his longstanding respect for the old Iñupiaq ways. Captured in words and images, these details combine to reveal a singular landscape at a pivotal moment in its history. Both an elegy and a romp, the book illuminates a world few will see as Kantner has.
Last New Land
Through time, tales both oral and written have immortalized America's last wilderness. Editor Wayne Mergler scoured Alaska's literary tradition for the best writing the state has to offer and did not come up empty-handed. From the Native legends of the Creation to Jack London's stirring stories of frontier survival, to John Haines's more contemporary reflections on homesteading. The Last New Land gathers a rich and comprehensive sampling of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry about the Northland.
Year
- 2025
Date and Direction
- May 30 - Jun 09 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jun 02 - Jun 12 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jun 20 - Jun 30 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jun 23 - Jul 03 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jul 11 - Jul 21 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jul 14 - Jul 24 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Aug 01 - Aug 11 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Aug 04 - Aug 14 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Aug 22 - Sep 01 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Aug 25 - Sep 04 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Aug 25 - Sep 4, 2025 Itinerary Differences: This departure begins at Bear Lodge @ Wedgewood Resort in Fairbanks.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
- 2025
- May 30 - Jun 09 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jun 02 - Jun 12 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jun 20 - Jun 30 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jun 23 - Jul 03 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jul 11 - Jul 21 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jul 14 - Jul 24 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Aug 01 - Aug 11 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Aug 04 - Aug 14 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Aug 22 - Sep 01 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Aug 25 - Sep 04 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
Aug 25 - Sep 4, 2025 Itinerary Differences: This departure begins at Bear Lodge @ Wedgewood Resort in Fairbanks.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
11 days
10 nights
What's Included
25 meals (
10B, 6L, 9D
)
4 expert-led lectures
12 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
10 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Fairbanks
Meals:
D
Stay:
River's Edge Resort
Activity Note
Welcome to Alaska! Check into your hotel, meet fellow participants and Group Leader, and kick off your learning adventure.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant
Evening:
At leisure. Spend the evening resting and relaxing or getting to know your fellow participants.
Day
2
Fairbanks Mining History, Cultural Center
Location:
Fairbanks
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
River's Edge Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; Drive 35 miles total over the course of the day. Light walking up to 2 miles; mostly paved, 1-4 steps possible, minimal elevation change. Some standing, no more than 15 minutes at a time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll board a motorcoach and head to the Tanana Valley to learn about Fairbanks rich mining history. Fairbanks was founded in 1901, the same year gold was discovered in the hills north of the Chena and Tanana rivers. The resulting rush of hopeful miners and the gold they found helped build Fairbanks into the city it is today. You'll have a chance to see artifacts from that first gold rush and learn how mining practices have changed over the years. Before we depart, you'll be able to look for a little pay dirt of your own and pan for gold.
Lunch:
This lunch has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you'd like. Ask your Group Leader for suggestions, or strike out and explore downtown Fairbanks.
Afternoon:
We'll head to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center to learn about the native peoples who have called the Fairbanks area home for thousands of years. The Center is also home to the Public Lands Information Center and features interactive exhibits, artwork, and films. We'll talk with a Native Alaskan from the Tanana Chiefs Conference and have time to explore the Center on our own.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Pack and prepare for check-out and transfer to Denali via train in the morning.
Day
3
Train to Denali; Welcome to the Subarctic
Location:
Denali National Park
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Denali Education Center
Activity Note
Getting on and off a motorcoach; 5 miles total over 15 minutes. Getting on and off the train; 130 miles to Denali Railroad Depot. Getting on and off a bus; 10 miles total over 20 minutes. Up to 2-miles walking possible throughout the day on compact surfaces and forested paths, with no significant elevation gain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of our hotel, we'll take a motorcoach to the Fairbanks Depot, the starting point for our journey across Alaska by rail. Once aboard, we'll travel along the first leg of the 470-mile long Alaska Railroad as it winds its way south to the Alaska Range and Denali National Park. As we near the Park, the tracks wind through a canyon along the Nenana River at the base of Mt. Healy. From 1923 to 1971, the only way to reach the Park was by train, so you'll arrive at the Denali Depot in nearly the same way a traveler from the early 20th century did. From the depot, we'll head to the Denali Education Center campus, our home for the next three nights. DEC's tranquil, wooded 10-acre campus is located seven miles south of the Denali Park Entrance along the banks of the Nenana River.
Lunch:
At Denali Education Center's Riverside Hall.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll have a short orientation to DEC, its amenities, and campus. Afterwards, we'll hear from an expert field educator about the sometimes surprising, always extreme conditions that shape life in Denali and define our subarctic ecosystem in a hybrid nature walk and lecture.
Dinner:
At Denali Education Center's Riverside Hall.
Evening:
At leisure. Relax and unwind after a long day of travel, or stretch your legs and explore Denali! Riverside Hall is available for your use 24 hours a day. Grab a book from the library, enjoy a hot beverage on the deck, or play a game with friends!
Day
4
Heart of the Wilderness, Journey into Denali National Park
Location:
Denali National Park
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Denali Education Center
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Driving into Denali National Park, approximately 5 hours total aboard, with stops to view wildlife and rest stops every 1-1.5 hours. The Park Road is mostly unpaved, bumpy ride possible. Walking up to 1-mile throughout the day; opportunities for more walking dependent on personal preference. Bring a camera and binoculars, if you have them.
Breakfast:
At Denali Education Center's Riverside Hall.
Morning:
After breakfast, we'll take a bus to Denali National Park, where we'll visit the "front country" area, which includes the Denali Visitor Center, the Morino Grill restaurant, the Alaska Geographic bookstore, and numerous hiking and walking trails.You'll have time for independent exploration, during which the Group Leader will be available to offer recommendations or answer questions.The Denali Visitor Center features an impressive exhibit hall and regular showings of "Heartbeats of Denali," a 20-minute non-narrated film that shares visuals of the various seasons, landscapes, and wildlife of this beautiful place. Elective: Join an educator for a short hike into the Park's storied past. We'll see historic building remains and learn about the beginnings of the Park and the now vanished boomtown of McKinley Station.
Lunch:
In the field, you'll enjoy a boxed lunch.
Afternoon:
We’ll board a park bus and travel deep into Denali National Park on a journey into the wilderness. Along the way, we’ll enjoy commentary about the park from our bus driver and on-board educator while we take in breathtaking views of the many peaks of the Alaska Range. Have your cameras ready, the ride offers a good chance to view Denali's wildlife, which may include caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, moose, and more! As you traverse the landscape, your on-board educator will keep their eyes peeled for wildlife and learning opportunities. Throughout the afternoon, your educator will explain the history, ecology, and cultural significance of Denali National Park. Opportunities to stretch your legs will be available throughout the trip. Typically, restrooms are available every 1-1.5 hours. We will stop periodically to observe wildlife when sighted and for photo opportunities.
Dinner:
At Denali Education Center's Riverside Hall.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Wildlife of Denali; Enjoy a Hike or Free Time
Location:
Denali National Park
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Denali Education Center
Activity Note
Light walking on packed gravel surface. Less than one mile. Opportunities for more activity dependent on personal preference.
Breakfast:
At Denali Education Center's Riverside Hall.
Morning:
Denali is home to 39 species of mammals and 169 species of birds. We’ll join a field educator in Riverside Hall to discuss the extraordinary adaptations that allow local wildlife to survive in Alaska’s extreme subarctic climate. During this educational session, we will examine fur pelts, skulls, and hooves from regional species as we learn about how they survive in the North.
Lunch:
At Denali Education Center's Riverside Hall.
Afternoon:
Choose your own adventure on a free afternoon in Denali. Set off on an excursion provided by a local operator, like rafting, flightseeing or flyfishing. (Your Group Leader can help you schedule and purchase these activities in advance when you arrive in Denali.) Spend your afternoon exploring the boreal forest on a front country trail with one of Denali Education Center's expert field educators. Or you can spend this time exploring the Denali Visitor Center, the Morino Grill restaurant, and Alaska Geographic bookstore.
Dinner:
At Denali Education Center's Riverside Hall.
Evening:
We'll gather together for a presentation given by a local speaker on a topic pertinent to the program theme.
Day
6
Visit a Local Dog Musher, Train to Anchorage
Location:
Downtown Anchorage, AK
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Hotel Captain Cook
Activity Note
Getting on and off a bus. Driving about 36 miles total approximately 1.5 hours. Standing up to 30 minutes outside during field trip. Benches available. Getting on and off the train, 230 miles total over 9 hours. 1-2 miles total of light walking on paved and unpaved surface with no significant elevation gain. 1-4 steps possible while moving about the train.
Breakfast:
At Denali Education Center's Riverside Hall.
Morning:
After checking out of our rooms at the Denali Education Center, we'll board a bus and travel to the kennels of a local musher to learn about the life of a working sled dog, the art of mushing, and what it's like to train for races like the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod. We'll even get a chance to interact with these furry athletes. Afterward, we'll head to the Denali Depot and board a train bound for Anchorage.
Lunch:
Aboard the train.
Afternoon:
Enjoy beautiful scenery on the Alaska Railroad from your seat in a Gold Star Service glass-dome train car. We will wind our way south through Broad Pass and over the Alaska Range to Anchorage. Weather and visibility permitting, this leg of the journey can provide beautiful panoramic views of Denali's peaks. You'll also be treated to a vista of Hurricane Gulch from a 296-foot railroad bridge. Afterward, the tracks veer away from the road system and into the backcountry. Keep your eyes peeled for remote, off-grid cabins. These cabins are only accessible by train--Alaska Railroad has a flagstop service that allows these residents to get on and off a train with the wave of a flag. The train will pass through the quirky town of Talkeetna before following the Susitna River south toward the Chugach mountains and Anchorage. As always, watch for wildlife on this scenic journey. Moose are commonly spotted along this route!
Dinner:
Aboard the train.
Evening:
We'll arrive in Anchorage and check into our hotel. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Day
7
Alaska Native Heritage Center; Anchorage Museum
Location:
Downtown Anchorage, AK
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
The Hotel Captain Cook
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Driving up to 20 miles over the course of the day. Light standing and town walking up to 2 miles: mostly paved and gentle inclines possible. Steps possible, elevator available. Opportunities for more walking dependent on personal preference.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll board a charter bus and head to the Alaska Native Heritage Center: a gathering place that celebrates, perpetuates, and shares Alaska Native culture, language, heritage and tradition. Explore the indoor and outdoor exhibits and take in one-of-a-kind demonstrations by Alaska Native artists, dancers, musicians, and story tellers of all ages. Explore the campus on a walk through exhibits of traditional native dwellings led by youth volunteers and Native Elders.
Lunch:
This lunch has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you'd like. Ask your Group Leader for suggestions, or strike out and explore downtown Anchorage.
Afternoon:
We will meet at Alaska's largest museum: the Anchorage Museum. Through a combination of art and design, history, science and culture, the Anchorage Museum invites us on a rich, deep exploration of the history, land and people of Alaska. Embark on a self-guided investigation of the one of the museum's permanent collections and explore their extensive collection of Alaskan art and artifacts.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Explore downtown Anchorage or rest and relax before our early train transfer to Seward tomorrow morning.
Day
8
Train to Seward, Seward's History
Location:
Seward
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Gateway Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a train. Travel by rail approx. 120 miles, over approximately 4 hrs. Getting on/off a bus. Driving about 15 miles total over the course of the day. Light town walking up to 1.5 miles over pavement and some uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
Due to an early departure time, breakfast will be aboard the train.
Morning:
We'll check-out of our hotel and take a motorcoach to the Anchorage depot for an early morning train to Seward. This last stretch of the Alaska Railroad has been called one of the most spectacular railroad journeys on the continent, and we'll enjoy it from a Gold Star Service glass-dome train car seat! We'll first wind our way southeast along the Turnagain Arm. When the train reaches the end of the Arm, it sets out into backcountry wilderness of Chugach National Forest. We'll encounter gorgeous views of Spencer Lake and the massive Spencer Glacier, Bartlett Galcier and Trail Glacier on our way south to the coastal town of Seward. Once we arrive, we'll board a bus headed to "downtown" Seward.
Lunch:
This lunch has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you'd like. Ask your Group Leader for suggestions, or explore Seward on your own.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll meet at an announced time and place. We'll learn about the origin and home of the Alaska state flag, visit Mile-0 of the Iditarod Trail and dive into the history of this harbor town on a expert-led exploration of Seward by mini-bus. When we've finished, the bus will drop us at our hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Stretch your legs and explore this beautiful harbor town, or unpack and relax after a day of travel.
Day
9
Kenai Fjords National Park Marine Wildlife Cruise
Location:
Seward
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Gateway Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a minibus and a boat; riding approximately 1 hour on the minibus and 6 hours on the catamaran. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Potential for rain and wind and cold weather, please dress accordingly. Please bring a camera and binoculars if you have them. Catamaran will cross open water; please bring motion sickness medication if you are prone to motion sickness.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At leisure. Enjoy a relaxed morning or explore the many coffee shops, art galleries and unique gift shops of Seward. Close to lunchtime, we'll take a mini-bus and head to the small boat harbor, to board a catamaran-style boat for a full-day, expert-led field trip into Kenai Fjords National Park and Resurrection Bay.
Lunch:
Aboard the boat.
Afternoon:
We'll continue our exploration of Kenai Fjords National Park and Resurrection Bay. This is a great opportunity to spot wildlife, so be on the lookout (and have your camera ready!) as we travel through this strikingly beautiful habitat. We may be lucky enough to see whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, eagles, and more. Along our route, we will visit an active tidewater glaciers: the Holgate. Upon our return to the dock, we’ll walk back to the hotel. Before breaking for the evening we'll discuss the following day's schedule and our travels north to Anchorage. The rest of the evening is yours for you to do any final exploring of Seward.
Dinner:
This dinner has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you'd like. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
10
Alaska SeaLife Center
Location:
Anchorage
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Courtyard Anchorage Airport
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Light walking up to 2 miles possible over pavement and uneven terrain. Light walking and standing at the Sealife Center. Driving about 130 miles to Anchorage; approximately 3 hours with stops.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of our hotel, a motorcoach will drop us at the Alaska SeaLife Center, a public aquarium and the state's only permanent marine mammal rehabilitation facility. The center was established after the Exxon-Valdez oil spill and as one of the only aquariums in the world with an on-site research facility, brings in top-notch researchers from all over the world. We'll have a chance to attend an presentation on a current research project. There will be time to explore the SeaLife Center's many exhibits, view the resident wildlife, and learn more about the Center's goals and continuing research.
Lunch:
At the SeaLife Center.
Afternoon:
We’ll board a motorcoach bound for Anchorage. Enjoy the scenery and dramatic shorelines as we travel on the Seward Highway along the Turnagain Arm. Keep an eye out for wildlife: if we are lucky, we might spot a beluga in the waters of the Arm, or dall sheep in the Chugach mountains above the road. Once we arrive in Anchorage the motorcoach will bring us to the hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
During the program wrap-up, we’ll tell stories and share favorite experiences from our time together in Alaska. We'll recount our explorations of Alaska by rail and describe the new knowledge that we'll take home to share with others. After wrap-up, the remainder of the evening is yours to explore Anchorage or prepare for departure in the morning.
Day
11
Program Concludes
Location:
Anchorage
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Breakfast at your pace. Check out by 12:00 p.m. Hotel offers 24-hour airport shuttle service.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Hotel checkout is at noon. The Courtyard Anchorage Airport offers a 24-hour courtesy airport shuttle service departing on the half hour, allowing you to head to the airport at your convenience. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
25 Meals
10 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
9 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Aug 25, 2025 - Sep 04, 2025
- May 30, 2025 - Jun 09, 2025 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jun 02, 2025 - Jun 12, 2025 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jun 20, 2025 - Jun 30, 2025 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jun 23, 2025 - Jul 03, 2025 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jul 11, 2025 - Jul 21, 2025 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Jul 14, 2025 - Jul 24, 2025 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Aug 01, 2025 - Aug 11, 2025 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Aug 04, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Aug 22, 2025 - Sep 01, 2025 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
- Aug 25, 2025 - Sep 04, 2025 (Fairbanks to Anchorage)
Participant Reviews
Based on 62 Reviews
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Great way to experience sections of Alaska. The trip started in Fairbanks with an interesting trip to a gold mine and the alaskan pipeline. Next came a train ride to the Denali Education Center and the Denali National Park. At the center, you’ll encounter informative lectures, great food and possibly a moose or two. In the park we saw moose, caribou and amazing scenery. During your free time I recommend you check out the optional trips. I tried fly fishing for the first time. Others took a plane ride to see the mountain up close or a raft down the river. Next off to Anchorage, for some museum visits. On the way there, we even had the opportunity to rescue a “princess.” (The Princess line train broke down on their way to Anchorage, our train hooked up to theirs and pulled it the rest of the way.) Another train ride, this time to Seward, where we took a wildlife cruise on the Kenai Fjords and saw orcas, whales, eagles, puffins and more. At the trip to Alaska Sealife Center, you’ll see seals, sea lions and of course other sea life. Road Scholar lived up to their reputation of providing a fun educational experience and an opportunity to meet and travel with some really nice people.
— Review left August 26, 2024
In some ways, the highlight of the program was the stay at the Denali Education Center. It was like being at camp, but with better food and the best "counselors" (the staff). We chose this trip for the train experience, and portions of that trip were spectacular.
— Review left August 26, 2024
This was an amazing trip. The natural beauty of Alaska is stunning. I liked the wide variety of activities. We had plenty of time to rest needed.
— Review left August 18, 2024
The program went to three cities and Denali National Park in Alaska. All travel between locations was by rail, and within them by tour bus. Wildlife viewing was rather minimal, although there were ample opportunities. Physical activity was not as extensive as described, but access to the rail cars and tour buses is by very steep stairs. I, who use a walker, needed assistance in most cases with the buses, but the railroad dome cars have elevators for access to and within them.
— Review left August 16, 2024
What a perfect trip! Sign up, show up and everything is taken care of perfectly. Great learning opportunities, fabulous leadership, breathtaking scenery, outstanding accommodations and food, and congenial travel companions. This was both my first Road Scholar trip as well as my first group experience, It will not be my last! Thank you.
— Review left August 16, 2024
Seeing Alaska and traveling primarily via the Alaska Railroad was a fantastic experience. We learned an enormous amount about the unique ecosystems, the geography, the indigenous peoples, and the history of this "last frontier". It's easy to understand how and why so many people fall in love with this state.
— Review left August 15, 2024
Alaska by Rail was a very interesting and informative Road Scholar trip. We saw awesome scenery, wildlife, and learned so much from the variety of lectures and the museums and other venues we visited.
— Review left August 14, 2024
Traveling the Alaska Interior on a train and with our group leader Jennifer Shiplee was a fabulous experience
— Review left July 24, 2024
What an AWESOME trip!! This tour was even better than our 1st RS tour to Cuba. Our tour guide, Steve was very informative and knew Alaska very well. We loved Steve's sense of humor and how he dealt with all of the different personalities! Due to a fire in Denali National Park, we were unable to enter the park, nor take the train from Fairbanks to Denali (we had to be bussed). However, Steve and Denali Educational Center were remarkable in scrambling to find educational and interesting things for us to do. There were 28 on our tour, and many have become life-long friends. It was very surprising that before we got home, RS had credited each of us $350 cash and $750 toward our next tour due to the fire and closure of the park and train. We did not expect this, but we have already booked our next RS tour.
— Review left July 16, 2024
This program exceeded our expectations in every way. We learned so much and know that we would not have the richness of this Alaskan experience without Road Scholars' planning and capable staff. Our days were filled with just the right amount of programming that ranged from culture, to geography, to plants and animal life. This was our first Road Scholars trip, however, it won't be our last. Many thanks!
— Review left July 11, 2024
It was so much fun riding the trains. The instructors were fabulous; very knowledgeable and engaging. Great staying in the cabins at the DEC and River's Edge.
— Review left July 1, 2024
The Alaskan railroad trip was great and we saw a lots of beautiful scenery, wildlife. its a good way to see the largest state.
— Review left June 29, 2024
Our Alaskan Trip with Road Scholar was quite the adventure!
We got lucky, we had a great group, everyone from the other Road Scholars, transporters, workers and especially our program leader, Julie Noel. were awesome!
The tour was full of packed events to do each day. Transportation included buses, trains and one day on a boat, which my wife and I both declined for different reasons.
The talks we attended were overall very good. The only slight disappointments to us was there were not more actual hikes included on the trip. There was more bus time than we expected. The train ride however was quite spectacular. Just be prepare for lots of sitting time if you plan to do this tour!
We were never close to Mt. Denali and on the official trip to Denali Park, the mountain was not visible. However, this is normal, as it is often enshrouded in clouds most of the year. Luckily, I got to see on the plane leaving Anchorage!
Unfortunately my wife and I got sick on our trip, infected by some respiratory illness that tested negative for Covid but plagued many others on cruise ships. We both had fevers but I will say hats off to all the staff who went out of their way to help us get through it.
A special recognition goes to Julie Noel, our program leader, who was amazingly warm, friendly and helped us any way she could, going over and beyond the call of duty.
— Review left June 13, 2024
This was an amazing program, enhanced for my brother, who is deaf and down syndrome, by the addition of two ASL interpreters, who accompanied us on our entire trip! These interpreters explained everything to my brother and interpreted every lecture for him. Road scholar, and the Denali Education Center went way above and beyond to make this program a trip of a lifetime for him. He enjoyed the train rides, the all day boat ride out of Seward, the wild animal sightings, the learning opportunities, and the hikes we went on. He enjoyed all of the food, but especially the Denali Education Center where he was invited to order a cheeseburger if he preferred it at certain meals. Since this is his favorite meal, he was in heaven. Kudos to road scholar and the Denali education center for making such an amazing effort to accommodate a special needs participant , and make this a trip of a lifetime for him! You guys rock.
— Review left June 13, 2024
A wonderful trip overall - it kept getting better after the first few disappointing days in Fairbanks. Smoke from the yearly fires interfered with our tours.
Denali, the railroad trip, and Seward were my favorite parts of the trip. Some of the hotels ( Anchorage and Fairbanks ) were not as comfortable as Denali and Seward. Those things change the financial value of a trip.
— Review left January 10, 2024
If you are looking to see more of Alaska up close and personal than this is the perfect trip. Alaska is a lot more than glaciers and cruising. Train was comfortable, great fun and a highlight of our experience. We were there in late August and it was cloudy and drizzly but that did not detract from it very much. On the practical side be aware that it is it is 5 different accommodations in 11 days - pack light! Check the weather before hand. Take a good rain jacket and comfortable waterproof shoes. Denali cabin is basic and comfortable but, if you want a hair dryer bring your own. We did get Covid the last 2 days so our advice is, get the insurance. The few things we missed were not show stoppers so were not totally disappointed. If you want to see and experience the "real Alaska" this is the trip.
— Review left October 4, 2023
Discover Alaska by Rail is a fantastic adventure! The train is a wonderful way to travel, and the experiences included are educational as well as fascinating! Seeing Alaska like this can best be described as mind boggling and spectacular!
— Review left September 9, 2023
Excellent program that covers many aspects of Alaska and is not overtaxing for all ages. I have always had excellent program leaders and lecturers.
— Review left September 9, 2023
This program gives you a real sense of Alaska: up close and personal with nature at the Denali Educational Center; the vast landscape and beauty as you ride the train from Fairbanks to Seward; the culture of Alaska from a Native American and artistic lens; and the beauty of a small seaside town (Seward) and its surrounding glaciers. To top that off, the food was always excellent!
— Review left September 6, 2023
I enjoyed this trip's mix of beautiful scenery, great museums and excellent presentations. I learned so much about Alaskan plant and wildlife, geology, history and indigenous peoples. Staying at the Denali Education Center was a highlight, with several hikes and a road trip into Denali. The train trips were a relaxing, fun way to see Alaska. Our trip was during the first half of August, and unfortunately, the weather didn't fully cooperate. Heavy cloud cover obscured views of the mountains, it rained during two of our train rides (but saw a beautiful rainbow), and our boat trip was cut short due to high seas (dramamine to the rescue!). But the reward for braving the rough water in the rain: seeing orcas and humpback whales! Spectacular!
— Review left August 25, 2023
This was my first adventure with Road Scholar and I was not disappointed! My dream of seeming Alaska in all its beauty (including the whales) was finally realized. I am already planning my next trip!
— Review left August 16, 2023
The trip was for the most part well organized, we loved our guide, Christine Kardis. I have two suggestions, 1. less time in lectures. While staying at Denali Park, one entire morning (3hrs!) was dedicated to lectures about wildlife. Much of the lecture was discussed at other points of the trip, and it would have been much better use of time to see more of the park in person, rather than being cooped up in a classroom.
2.The Road Scholar Covid response team office should remain available 7 days a week, not just M-F 9-5. My husband contracted Covid on day 8 of our tour, which was a Saturday. Though we did talk with the program director, she suggested we talk with the covid support team regarding testing sites and logistics about returning. We could not reach them because of their limited hours, so had to figure out much on our own. Also, the sites suggested for covid testing in Seward and Anchorage are out of date. We spent money on ubers to three sites only to find them closed, not able to take our insurance or even to pay out of pocket!
Regarding the masking policy, two tour members contracted covid on day 4 of the trip, and 3 more on day 8 (my husband included). Masking after first case identified obviously did not prevent the spread, as masks come off during dinners. I understand this is probably the only thing that can be done, given the facilities and separate dining not being possible, but it bears mentioning.
To say the least, we were very disappointed to have missed out on the whale watching and glaicier viewing in Seward, what others stated was the highlight of the trip.
— Review left August 6, 2023
Of my twenty Road Scholar programs, Discover Alaska by Rail was one of my favorites. A return to “The Great Land” after forty years was enhanced by the excellent staff and many presenters, as well as the participants themselves. If this is your only trip to Alaska, I recommend adding on additional activities not included in the program. For example, my wife and I flew in a small plane around Denali (the weather was clear!); we climbed Anchorage’s popular Flattop Mountain; we explored Alyeska resort; and we visited Whittier via the long tunnel now open to vehicles in addition to trains.
— Review left August 6, 2023
This program is for those who wish to experience the beauty of Alaska. From the train segmented routes and each stop along the way you will learn, see, do, and experience much of what Alaska has to offer and protect. Denali Education Center was a great place to unwind, disconnect and reconnect with nature. The food was awesome, and it was like traveling back to the days of camp only much better. The Kenai Fjords boat experience was amazing as well. If you are looking for adventure this one is for you.
— Review left July 18, 2023
I enjoyed the variety of this trip, from riding the train to the boat trip to see the glaciers. The activities were varied, and I learned new information about the history and geography of this area of Alaska. We saw many types of wildlife and enjoyed the meals at Denali Education Center. It was a fun and educational adventure.
— Review left July 16, 2023
Fabulous experience! An excellent Alaskan adventure!
— Review left July 13, 2023
excellent
— Review left July 13, 2023
I think our group hit the best weather for this trip and the guides will be talking about our smooth boat ride in Seward for the rest of the year. It was stupendous. This this the first time I have done a solo trip since my husband's passing and it was all welcoming. High recommend Road Scholar and I am preparing for another solo in October.
— Review left July 13, 2023
If you enjoy riding the train as a way to see the awesome landscapes and wildlife in four major regions of Alaska: Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, and Seward, this is the trip for you!
— Review left July 12, 2023
I highly recommend traveling on this trip on the Alaska Railroad to learn about this special place. Road Scholar plans a great balance of learning adventures from mountains to glaciers, Native people from the past to today. You won’t regret going on this adventure.
— Review left July 9, 2023
Excellent way to learn about Alaska, her animals, beauty, people, and struggles in a unique eco system. Highly recommended for train enthusiasts, wildlife and nature photographers and anyone who enjoys learning.
— Review left July 5, 2023
Alaska by Rail was wonderful. We saw and experienced Alaska. I believe those that only go on a cruise on the inside passage do not experience what we did.
Being on the 100 Anniversary of the train was truly memorable.
— Review left June 27, 2023
Loved our trip to Alaska.
— Review left June 22, 2023
Loved this program. Ditch the plane and ride the train!! Let Road Scholar make the reservations and you enjoy the trip!
— Review left June 19, 2023
Alaska by Rail is the best introduction to the 49th state. An absolutely fantastic trip.
— Review left June 19, 2023
Everything about this program was fantastic! The Alaska Railroad is excellent and the scenery is awesome. There were lots of opportunities to learn about wildlife, native culture, and history, highlighting what makes Alaska such a unique place.
— Review left June 16, 2023
Wow, what thrills this program provided. If you are able to be active most of every day, enjoy the camaraderie of a group of 25-30 others, and dream of experiencing Alaska, this trip is for you. We two single women arrived in Fairbanks early. We found it easy to use Lyft to get downtown (a bonus was talking to our drivers about life in interior Alaska). Among other activities, we visited University of Alaska's (UAF) Botanic Gardens and discovered a great food truck called Bun on the Run. The program itself has so many highlights, from delicious food & wonderful programs at Denali Education Center to Nate Porter, our terrific group leader, to the splendid train ride and unforgettable cruise of Kenai Fjords. I'm so grateful to have participated.
— Review left June 14, 2023
Great trip led by super people in an awesome part of our country that everyone needs to see and learn to appreciate.
— Review left June 14, 2023
This program taught me a great deal about Alaska in an informative but not overwhelming way.
— Review left June 13, 2023
If your looking for snow covered mountains, rushing rivers, beautiful lakes and forests, indigenous culture experiences, living in a cabin in the woods, seeing wildlife, taking the Alaska Railroad Gold Star service from Fairbanks to Seward and having excellent guides all the way this trip to Alaska is for you.
— Review left June 13, 2023
In depth tour of Denali gave us the opportunity to see wildlife, hike and appreciate the spectacular park. The education center is the best place to stay.
— Review left June 13, 2023
Alaska was a great adventure. Nate Porter guided us through it and all the other instructors and guides were very well prepared.
My husband and I enjoyed the company of the other participants. Everyone was supportive and inclusive!
— Review left June 12, 2023
Summary of program
— Review left September 4, 2022
Traveling through Alaska by rail gave me a real sense of the state and its magnificent scenery, while the places we visited offered intriguing insights to the state and its people.
— Review left August 30, 2022
Great guides, great learning adventures, great fellow travelers!
— Review left August 28, 2022
What a great trip this was! We arrived a day early (we usually do that) in Fairbanks and filled our time with the Riverboat Discovery Tour which was excellent. The trip to the pipeline outside of Fairbanks was particularly interesting as the bus driver was a wealth of knowledge about the pipeline. The cabin accommodations were very comfortable at the Denali Education Center but lack basic amenities, bring your own hair dryer. If you are fortunate to get a cabin near the river the view is wonderful. The chef outdid himself with the delicious meals. The trips into the park were interesting. We did see caribou, moose, Dahl sheep but no bears or wolves. Binoculars are a must. We were very fortunate with the weather, almost no rain the entire trip. During our free time in Denali we took past reviewers' advice and booked the flightseeing trip to see Mount Denali and we were so glad that we did that. Not only Mt. Denali was spectacular but seeing the glaciers and rugged terrain from the air made us wonder how the gold prospectors ever crossed this area. Mt. Denali was not visible from the ground while we were there. Each leg of the train ride was interesting with gorgeous views wherever we looked. The all day boat trip in Kenai Fjord National Park went by too quickly. We saw a couple of humpback whales, orca whales, harbor seals, otters, puffins and other birds. Again binoculars are worth having. Watching the glaciers calf was spectacular...visited two glaciers. The limited time in Anchorage was spent visiting two very interesting museums. The time in the Anchorage Museum was much too short. Our flight home wasn't until late evening so we spent an entire day at the Anchorage Museum and didn't see it all. This is a highly recommended trip for anyone who wants to see mainland Alaska.
— Review left August 28, 2022
I had three major trips on my retirement "bucket list" - Ireland, Australia, and Alaska. All three were excellent, but the "Alaska by Rail" trip was the most educational. Traveling by rail provided a close & personal scenic panorama of the state - a feature that a traveler might miss on a cruise ship.
— Review left August 23, 2022
This is the trip of a lifetime- we experienced so much-it was awesome and we highly recommend it to all
— Review left August 22, 2022
Two issues: We were unable to get Road Scholar to communicate with both/each of us so my husband had to forward info and resources, despite our request. (We have different last names and email addresses.) The other issue was our need to depart halfway through the program due to my husband's covid positive test. No one's fault but a great disappointment and cost.
— Review left August 18, 2022
Fabulous trip by rail! The Alaskan scenery, wildlife, and educational programs were top notch!
— Review left August 16, 2022
Totally amazing. Our guide Julie Noelle was fantastic, a natural and perky spirit. You’d never know it was her first leadership tour. The itinerary was perfect; educational leaders and bus drivers/leaders were all so knowledgeable, with patience and humor. The wildlife was amazing as well as train travel and glacier experience. Overall it was the best trip ever, even though this was my first RS trip. Can’t stop thinking and talking about it. Very much recommended.
— Review left August 16, 2022
Everything in Alaska is huge! We saw awesome vistas, massive moose and bear, super scenic train ride, and instructors who were really engaged in conveying that wonder to the group. This is a great trip for nature lovers and rail fans.
— Review left August 13, 2022
This is a fabulous opportunity to see Alaskan culture and history. It was a once in a lifetime experience. It allows you to see the real Alaska.
— Review left August 13, 2022
We just returned from this wonderful tour, Alaska by Rail. Plenty of walking, mostly level surfaces, and plenty of standing listening to speakers in museums. We enjoyed the well informed guides, good food, excellent hotels and good organization. Do bring your camera! We set up a shared album for i-phone users that was well received. Also, you need layers, a rain resistant jacket, hat or hood and water resistant pants, and sturdy hiking shoes. Scenery was so impressive and we learned a tremendous amount about the culture, climate, weather, fauna and animals. Highly recommend this trip.
— Review left August 12, 2022
We enjoyed the fantastic scenery in Alaska, especially in Denali National Park. The train rides and boat ride were also scenic and fun. Accommodations, food, and leadership were excellent. We had a wonderful time!
— Review left August 12, 2022
The program was very good. However almost 1/4 of our group caught COVID. RS needs to pay better attention to making these trips safer.
— Review left July 27, 2022
After having this trip cancelled twice because of COVID this trip exceeded my expectations! Our group leader, Weebee, was very knowledgeable of all that we saw and experienced. She bent over backwards with help and friendliness. Traveling from Fairbanks to Denali to Seward by train was ideal to see the differences in land, forests, and towns. So much open space! Our train arrangements were great. The individual duplex cabins at the Denali Education Center made for a relaxing stay and the food was terrific. My compliments to the chef who always had great daily menus, even changing up the breakfast one. What a great trip experience to get back into traveling.
— Review left June 28, 2022
I unplugged, I learned, I saw, I interacted with interesting people. I am enriched by my time on this Alaska tour by Rail. I loved it.
— Review left June 21, 2022
This program was very exciting with informed educators, comfortable accommodations, delightful meals and people from coast to coast. It especially exciting to be called upon to help socialize the musher puppies.
— Review left June 19, 2022
The trip to Alaska by rail was so fun!
— Review left June 16, 2022
Wonderful trip!
— Review left July 13, 2019
This program offered a variety of experiences. There was the magnificent scenery of several regions of Alaska; cultural and historical learning opportunities in world-class museums; animal conservation and rescue facilities for land mammals, birds, and sea life; hikes, bus tours, train travel, and a day-long cruise; knowledgeable, engaging, and inspiring speakers; interesting travel companions; and a tour leader who was a pleasure to spend time with and kept everything going smoothly. I am so glad I took this trip!
— Review left July 12, 2019
