Enjoy a train ride on the famous Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park, a six million acre wildlife refuge surrounding Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America. The park is home to an abundance of wildlife including bears, caribou, Dall sheep, gray wolves and moose. The highlight of your Alaskan adventure will undoubtedly be the flightseeing in the shadow of 'The Great One'. On your way back to Anchorage, stop for an exclusive experience at the home of four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser to learn about the Last Great Race and the wonderful champion dogs he raises and trains for mushing.
Please note: Guests should fly into Anchorage to begin this program. The flight between Anchorage and Nome on embarkation day is included in this program.
Note: Guests who require a visa for entry into the United States must obtain it prior to travel.
DAY 1 - ARRIVE ANCHORAGE
On arrival at Anchorage International Airport you are met by our local Silversea Cruises representative and transferred to the Captain Cook Hotel. If your flight is scheduled to arrive in the morning or early afternoon, please be aware that the hotel's official check-in time is 3:00 p.m. You might wish to consider reserving an additional night to insure immediate occupancy upon arrival.
Embraced by six mountain ranges and warmed by a maritime climate, Anchorage is alive year round with adventure, recreation, seasonal festivities, and sporting events - a modern city surrounded by spectacular wilderness. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense.
Overnight at the Captain Cook Hotel
DAY 2 - ANCHORAGE / DENALI
After breakfast at the hotel this morning you will transfer from the hotel to board the Deluxe Dome Railcar Service for the scenic ride to Denali National Park.
The highlight of today will be passing 300+ feet over Hurricane Gulch. Seating is under windows that extend 180 degrees around you, so you'll be able to thrill at the majesty of this and other sites along the way. There is even an open-air platform if you'd like to step outside and stretch your legs a bit.
Lunch will be served in the dining salon at mid-day. You will be amazed at the variety of items the chefs can prepare - from delicious hot and cold Alaskan specialties to authentic reindeer chili!
The train is scheduled to arrive in Denali at the end of the afternoon. Transfer to check-in to your hotel. Enjoy a reception with a mountain climber speaker. Afterwards you may wish to take advantage of the extended sunlight and enjoy an evening stroll through town. Dinner tonight is on your own.
Overnight at the Grand Denali Lodge in Denali National Park
DAY 3 - DENALI
Enjoy a hearty Alaskan-style breakfast at the hotel early this morning before heading out deep into the National Park. Please be aware that these tours are offered in conjunction with local native Alaskans and the only type of transportation permitted are often the same school busses that local children use in the rugged winter months.
Join with other travelers from around the world on the first half of a fully-guided Tundra Wilderness Tour; you'll get an ongoing informational talk from your driver/guide, along with wildlife spotting and spectacular scenery.
At the end of the lone road leading into the park, arrive at the Denali Backcountry Lodge where you can explore the area and enjoy lunch. Then head over to the air strip for the flightseeing experience you've been waiting for. The small aircraft only accommodate up to 6 guests per plane and you can look forward to approximately 1 hour in the air. Note: In the event of inclement weather, guests may need to return to the Park entrance by bus.
Denali Park is the Crown Jewel of the North with unparalleled beauty and grandeur. Unless you set off on a month long climbing expedition in Denali Park there is no other way to experience the amazing landscapes that are hidden from the view from the Denali Park road or Highway. Views from the train or bus can be awe inspiring but these sights only scratch the surface of what one can see from the air.
More glaciers than one can count, most over 20 miles in length, towering granite walls, snow and ice covered peaks for as far as the eye can see are just a few of the attractions you will see on a typical flight. Denali (Mt. McKinley) is located approx. 60 miles from the entrance of the park, meaning flightseeing tours from Kantishna will give you more time over glaciers and right up close to Denali.
Land back at the entrance to Denali National Park and return to the hotel. The balance of the day is at your leisure. Enjoy dinner on your own this evening.
Overnight at the Grand Denali Lodge in Denali National Park
DAY 4 - DENALI / ANCHORAGE
After an early breakfast this morning, depart Denali for the full-day scenic motor coach journey to Anchorage. Box lunch is included.
Portions of your journey today parallel the rail line that you enjoyed only two days ago. The George Parks Highway links Fairbanks to Anchorage and in between passes through vast expanses of virgin land where moose, fox, wolves and brown bears reign supreme.
Stop en-route at Martin Buser's home for an exclusive visit, where the four-time Iditarod Champion will regale you with tales of the Last Great Race and the wonderful champion dogs he raises and trains for mushing.
Martin became fascinated with sled dogs while still a teen. He came to Alaska in 1979 to enhance his knowledge of care and training of sled dogs. He began working and training with long-time Alaskan mushers Earl and Natalie Norris and ran his first Iditarod in 1980.
Continue on to the Hotel Alyeska located near the charming village of Girdwood. Breathe in the fresh, clean air and maybe catch a glimpse of local wildlife in a walk around the expansive property. Dinner is on your own.
Overnight at the Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, AK
DAY 5 - ALYESKA / NOME / EMBARKATION
Enjoy breakfast this morning. If time permits, you may be able to take the Aerial Tram for a view from the mountainside. Transfer to the airport in Anchorage for the flight to Nome. The staff and crew of onborad your Silversea ship are looking forward to welcoming you aboard.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Alaska offers 5-star scenery; the accommodations are somewhat less. The Grande Denali Lodge offers comfortable, but simple, rooms and is only open during the summer months; likewise, the Captain Cook Hotel operates at its peak capacity at this time of the year and is staffed with seasonal personnel. Lapses in service do occur. The Tundra Wilderness Tour included on Day 3 is an exclusive concession of local native Alaskan residents and the only type of transportation permitted are the same school busses that local children use in the rugged winter months. In order to minimize the impact of visitors on the eco-system, this tour may consolidate the members of the Silversea group with other travelers.
The flightseeing component of this program is weather dependent. On the day of your flight, it is the sole responsibility of the pilot to determine if conditions are acceptable. Flight time varies depending on weather. If the mountain is visible, then the flight is 45min-1 hour as the pilot will do several fly-bys. If not, the flight takes you straight back and it is approx. 30 min. There are plenty of days that the mountain is clouded but the planes are still flying. In the event the flight is cancelled by the pilot, guests will be driven back to the Park Entrance and arrangements will be made to refund the flight portion of this program.
For rates and availability please contact Silversea Cruises
Package Inclusions:
- One night at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska
- Two nights at the Grande Denali Lodge or similar in Denali National Park, Alaska
- One night at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska
- Deluxe Dome Railcar Service from Anchorage to Denali
- Transportation in air-conditioned vehicles (except within Denali National Park)
- Half day Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park.
- Approximately 1-hour flightseeing excursion
- Transfer/Sightseeing transfer between Denali and Anchorage
- Visit to home of Martin Buser's - four time Iditarod Champion
- Economy-class air ticket from Anchorage to Nome
- Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches
- Sightseeing program as described
- The operator reserves the right to alter the order of visits to accommodate local hours and days of operation
Luggage Information:
You may bring your entire luggage with you during this trip. Provisions will be made to transport luggage to the Alyeska Resort if you would prefer to leave several pieces in Anchorage while travelling to Denali.
Visa Information:
If you require a visa for the United States please consult with your travel professional well in advance of your voyage. It is the responsibility of the guest to obtain all the appropriate visa documents before your cruise.
Accessibility:
This tour is accessible to all guests; however, there may be sites where uneven ground makes certain location unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Health:
Mosquitoes are at their worst during peak season - June, July, and August. If you plan on traveling into the backcountry or in wooded areas make sure to take bug spray along with long sleeved pants and shirts.
Please Note:
All Land Programs require a minimum number of participants in order to operate as described. If this minimum number is not obtained, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel a specific departure.
This description is a general overview of the highlights of this program. The local Silversea representative will do everything possible to insure that all of the sites described here are visited, though the tour sequence and specific sites mentioned is subject to change. Closure of some sites due to local or national holiday observances, flight schedules, weather or other factors may affect the program, and the local operator reserves the right to substitute other sites if necessary.
Gratuities to guides/drivers, meals and alcoholic drinks other than those noted in itinerary, and other personal expenses are not included in the price of this tour. This program is subject to a 100% penalty for any cancellation notices received 90 days or less prior to sailing.
All Land Adventure fares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable for any reason, within 90 days of sailing and are recommended to guests 18 years or age and older. Our local operator reserves the right to substitute other sites if local situations, including holidays and weather, require. Silversea shall have no obligation or liability of any kind to guests for the business practices, acts or omissions in connection with or arising out of arrangements with independent contractors, including but not limited to airline carriers, ground-tour operators, and hotels since they are neither agents for nor employees of Silversea Cruises. Silversea's liability does not extend beyond the vessel.
