*Experience Denali with Alaska's most trusted tour company*
Duration
- 5 days, 4 nights
What's Included
- 1 night pre-trip stay in Anchorage at the Westmark (upgrades available to the Aloft, Courtyard, or Wildbirch)
- 2 night hotel accommodations - at the Denali Princess Lodge or McKinley Chalet Resort near the Denali National Park entrance
- 1 night hotel accommodations - at the Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge
- Roundtrip travel on the luxurious Princess Rail/McKinley Explorer private train with dome cars
- Domecar rail transfers between Denali & Talkeetna
- Ample time to explore Denali National Park, from both entrances!
- Rail and hotel transfers in Denali National Park
& Talkeetna rail depot & Trapper Creek
- Airfare to/from Juneau or Sitka depending on your CRUISE.
Whats NOT included
- Transfers between hotel, boat, and airport
- Baggage fees on Alaska Airlines between Southeast AK & Anchorage
- Transportation to/from the Anchorage Railroad Depot
- Meals & drinks (on train and at lodge)
- Tips for guides/drivers/attendants
- Tours in Denali, Healy, Talkeetna, or Trapper Creek
Minimum Booking
- 2 guests per room
- Additional rooms require separate booking
- No discount for children on these packages
- Please contact us for solo or rooms with 3 or more occupants
Guest/Participant Limitations
- Pricing is based on total occupants per room, sadly there is no discount for children.
ADA Access
- This excursion is able to accommodate guests with service animals or mobility assistive devices/wheelchairs.
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*$200 Deposit* is due at time of booking, and full payment due once we confirm space. If we are not able to confirm space, we will offer alternative dates or refund you in full.
Please note the restrictive cancellation policy by Princess/Holland America. Travel insurance is **HIGHLY** encouraged.
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So you've got an amazing cruise through the Alaskan & Canadian Inside Passage but you also want to explore Alaska's Interior. We've got the PERFECT vacation just for you!
Packed with unforgettable sights and adventures, this mini vacation is perfect for the traveler that is eager to visit Denali National Park. The sights from the high, glass-domed deluxe railcars are a spectacular way to travel between destination points and enjoy the Alaska landscape. With three days and two nights, this tour offers ample time to explore the Denali area and take part in some of the optional excursions that make this area special. Don't forget that Denali National Park is your best chance to view Alaska's famed wildlife: moose, bears, foxes and wolverines! Catch a glimpse of the elusive mountain, the "Great One." This tour includes rail travel aboard luxury full-dome railcar to Denali National Park rail depot, transfer and baggage handling to and from a Denali area hotel, 2 nights lodging in Denali Canyon, 1 night lodging in Trapper Creek, and rail travel back to Anchorage.
There is a free shuttle from the lodges at the Denali canyon valley to the main Denali National Park entrance.
The shuttle between Trapper Creek & Talkeetna operates every hour, please check with the lodge front desk on exact times and cost. Estimated 2026: $10 USD roundtrip.
Princess & Holland America operates their OWN train consist and crews - each car will have its own rail guide, pointing out the sites along the way, and a bar tender offering beverages and snacks along the way. The rail cars differ from other trains in that you are free to move about the entire train consist & the train cars have a varying degree of outside vestibules, ensuring everyone has the ability to see Alaska's wilderness.
Trains do have lifts for those who have limited mobility.
This tour is for RAIL TRAVEL, and not motorcoach travel! *except for transfers to/from the rail depot and lodges!
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Payment options include American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa; including FOREIGN cards are accepted. Charges are done in USD through a US Bank.
Booking Notes
#Thank you for booking with Alaska Travel Desk
You have requested a booking on the McKinley Explorer from Anchorage to Denali. Should there be any issues with your booking, we will contact you immediately. One of our travel designers will contact you once we have everything booked and review the itinerary and ensure the travel options selected match your Alaska adventure.
##THIS TOUR IS FOR GUESTS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THEIR CRUISE TO ALASKA!
**Day 1:** Flight from Juneau or Sitka to Anchorage, transfers to hotel on your own. Hotel provided as part of this package (Westmark or Aspen Suites). We will send you flight details once final payment has been processed. Some packages require an additional night in Anchorage; however we can customize this if you wish to stay a night in Juneau or Sitka. ***If you selected the TAKU LODGE / GLACIER FLIGHTSEEING EXPERIENCE (Juneau departures ONLY), we will schedule this around lunchtime with plenty of time to make your flight to Anchorage.***
**Day 2:** Departure time is 9:15AM, please arrive at minimum 30 minutes before - during the summer we highly recommend 45 or more. You will check-in at the white tent to the EAST of the Alaska Rail Depot.
Depending on availability, you will spend the 1st day in Denali or Talkeetna. Below is a sample itinerary based on a Denali start.
Arrival into Denali is at 4:50PM to 5:20PM, and you will receive your room keys and assignment while on the train; and will take the assigned bus directly to your hotel where your luggage will be awaiting you in your room.
If you selected the Evening Horse-Carriage Ride (or upgrade to Side-by-Side/ATV), this tour will start at 7:15PM, with free pick-up just outside the lobby of your lodge. A family-style Alaskan BBQ dinner is included, and the tour will last about 3.5 hours from time of pickup.
**Day 3:** On your own, but will have tickets to the Music of Denali dinnershow at the Westmark Chalet - please check your itinerary on the train for your time.
**Day 4:** - Depart from Denali at 9:15AM to Talkeetna, arriving at 2:00PM. You'll be shuttled to the McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge where you will be in awe over the views.
**Day 5:** - Your morning is free to explore the grounds and take in nature. Departure from Talkeetna is at 2:15PM with an expected arrival into Anchorage around 5:15PM. We do not recommend booking any flights departing ANC before 7:30PM.
Food & beverage is not included, however there is a bar attendant in your car and a dining area below the car. Please check our website for the most updated menus & offerings. The train is card-only, no cash accepted.
Each passenger is allowed 2 pieces of luggage, free of charge, not to exceed 50 pounds. The train does NOT allow carry-ons outside of a small purse or backpack (there is simply no room), please make sure to carry your valuables on board the train with you. We have seen guests carry a small handbag in addition to a small backpack on board. There is a charge of $40 USD for the 1st bag on Alaska Airlines.
Seating is assigned on the train, you will receive your assignment at check-in. Sadly there is no way to change them or have special requests; please check with your rail car attendant. You are welcome to move around the train, though.
This is a RailTOUR, the trip is narrated by an experienced local guide that will highlight sites along the way. While tips are not mandatory, they do go a long way. We recommend at least $5 for the bar tender and $10 for the rail guide.
**NOTE:** Alternative lodging may be substituted. We will notify you of any changes.
Cancellation Policy
This package has two components: airfare and land portion.
Airfare is non-refundable, however Alaska Travel Desk has avenues in which a refund could be provided under certain circumstances. Flights can be changed for a difference in airfare; and cancellation of the flight portion can be issued to the named traveler if they have an Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards number.
For land portions, A full refund (less $25 per person) will be made for cancellations received at least 46 days prior to the date on which you are to commence travel. The portion of travel covering air travel is non-refundable.
Passengers, who cancel after that date for any reason, including medical or family reasons, are subject to the following cancellation fees:
- 45-31 days before commencing travel – 50% of gross fare
- 30 days or less before commencing travel – 100% of gross fare
Princess Lodges/Grayline/Holland America reserves the right to cancel all or part of a tour in its reasonable discretion including in response to insufficient sales. If Princess Lodges cancels the entire tour, you will receive a full refund of amounts paid to Princess Lodges. If Princess Lodges cancels a portion of the tour due to weather or other reasons beyond the control of Princess Lodges, or if you decide for any reason whatsoever to not participate in all or part of the tour, Princess Lodges will not be required to make any refunds. For other partial cancellations by Princess Lodges, you will receive a refund for the value of the cancelled portion, with value to be determined by Princess Lodges in a fair and equitable manner. If, due to weather or other unforeseen reasons, flights are adversely impacted or you are required to spend an additional night in a location, hotel and meal costs and other incidental expenses are your responsibility.
