Alaska Birding and Wildlife Tours

Alaska Spring Birding and Wildlife Viewing Tour, Including Three Train Trips!

Highlights:

• The Alaska Railroad to Fairbanks and crossing the Arctic Circle.
• Taking the Alaska Railroad to Seward
• Seeing an abundance of birds and wildlife

 Printable Bird List 
(This is a checklist of birds that we have seen on this trip) 

• Travel Dates:  May 10 – 23, 2025
• Group Size: 4 travelers, spots left = 4
• Trip Length: 14 days
• Rates Rate per person = $8,720 double occupancy, an extra $1,850 for single
• Rates include:  All-inclusive from airport pick-up to airport drop off.  All meals, lodging, tours, and transportation.
• Not included: Airfare to Anchorage (ANC), snacks, alcohol, and trip insurance not included
• Adventure level:  Easy, please check the "Welcome" page for definition
• Reservations: To reserve a spot on the trip, a non-refundable 50% deposit is required, and the non-refundable balance is due 6-months prior to the trip. 

Train:  We will have three train trips on this tour. We will be traveling first class on the Alaska Railroad Gold Star level, which are the upper train car decks with the full view glass dome ceilings and upper level outdoor viewing platforms.  It is truly a fantastic experience.  Train trips:  1)  We will be taking the Alaska Railroad Denali Star train from Anchorage to Fairbanks and spending 2-nights in Fairbanks.  2) The day after our driving tour from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle, we will be taking the train back to Anchorage.  3)  We will be taking the Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic train trip from Anchorage to Seward, spend about 5-hours in Seward, including a boat tour, and then take the train back to Anchorage.  This is an amazing way to see these areas of Alaska.

Sunrise/Sunset:  On May 20th, in Fairbanks, sunrise is at 4:00am and sunset is at 11:30pm:  19 hours of daylight.  The latitude of Anchorage is 61 degrees north.  It’s latitude lies south of Iceland and at almost the same latitude of Stockholm. 

Temperature:  During the month of May in Anchorage, the average low temperature is 43 degrees F, and the average high temperature is 58 degrees F. In Fairbanks, the average low temperature is 40 degrees F, and the average high temperature is 61 degrees F.

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrival in Anchorage 
Arrival day at the Anchorage airport (ANC). You will be met at the airport and a shuttle to our lodging at the Lakefront Anchorage Hotel for 1-night. Activities for the day depend on your arrival time.  

Day 2:  Soldotna
From Anchorage to Soldotna, it is a 2.5 hour drive, and we will be taking most the day to get there because of numerous stops along the way to view birds and wildlife.  Once we arrive in Soldotna, we will be spending 2-nights at the Aspen Hotel.  The Aspen Hotel has a beautiful location along the Kenai River.

Day 3:  Soldotna - Homer
On this day we will traveling to the Homer Spit and back.  It is a 1.5 hour drive each way and we will be following the coastal highway and stopping along the way to view birds.  We will have fantastic views of the amazing mountains of Lake Clark National Park located across the Cook Inlet from our location along the Kenai Peninsula.  Once we get to Homer, we will continue to the end of the Homer Spit, which jets out into the Kachemak Bay and is surrounded by mountains.  

Day 4:  Kenia Peninsula - Anchorage
From Soldotna, it is a 2.5 hour drive back to Anchorage with many new stops on our way back.  Besides many bird species, we expect to see Dall Sheep, Moose, and Black Bear. This will be a full tour of the Kenai Peninsula.  Once we arrive in Anchorage, we will be staying 2-nights at the Lakefront Anchorage Hotel.

Day 5:  Anchorage - Whittier
This day will be a drive to Whittier, where we will have lunch and time to walk around town.  To get to Whittier, we will have to travel through the Whittier Tunnel, also known as the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel.  This tunnel is a controlled one-Lane tunnel with alternating train and vehicle travel.  The original tunnel was complete in 1941 but has had many upgrades since then. Here are a few facts:  1)  Longest highway tunnel in North America at 2.5 miles.  2)  First tunnel designed for -40° F. and 150 mph winds.  3)  Portal buildings designed to withstand avalanches.  4)  First U.S. tunnel with jet turbine and portal fan ventilation.  Whittier is a harbor town nestled in the mountains and at the terminus of a beautiful fjord known as the Passage Canal.

Day 6:  Denali
From Anchorage it is a 4-hour drive to the Grande Denali Lodge where we will be staying for 2-nights. We will have numerous stops along the way for birding, wildlife viewing, and short walks. 

Day 7:  Denali
This day will be a full day visit to Denali National Park. We hope to see many birds including all three species of ptarmigan (willow, rock, and white-tailed), and also caribou, moose, both grizzly and black bears, coyotes, and wolves. 

Day 8:  Denali - Anchorage
From Denali, it is a 4-hour drive back to Anchorage and along the way we will be visiting birding and wildlife viewing locations.  We will also make a stop at a Sled Dog kennel to meet the pups! Once we get to Anchorage, we will be staying 2-nights at the Historic Anchorage Hotel located in downtown Anchorage, built in 1916, upgraded to a luxury hotel in 1917, and expanded in 1936 to the current building.  And of course, it is haunted....

Day 9:  Anchorage - Seward
On this day we will be taking a day trip to Seward via the Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic Route with Gold Star seats and service.  It is a spectacular 4-hour train ride each way from Anchorage to Seward.  Once we get to Seward, we will be meeting our boat crew for a 4-hour cruise of the Kenai Fjords with Major Marine Tours.  This boat tour will give us great opportunities to view Puffins, whales, and many marine species.

Day 10:  Fairbanks
The Alaska Railroad Denali Star train leaves Anchorage at 8:30am and arrives in Fairbanks at 8:00pm. We will be traveling in Gold Star seats and service.  Along the way route there will be spectacular views of the Alaskan wilderness and wildlife. Once we arrive in Fairbanks, we will be staying at the Best Western Plus Pioneer Park Inn located along the Chena River for 2-nights.

Day 11:  Fairbanks – Arctic Circle
This will be a full day, 14-hour tour of the Alaskan wilderness.  We will travel along the famous and rugged Dalton Highway as far as the Arctic Circle with our local guide from Alaska Wildlife Guide. There will be excellent opportunities to view birds, moose, bears, caribou, and wolves along the tour route.

Day 12:  Anchorage
The Alaska Railroad Denali Star train leaves Fairbanks at 8:30am and arrives in Anchorage at 8:00pm. We will be traveling in Gold Star seats and service.  Along the way route there will be spectacular views of the Alaskan wilderness and wildlife. Once we arrive in Anchorage, we will be staying for 2-nights at the Hotel Captain Cook, which is the finest hotel in Anchorage.

Day 13:  Anchorage
Our last day in Anchorage will be a free day for you to choose the activities.  Our hotel is located in downtown Anchorage and close to the waterfront. Besides beautiful walking trails along the waterfront for birding, there are several museums and cultural sites to be visited:  The Anchorage Museum is excellent for learning about the history, culture, and art of Alaska.

Day 14:  Departure
Shuttle to the airport for your flight home.  Depending on your flight time for departure, there will be optional activities for the day.