On the final day of the fascinating 11 day Cruise with Seabourn Sojourn from Vancouver, you disembark this amazing ship for the last time at Seward Port in Alaska. However, before leaving for Anchorage and Denali, you experience a tour to the famous Kenai Fjords National Park (KFNP).
To visit this 600,000 acre Park, you travel in a multi-level cruiser that has its cabins fitted with large windows that are reasonably heated (outside Temp being in single digit). However, despite unbearable low temperature, many revelers prefer the open top viewing deck. Reason: from here you get an unhindered 360 degree view of the Wild Life at Sea.
Kenai Fjords
So, during the course of this 5 hour Cruise you get to explore Stellar Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, Bald Eagles, host of tiny colorful birds (Puffins), Sea Gulls, humpback Whales and impressive Holgate Glacier.
Sea Lions
Puffins
Bald eagle flying
whale tail
seagull flying
Bald eagle
Seaward to Anchorage
After returning from the cruise, you board the waiting Bus to reach Anchorage. Your schedule night halt is at Anchorage before proceeding to Denali by the ultra-sophisticated and legendary ‘Wilderness Express’.
After you leave, you cross Keena Lake, Moose Pass, Canyon Creek (where people supposedly still come to find Gold), Silver Strip and Granite Creek (A spot known for Snow Skiing). Following this you pass from a place popular among the Locals called ‘Turnagain Pass’. You then drive for about 40-50 Miles parallel to a large water body – a part of the Pacific known as Turnagain Arm. Turnagian Arm incidentally is notorious for its Sinking Mud-Flats. These Mud-Flats appear twice a day during Low Tides. (Adventurers who have dared to cross this dangerous place during low tide, have invariably met with their watery graves. Water level rises by 25 feet during High tide). Then crossing Indian Valley and Portage Glacier you ultimately reach the outskirts of Anchorage.
Anchorage
The concentration of traffic suddenly mounts as you cross the Six lane Highway. The road is adorned with Black Spruce trees on its either side with few motels and occasional Gas Stations along the way. It shall be interestingly to note that one in every six Alaskan is a Licensed Pilot and one in every twenty-four Alaskans owns a plane.
On reaching Anchorage the Bus Driver takes you around the impressive streets of Downtown Anchorage and then drops you at your pre-booked Hotel.
Fortunately your hotel is located close to the Rail Station amidst downtown Anchorage. So in an endeavor to further explore the place you walk through various lanes. Here you come across reputed Five-Star Hotels, attractive Restaurants and tempting Gift Shops. After a little shopping and it’s now dinner time.
As a connoisseur of sea food, “Bridge”, a restaurant situated atop a Bridge over a mildly flowing river is where you settle for dinner. From the open window here, you see people with fishing gears waiting patiently for a catch. The food at the restaurant is reasonably priced and exceptionally palatable, making the dining experience memorable.
Next Day, early morning, Hotel’s shuttle Bus transports you to rail station from where you board the iconic Wilderness Express. ‘Wilderness Express’ is a pair of privately owned 80 seated aristocratic dome Cars. These are attached at the end of the train that is pulled by the Alaskan Railroad Locomotives.
Wilderness Express
The full length curved glass dome on the upper level of ‘Wilderness Express’ provides all its passengers a classic 360 degrees panoramic view. The reclining leather seats, two on each side of the aisle, with fold down trays in the front are reasonably comfortable. Right in front, to your right, you are delighted to see Bar stuffed with exotic liquor.
Wilderness Express
Alaska train
On the lower level of the Car is the dining area equipped with 10 tables. 36 passengers can dine here at a time. Enjoy your Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner while admiring captivating divinity unfolding outside. Any dish of your choice can be selected from the al carte menu and pay accordingly. Payment is by credit card only.
It’s 8 am, as you are seated; the Train commences its a little over seven hour journey towards Denali Park. It is a bright Day and all the seats are completely occupied.
‘Lohan’ is the young affable Car Captain cum Guide. While introducing himself he assures to apprise you of every important landmark that comes along the way. Along with him is a smart stewardess. She walks up and down the aisle with alacrity to take orders for cocktails, beers or any other drink.
It is second half of August and the summer is nearing its end. You can witness the last of snow-melt happening. The creeks are gurgling thirstily and the cobalt blue Sky above makes a stupendous sight.
Then as the train passes on the bridge over Susitna River, the view of the valley is breath taking. The range of snow peaked mountains make a picture postcard scenery. Everywhere you look makes your heart bursts with joy. The mesmerizing and drowning beauty of Alaska couldn’t be more telling.
Talkeetna
So after three hours of this enlightening Journey, crossing Wasilla, the train takes its first halt at Talkeetna. It is 11.30 am. Surprisingly 75% of the passengers alight here making the compartment look virtually empty.
After 20 minutes halt, the train takes off again. The empty chairs now allow you to sit at more vantage points to get better perspective of the outstanding scenery.
At the Hurricane Gulch trestle the train purposely slows down to enable the passengers assimilate the spectacular view of the creek below. This towering bridge is 914 ft long and stands 296 ft above the creek.
Further crossing bridges over Honolulu River, Riley Creek and Hines Creek, and passing close to Summit Lake, the Mirror Lake and Edes Lake and then traversing through the Windy Creek within the eastern boundary of Denali National Park and along the Nenana River; at around 4.pm you reach Denali Park Station.
Denali
After thanking both, Lohan and the stewardess, you alight. A Bus belonging to your pre-booked Hotel is waiting to take you to the Hotel. In about next 20 minutes you are at your beautiful Denali Park Lodge perched right on top of a strategically located hill not too far from Downtown Denali.
Admiringly you look around as you walk towards your allotted room on the first floor of this two floor Hotel. Tall snow Peak Mountains are all around, albeit at a distance; down below you could see Highway that goes back to Anchorage if you drive towards the South and Fair-Banks to the North.
Jeep Safari
At sharp 5.15 Garry comes with his vehicle to take you for Excursion on Jeep Safari. The Caravan of 10 Jeeps (with 4 passengers in each) takes you for a four hour long drive covering around Ninety miles along the periphery of Denali National Park. During the course you come across some stellar locations though there was little wild life visible except for a pair of Mother and Baby Moose.
It’s half past 10 in the evening when you get back to your Hotel. As you sit at the restaurant for dinner, you see the light outside as bright as it is during early evening back in India.
After satiated with continental dinner, you are back in your room and into the bed. Next day is the eagerly awaited tour into the renowned Denali National Park. A six million acres of wilderness.
Anonymous
0.5
RAGHUVEER
Wow wow wow vating for dinali
P.s.uppal
To visit an unseen and new place to view nature excells a new happiness in mind
Anonymous
4
Rajesh K
Such beautifully written that, I seemed to be traveling with you. Keep traveling and keep updating us..nnfro. Your eyes we can explore.
Anonymous
4.5
Renuka
Lovely blog
Rachel
Vwry scenic
Susy
Breath taking scenery…
Seema bedi
Amaze scenery. Next time we are going to join you🤗
Anonymous
Wonderful nature trails. Beautiful scenery.
Anonymous
1
Anonymous
Very useful valuable and attractive blog …..
awesome work, do write continously about other experiences n destinations…..