Alaska Railroad offers new day trip to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

New for summer 2014, the Alaska Railroad is offering a rail and wildlife day trip option from Anchorage aboard its Glacier Discovery Train to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC), Alaska's premier rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned animals.

From June 1 – Sept. 14, trains will depart daily at 9:45 a.m.

Passengers will board the Glacier Discovery Train at the Historic Anchorage Downtown Depot and travel south along the scenic Turnagain Arm to Portage Station. From there, guests will take a brief shuttle to the AWCC, where they will be able to see moose, caribou, elk, brown bear, black bear, wood bison, arctic fox, lynx and musk oxen, while enjoying the outdoors against a backdrop of mountain scenery.

“We're always looking for new ways to make travel aboard the Alaska Railroad exciting for both lifelong Alaskans and first-time visitors,” said Alaska Railroad Director of Guest Services and Passenger Marketing Bruce LaLonde. “In addition to witnessing the amazing sights along the southern portion of the Railbelt, guests are guaranteed a chance to see some of the state's most renowned wildlife.”

After exploring AWCC and enjoying a complimentary lunch, guests will return to Portage Station to re-board the train and continue their rail journey to Spencer Glacier and Grandview before heading back to Anchorage. At 5:30 p.m., the train will pull back into Portage Station, and guests can choose to board a motor coach and return to Anchorage at 6:45 p.m., or continue by train on to Whittier and return to Anchorage at 9:45 p.m.

This new package will give Alaska Railroad passengers an opportunity to be some of the first to experience AWCC's newly completed Bear Education Awareness Research Sanctuary, an up-close look at bear habitats.

“We are very excited to incorporate the iconic Alaska Railroad, in one tour, with spectacular Spencer Glacier and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center,” said Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Director of Marketing and Sales Scott Michaelis.

Tickets are $160 for adults and $110 for children ages 2 to 11. Children under age 2 who require a seat will need to purchase a child's ticket, but there is no fee for children less than 24 months old who are considered “infant in lap.”

To book, call Alaska Railroad reservations at 907-265-2494, or outside Anchorage at 800-544-0552.