McKinley Explorer, Anchorage Alaska, a Luxurious Way to See the Alaskan Wilderness

There are many ways to explore the Alaskan wilderness. One is to board the luxurious train cars known as the McKinley Explorer. The train, owned by Holland American Cruise Lines, allows travelers a view of some of Alaska's most pristine and beautiful wilderness.

Unlike traditional trains, the glass windows extend a bit more than halfway up the train and continue along the ceiling. This design allows for unobstructed views of the Alaskan terrain. The McKinley Explorer follows the same track as other sightseeing trains. Some of the other cars are great for travelers on a budget, but for those who want a bit more luxury, the Explorer offers that.

Each car accommodates 88 guests. If travelers tire of sitting, they can walk upstairs to the top of the double-decker car. There they will find comfortable chairs where they can relax and take in the sights or stop in the well-appointed dining area for a delicious meal or a drink in the lounge .

The McKinley Explorer runs the route from Fairbanks to Anchorage, but it is not intended to get travelers to their destinations in record time. Instead, the train takes its time, allowing guests to enjoy the many amenities such as a gift shop and, of course, the views.

Because the cars are owned by Holland America, travel on the McKinley Explorer is often included in cruise-tour packages offered by the company. Still, travelers who are not cruising can still enjoy a ride on these luxury cars as Holland America does offer rail only trips for such customers .

For those who need it, the cars feature a wheelchair lift and some feature a first deck lounge. Some of the cars also have an open air observation deck for views that are even more unobstructed than the views from inside the cars.

The designers of the cars paid attention to every detail. While the real beauty is outside of the train, the cars feature upholstered cornice boards, roman shades, a spiral staircase, black leather seats and a $20,000 whalebone sculpture is the design highlight of each car .

Each car was built at a cost of $3 million. The McKinley Explorer allows passengers to explore the Alaskan wilderness while being pampered, wined and dined in some of the most impressive railcars in the country.

Whether as part of a cruise package, or as a rail only adventure, a ride on the McKinley Explorer will allow guests to see the Alaskan wilderness in a way that many people never will. The unobstructed view that are provided by the huge windows give a view that is second to none.