From the coast to the mighty mountains of the Canadian Rockies, you'll experience the highlights of this beautiful region on Travelmarvel's 18 day Rockies Marvel and Alaskan Cruise. Tour begins and ends in Vancouver.
Day 1. Arrive Vancouver
Situated between the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and hosted the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. On arrival here, be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After time at leisure, join a Welcome Reception this evening.
Day 2. Vancouver Sightseeing
This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Vancouver including the Waterfront, Gastown and Stanley Park. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure to explore this city.
Day 3. Rocky Mountaineer, Kamloops
After breakfast early this morning, board the Rocky Mountaineer train. Relax in your RedLeaf carriage as you pass the fields of Fraser Valley and the towering peaks of the Coast Mountains before entering Fraser Canyon. See the thundering waters of Hell’s Gate and follow the Thompson River to Kamloops.
Day 4. Rocky Mountaineer, Jasper
Rejoining the Rocky Mountaineer, follow the Thompson River into the snowy peaks of the Monashee Mountains. Pass Mt Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, before arriving this afternoon in picturesque Jasper National Park.
Day 5. Columbia Icefield, Lake Louise, Banff.
Travel along the Icefields Parkway. Stop at the Columbia Icefield for an unforgettable ride in an Ice Explorer onto Athabasca Glacier. This afternoon stop at Lake Louise, the Jewel of the Rockies. Later, arrive in Banff.
Day 6. Banff Sightseeing.
Today, ride the Banff Gondola over the shoulder of Sulphur Mountain and enjoy incredible views of the Canadian Rockies. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps visit The Fairmont Banff Springs or head off on a Banff Experience to discover the local township (own expense). Tonight, enjoy the Oh Canada Eh! Theatre Dinner Show.
Day 7. Banff, Sun Peaks.
Descending from the Rockies, pass through national parks before arriving in the alpine village of Sun Peaks. Check into your lodge before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8. Whistler.
From Sun Peaks, travel through the rugged Caribou region. View the Coast Mountains before arriving in Whistler. After checking into your lodge, this evening you might like to experience the nightlife of this famous alpine resort.
Day 9. Georgia Strait, Victoria.
From Whistler, perhaps take a floatplane flight (own expense) and enjoy views of the Georgia Strait before arriving in Victoria to enjoy leisure time this afternoon. Alternatively, return to the coast and take a ferry across the Georgia Strait. Arrive on Vancouver Island and continue to Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia. Tonight, enjoy leisure time.
Day 10. Victoria Sightseeing.
This morning, enjoy free time on Vancouver Island. Perhaps take a whale-watching cruise or join a horse-drawn carriage tour (both at own expense). This afternoon, visit Butchart Gardens. Then enjoy a Farewell Dinner in these historic gardens, prior to boarding your Holland America Line cruise tomorrow.
Day 11. Victoria, Vancouver, Holland America Line Cruise
This morning, after breakfast, travel by ferry from Victoria to Vancouver. Board your premium Holland America Line ship, the ms Zuiderdam, for your seven-night cruise. Settle into your stateroom and spend time familiarising yourself with the ship before enjoying dinner on board this evening.
Day 12. Inside Passage.
Enjoy a day at sea today as your ship wends its way past rocky headlands, precipitous cliff faces and over the still blue waters of the beautiful Inside Passage.
Day 13. Juneau.
Juneau, Alaska’s capital since 1906, was formerly called Rockwell and then Harrisburg before being named after gold prospector Joe Juneau. On arrival in the city this afternoon, you will have the opportunity to experience an exhilarating dog sled ride over a glacier, sample salmon baked over a fire or pan for gold (all at own expense).
Day 14. Skagway.
At the northernmost point of the Inside Passage, Skagway’s history as a frontier town and gateway for the gold rush is still evident today. Here, you’ll enjoy free time to perhaps discover what gold prospecting might have been like in times gone by or view some of the local wildlife (both at own expense).
Day 15. Glacier Bay.
Wake up to the breathtaking sight of Glacier Bay National Park with its formidable rivers of ice. This marine wilderness offers an incredible range of natural sights including icebergs, glaciers, fjords and snow-capped mountains. Today, rangers will come on board to explain to you the geological wonders and exceptionally diverse wildlife of this unique region.
Day 16. Ketchikan.
In Ketchikan, known as the salmon capital of the world, you may like to join a walking tour of the town that includes a visit to the fishing harbour as well as the historic red light district, where wooden houses stand on stilts over the water. Alternatively, perhaps immerse yourself in the Tlingit Indian culture at Saxman Native Village (both at own expense).
Day 17. Inside Passage.
Today is spent cruising south through the Inside Passage. Watch the majestic landscape slip by and enjoy all the onboard facilities of the ms Zuiderdam.
Day 18. Depart Vancouver.
Dock in Vancouver this morning and disembark after breakfast. Enjoy time at leisure before being transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
