Lakes, mountains and wildlife abound on this 19 Day exploration of the Canadian Rockies and Alaska. Board the world renowned Rocky Mountaineer Train for an unforgettable journey through incredible landscapes to Banff. Complete your journey with a premium Holland America Line cruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage.
Day 1. Spectacular Vancouver
Upon arrival at Vancouver International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, join your Tour Director and fellow travellers for an informal and friendly Welcome Dinner.
Day 2. Vancouver Sights
Today, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Vancouver. The tour includes the Waterfront, the cobblestone streets of historic Gastown and Stanley Park, named one of the top ten greatest public spaces in the world. The remainder of the day is yours to explore at leisure. Perhaps head to Chinatown for exotic delicacies, or stroll around Granville Island. Or you can visit Robson Street, the best place to sit and watch the locals, sip a drink and take in the vibrant Vancouver atmosphere.
Day 3. Rocky Mountaineer
Early today board the Rocky Mountaineer train. Enjoying GoldLeaf Service, sit back and relax in true comfort as you travel this famous railroad. Pass through the fertile fields of the Fraser Valley and view the towering peaks of the Coast Mountains before entering the Fraser Canyon. See the thundering waters of Hell’s Gate and follow the Thompson River to historic Kamloops, gateway to the interior of British Columbia. You might like to take in an optional dinner show tonight in Kamloops (own expense).
Day 4. Spiral Tunnels, Banff
Rejoining the Rocky Mountaineer, journey through vast ranchlands along the South Thompson River to Shuswap Lake. The Kicking Horse River leads you to Kicking Horse Pass, the engineering marvel of the Spiral Tunnels and over the Continental Divide to the World Heritage-listed Banff National Park. Arrive in the late afternoon in Banff, Alberta.
Day 5. Banff Sights, Freedom of Choice Touring, Dine Around Dinner
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the picturesque town of Banff this morning, then join your selected touring activity. Whether it be the Banff Experience, a round of golf at The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, a scenic helicopter flight over the region, a float trip down the Bow River, or a boat cruise around majestic Lake Minnewanka - there’s something to cater to every taste! Tonight enjoy a Dine Around Dinner at one of the exquisite restaurants at The Fairmont Banff Springs.
Day 6. Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Dine Around Dinner
This morning, ride the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain and enjoy incredible 360º views of six Rocky Mountain ranges. Then head to tranquil Moraine Lake, a glacially-fed lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. In the afternoon arrive at Lake Louise, the Jewel of the Rockies, a beautiful aqua lake set against the backdrop of Victoria Glacier. Settle in, then take a stroll with the award-winning Mountain Heritage Guides, who will describe the natural history and stories of the area and point out photographic opportunities. Tonight choose to dine in one of the chateau’s four restaurants with our Dine Around Dinner.
Day 7. Icefields Parkway, Athabasca Glacier, Jasper, Dine Around Dinner
Today, journey along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s great scenic drives, travelling along a chain of massive icefields straddling the Continental Divide. Stopping at the giant Columbia Icefield, take a ride in a specially-designed Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier. Enjoy the opportunity to stand on the glacial ice that once fell as snow some 400 years ago. Continuing the journey north, arrive this afternoon in Jasper National Park, a fairytale mountain retreat boasting the best in modern amenities and surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Tonight enjoy a Dine Around Dinner at one of The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge’s four outstanding restaurants.
Day 8. Mt Robson, Sun Peaks
Re-entering the province of British Columbia, your journey follows the famous Yellowhead Highway. Pass Mt Robson which, at 3,954 metres, is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. In the afternoon, arrive in the alpine village of Sun Peaks, tucked in among the rolling mountains of British Columbia’s interior. This mountain resort is renowned for its world-class skiing, mountain-biking, snowboarding, accommodation and dining.
Day 9. Whistler
Follow the tracks of the early gold rush pioneers through the rugged Cariboo region, home to an incredibly diverse range of wildlife. The journey continues into the Coast Mountains to the alpine resort of Whistler, set in a spectacular location and considered an adventure playground for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. Whistler in the evening is a bustling, lively place. After dinner, you are at leisure to explore.
Day 10. Georgia Strait, Vancouver Island
The day commences with one of the most spectacular drives in the world, along the Sea to Sky Highway. Enjoy the incredible scenery before stopping at Shannon Falls, which originate from Mount Habrich and Mount Sky Pilot and cascade down for 335 metres. Returning to the coast, board a ferry for a cruise through the Georgia Strait. Arrive on Vancouver Island and continue to Victoria. Tonight, the evening is at leisure - you might like to head out and discover dining and nightlife in this cosmopolitan city, or simply relax before another exciting day.
Day 11. Victoria, Butchart Gardens, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, visit the world-renowned Butchart Gardens for a unique breakfast in the gardens. Established in 1904 by Jennie Butchart and maintained by successive generations of the Butchart family since, take your time exploring and learning about the displays. The garden has established an international reputation for its year round display of flowering plants. In the afternoon, you have your choice of touring activity in Victoria. There’s an opportunity to watch whales breaching and interacting off Vancouver Island; take a seaplane flight to get a birds-eye view of the island and coastline; stay on solid ground and take a guided tour of the quaint houses and gardens around the town; enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride around the streets of Victoria; or delight in a traditional afternoon tea at The Fairmont Empress Hotel.
Day 12. Holland America Line Cruise
Take the ferry back across Georgia Strait to Vancouver where you will transfer to your Holland America Line cruise. Board your ship and settle in for your seven night Alaskan cruise of the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay.
Day 13. Cruising the Inside Passage
Enjoy a full day at sea at the commencement of your journey along the Alaska Panhandle and coastal British Columbia. Relax and absorb the incredible scenery as your ship wends its way past rocky headlands and glides over the frigid waters of the Inside Passage. Make time today to explore your cruise ship and its amenities. You could stroll the teak decks that circle the ship; relax in the elegant public areas; work out in the ship’s modern fitness centre; be pampered in the indulgent spa; wander the duty-free boutiques or simply enjoy the views.
Day 14. Juneau
This afternoon your cruise ship arrives in Juneau, Alaska’s pretty capital. Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on the Gastineau Channel, the massive Mendenhall Glacier and Juneau Icefields is at its back door. Early settlers in Juneau included miners during Alaska’s gold rush and Russian fur traders, meanwhile the native Alaskan influence still remains prominent today. Disembark and spend some time in Juneau to take in the lush terrain and vibrant wildflowers or visit the rustic shops in town. You can choose to take a ride aboard the Mt Roberts Tramway or explore the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States and home to many species of endangered and rare flora and fauna (own expense).
Day 15. Skagway
Today you’ll check in to the port of 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 - you may wish to take the opportunity this afternoon to ride the antique White Pass and Yukon Route to get an insight into what life was like back then. There’s also a variety of stores and saloons you can visit while in town that capture the excitement of the gold rush days. Perhaps head to the nostalgic Trail of ‘98 Museum and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, with its restored buildings and wooden boardwalks that invite you to take a stroll into the past (own expense).
Day 16. Glacier Bay
This morning you wake up to the breathtaking sight of Glacier Bay National Park with its rivers of ice and sky-scraping peaks. As you cruise through the national park, it is easy to see why the area has received World Heritage status. You will also benefit from the insightful commentary of local rangers aboard your ship, who will explain the geological wonders you’ll witness and point out some of the diverse wildlife and marine mammals. With more actively-calving tidewater glaciers than any other place in the world, Glacier Bay is truly an enthralling sight.
Day 17. Ketchikan
Located along the shores of Tongass Narrows, Ketchikan offers a range of attractions to discover, including Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village. Ketchikan is also widely known as the salmon capital of the world.
Day 18. The Inside Passage
Heading south through the Inside Passage, watch the glorious landscape slip by.
Day 19. Vancouver
Arrive back in Vancouver this morning. After disembarkation, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
