Day 1 Australia To Vancouver
Board your flight to Canada. We cross the International Dateline before arriving in Vancouver. On Arrival we transfer you to the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. After check-in there is time to relax and unwind. Tonight, why not dine out in one of the many restaurants that grace this extraordinary city?
Day 2 Vancouver to Kelowna/Penticton
We begin the day with a scenic drive through beautifual Fraser Valley. Tracing the footsteps of Canada’s early explorers, we follow the Fraser River to Hope, gateway to the mountains. We leave the valley and head over the Cascade Mountains via the scenic Coquihalla Pass, climbing through the coastal rainforest and into bear country! Arriving at Lake Okanagan in the heart of Canada’s premier wine growing area, we stop for wine tasting. In Canada’s equivalent of the Hunter/Barossa Valleys of Australia, excellent wines are produced, including some the world’s best “Ice Wines”. Later we arrive at our lakefront hotel, either the Gran Okanagan in Kelowna or the Lakeside Resort in Penticton. Arfter a welcome drink and dinner with our Tour Director, why not take a stroll and look for “Ogopogo”, the legendary monster of Lake Okanagan? (FB D)
Day 3 Kelowna/Penticton to Lake Louise
We travel through four National Parks: Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Yoho and Banff. Moutn Revelstoke is know for its high alpine meadows and massive cedar trees. Glacier is where mountaineering began in Canada, and jagged peaks and hanging glaciers surround you at Rogers Pass, our lunch stop. Then on to Yoho for a taste of the truce Rocky Mountains. In the local native language, Yoho means “awesome” – and awesome it is! As we climb Kicking Horse Pass, your tour director will tell you all about the Canadian Pacific Railroad’s famous “Spiral Tunnels”. Finally we cross in Alberta and the spectacular scenery of Banff National Park, and stop for the night at the world famous Lake Louise. Our Trafalgar hotel is the equally famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. We dine at our hotel this evening. (FB D)
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Day 4 Lake Louise to Banff
Enjoy a morning walk along the lakeshore and make sure you have your camera “at the ready”! Later we cross the valley to ride the gondola* at the Lake Louise Ski Resort for a bird’s eye view of the lake and its surrounding moujntains. Here there is time for lunch before we continue our journey and follow the Bow River Valley to Banff. The Fairmont Banff Springs, the great “castle in the mountains”, is our home of the next two nights. Towering above Bow Falls and the valley, our hotel location is breathtaking. This evening, we will enjoy dinner at our hotel. (FB D)
* The Lake Louise Gondola is seasonal. If it is not operation, we will einjoy a ride on the Jasper Tramwway instead while in Jaspar.
Day 5 Banff sightseeing and at Leisure
On our morning drive, look out for some of Banff’s well known inhabitants, such as bighorn sheep and elk. We stop for a leisurely walk and see the amazing sandstone formations called “hoodoo”. Later you have the choice of taking either the thrilling gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for incredible views, or enjoying a relaxing dip in the worl,d famous Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs outdoor mineral pools. Why not take an optional helicopter flight over Mount Assiniboine, Canadas’s “Matterhorn” into the heart of the Rockies? After returning to the hotel, time is your own, perhaps to enjoy some lunch, go shopping or explore further. (FB D)
Day 6 Banff to Jasper
We travel along the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper, one of the most spectacular drives in the world, with its towering peaks, glaciers and tumbling alpine waterfalls. Watch out for black bears and Rocky Mountain goats, just some of the wildlift found ‘in these parts’. We top off the day by riding the fabulous “Ice Explorer”, an all terrain vehicle, onto the enormous Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park – definitely a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. We stay at the luxurious resort, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for the next two nights. We’ll enjoy dinner at the lodge this evening. (FB D)
Day 7 Jasper Sightseeing and at Leisure
This morning we explore the spectacular Maligne Canyon and enjoy views of the magnificent limestone walls plunging over 50 metres into the Maligne River gorge. This afternoon, why not window shop in Jasper’s quaint stores or enjoy the facililities of our resort? There are walking paths that follow the beautiful lakes surrounding the lodge, or you may wish to take a ride on the famous Jasper Tramway to view Whistler Mountain. This evening we dine at our hotel. (FB D)
Day 8 Jasper to Kamloops
This morning, we board the luxurious Goldleaf Done car of the famous Rocky Mountaineer to experience once of the world’s great rail journeys. For the next two days the train takes us from Jasper in the Rocky Mountains, to the Pacific Ocean and Vancouver. The train’s amazing two story glass roofed railcars allow you to enjoy the scenery as we cross the Contiental Divide. The meals on beard are superb, with a great menu selection. Our journey takes us over Yellowhead Pass and back to British Columbia. On arrival at Kamloops we will be transferred to our first class hotel. This evening , dinner is included in Kamloops or why not enjoy an optional dinner upgrade to the Two River Junction Dinner Theatre show? (FB L D)
Day 9 Kamloops to Vancouver
After transferring back to the train, we travel through “canyon country” as we follow the river into Thompson Canyon with its ruggered walls and dary sagebrush landscape until it dramatically merges with the Fraser River, Following an old gold trail, we pass through one of the narrowest gorges of the Fraser River called Hell’s Gate and then continue through the lush farmlands of the Fraser Valley. On arrival in Vancouver we transfer to our hotel. Your evening is at leisure, you may wish to explore the waterfront and the city’s colourful nightlife. (FB L)
Day 10 Vancouver to Victoria
This morning we head out for a sightseeing tour of Vancouver, including English Bay and Coal Harbour, Gastown, Chinatown and Stanley Park. Later, we ride the ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island where we see the coastal scenery of the Pacific Northwest. The ferry meanders amount the scenic Gulf Islands before arriving at Swartz Bay, our disembarkation point. We continue to the floral majesty of Butchart Gardens, where there’s time to roam amoungst the brilliant flower displays. Then we start our tour of spectacular Victoria; we see the picturesque Inner Harbour, the amazing Legisature Buildings and the famous Empress Hotel. We continue along the coast as we pass through Beacon Hill Park on our way to “Uplands”, Victoria’s exclusive community. There is a stop at Trafalgar Point for the Tremendous views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its islands before arriving for a two night stay at our waterfront hotel, the Coast Harbourside. (FB D)
Day 11 Victoria at Leisure
Enjoy a full day at leisure in this beautiful city. There’s plenty of time to take advantage of one of Trafalgar’s special included tours. You have the choice of taking a three-hour whale watching cruise, a relaxing horse and carrage ride, High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel or a tour of the Royal British Columbia Museum. So many memories come from exploring new places on your own or with your new found travelling companions! Your evening is free, why not try out one of Victoria’s many seefood restaurants before boarding your Alaskan cruise ship tomorrow? (FB)
Day 12 Victoria Board Princcess Cruise in Seattle or Holland America Cruise* in Vancouver
Princess Cruise passengers will board the Victoria Clipper catamaran for Seattle. Enjoy your trip through the spectacular San Juan Islands and through Puget Sound to Seattle where you board the magnificent Princess vessel for the amazing Alaskan Inside Passage cruise. Along with your oceanview stateroom, the Princess cruise ship offers state-of-the-art amenities with swimming pools, show lounges, excellent dining options, sports facilities and more. Ports of call include Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria, with daylight cruiseing of Tracy or Endicott Arm. (FB D)
Magnificent scenery on your Alaskan Cruise
Note:
Please note your Holland America cruise departs and ends in Vancouver. Today you will be transferred by coach to Swartz Bay to take the ferry to Tsawwassen and onto Canada Place to board your cruise.
If you are leaving the tour today, you will take the same transfer and ferry back to Vancouver. There will be stops at Vancouver International Airport and the Sheraton Wall Centre if you booked post-tour accommodation.
Day 13 Your Luxury cruise to alaska starts today
Today we are at sea on a journey that will take us on one of the world’s great cruise routes to Alaska. We pass the nourtern tip of Vancouver Island and follow the coast to the Alaskan Panhandle into the Gulf of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Whales migrate along these tranquil waterways, while breathtaking waterfalls and soaring rock cliffs chart our progress on this traditionals sailing route. Vast forests stretch from the coastal mountain ranges to the sea and provide a home to Sitka deer, black bear, bald eagles and humpback and orca whales. (FB L D)
Day 14 Alaska Cruise
We arrive at the port of Juneau around noon spending a full day until approximately 10.00pm. Juneau is Alaska’s state capital, and the biggest town in size in either North or South America. Today Juneau is not only famous for gold, but also for its breathtaking glaciers and stunning views of sea and mountains, the ‘ultimate’ port for shore excursion options! Tonight we sail on to historic Skagway. Why not enjoy the entertainment offered on beard this superb luxury cruise ship? (FB L D)
Day 15 Alaska Cruise
This morning we awaken in the old ‘gold rush’ town of Skagwway where we stay until 8.00pm this evening. Skagway was known to thousands of hopeful prospectors as the gateway to the gold fields and boasted the shortest route to the Klondike. Today Skagway retains the flavour of the ‘gold rush’ era, especially on Broadway Street, with its false-front buildings and “Trail of 98” museum, with its outstanding collection of memorabilia. It’s also the home of the renowned White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad – a ‘must-do” shore excursion for history and photo buffs. Back on board your cruise ship tonight, enjoy the many amenities and dining options. (FB L D )
Day 16 Alaska Cruise
Today we arrive in Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm for daytime cruising. The glacier- covered mountain terrain provides a rugged backdrop for cascading waterfalls. Wildlife abounds with brown and balck bears, deer, moose and mountain goats. Sail past precipitous rock walls to the twin tidewater Sawyer and South Sawyer Glaciers or Dawes and North Dawes Glaciers. Here, huge chunks of ice can often be seen breaking off the Glacier’s face and crashing into the sea. (Holland America features a special scenic cruise of Glacier Bay) (FB L D)
Day 17 Alaska Cruise
Today we visit the picturesque fishing village of Ketchikan. Here we are in port from 6.00am to approximately noon. You will be intrgued by the city’s rich Native heritage, shown through the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totel Heritage Centre. The Haidas, Tlingits and Tsimshians are all part of the city’s colourful history. Ketchikan, with its abundance of salmon, is also a sport fishing paradise and eager sightseers will be impressed with the superb local scenery, especially Misty Fjords National Monument. (FB L D)
Day 18 Alaska Cruise
Cruising back to Victoria, you are in port from 7.00pm until midnight, with some time to explore the places you missed the first time around, or just relax on board. The cruise dock is a short taxi ride or a 15 minute walk to the heart of Victoria so there’s time for last minute shopping and sightseeing. It’s your last full day on beard the cruise ship, so say good by to your new found friends and relax, relax, relax. (FB L D)
Day 19 Seattle to Vancouver Airport
We disembark this morning and board our coach for the journey northward to Vancouver and across the border into Canada – so keep your passports handy! Our first stop is Vancouver International Airport for the flight home, or if you are extending your stay in Vancouver, you will be transferred to your Trafalgar Hotel. (Please note: Holland America cruise ends in Vancouver.) (FB)
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