Day 1 Calgary to Banff | Banff Sightseeing + Gondola
Depart downtown Calgary and travel west through the rolling foothills with the Canadian Rocky Mountains in the horizon. Upon arrival into Banff you will visit such points as Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, and the Hoodoo rock formations, before a stop at the Banff Gondola. At the top of Sulphur Mountain spectacular views await from the 360 degree observation deck. Complete the day with a historical tour of Lake Minnewanka on the Lake Minnewanka Cruise. After the tour your Driver/Guide will take you to your hotel. (Please note: Lake Minnewanka Cruise is only included on Calgary departures)
Day 2 Banff to Jasper | Sightseeing with picnic lunch
Your sightseeing tour today will encompass the ultimate glacier exploration as you travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. From walking on ancient ice at the Glacier Adventure (included), to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies. (picnic lunch included today)
Day 3 Jasper to Kamloops | Rocky Mountaineer
All aboard Rocky Mountaineer for a scenic rail journey to Kamloops in the interior of British Columbia. Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the ‘Yellowhead’ route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson ‘the highest peak" in the Canadian Rockies and follow the mighty Thompson River, the route of early fur traders, before arriving in Kamloops. (breakfast & lunch included)
Day 4 Kamloops to Vancouver | Rocky Mountaineer
Leaving Kamloops, follow the Thompson River through Ashcroft, one of Canada’s driest towns, with an average rainfall of just 18 centimetres. Pass through Rainbow Canyon, named for its cliffs striped with pinks, greens and greys creating a stunning rainbow effect. Continue on to the Fraser Canyon, where at Hell’s Gate watch water torrent past the canyon walls at its narrowest point. The last leg of the journey takes you through the fertile farming region of the Fraser Valley to arrive in the Pacific port of Vancouver late afternoon. (breakfast & lunch included)
Day 5 Vancouver | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 Excursions
Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions
Option 1. Victoria & Butchart Gardens | Coach | ferry | floatplane
Experience Victoria’s signature beauty visiting the cities top attractions including the Butchart Gardens. Traveling by coach and ferry, witness the region’s stunning waterways and mountains en-route to Victoria. Then return from Victoria’s inner harbour by floatplane on a scenic 35 minute back to downtown Vancouver.
Option 2. Whistler with Sea to Sky Gondola | Coach | floatplane
This tour takes guests through the breathtaking views and scenic stops along the spectacular Sea-To-Sky Highway. Guests enjoy Whistler’s spectacular beauty and quaint mountainside village appeal. Take time to relax, shop, or partake in a variety of seasonal activities. End the day with an awe inspiring 35-minute floatplane flight to Vancouver with stunning aerial views of mountains lakes and glaciers.
Day 6 Vancouver | Embarkation
This morning is yours to enjoy the sights of Vancouver before boarding your ship mid-afternoon. (dinner included)
Day 7 - 12 Canada & Alaska Inside Passage | Alaska Cruise
The fabled Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world, and one of the few where deep-draft vessels can sail close to steep mountain walls. The scenery is unbelievable, with forests in a hundred shades of green, tumbling turquoise glaciers, and evocative towns loaded with history, culture and adventure. This one-way cruise aboard a modern Holland America Line ship is a perfect base for exploring Alaska and Canada's coast. Ports of calls include the picturesque towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan plus a day of sailing into Glacier Bay National Park. (breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
Day 13 Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal to Anchorage | Small Group Coach
After breakfast, disembark the ship for a small group tour north towards Anchorage. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to observe and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land mammals, then take an aerial tram up Alyeska Mountain for views of Turnagain Arm, up to seven “hanging” glaciers and the endless peaks of the Chugach Mountain Range (lunch is included today)
Day 14 Anchorage | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions
Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions
Option 1. Anchorage Brew Tour
Get the inside scoop on Anchorage’s beer culture and brewery history on this half-day tour. An in-the-know guide whisks you around the city to sample six tasty offerings at three venues, including three classic breweries that you are sure to enjoy. Pair the hoppy happiness with light snacks, chat it up with locals and take with you a renewed perspective on Anchorage’s stand-out beer scene.
Option 2. Eco Nature Tour
Anchorage is home to ecological treasures that mirror Alaska’s wild beauty, but they are often left off of city tour itineraries. This tour visits natural attractions all within city limits: take a walk through a boreal forest, peer into the statewide ecosystem at a fish hatchery, and observe wildlife at a coastal wildlife refuge.
Option 3. Upgrade Option: Alaska Bear Viewing Tour (Additional Cost)
Enjoy a half day guided day tour with the opportunity to view Alaska’s black and brown bears in their natural habitat. You’ll fly by floatplane, 70 miles southwest of Anchorage to the entrance of Lake Clark Wilderness Preserve, site of Redoubt Bay Lodge to view resident brown bears up close from one of the lodge’s covered pontoon boats. (Lunch is included)
Day 15 Anchorage to Denali National Park Entrance | Alaska Railroad
Early this morning take the Denali Star, the Alaska Railroad’s flagship train, in the Goldstar Railcar with service to Denali National Park. Watch for views of Mount McKinley and keep an eye out for wildlife. Arrive mid afternoon; the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy an optional activity. (Breakfast & lunch is included onboard the train today)
Day 16 Denali National Park Tour | Coach | Bush Plane Flight
This full-day narrated coach trip explores the entire 148 km/92 mi of the restricted Denali Park Road on your way to the Denali Backcountry Lodge. During your journey to the lodge, your experienced driver-guide will help in the search for bear, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and other wildlife while pointing out the biology and geology of the area. There are numerous stops for wildlife viewing, photography, return to the park entrance via a flightseeing tour in a small bush plane. (lunch & snacks included today)
Day 17 Denali to Anchorage | Alaska Railroad
This morning is open for optional activities such as: whitewater rafting down the Nenana River, helicopter flightseeing over the Park, landing on a glacier, or hiking. At midday, board the Alaska Railroad and travel by Goldstar Railcar for the day trip to Anchorage. As you travel along the Susitna River, you may catch a glimpse of the majestic Mount Denali or black bears along the banks of the river. Arrive Anchorage this evening where your incredible Alaska adventure comes to an end. (Lunch & dinner included onboard the train today)
