HIGHLIGHTS, CANADA
- The 2 day Rocky Mountaineer train Silver Leaf experience from Vancouver to Jasper, Canada; view Pyramid Falls and the expansive glaciers of the Albreda Icefields
- Relaxed 2 night stays in the Rockies at Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff
- A gentle rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park.
- A half day wildlife tour to Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake
- Travel one of Canada's most scenic highways in North America - the Icefield Parkway.
- At Columbia Icefield enjoy an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.
- Drive into the Valley of Ten Peaks to see the turquoise shimmering Moraine Lake.
- Visit Yoho National Park and walk to Takakkaw Falls the third highest waterfall in Canada.
- A sightseeing tour of the town of Banff and surrounds.
- A Traditional High Tea at The Fairmont Lake Louise
- Travel through Glacier National Park
- Visit 3 Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town.
- A city tour of Vancouver
- A Gondola ride up Grouse Mountain, Vancouver
HIGHLIGHTS, ALASKA
- A 4.5 star ship experience on board Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas from Vancouver, Canada to Seward, Alaska
- Cruise the Inside Passage
- A unique shore excursion included at Icy Strait Point; a small group whale watching excursion with Icy Strait Whale Adventures
- Alaskan townships of Ketchikan, Juneau & Skagway with unlimited opportunities for wildlife experiences and outdoor adventures
- Witness Hubbard Glacier, the longest river of ice in North America
- A visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Travel into Alaska from the port of Seward to Anchorage for an overnight stay
PRE TOUR STAY, VANCOUVER
Consider arriving a day before the tour starting date. You can relax and refresh after the flight. The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs
DAY 1
Arrival Vancouver
Upon arrival at Vancouver’s International Airport pick up your luggage, clear customs and proceed directly to the public arrival area. You will be met and greeted by our local representative for a transfer to our hotel downtown*.
Hotel check is not until 3pm and any early check in is subject to availability and the hotel’s discretion and cannot be guaranteed unless you have booked the night prior. For arrivals prior to 3pm, if the hotel is unable to offer an early check-in, they will store your luggage until check-in time. The rest of the day is at your leisure until meeting early evening with your tour director for a trip briefing. There is the option afterwards to join your tour director and other group members for a drink (at your own expense).
Meals: n/a
* An arrival airport to hotel transfer is included for passengers who have booked the group nominated flight with Encounter Travel, as part of their package. Otherwise, a service fee applies for the transfer. If arriving prior to hotel check in, the hotel will store your luggage until check in time.
DAY 2
Vancouver – Kamloops
Very early this morning the group is transferred to the nearby rail station of Rocky Mountaineer to commence the two day journey in Silver Leaf Class for the journey to Jasper, with an overnight stay in Kamloops. Hot gourmet breakfasts and lunches served at your spacious seat means you won't have to miss a moment of the splendour of the scenery. Nor will you miss a moment of the latest captivating yarn or historical tidbit from your onboard Rocky Mountaineer host.
Silver Leaf Class Inclusions:
- A refreshing welcome aboard toast
- A single-level dome coach with panoramic views through oversized windows
- Regionally inspired meals created by the team of award-winning chefs
- Gourmet meals plated to your preference and served at your seat
- Complimentary beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and gourmet snacks
- Complimentary baggage delivery to your hotel
The train passes through the rich fields of the Fraser River Valley and the towering peaks of the Coastal Mountains before entering the Fraser Canyon. It follows the Thompson River through spectacular landscapes to historic Kamloops, the gateway to the interior of British Colombia. Upon arrival, Rocky Mountaineer passengers disembark the train and are transferred by the train’s shared service, to the Silver Leaf hotel in Kamloops.
The train arrives into Kamloops between 6-7:30pm. As part of the two day journey Rocky Mountaineer elect the hotel. The hotel is not announced until just prior to departure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 3
Kamloops - Jasper
This morning, transfer from your overnight hotel to re-board the Rocky Mountaineer train, for the continuing journey enjoying Silver Leaf Class through to Jasper. The transfer from the hotel back to the rail station is part of a shared service provided by Rocky Mountaineer. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board. The route follows the Thompson River through rolling plateaus to the snowy peaks of the Monashee Mountains. View Pyramid Falls and the expansive glaciers of the Albreda Icefields and keep the eyes open for grizzly, moose, beaver and osprey! Pass by Mount Robson, at 3954 metres the highest peak of the Canadian Rockies. Crossing into the province of Alberta, we arrive late afternoon in the peaceful alpine town of Jasper. There’s a short coach transfer to our group hotel, where we stay for the next two nights. The evening is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4
Jasper
Full breakfast at the hotel. The morning is at leisure with time to explore the small town of Jasper
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT
Later in the morning our group embarks on a gentle two and a half hour rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park. In the afternoon the group is picked up for a half day wildlife tour to Maligne Canyon. There’s a walk alongside the stunning gorge before Maligne Lake is reached.
The late afternoon or early evening is the best time to see wildlife and learn more about Jasper’s original inhabitants of bear, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, coyotes, wolves, moose and many other small and big mountain creatures. Dinner tonight is at the hotel restaurant with your fellow travellers.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5
Jasper – Lake Louise
Full breakfast at the hotel.
We travel by coach today on one of the most scenic highways in North America; the Icefield Parkway. En route stops will be made at Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls before arriving at Columbia Icefield. It covers an area of nearly 325 square kilometres and reaches a depth of 320 metres. Enjoy Ice Explorer Glacier Tour, the ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.
Along the way to Lake Louise stops will be made to take pictures or view wildlife. This highway is renowned for sightings of bear, elk, moose & mountain goats. The last stops will be at Bow and Peyto Lakes before arriving to our hotel at Lake Louise, where we enjoy a relaxing two night stay. Dinner tonight is at the hotel restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6
Lake Louise
Full breakfast at the hotel.
Leaving Banff National Park behind, today’s tour leads into Yoho National Park. Yoho, named for a Cree word expressing awe, is a park of rock walls, waterfalls and glacial lakes, snow-topped mountain peaks, roaring rivers and silent forests. It's a park whose history is bound up with a railroad; spiral tunnels inside mountains and stories of runaway trains. Stops will be made at the natural rock bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River and Emerald Lake. See spiral tunnels, hear about the Continental Divide and walk to Takakkaw Falls, with a free fall of 254 metres, the third highest waterfall in Canada. The group returns to the hotel in the afternoon.
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT
Enjoy a very special treat today: The Traditional Tea Ceremony. It includes tea, sandwiches and scones as well as fruit and chocolate in a serene and quiet setting. Enjoy the afternoon in this superb setting with the famous lake and Victoria Glacier backdrop.
Meals: Breakfast, Tea
DAY 7
Lake Louise – Banff
Full breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning travel into the Valley of Ten Peaks to see the turquoise shimmering Moraine Lake. Continue on scenic byway #1A to Banff, followed by a private sightseeing tour of the town of Banff and its surrounds. You can expect to see, amongst others, the Hoodoos, Surprise Corner, Bow Falls, Banff Springs Hotel, Sulphur Mountain, Lake Minnewanka and Tunnel Mountain Drive.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
Banff
Full breakfast at the hotel.
There’s a wonderful day ahead to revel in the glory of this beautiful setting. The day is at leisure for activities on your own, such as exploring the Banff township. In the evening, the group enjoys a relaxing dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9
Banff - Kelowna
Full breakfast at the hotel.
The journey continues back to the West through Glacier National Park with Rogers Pass before Revelstoke is reached. The next stop will take you back in time when you visit 3 Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town for a guided tour. It was once a colourful town of the pioneer days of the late 1800’s gold rush, but then abandoned after the demise of the gold rush. These day it’s been restored, including twenty five rescued and restored historic buildings, an Antique Auto Museum featuring automobiles dating from 1902, and Railway Roundhouse.
After, we continue onto Kelowna. Now the landscape changes to farming meadows, bypassing Salmon Arm on Shuswap Lake, the tour turns south to Lake Okanagan with our end destination, Kelowna for our next two nights.
Tonight is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10
Kelowna - Vancouver
Full breakfast at the hotel.
We depart after breakfast back to Vancouver, crossing over to the scenic Coquihalla Highway and driving through the fertile Fraser Valley. Vancouver will be reached after about five and a half hours driving time plus some breaks along the way. Once in Vancouver, the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy some shopping or other places of interest in Vancouver. The evening is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11
Vancouver
Full breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast we enjoy a private city tour of Vancouver showing sites such as English Bay, Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Canada Place, Chinatown, Gastown, Marine Building, Public Library, Provincial Law Court, Granville Island, Stanley Park with totem poles, Prospect Point and Lions Gate Bridge. Crossing the bridge, North Vancouver is only minutes away and the base of Grouse Mountain is reached.
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT:
We ‘Skyride’ up the mountain with a breathtaking view of Vancouver and Howe Sound (weather permitting). Skyride is North America's largest aerial tramway and the gateway to the majestic nature of The Peak of Vancouver, and an experience in itself. There will be time to take lunch at your leisure. You can enjoy Theatre in the Sky, the Lumberjack Show, Birds in Motion and the refuge for grizzlies and grey wolves. The evening is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12
Departure Vancouver – Join Cruise
Full breakfast at the hotel.
The morning is at leisure for shopping or activities on own. Around the middle of the day we have a private group transfer to Vancouver’s cruise ship terminal for embarkation on our magnificent seven night cruise onboard the Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas. At this point you bid farewell to your tour escort and driver (the cruise does not include a group host).
You will have the afternoon onboard at your leisure with time for lunch before the group joins together for dinner in the main dining room. While cruising on board Radiance of the Seas, group dining is available each evening in the ship’s main a la carte dining room.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (ship), Dinner (ship)
DAY 13
Inside Passage (CRUISING)
Cruising through the Inside Passage is really what has made Alaska cruising so popular. This trip captures so much of what people love about Alaska. There are glaciers the size of Luxembourg. Misty rain forests and ghostly blue fjords. And spirited communities that celebrate their varied heritage. Make sure to take in every view as you sail through one of the most beautiful parts of Alaska.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14
Ketchikan, ALASKA Docked 6am to 4pm
Ketchikan originated as an Indian fish saltery, but the town's major growth began when it became a supply base and entry port for miners during the 1898 Gold Rush to the Klondike. Much of the town's colourful past is still in evidence, especially in the nearby Indian villages, where you'll see colourful carved totem poles and hear the fascinating legends that surround them.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 15
Icy Strait Point, ALASKA Tendered 9am to 6pm
** shore excursion included today with your package **
Icy Strait Point is located near the city of Hoonah, the largest native Tlingit Indian settlement in Alaska, and very near Glacier Bay National Park. Home to a historic cannery, the port's connection to the sea is strong. Locals share the sea with humpback whales, orcas, Dall porpoises, seals, sea otters, halibut and all five species of Pacific salmon. It is not uncommon to spot a humpback or an orca while walking along the beach.
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT: WHALE WATCHING GROUP EXCURSION Icy Strait Whale Adventures
This is special! We have hand selected a local, small group whale watching operator and included this excursion with your package.
This morning, our group joins Icy Strait Whale Adventures. It is a natively owned and locally run whale watch operator from the town of Hoonah. Icy Strait Whale Adventures offers an intimate whale watching experience. The group sizes are small (compared to the ships that only offer big groups). You will enjoy the experience on a spacious vessel where you are guaranteed to not feel cramped.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 16
Juneau, ALASKA Docked 7am to 9:30pm
Juneau, the capital of Alaska, was founded during a gold rush in 1880. Today, the former gold-mining town, counts among its riches some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery. Nestled at the foot of Mt Juneau in the Alaska Panhandle, it faces the water from the mainland side of Gastineau Channel. Several magnificent fjords are located along the channel coast and the majestic Mendenhall Glacier, a favourite of visitors, is nearby.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 17
Skagway, ALASKA Docked 7am to 5pm
When gold was discovered in the Klondike region of the Yukon Territory (just across the border from Alaska), it resulted in the historic Gold Rush of 1898. As thousands of gold-crazed adventurers sought the best starting point for their arduous trek, they found the deepest penetration possible by boat was at the northern tip of the Lynn Canal. This is how Skagway was born.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 18
Hubbard Glacier 9am to 11am Cruising Day
The longest river of ice in North America, the Hubbard Glacier is also one of the most active glaciers of its kind in Alaska. Also, since our ships are designed to provide our guests with the best viewing possible, you'll be able to see this massive natural wonder, with its 1,350 square miles of blue ice, from just about anywhere on the ship.
TIP: It’s cold outside on deck today. Most passengers like to be on deck to view the glacier. Have a warm coat/jacket and gloves and warm hat is recommended.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 19
Arrive Seward, Alaska 5AM. Transfer to Anchorage
Your cruise ship docks in the port of Seward early morning. A group transfer is provided to Anchorage where you will enjoy the evening at your leisure to make your own explorations.
After disembarking the cruise ship after breakfast, retrieve your luggage and meet your driver-guide, and then travel to Anchorage. Leaving Seward behind, the first stop will be made at Exit Glacier. An 8 mile drive off the main road reveals a spectacular vantage point, and a short, easy walk provides a close-up and personal view of a magnificent glacier. Then continue your journey, and en route visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre, located on 140 acres at the southern edge of Turnagain Arm which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife, as well as wildlife education and awareness. Here, you can safely get close, observe, and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals, including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bear, musk ox, small mammals and birds of prey.
There will be a stop in the charming Ski town of Girdwood for a lunch break. Enjoy the scenic drive up the Turnagain Arm, your driver-guide will point out possible wildlife like sheep, mountain goats, Beluga whales, and eagles along the way. You’ll make a photo stop at the famous Beluga Point for some beautiful views and a great backdrop for stunning photography! Arriving to our final destination, take in the views of Anchorage from the port as your driver-guide explains the history behind the port of Anchorage and the area at Ship Creek. Next you’ll travel past Bootleggers Cove, stopping for a visit to Earthquake Park. You’ll visit Lake Hood, the busiest seaplane base in the world - watch some of Alaska’s finest bush pilots splash-land and then take to the sky outbound for nearby wilderness areas. Check into our hotel for the rest of the day and evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 20
Anchorage
Today check out time from the hotel is by 11am. A group transfer to the airport to connect with your onward flight is provided for all group members departing on the group flight, booked with us as part of your package.
Meals: Breakfast
Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. IF there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
