HIGHLIGHTS - CANADA
- A sightseeing tour of Vancouver
- The ‘Skyride’ gondola ride up Grouse Mountain, Vancouver
- The 2 day Rocky Mountaineer train Silver Leaf experience from Vancouver to Banff, Canad
- Alberta Rocky Mountain highlights; Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper
- Visit Yoho National Park and walk to Takakkaw Falls the third highest waterfall in Canada.
- A Traditional High Tea at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
- 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.
- 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
- Visit the historic Hat Creek Ranch, Cache Creek
- A day for self-discoveries at Whistler
HIGHLIGHTS - ALASKA CRUISE
- A 7 night deluxe ship experience on board Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas from Vancouver to Alaska
- Cruise the Inside Passage
- Tracy Arm Fjords & Glacier cruising
- Alaskan townships of Sitka, Juneau, Haines, and Ketchikan
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
Vancouver Arrival
Welcome to Vancouver, Canada. Early evening, meet up with your tour director and other group members for a trip briefing. After, there is the option to join your tour director and other group members for a drink*
Meals: N/A
* drinks on own account
DAY 2
Vancouver
This morning we enjoy a 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. 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 3
Vancouver - Join Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops
Early this morning the group is transferred to the nearby rail station of Rocky Mountaineer to commence the two day journey for the journey to Banff, with an overnight stay in Kamloops. Hot gourmet breakfasts and lunches served at your spacious seat (in Silver Leaf Class) which 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 to 7:30pm.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SPECIAL NOTES:
As part of the two day journey Rocky Mountaineer elect the hotel. The hotel is not announced until just prior to departure.
DAY 4
Rejoin Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops - Banff
This morning, transfer from your overnight hotel to re-board the Rocky Mountaineer train, for the continuing journey enjoying SilverLeaf class through to Banff. 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.
Continue to take in a spectacular array of scenery as you travel across ranch lands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Canadian Rockies. Today’s highlights include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, the Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and, of course, the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Crossing into the province of Alberta, we arrive late afternoon in the peaceful resort town of Banff. 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 5
Banff
In the morning enjoy 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. In the afternoon you will have free time to explore the town on your own or for optional activities. In the evening, the group enjoys a relaxing dinner at the hotel, or a restaurant within walking distance.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6
Banff - Lake Louise
Leaving Banff National Park behind for Lake Louise, 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.
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT
Enjoy a very special treat today: The Traditional Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Resort Lake Louise. 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, Afternoon Tea
DAY 7
Lake Louise to Jasper
Today we travel by coach on one of the most scenic highways in North America; the Icefield Parkway. En route stops will be made at Bow and Peyto Lakes 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 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 Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls before arriving to our hotel in Jasper, where we enjoy a relaxing two night stay.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
Jasper
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 with your fellow travellers at the hotel or a restaurant within walking distance.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9
Jasper - Sun Peaks
Today we cross the Yellowhead Pass heading west passing Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Drive via Valemount at the end of the 1300 km journey for salmon migrating up the Fraser River. Continue south west to Clearwater and the beautiful Wells Gray Park, a vast wilderness area and a paradise for nature lovers. Wells Gray Park offers numerous trails and view points to explore including Helmcken Falls, Dawson Falls and Spahat Falls which are just a few of the many natural wonders of the park. We continue our journey south to Sun Peaks Resort for our overnight stay and dinner together tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10
Sun Peaks to Whistler
Drive south from Sun Peaks, and follow along the shore of Kamloops Lake to reach Cache Creek, where you visit the Historic Hat Creek Ranch. The ranch offers you a rare opportunity to explore the original buildings used by the Gold Rush travellers of the 1860’s. Stroll along the actual dirt road the wagon trains travelled along, and visit the historic roadhouse, where interpreters dressed in period clothing will take you on a guided tour. From Lillooet, a small town who was Mile “0” of the Gold Rush Trail in the 1860’s we travel via the Duffey Lake road, which winds through pristine wilderness. Our destination is Whistler, one of the top four-season resorts in North America, blending the charm of an alpine village with the amenities of an urban centre.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11
Whistler
A day to explore the four season resort of Whistler. There are so many optional activities to choose from including a visit to Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, a sightseeing gondola up Whistler/Blackcomb including Peak2Peak, and more! For those that want to relax there are many nature trails or just relax on a patio and enjoy!
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12
Whistler to Vancouver. Join the Cruise.
This morning we depart Whistler for Vancouver travelling on the Sea to Sky Highway along beautiful Howe Sound. We pass through the communities of Squamish and Britannia Beach. Highlights along the way include Shannon Falls and the Stawamanus Chief, the second largest standing piece of granite in the world and popular rock climbing area.
Arriving to Vancouver we reach the Vancouver Cruise Terminal by early afternoon. Touring comes to an end, as you farewell your tour director and embark on your 7 night Alaskan Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast
CRUISE ITINERARY
DAY 1 (Day 12) VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
DAY 2 (Day 13) INSIDE PASSAGE (CRUISING)
DAY 3 (Day 14) SITKA, ALASKA
DAY 4 (Day 15) TRACY ARM FJORDS & GLACIER, & JUNEAU, ALASKA
DAY 5 (Day 16) HAINES, ALASKA
DAY 6 (Day 17) KETCHIKAN, ALASKA
DAY 7 (Day 18) INSIDE PASSAGE (CRUISING)
DAY 8 (Day 19) VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
Day 19
Disembark Cruise. Vancouver.
Your Alaskan cruise returns to the Port, Vancouver by 7AM. Guests disembark in the morning for their next destination or onward journey. There is the option to join our group transfer from the cruise ship terminal to our nominated Vancouver city hotel.
Meals: Breakfast (Cruise ship)
