Essence of the Rockies & Alaska Cruise
COMBINE RAIL AND CRUISE
The Canadian Rockies are home to some of the world’s most beautiful mountain scenery including the Banff National Park, Lake Louise and the Athabasca Glacier, set aside the incredible Icefields Parkway. There’s no better way to cross them than on one of the world’s best rail journeys – the Rocky Mountaineer. As you wind your way through British Columbia, you’ll be spoiled by panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, rushing rivers and you may even spot the odd bear or two. After you’ve enjoyed the journey of a lifetime, board your cruise ship to set sail on Alaska’s icy waters. Discover Alaska’s capital city, Juneau, where the surrounding waters are filled with marine life like humpback whales and sea lions, and visit Skagway, famed for its role in the Klondike Gold Rush. There’s all this and so much more to discover on this action-packed tour.
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Your Itinerary
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Day 1
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Day 2-5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12
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Day 13
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Day 14
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Day 15
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Day 16-17
Day 1 : UK - Banff
Fly from the UK to Calgary and take an included transfer to the mountain resort of Banff, where you’ll stay for five nights.
Day 2-5 : Banff Sightseeing
Banff is an all year-round resort town set at the side of the Bow River and surrounded by the magnificent splendour of the Rocky Mountains. Visit the museums and galleries, Cave and Basin National Historic Site or stroll along Banff Avenue to enjoy the shopping, the restaurants and bars.
To make sure you see the best the Rockies have to offer, we include three sightseeing tours:
Explore Banff
Learn about the culture, geology and wildlife while exploring the spectacular sights of the renowned mountain town of Banff. This sightseeing tour will take you to some of the most incredible sights and sounds that western Canada has to offer. Head up the Banff Gondola to the peak of Sulphur Mountain for a 360 degree panorama of the Bow Valley. Complete the day with a historical tour of Lake Minnewanka on the Lake Minnewanka Cruise.
Discover Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
On this afternoon sightseeing tour you will visit the “Jewel of the Canadian Rockies,” Lake Louise and the world renowned Moraine Lake – both are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the mountaineering history and how a tragic accident at Lake Louise shaped Canadian mountain culture
Columbia Icefields Discovery Tour
Experience the power of glaciers up-close on the most unique attraction in the Rockies, the Glacier Adventure. Travel on a massive Ice Explorer onto the glacier and step out onto ice deep enough to bury the Eiffel Tower. Stand in the sky at the Glacier Skywalk, a curved glass walkway stretches 30 metres from the sheer face of a cliff hanging mid-air. A buffet lunch is included. Skywalk is weather dependent.
Day 6 : Rocky Mountaineer Banff to Kamloops
All aboard the Rocky Mountaineer this morning for your journey through the Rockies from Banff to Kamloops in SilverLeaf service. Breakfast and lunch are included on board, overnight in Kamloops.
Day 7 : Kamloops to Vancouver
Leaving Kamloops follow the Thompson River, passing through Rainbow Canyon and Fraser Canyon. The last leg of the journey takes you through the Fraser Valley to arrive in the Pacific port of
Vancouver late afternoon. On arrival a transfer will take you to your hotel for a two night stay.
Day 8 : Vancouver
A free day to explore Vancouver, voted Canada’s most liveable city. It’s a young, friendly city with countless natural charms in close proximity. Shop on chic Robson Street or explore the funky Granville Island with its market and artist’s enclave. Discover the surrounding peaks of the Coastal Mountains or go whale watching on the Pacific Ocean.
Day 9 : Holland America Line
Enjoy a morning at leisure, before transferring to the Vancouver cruise terminal to check in for your cruise. Your Holland America cruise ship sets sail at 5pm this evening.
Day 10 : Inside Passage
A day at sea as you cruise the British Columbia coast towards the Alaska Panhandle. Glide past rocky headlands, through the frigid waters of the Inside Passage close to steep mountain walls in one of the world’s most picturesque sea-lanes.
Day 11 : Juneau
Your ship will dock in Juneau today, Alaska’s capital city born of the gold rush of 1880; today it is the scenery that is the town’s fortune with wild mountains, fjords and glaciers. Wildlife is abundant – you may spot humpback and killer whales, sea lions, porpoise, eagles and deer and the majestic Mendenhall Glacier is close by.
Day 12 : Skagway
At the height of the Klondike Gold Rush Skagway was a raucous frontier hub packed with trading posts, saloons and guesthouses. As the gold rush faded into the 1900s, so did Skagway—but today it has been reinvigorated as a gateway for a new kind of visitor: those looking to explore Alaska’s colourful history, pristine wildlife and unrivalled natural beauty.
Day 13 : Glacier Bay
Wake to the breath-taking sight of Glacier Bay National Park with its formidable rivers of ice. A local ranger will join you on board to explain the geological wonders and point out some of the diverse wildlife as you cruise through this stunning region. Listen for the sound of a glacier “calving” – once you hear it you’ll never forget it.
Day 14 : Ketchikan
Arrive in Ketchikan today, a lovely town that is set right on the shores of the Tongass Narrows, with many colourful shops and houses built right over the water. After breakfast, disembark and set off to discover this charming town.
Day 15 : Inside Passage
Spend today cruising south through the majestic landscape of the Inside Passage. Take the time to relax on-board as you glide past the icy fjords, watching for the abundant native wildlife.
Day 16-17 : Arrive Vancouver - UK
Arrive in Vancouver this morning and after disembarking make your way to the airport for your return flights to the UK.
