Your Itinerary
Day 1 - ARRIVE IN VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Welcome to Vancouver!
At 6pm, meet your travel companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
British Columbia Treasures
Tour Vancouver, including the waterfront, Chinatown, and Stanley Park with its old-growth evergreen forests and totem poles. The afternoon is free to explore the many attractions at your leisure before dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS Created in 1888, Stanley Park is considered the 'crown jewel' of Vancouver. The oldest park in the city of Vancouver, the dramatically beautiful and panoramic setting of Stanley Park spans more than 1000+ acres right next to downtown. Native culture is preserved with a striking collection of First Nations Totem Poles, carved from western red cedar and each carving tells of a real or mythical event illustrating significant meanings - the eagle representing the kingdom of air; the whale as the lord of the sea; and the wolf as the genius of the land - to name a few.
Day 3 - VANCOUVER-ROCKY MOUNTAINEER-KAMLOOPS
Riding the Rails
Board the Rocky Mountaineer train to follow the Fraser Canyon and Thompson River through beautiful landscapes from Vancouver to historic Kamloops. Tonight, enjoy free time in Kamloops. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
TRAIN SPOTLIGHT Travel in style aboard the legendary Rocky Mountaineer train service from Vancouver to Kamloops. Ride in style with exceptional service as you take in the panoramic views through your custom-designed glass-dome coach. Snap perfect shots of spectacular landscapes from the comfort of your seat or step out on the outdoor viewing area for a wide-open view. Enjoy Rocky Mountaineer's GoldLeaf service with everything you need and more to experience the majesty of the Rocky Mountains in luxury: panoramic views, delicious meals and beverages brought right to your seat, friendly hosts and miles and miles of memories.
Day 4 - KAMLOOPS-ROCKY MOUNTAINEER-BANFF, ALBERTA
The Continental Divide
Back aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, journey from Kamloops eastward to scenic Shuswap Lake. Follow the Kicking Horse River and pass over the Continental Divide into Banff National Park. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Spend two nights at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, internationally recognised as the "Castle in the Rockies," and a symbol of Canadian hospitality. Opened by Canadian Pacific Railway in 1888, this majestic chateau-style hotel is in the heart of Banff National Park.
Breathtaking Banff
Breathe in the fresh mountain air! This morning, tour the highlights of Banff: Bow Falls, Tunnel Mountain, and Surprise Corner. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy all that Banff has to offer. You may wish to ride on the Banff Gondola, visit the shops on Main Street, or perhaps take an optional helicopter flightseeing trip for impressive views of the Rocky Mountains and Banff. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Get ready for a spectacular adventure to explore the beauty of Rocky Mountain peaks and turquoise glacial lakes in Banff National Park - Canada's first national park. Banff is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. This awe-inspiring natural wonder, where soaring peaks and sapphire lakes meet the heavens for a breathtaking experience like no other on Earth!
Day 6 - BANFF-LAKE LOUISE
Rocky Mountain Majesty
En route to Lake Louise, a side trip showcases one of the crown jewels of the Rockies-Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks (weather permitting). Here, 10 mountain peaks soar above 10,000 feet and surround the tranquil waters of the lake. Take delight in the enchanting Lake Louise with a [LF] guided heritage walk along the lake. Enjoy an overnight and dinner at the exclusive Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVOURITE
NATURAL WONDERS Today, you'll also enjoy a guided walk along Lake Louise to hear about the area's first settlers, some unique characters, and the history of this incredible setting. The lakeshore trail offers memorable views of Fairview Mountain and the Victoria Glacier, which feeds the brilliant turquoise waters of Lake Louise.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Stay overnight at the spectacular Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Built as a log cabin in 1890, the historic chateau has become world famous, hosting celebrities and royalty, including Queen Elizabeth II, Alfred Hitchcock, and Marilyn Monroe. Take a leisurely stroll along the pristine lake, pamper yourself in the spa, or relax with afternoon tea.
Day 7 - LAKE LOUISE-COLUMBIA ICEFIELD-JASPER
On the Ice
Travel on awe-inspiring Icefields Parkway past towering peaks and immense hanging glaciers to Jasper National Park. Take an exciting ride on an all-terrain Ice Explorer to the Athabasca Glacier and thundering Athabasca Falls. Consider an optional guided raft excursion on the Athabasca River to admire the scenery of the Jasper National Park and the Canadian Rockies from the water. Your overnight destination is the charming village of Jasper in Jasper National Park. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Spend the night at the beautiful Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Originally built by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and called "Tent City," it is now a 4-star resort nestled between majestic mountains and enchanting lakes. Take a nature hike, play a game of croquet, enjoy a canoe trip on the lake, or just bask in the beauty of this tranquil setting.
Day 8 - JASPER-SUN PEAKS, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Legendary Pathways
Departing Jasper, watch the scenery unfold while travelling the Yellowhead Highway to the year-round alpine resort of Sun Peaks in British Columbia. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS Travel on the legendary Yellowhead Highway along the Fraser and Thompson Rivers - the same route followed by the early fur brigades of the Hudson's Bay Company as they paddled fully laden canoes to the Pacific Coast. Pass regal Mount Robson; at 12,972 feet, it is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies on this inspiring and mesmerising road.
Day 9 - SUN PEAKS-WHISTLER
Rugged Beauty
A spectacular day lies ahead! This morning, travel past some of the most beautiful and rugged lakes and mountains in British Columbia. This afternoon, we arrive in Whistler-one of Canada's newest and most exciting mountain resorts, and host of the 2010 Winter Olympics- and settle into the deluxe Fairmont Chateau Whistler. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT The luxurious Fairmont Chateau Whistler resort is located at the base of Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains, where you'll enjoy the spectacular mountain setting and stunning architecture that blends with the natural alpine views. Relax in the spa, by the pool, on a gondola ride, or with a stroll through the Olympic village. Your Tour Director and GlobusGO mobile app have plenty of expert tips, maps, and more.
Day 10 - WHISTLER-VICTORIA
Ancient Traditions
Visit the [LF] Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, dedicated to the history and culture of First Nations, for a private presentation and breakfast. Afterward, Victoria awaits! Board a BC Ferry for a picturesque cruise to Vancouver Island and the charming, very British "Garden City" of Victoria. This afternoon, discover the beauty and rich history of British Columbia's capital on a city highlights tour. Later, you may want to stroll around the Parliament buildings or do some shopping. Enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many restaurants in this delightful harbour city. (B)
LOCAL FAVOURITE
CULTURAL GEMS Visit the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre before opening hours where you will be greeted with a First Nations welcome followed by breakfast. The First Nations Museum and Art Gallery bring the history, traditions and beautiful culture to life, and the Cultural Ambassadors on-site share stories, music, and handicrafts in the spectacular setting.
City of Gardens
Free time this morning before an afternoon visit to world-famous [LF] Butchart Gardens. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVOURITE
PICTURE PERFECT Butchart Gardens, named for the woman who founded this botanical oasis of blooming shades and horticultural design. A National Historic site recognised for its legacy and lush treasure - millions of flowering beds and over 900 varieties of plants in exquisitely landscaped gardens bring fairytales to life. Enjoy the gardens and a special farewell dinner in the original, now restored, greenhouse.
Day 12 - VICTORIA-VANCOUVER (EMBARKATION)
Ready to Cruise!
Travel on a scenic BC Ferry crossing through the Gulf Islands to Vancouver where you will begin your 7-Night Alaska's Inside Passage cruise. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS You're in for one wild and wonderful week on a roundtrip cruise on the incredible. Inside Passage through the spectacular ports of Alaska. Cruise from Vancouver to discover spellbinding scenery from narrow fjords to scattered islets and towering peaks. Get close to massive glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park and wait breathlessly for ice to calve off and plunge into the ocean. Inside Passage waters are as smooth as it gets, while on shore you'll find endless thrills and chills.
Day 13 - CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE, ALASKA
Glacial Fjords & Grand Forests
Alaska's Inside Passage is a protected network of waterways that wind through glacier-cut fjords and lush temperate rain forests along the rugged coast of Southeast Alaska. Arguably one of the greatest cruising routes in the world, the Inside Passage stretches through stunning landscapes, from Misty Fjords National Monument to famed Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
WILD BY NATURE Sailing the Inside Passage offers opportunities to spot some of Alaska's most iconic wildlife, with humpback whales and orcas plying the bountiful waters alongside the ships, bald eagles soaring overhead and brown bears lumbering on the shoreline.
Day 14 - CRUISING: TRACY ARM-JUNEAU, ALASKA
Coastal Cliffs & The Catch of the Day
Steep cliffs and glacier-covered mountains flank the Tracy Arm fjord, fringed by the largest intact coastal temperate rain forest in the United States. Old-growth trees colonised Tracy Arm's mouth long ago as the Ice Age retreated. Continue cruising to Juneau, Alaska and visit the most remote, most beautiful, and strangest state capital in the United States. Surrounded by water, forest and mountain sights, visitors seeking things to do in Juneau indoors and outdoors can hike a glacier, eat fresh-caught fish on a seaside patio and tour a grand capitol building all in one day. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
UNTAMED WILDERNESS Even more glorious than nearby Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm is part of the 5.7 million acres (or around 23,000 square kilometres) of pure wilderness sheltered by the Tongass National Forest (America's biggest). Visitors often see bears, whales and mountain goats roaming across various corners of this pristine area-not to mention chubby baby seals resting on the ice floes. Summer temperatures average 35 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 16 degrees Celsius), so pack warm clothing. Pack your waterproof gear in preparation for the more than 1.5 meters of rainfall each year!
The Rush for Gold
At the height of the Klondike Gold Rush, the port town of Skagway served as the primary gateway to the legendary gold fields, and quickly grew into Alaska's largest settlement. It was then 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 unrivaled natural beauty. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE At every turn, you'll find yourself immersed in gold rush lore in the town of Skagway, from the infamous Red Onion Saloon that still keeps a pistol Wyatt Earp left behind on his way to the Klondike, to the narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, traversing rugged mountains, waterfalls, and towering glaciers on its course to Whitehorse deep in the Yukon.
Day 16 - CRUISING: GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK
Making a Splash
On your cruise to Glacier Bay (A UNESCO World Heritage Site), close your eyes and take in the sounds-the creaks and groans of "living" ice, the shrill cries of gulls and soaring eagles, the splash of a breaching humpback whale. Be awed by frosted peaks towering over mossy forests, wide tidewater glaciers (there are seven in the park), and typical sightings of marine wildlife are just a few thrilling experiences while cruising on Glacier Bay. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
WILD DISCOVERIES Cruise to Glacier Bay where the sounds of creaking groans of living ice in constant flux, the shrill calls of gulls and soaring eagles, and the splash of breaching humpback whales are likely to greet you. Frosted peaks towering over mossy forests, wide tidewater glaciers (there are seven in the park), and marine wildlife are main attractions, but every discovery in this dynamic biosphere is unique. With the serene majesty of snow-flecked and forested mountains defining its shores, Glacier Bay National Park offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Keep your binoculars and camera ready as you cruise Glacier Bay to the mile-wide Margerie Glacier for the chance to witness ice calving. Wildlife abounds in Glacier Bay, so stay ready-the fluke of a humpback could rise out of the water, or you may spot a lone brown bear patrolling a windswept beach at any time!
Alaska's First City
Your adventure continues with a visit to Ketchikan, Alaska, where the town clings to the banks of the Tongass Narrows, flanked by green forests nurtured by abundant rain and picturesque fjords to welcome you to the Inside Passage. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & TRADITION Ketchikan has long been an important hub of the salmon-fishing and packing industries. Visitors can savour the fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants on a Ketchikan cruise excursion. Ketchikan is also one of the best spots along the Inside Passage to explore the rich cultural sights of Native Alaskan nations like the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. You can see intricately carved totem poles at the Totem Heritage centre and Totem Bight State Park, while the attractions of Saxman Village just outside of Ketchikan offer the chance to see Tlingit culture in action, with working carvers and a dance show in the clan house.
Day 18 - CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE
Where the Wild Things Are
Scenic cruising through the Inside Passage offers outstanding opportunities to spot some of Alaska's most iconic wildlife. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ALASKAN ADVENTURE Sailing the Inside Passage offers opportunities to spot some of Alaska's most iconic wildlife, with humpback whales and orcas plying the bountiful waters alongside the ships, bald eagles soaring overhead and brown bears lumbering on the shoreline. One of the greatest cruising routes in the world, the Inside Passage stretches through stunning landscapes, from Misty Fjords National Monument to famed Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve.
Day 19 - VANCOUVER, BC (DISEMBARKATION)
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. Schedule flights departing from Vancouver International Airport after Noon. (B)
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