Day 1
Fly to Calgary
Arrive in Calgary and make your independent transfer to your chosen Calgary hotel before spending the rest of the day exploring the ‘Cowboy City’ and the many attractions it has to offer.
Overnight hotel: Sandman Hotel Calgary or upgrade to the Fairmont Palliser
Day 2
Calgary to Banff
This morning offers you another sightseeing opportunity in Calgary, perhaps with a trip to the top of Calgary Tower for amazing 360-degree views of the city and Rocky Mountains. In the afternoon, catch the included scheduled coach transfer from Calgary to your hotel in Banff – your base for the night.
Overnight hotel: Banff Aspen Lodge or upgrade to the Fairmont Banff Springs
Day 3 & 4
Banff
Spend the next two days in Banff, exploring at your own pace and seeing what this bustling resort town has to offer – if you’d prefer, you can book excursions to really make the most of your time here.
Optional Excursions from Banff:
The Icefields Parkway Tour from Banff (11 hours) – Leaving from your hotel, prepare for the unforgettable experience of the Columbia Icefield. This impressive area covers an expanse of 325sq km and reaches depths of up to 320m. It’s one of the largest ice masses south of the Arctic Circle. Your scenic route will be enhanced by venturing onto the Athabasca Glacier, a substantial part of the ice blanket, in a special ice explorer. You’ll also be able to enjoy an included alpine picnic lunch – Ice Explorer ride is included (see prices at the bottom of the price panel)
Explore Banff, including gondola (6.5 hours) – Depart from your hotel and take a guided bus tour through the mountains of Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade and Norquay, learning along the way about the natural attractions of the wind-shaped hoodoos, and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Be sure to be aware of the Surprise Corner along the Tunnel Mountain Drive! There will also be a tranquil ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in a four-person, fully-enclosed gondola, taking around 8 minutes and offering spectacular views of Bow Valley (See prices at the bottom of the price panel)
Overnight hotel: Banff Aspen Lodge or upgrade to the Fairmont Banff Springs
Day 5
Rocky Mountaineer: Banff to Kamloops
Check out of your hotel this morning and catch a taxi to the train station, where you’ll board the Rocky Mountaineer train and experience an unforgettable rail excursion from Banff to Kamloops. View some of the most amazing sights in Western Canada from the comfort of this renowned service as it travels through Kicking Horse Pass. You’ll arrive at the arid ranchland of British Columbia in the late afternoon, where you’ll disembark for the night. The evening is at leisure once you’ve arrived in Kamloops.
Overnight in Kamloops with breakfast and lunch included.
Day 6
Rocky Mountaineer: Kamloops to Vancouver
Set out today on the last stretch of your rail experience, as the Rocky Mountaineer takes you through ‘cowboy country’ ranchlands and past the Fraser and Thompson Rivers. Finding yourself in true pioneer territory, you can list en-route to the history and legends of the West as you enjoy the comforts of your luxury train. The final stretch of this journey takes you through farmlands and past historic towns as you make your way to Vancouver. Once you arrive in Vancouver, catch a taxi to your hotel for the next two nights.
(Breakfast and lunch included)
Overnight hotel: Century Plaza Hotel & Spa or upgrade to either the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver or Fairmont Waterfront
Day 7
Vancouver
Spend the day experiencing the delights of this city with a day at leisure. A hop on/hop off bus tour is a great way to see the highlights in a day.
Overnight hotel: Century Plaza Hotel & Spa or upgrade to either the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver or Fairmont Waterfront
Day 8
Embarkation
The morning is yours to spend at leisure, then early this afternoon catch a taxi to the Vancouver cruise terminal where you can board your ship for the cruise portion of your tour.
Overnight on Holland America’s Konningsdam (Dinner included)
Day 9
Inside Passage
Spend today sailing through the dramatic scenery of the renowned Inside Passage.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Day 10
Port of Call Juneau, Alaska
The capital of Alaska, Juneau, has much to offer in the way of activities, attractions and breath-taking scenery found right at its backdoor, including the mighty Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefields. Go whale-watching, hiking or rafting, or explore the Tongass National Forest and visit the shops in town. Due to the long daylight hours, there’s plenty of time for your perfect Juneau adventure.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Day 11
Port of Call Skagway, Alaska
Today will be spent in Skagway, a borough on the Alaska panhandle and a popular stop for cruise tours. There’s a rich history to this location which is fun to explore during your time here, from the stores of Trail Bench and Lynch & Kennedy’s Dry Goods, to the Red Onion Saloon with memorabilia such as pictures of Klondike Kate and Peahull Annie. Take a trip to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park where you can take a stroll into the past with restored buildings and old wooden boardwalks.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Day 12
Glacier Bay
Take a memorable trip through the Glacier Bay National Park today, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which protects a unique eco-system of plants and wildlife. Be sure to listen out for the moment when a huge chunk of ice splits from the glacier and crashes into the sea, shooting water thousands of feet into the air. Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anywhere else in the world.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Day 13
Port of Call Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan clings to the shores of Tongass Narrows and is a unique location, built over the water. Deep fjords have been created by retreating glaciers have left granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea, creating numerous waterfalls cascading into the waters. While you’re here, visit the Tongass Historical Museum, Creek Street, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village – Ketchikan’s top attractions.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Day 14
Inside Passage
Enjoy sailing through the dramatic Inside Passage today, offering up amazing scenery along the way.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Day 15
Vancouver
After breakfast you will disembark the the ship in Vancouver where your holiday concludes; catch a taxi to the airport for your flight home.
(Breakfast included)
