Your exhilarating encounter with western Canada will have you enjoying breakfast in floral splendour, riding on glaciers and meeting a retired Mountie on your journey into the heart of the Rockies. Travel via cruise ship through the calm, protected waters of the Inside Passage, through glacier-carved fjords, snowcapped mountains and lush forests of Sitka spruce and the western hemlock.
10 night(s) in Victoria
1 night(s) in Kamloops
2 night(s) in Jasper
2 night(s) in Banff
Day 1: Start Your Cruise In Vancouver
Transfer to Canada Place to board Holland America Line's ms Zuiderdam.
Day 2: Cruise Through Alaskan Beauty
Be inspired by Alaska's astounding beauty.
Day 3: Spot Glaciers In Tracy Arm
See dramatic Sawyer Glaciers at the end of Tracy Arm and arrive in Juneau.
Day 4: Cruise To Skagway, Alaska
Visit Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
Day 5: Cruise Through Glacier Bay, Alaska
See the pristine wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park from the ship.
Day 6: Tour Ketchikan, Alaska
Explore Ketchikan.
Day 7: Cruise The Inside Passage
Relax and cruise back to Vancouver.
Day 8: Arrive In Vancouver
Disembark in Vancouver Harbor, transfer to the hotel and join your Spectacular Canadian Rockies trip on Day 1 for a Welcome Reception at 6 p.m.
Day 9: Discover The Sights Of Victoria
Embark on a morning sightseeing tour of Vancouver’s historic neighbourhoods. Savour the smells of freshly steamed Siopao in Chinatown and admire the Victorian façades of Gastown as you make your way to the leafy sanctuary of Stanley Park to view First Nations totem poles. We continue by ferry to Vancouver Island and Connect with Locals during a Be My Guest lunch visit to a family-owned working farm, where we’ll enjoy fresh farm-to-table flavours. Later, we enjoy some sightseeing in Victoria.
Day 10: Admire The Colours Of Victoria
Embrace the Garden City status of Victoria as you greet the day with breakfast at Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre showcase of gorgeous floral gardens that have colourfully transformed a once unused quarry. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the walkable capital of British Columbia.
Day 11: Relax And Enjoy The Outdoors In Kamloops
Today you’ll depart Victoria by ferry with one last view of the city’s historic buildings and make your way to Kamloops for a relaxing afternoon and evening to rest and recharge. In Kamloops, enjoy a Stays With Stories experience at The South Thompson Inn. Once home to a thoroughbred racing stable, this riverfront property still has the original brick manor and carriage houses. Relax in the lounge, swimming pool, or hot tub overlooking the South Thompson River, go on a nature walk around the Reflection Pond, try your hand at horseshoes and other lawn games, or take one of their bikes for a spin. Cap off another big day in Canada with a delicious dinner, the great outdoors, and an evening around the fire pit sharing stories with your travel mates with plenty of s’mores and liqueurs for everyone to try.
Day 12: Gaze Upon Mount Robson
This afternoon you'll stop at the Mount Robson Visitor Center where you can admire UNESCO-listed Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies in all its 12,972 feet (3,954 meters) of glory. Continue to the raw wilderness of Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we'll spend the next two nights.
Day 13: Admire Jasper National Park
Join an interpretive walk at Maligne Canyon this morning. Later, take to the aqua waters and cruise Maligne Lake to Spirit Island (seasonal), admiring views of its three glaciers and Spirit Island. After the cruise enjoy a delicious lunch with wine at the lakeside Maligne Lake Chalet.
Day 14: Voyage To Athabasca Glacier
The icy fingers of the Columbia Icefield beckon as we journey along the Icefields Parkway to Athabasca Glacier. Cross its icy terrain on board a specially designed Ice Explorer and continue on to Lake Louise, where there is time to soak in the majestic beauty of the lake and its turquoise, glacier-fed waters, fringed by high peaks, deep green forests and overlooked by Victoria Glacier. Continue on to the township of Banff, in the heart of UNESCO-listed Banff National Park. Settle in for an evening at leisure.
Day 15: Meet A Mountie And Explore Banff
Join a Local Specialist and learn about his experiences as a retired Mountie and the history of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Spend the afternoon exploring the rugged beauty of Banff, from its postcard viewpoint of Surprise Corner to Bow Falls. The rest of the day is free for you to pursue your own interests. Your Travel Director will be available to help plan the perfect day for you. Tonight, we join our newfound friends for a Farewell Dinner to toast the end of our unforgettable encounter with Canada’s Rockies.
Day 16: Farewell Banff And Calgary
Descend from the glorious Canadian Rockies and transfer to Calgary International Airport or to the Westin Calgary if you are extending your stay.