Western Canada by Rail with Alaska Cruise

Welcome to Calgary! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3:-6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.

The discovery of oil converted this cattle-ranching town into a thriving, sophisticated city. Sightseeing highlights downtown, Fort Calgary, Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Next, drive west through the foothills of the Rockies into Banff National Park. Enjoy an orientation tour upon arrival. Evening is at leisure.

Enjoy the day exploring Banff, Canada's first national park. Hike the many wilderness trails, horseback ride, golf, stroll through Banff townsite, or simply relax at the hot springs. The park is also the perfect place for wildlife watching as it is home to 53 species of mammals. The most commonly seen are deer, elk, and big horn sheep. For a different, and thrilling, perspective take an optional helicopter ride for breathtaking aerial views of the Canadian Rockies.

Or if you prefer keeping your feet on the ground, join the Panoramas & Peaks* optional excursion to visit breathtaking Moraine Lake in the famed Valley of the Ten Peaks.

First stop is stunning Lake Louise, the crown jewel of Banff National Park, with its turquoise waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Then precipitous gorges, snowcapped mountain ranges, and more exquisite lakes come into view as your motorcoach scales three mountain passes. Stop at the Columbia Icefield for another trip highlight and experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick!

Late this afternoon, go with the flow on an optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Upon arrival in Jasper National Park, take an orientation tour showcasing the area's unspoiled beauty.

A day at leisure to explore the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. This morning, consider joining the optional narrated cruise on magical Maligne Lake to Spirit Island*. On the return journey, view picturesque Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon keeping an eye out for native wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and elk. Then perhaps do some hiking or peruse the shops in town.

An exciting morning as you board the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight, classic rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Coast. En route, pass Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Follow the North Thompson River and enjoy vistas of the Monashee Mountains. Enjoy free time in Kamloops this evening. (B/L)

This morning your train adventure continues as you head through the ranchlands along the Thompson River. View the stark beauty of Fraser Canyon and the turbulence of mighty Hell's Gate. After an evening arrival in Vancouver, transfer to your hotel. (B/L)

Morning sightseeing in Vancouver includes beautiful Stanley Park and other city highlights. Afterward, sail through the spectacular Gulf Islands, known for their Mediterranean-like climate, to the charming city of Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Stop at world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55-acres of floral displays, then enjoy sightseeing in Victoria that includes Bastion Square, the Parliament Buildings, and Thunderbird Park with its collection of totem poles. This evening, perhaps enjoy a walk and a fresh seafood dinner along the harbourfront while you savor the view.

Sail via ferry across the Strait of Georgia this morning to Vancouver. After arrival in Vancouver, say goodbye to your Tour Director and transfer to Canada Place and board your cruise ship. Your package price includes Holland America's ‘Have It All Premium Cruise Package.' (D)

Spend the day cruising one of the world's most spectacular waterways. Located along the coast of British Columbia, the Inside Passage is the longest sheltered inland waterway in the world. Watch the water for orcas and humpback whales. (B/L/D)

Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on Gastineau Channel, Alaska's capital city of Juneau has massive Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefield at its back door. Visit the rustic shops in town—or get out and kayak, raft, hike, whale watch, flightsee, or fish. There is no end to the adventure because of the long daylight hours. (B/L/D)

Skagway is historically considered the gateway to the Gold Rush of 1898 when thousands of men with dreams of striking it rich poured into the city and withstood treacherous winter conditions traveling on to the Yukon Territory. Explore gold rush lore at the Trail of '98 Museum or at the Red Onion Saloon, with its treasure trove of memorabilia featuring pictures of Klondike Kate, Peahull Annie, and other historic characters. Or simply walk on the boardwalks along the dirt streets and enjoy perusing all the shops. (B/L/D)

Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anyplace else in the world. How does it feel when a colossal chunk of ice splits off a glacier and crashes into the sea? The sound is like thunder and the impact shoots water hundreds of meters into the air. You hold your breath as you capture the moment on camera, then wait for it to happen again! (B/L/D)

Alaska's “First City” of Ketchikan is so named because it is the first major landfall for most cruisers as they enter the picturesque fjords of the Inside Passage, where the town clings to the banks of the Tongass Narrows, flanked by green forests nurtured by abundant rain. An important hub of the salmon-fishing and -packing industries, visitors can try their luck on a sport-fishing excursion or simply savor the fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants. It 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. (B/L/D)

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. Sailing the Inside Passage offers opportunities to spot some of Alaska's most iconic wildlife, with humpback whales and orca plying the bountiful waters alongside the ships, bald eagles soaring overhead and brown bears lumbering on the shoreline. (B/L/D)

Your cruise ends this morning. Please schedule flights after noon. (B)