Wonders of the Canadian Rockies with Alaska Cruise

After an orientation tour of Calgary, you'll be hitting the road this morning in the direction of Lake Louise, one of the most beautiful lakes in North America. The journey is part of the adventure so enjoy watching the changing landscape from the comfort of your seat as the craggy, snow-capped peaks of the Rockies come into view. Hit the once more road towards Banff.

Banff is famed for its world class national parks, glassy emerald green lakes and dramatic vistas, a taste of which you'll be getting on a sightseeing tour that will take you along Tunnel Mountain Drive, spotting sights such as Cascade Mountain, Mt. Rundle, Bow Falls, and the surreal, nature beaten hoodoos rock formations, which have formed their bizarre twisted shapes over years of erosion from water and wind. Stay: Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa

Waking up today we hope you're full of energy, as the vast natural playground outside of your front door isn't going to explore itself. Venture into the stunning wilderness of Banff National Park, or better still you could take advantage of our enticing range of Optionals to truly unlock this region in real Costsaver style. A variety of helicopter flights to see you soaring over sights including the Three Sisters Peak, the Sundance Ranges and the Gloria and Assiniboine Glaciers.

Or perhaps you'd prefer to catch the gondola to the very top of Sulphur Mountain for a bird's eye view of six mountain ranges within the Rockies, spotting glorious Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in the distance. Enjoy golf with a view at Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, join to the Plain of Six Glaciers hike, or head to Via Ferrata (“iron road”) for a heart-pumping blend of hiking and rock climbing. If you're seeking a more “kick back and relax” activity, join a Bow River horseback ride or pair with the Sundance Loop Ride through marshes and pools of bubbling thermal water—eyes peeled for wildlife along the way. As an evening option, you can book onto a Banff Gondola ride including dinner with a view.

The magnificent Icefields Parkway awaits you today, a striking 232km stretch of road that cuts straight through the backbone of the Rockies, serving up ancient glaciers, mountain lakes and broad sweeping valleys en route. Make your way up to the Columbia Icefield which covers an area of over 200 square miles and is as deep as 1000 feet in parts.

Here, you'll ride the giant Ice Explorer across the Athabasca Glacier before trekking across the massive marvel of nature and filling your water bottle with fresh glacial water. After this unforgettable experience, you will visit Athabasca Falls prior to continuing on to unpretentious, heart-warming Jasper, which sits at the heart of one off the most beautiful, protected wildernesses in the world for a relaxing evening on your own or an optional three-course dinner followed by a 2-hour twilight wildlife tour & interpretive “Horns and Antlers” talk at Beckers Chalets set along the beautiful Athabasca River. Stay: Lobstick Lodge

Today promises to be action packed! Stepping outside and smelling the fresh mountain air, let the prospect of a day exploring stunning Jasper bring a smile to your face. As the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies your options are limitless, and as always we've also got a range of exciting Optional Experiences on hand to help personalise your experience.

Perhaps you'll choose a gentle float trip down the Athabasca River^, which provides ample wildlife spotting opportunities, or an exhilarating Class II Whitewater, or maybe a guided walk, or maybe a guided walk on the “Path of the Glaciers” as you make your way to the emerald green “Lake of Forgiveness”. Have your heart set on exploring beautiful Maligne Lake? Then a boat cruise around the largest glacially fed lake in the Canadian Rockies has your name all over it. Food-lovers can join a Jasper Food Tour or for those looking for a culturally immersive experience, join Warrior Women on a Make Travel Matter Experience that will engage you with drumming, singing & creation story telling.

Breakfast this morning is a real treat: you'll head to the world famous Butchart Gardens in the Blue Poppy Restaurant where, surrounded by beautiful blossoms and blooms, you'll eat a fresh, seasonal breakfast with sunlight pouring in from the vast skylights above. We want to roll out the red carpet for you: You'll have a chance to visit the gardens on your own, before the gates are opened to the regular visitors. Feeling full, the rest of the day is yours to explore Victoria whichever way you please.

Taste all Victoria has to offer in a guided food and history tour of Chinatown or sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, James and Sydney Islands, and the Saanich Peninsula in the Victoria Panorama tour. Or enjoy a Victoria Whale Watching Excursion. (B)

The outdoorsy, trendy city of Vancouver awaits today, which you'll reach by ferry. Regarded as one of the world's most naturally beautiful cities, Vancouver is framed by dramatic vistas on all sides, and is the kind of place where, given its proximity to nature, you can ski in the morning and swim in the ocean in the afternoon! You'll kick off your stay here with a sightseeing tour of historic Gastown, vibrant Chinatown and the green jewel in the city's crown, the much-loved Stanley Park.

With the rest of the day to explore Vancouver your way, you could choose our Capilano Suspension Bridge (Optional), which at 70 meters above the Capilano River will really test your head for heights. This evening, why not join an optional Farewell Dinner in the Gasworks neighborhood's Steamworks brewery—their unique pours are the perfect way to celebrate your adventure. Stay: Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport

Sailing back into Vancouver this morning, your cruise will end on arrival. Your airport arrival is at 10:30 am. (B)