Overview
Located on Vancouver Island read more Victoria is home to the world-famous Butchart Gardens and is the whale-watching capital of Canada.
Drive along the magnificent Icefields Parkway and jump on board the Ice Explorer that will take you to the top of the Athabasca Glacier. Wind your way through the Rocky Mountains by train, admiring local wildlife and the immense firs that grace the route, before venturing into Alaska’s mighty fjords. This is a part of the world that is as vast as it is beautiful.
Itinerary
Welcome to Canada! You will be met at Victoria International Airport and transferred to your hotel. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.
(D)
This morning, visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens, a 22-hectare showplace of magnificent, colourful gardens. Learn about the history and flora while exploring the gardens. Afterwards, enjoy an orientation tour of Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, Beacon Hill and residential areas. There is free time to explore Victoria or allow Emerald to assist you in discovering more about this historic region. (B)
- DiscoverMORE A range of DiscoverMORE excursions and experiences will be available (extra expense).
After breakfast, drive north along Vancouver Island to Nanaimo. Board the BC Ferry and travel through the Georgia Strait to Horseshoe Bay. Journey inland along the Sea to Sky Highway as the road follows the rugged coastline with views of Horseshoe Bay on your left and forested parks and mountains on your right. You will have the chance to stop at the awesome Shannon Falls before arriving at the charming alpine resort of Whistler Village. (B/D)
- DiscoverMORE Undertake a Photo Safari tour with a local expert, ride the Peak2Peak Gondola (extra expense)
Travel along the scenic Duffy Lake Road lined with thick forest, into the town of Lillooet In the afternoon, head into the mountains to the picturesque Thompson Valley where the North and South Thompson rivers meet.
(B/D)
Continue along the Trans-Canada Highway past Castle Mountain and Mount Temple to Lake Louise, the “Diamond in the Wilderness”. Enjoy some free time taking in the spectacular scenery. Your destination today is Emerald Lake, so named because of the vibrant colour of its glacier fed waters. Two-night Stay: Emerald Lake Lodge or similar (B/D)
This morning, we travel north along the Icefields Parkway, acclaimed as one of the most spectacular journeys in the world. Enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery as you pass rugged peaks and glaciers fringed by thick forest and shimmering lakes. We make a stop at the Columbia Icefield, North America’s largest sub-polar ice pack, where you’ll climb aboard the ‘Ice Explorer’ for a once-in-a-lifetime journey onto the mighty 300-metre-thick Athabasca Glacier. (B)
As you leave Emerald Lake this morning, take a moment to admire the stunning glacial hues of Moraine Lake, nestled in the breathtaking Valley of the Ten Peaks. (accessible seasonally). Upon arrival in Banff enjoy a sightseeing tour including Bow River and Bow Falls. Two-night stay: Mount Royal Hotel or similar (B)
A full day at leisure for you to enjoy Banff and its many sights and attractions. (B/D)
- DiscoverMORE Take a breathtaking helicopter flight, relax on a float trip along the river, e-bike tour to Johnston Canyon, panorama ATV tour (extra expense)
- EmeraldPLUS Take the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for a dinner with a view at Sky Bistro
Set off on a two-day rail experience on “The Most Spectacular Train Journey in the World”. Settle back in your Silverleaf carriage (upgrade to Goldleaf at additional expense). Enjoy incredible views of the soaring mountains including Canada’s highest peak, the awesome 3954 metre Mount Robson as you journey towards Kamloops.
(B/L)
Continue your journey on board the Rocky Mountaineer following the Thompson River and passing through the magnificent Fraser Valley. Late afternoon, we arrive in Vancouver. Two-night Stay: Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre or similar (B/L)
Today, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Vancouver including Stanley Park, the waterfront, Gastown and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Make your way across this spectacular suspension bridge, 70 metres above the Capilano River, and join the award-winning Treetops Adventure along a series of elevated walkways. Tonight enjoy a special farewell dinner. (B/D)
- DiscoverMORE A range of DiscoverMORE excursions and experiences will be available (extra expense)
Later head to Canada Place Pier to board your cruise ship. Check into your comfortable ocean view stateroom (upgrade to verandah stateroom additional expense) on the luxurious Holland America Cruise Ship ms Koningsdam and settle in for an unforgettable 7-night voyage through the famed Inside Passage. (B/D)
- EmeraldPLUS Breakfast with the bears at Grouse Mountain
Spend the day cruising the Inside Passage, one of the world’s most spectacular waterways passing forests, mountains, islands and inlets. (B/L/D)
Spend the day cruising the Inside Passage with its jaw dropping scenery. In the afternoon sail into Juneau, arguably one of America’s most beautiful state capitals, with the looming summits of Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts providing a gorgeous backdrop. The historic city centre goes back to its gold-rush origins, but nature is the priceless treasure. (B/L/D)
Established in 1897 as a trading post for prospectors headed to the Klondike Gold Rush, Skagway was an untamed town controlled by organised criminals. Today, the town retains its gold rush character, and its colourful past is carefully preserved in the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. For a truly memorable excursion, take an optional ride on the narrow-gauge White Pass and Yukon Railroad (shore excursions are at own expense). (B/L/D)
Early this morning, your cruise ship enters the iceberg-strewn waters of Glacier Bay National Park, where thirteen spectacular glaciers flow from surrounding mountains into the waters of the bay. A National Park Service Ranger will help you spot wildlife, while pointing out sights and explaining glacial activity. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to see a pinnacle of ice ‘calve’ or break away from the face of the glacier, and with a thunderous boom land in the bay. (B/L/D)
Welcome to the salmon capital of the world! Part of the town is built along a steep hillside, and part is built on pilings over the water. Rich native history and an outstanding collection of totem poles makes the town an essential stop for anyone interested in native art. (B/L/D)
A day of relaxation. Take advantage of the ship’s many facilities or simply relax on deck with a drink and watch unmatched scenery glide by. (B/L/D)
Disembark early this morning and transfer to Vancouver Airport to board your homeward flight.
The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Tours cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.
Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change. (B)
Trip Inclusions
All the magnificent sights, must-see destinations & attractions are included in your Canadian adventure. Read more
Climb aboard the Rocky Mountaineer a quintessential and enriching Western Canada experience not to be missed.
Unique and exclusive local experiences where our guests are welcomed into the lives of local people. Read more
Personalise your vacation with Emerald's DiscoverMORE excursions featured throughout each itinerary. Read more
Accommodation filled with style and character and selected to ensure your vacation experience is enhanced. Read more
Emerald's spectacular and luxurious cruises combined with unforgettable land itineraries. Read more
Trip Reviews (2)
The Rocky read more Grandeur tour was good. We quite enjoyed the services and in general, accommodations were ok except for the South Thomson Inn in Kamloops and Emerald Lodge in Emerald Lake. I would rate South Thomson Inn as the worst in this tour due to the location and meals. The breakfast was something like an Australia outback motor inn. Emerald Lake Lodge was unique but I rated it low because of the dodgy pillows that could not support the neck. Not sure why this accommodation would use such cheap pillows that caused me and my wife unable to sleep and had sore necks the next day. Hilton Whistler was the best in term of everything. Places this tour included were good and we really enjoyed the sceneries and other places Emerald Tours took us. The tour director , Rhonda Borton was also nice, professional and very helpful.
The Rocky Mountaineer train ride was very nice with professional crews, good food and comfortable carriages. We felt lucky that we did not upgrade to Gold Leaf class as the Silver Leaf was quite nice. I think the approx US$3,000.- saving for 3 persons was a good decision. But if you really enjoy better food and the booze, the Gold Leaf might be your choice. Since we are not drinkers and have to be careful with food due to our age, the Silver Leaf was sufficient.
The Holland America Line’s Alaska Inside Passage cruise was good especially for those who never visited Alaska on cruise. HA provided lots of food and choices from many countries. Services were very good and super friendly. We were very impressed with the 2 staterooom stewarts, Amir and Cipto who looked after our cabins. These two guys worked so hard and always kept the rooms clean and tidy. Thumb up for the guys.
The optional (extra cost) dinners at Rudy’s and Pinnacle restaurants were worth the money with yummy food and services. I highly recommend if you want to taste something different from the meals included in the cruise package. The all you can have laundry at US$70.- for the entire cruise is also a good option if want to keep your clothes clean.
Entertainments were good and we did enjoyed the dancing performances. The gym was ok but not as good as I expected. But I am more on the weightliftings side rather than treadmills though.
Out of some optional excursions we took, the Tracy Arm Fjord was the most disappointed one. At US$309.95/pax, it was a waste of time and money. The Tracy Arm Fjord was replaced with Endicott Arm. Since I had never seen Tracy Arm, my comment here is about Endicott Arm. It was another glacier, nothing special. It took 6 hours for the return journey and we stayed for about 30 or so minutes to view the glacier. No whale, dolphin nor bear to see. There could be a few seal but I cannot recall exactly. On 27/08/2025, the cruise arrived at Glacier Bay National Park. I can tell you that it is not much different (except the mountain view) from the Endicott Arm and it is FREE. So safe your $309.95 and enjoy Glacier Bay instead. From the Fjord environment perspective, my view is the Norwegian Fjords (like Geiranger) and New Zealand’s Milford Sound are better.
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Emerald Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
