Continue on through the Selkirk Mountains and enter Yoho National Park with its towering peaks. Wind through the Spiral tunnels, read more an engineering marvel, as your train climbs Kicking Horse Pass then crosses the Continental Divide and enters Alberta and Banff National Park. Spend two nights in Banff with time to hike, relax at the hot springs, or look for wildlife like big horn sheep, deer, bear, and elk that inhabit the park. Perhaps treat yourself to an optional helicopter ride for breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies from above. Visit gorgeous Lake Louise, its turquoise waters perfectly reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
Then travel the stunning Icefields Parkway where you’ll stop to ride the Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle over ice that’s 750-feet-thick! Arrive in magnificent Jasper National Park with its majestic peaks and natural beauty and have the chance to take an optional scenic float trip down the Athabasca River. Journey to the base of 12,972-foot Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, on your way to the resort town of Sun Peaks. Then follow the routes of the historic Gold Rush and the fur traders on your way to Whistler where you’ll spend two nights and have time to enjoy the many activities this legendary resort village has to offer.
Take the ferry crossing to Victoria and visit beautiful Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of floral displays followed by city sightseeing. Have a day at leisure to explore this charming city, perhaps enjoying high tea at the Empress Hotel or taking the optional Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition to look for pods of orcas. Then return via ferry to Vancouver and celebrate all the amazing memories you made on your fantastic vacation in Canada!
Discover Alaska's breathtaking wilderness as you cruise through the spectacular Inside Passage, surrounded by towering mountains, lush forests and dramatic coastal scenery. Explore the charming ports of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, where gold rush history, Indigenous culture and unforgettable wildlife encounters await.
Marvel at the icy beauty of Tracy Arm Fjord, with its soaring granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls and magnificent glaciers. Experience the awe-inspiring landscapes of Glacier Bay National Park, where immense tidewater glaciers meet pristine waters, before sailing back through the scenic Inside Passage to Vancouver.
Itinerary
Welcome to Vancouver! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. to answer any questions. Once you get settled, perhaps head out and start exploring this vibrant, culturally diverse city nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountains. Take a walk to the harbour front or check out the city's thriving culinary scene that offers a wide array of delicious cuisines.
This morning, an included city tour highlights Stanley Park, the harbour, beaches, and more. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You could take a water-taxi to lively Granville Island with its outdoor markets, street musicians, and waterfront cafés, or visit historic Gastown with its steam-powered clock, antique shops, and art galleries.
Board the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight adventure through some of Canada's most spectacular scenery. Travel along the Fraser and Thompson River canyons, before arriving in the city of Kamloops.
Reboard the train and continue your adventure as you travel along Shuswap Lake, through the Columbia Mountains, and into the Canadian Rockies. Wind your way through the Spiral Tunnels while climbing Kicking Horse Pass to cross the Continental Divide into the province of Alberta. Enter Banff National Park for a two-night stay.
After an orientation tour, today is at leisure. Hike the many wilderness trails in the area, stroll through Banff townsite, or simply relax at the hot springs. Banff National Park is the perfect place for photographers and wildlife watching, and as a visitor you may be lucky enough to encounter some of these amazing creatures, like elk, deer, or big-horn sheep, in their natural habitat. Perhaps elevate your experience with an optional helicopter ride over the awe-inspiring Canadian Rockies – a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won't soon forget!
Or if you prefer keeping your feet on the ground, join the Panoramas & Peaks* optional excursion to see stunning Moraine Lake in the famed Valley of the Ten Peaks.
*This optional excursion begins operating in early June.
Enjoy a day of scenic grandeur. First visit famous Lake Louise, where green-blue waters create a perfect reflection of the surrounding mountains. Then travel the stunning Icefields Parkway where you'll stop to ride the Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle over ice that's 750 feet thick! This afternoon, take the opportunity to glide down the Athabasca River on an optional scenic float trip. Enjoy an orientation tour of the town of Jasper upon arrival.
Start your day with a magical optional cruise on Maligne Lake to the much-photographed, Spirit Island*. Then travel to the base of 12,972-foot Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Continue through British Columbia's Fur Trade and Cariboo regions for glimpses of the soaring granite mountains. Watch for wildlife as you continue to the internationally renowned Sun Peaks ski resort for an overnight stay.
*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June.
Head south, following the once-treacherous Cariboo Wagon Trail. From Lillooet, “Mile 0 of the Gold Rush Route,” you'll follow the rushing waters of Cayoosh Creek en route to the resort town of Whistler, with an afternoon arrival and orientation.
Today is at leisure to explore this lively mountain resort town on your own. Choose to soar to new heights on an optional Peak 2 Peak Gondola ride which spans the distance between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and is the world's longest unsupported span for a lift of this kind. Or if you'd prefer staying closer to the ground, perhaps take an optional excursion to the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, a First Nations Museum and Art Gallery, for an authentic Indigenous experience.
*Operation of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola is seasonal and may not be available on early departures.
Set sail across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. In Victoria, sightseeing includes a visit to gorgeous Butchart Gardens and their 55 acres of floral displays, and seeing the Empress Hotel, Legislative Buildings, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. In your free time this evening, perhaps take a stroll along the scenic harbour front.
A day at leisure gives you the chance to have high tea at the Empress Hotel, go shopping on Government Street, or have lunch in one of the many pubs. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing. Or take home a whale of a tale by embarking on an optional Marine Wildlife and Whale Watching Expedition where you'll cruise the beautiful waters of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, looking for whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles.
Your first journey concludes today with a scenic ferry crossing to the mainland, where you'll be dropped off at Vancouver's waterfront.
Your Connected Trip continues with a Holland America cruise, and you'll need to make your own way to Canada Place cruise terminal, also located on Vancouver's waterfront, to embark your ship.
Surrounded by stunning natural scenery, Vancouver offers a wonderful blend of urban attractions and outdoor beauty. Its compact, walkable city centre, picturesque waterfront and proximity to nature make it an ideal gateway to your Alaskan cruise adventure.
Alaska's Inside Passage offers breathtaking views of glaciers, fjords, and abundant wildlife , making it one of the most scenic cruises in the world and one of the few locations where deep-draft ships can sail close to steep mountain walls. Stretching from Puget Sound in Washington to the Alaskan Panhandle, this coastal route provides stunning natural scenery. Expect to see orcas, humpback whales, and sea lions from the deck, while eagles soar overhead.
Massive tidewater glaciers, forest-clad islands, ice-carved fjords, and charming coastal towns such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Haines and Skagway await you here. On small ship cruises, you’ll visit even more intimate ports of call. Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier are highlights.
Tracy Arm Fjord, nestled in Alaska's wilderness, offers a serene escape into nature, where glaciers and granite cliffs dominate the landscape. This fjord presents a quiet spectacle of ice and rock, inviting travelers to witness the calm yet powerful beauty of the natural world. Here, visitors can observe the subtle drama of icebergs calving and wildlife, such as eagles and seals, in their natural habitat, against a backdrop of waterfalls and icy waters.
Cruising through Tracy Arm Fjord provides an opportunity to explore Alaska's less-trodden paths, where the majesty of untouched landscapes unfolds with each turn. The journey through this fjord is an immersive experience, offering a glimpse into the tranquil yet dynamic environment that shapes Alaska's wilderness.
Juno, commonly known as Juneau, is the capital city of Alaska. Only accessible by sea or air, Juneau's history, culture, and topography have resulted in many interesting activities for visitors to enjoy, all in the heart of Alaska's majestic mountains, rivers, glaciers, and forests.
Top Things to Do in and around Juneau:
- dog sledding
- explore the gorgeous Mendenhall Glacier
- whale watching
- Alaskan Halibut fishing
Skagway was Alaska's largest town with a population of about 20,000 during the gold rush in 1898. Hotels, saloons, dance halls and gambling houses prospered. But when the gold dwindled, so did the population.
Today, Skagway has less than 1,000 residents and it still retains the flavor of the gold rush era.
Top Things to Do in and around Skagway:
- steam train from Skagway aboard the "Scenic Railway of the World"
- excursion to the Klondike Summit
- gold panning & dog sledding
The marine wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park includes tidewater glaciers, snow-capped mountain ranges, ocean coastlines, deep fjords, and freshwater rivers and lakes. Glacier Bay is equally rich in wildlife. An Alaska cruise that ventures up the Bay usually yields sightings of black and brown bears and mountain goats, especially in small ships that cruise close to the shore. Humpback whales have been increasing in the water of the Bay, and orca or killer whales are seen cruising through the water in search of harbor seals.
Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage - the canned salmon capital of the world, it’s a hub for fishing and outdoor sports. It’s also home to three tribes of Northwest Coast Indians, making it a great place to get a taste for the local culture.
Top Things to Do in Ketchikan:
- visit Totem Bight State Park
- venture past the town limits into Tongass National Forest
- visit Ketchikan's own Saxman Native Village
- a myriad of outdoor adventures from fishing to zip-lining!
Alaska's Inside Passage offers breathtaking views of glaciers, fjords, and abundant wildlife , making it one of the most scenic cruises in the world and one of the few locations where deep-draft ships can sail close to steep mountain walls. Stretching from Puget Sound in Washington to the Alaskan Panhandle, this coastal route provides stunning natural scenery. Expect to see orcas, humpback whales, and sea lions from the deck, while eagles soar overhead.
Massive tidewater glaciers, forest-clad islands, ice-carved fjords, and charming coastal towns such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Haines and Skagway await you here. On small ship cruises, you’ll visit even more intimate ports of call. Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier are highlights.
Vancouver is the ideal home port to begin or end an Alaskan adventure. Blessed with stunning vistas and exciting activities, Vancouver offers the perfect blend of urban and natural experiences. Vancouver is a must for any cruise itinerary, and because it's a compact, walkable city right on the edge of nature, adding on just a couple of extra days to explore will give you an authentic taste of what makes this place so attractive to visitors.
Located in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront, 'Canada Place' (cruise terminal) can service up to three luxury cruise ships at any given time.
What is a connected trip?
Our Connected Trips seamlessly combine carefully selected land tours, river cruises and ocean cruises to create more complete and rewarding travel experiences. Whether it's exploring a destination by land and sea, combining a small group adventure with a relaxing cruise, or discovering more of a region through different styles of travel, the possibilities are endless.
Tour Inclusions and Reviews (Days 1-12)
- Guided city sightseeing in Vancouver
- 2-day, all-daylight rail journey on the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service (GoldLeaf Service upgrades are available)
- Entrance fee to Banff National Park and Jasper National Park
- Orientation tours of Banff, Jasper, Whistler, and Victoria
- Tickets for the Icefields Explorer Experience at Columbia Icefields
- Ferry crossing to/from Vancouver Island
- Admission to Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island
- The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available).
- 2 breakfast, 2 lunches
- Vancouver: Sandman Signature Vancouver Downtown Hotel (First-Class)
- Banff National Park: Rundlestone Lodge (Moderate First-Class)
- Jasper National Park: Lobstick Lodge (First-Class)
- Jasper National Park: Tonquin Inn (First-Class)
- Sun Peaks: Nancy Greene's Cahilty Lodge (First-Class)
- Whistler: Listel Whistler Hotel (Superior First-Class)
- Victoria: Royal Scot Hotel & Suites (First-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Early departures may not be able to visit Columbia Icefield which opens in early May, take the Maligne Lake & Spirit Island optional excursion, which opens in late May to early June or take the Moraine Lake optional excursion which opens in early June. Visiting and participating in other activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions and vendor dates of operation.
- Maximum elevation on tour: 7,500 ft.
There are some places we would of preferred to have had a 2 nights stay, eg Whistler. When you do a bus trip, you get to see a lot of wonderful things but it is only a taste of the beauty of the places you visit. The hotels I thought were quaint and clean and all that we needed to rest at the end of the day. Our only hotel which was not to our satisfaction, was the Sandman City Hotel in Vancouver, old decor with dirty carpets. We would happily book again with Global Journeys, we both had an amazing time.
Enjoy inside visits to Canada's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their holidays, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Holland America
Guests find their bliss on Koningsdam where light-filled spaces blend modern elegance with nautical tradition. Read more
Savour the global cuisine served in the complimentary and specialty venues showcasing traditional and modern flavours. Read more
Gain a depth of knowledge about the ports your will visit through the immersive program offered by Explorations Central. Read more
Celebrate the soundtrack that changed a generation with the live talent that chronicles the greatest rock hits of all time. Read more
Explore the local flavours and culinary traditions of the ports you visit with cooking demonstrations and wine tastings. Read more
Holidays are all about balancing relaxation and indulgence, so make time to visit the onboard spa to rejuvenate and refresh. Read more
Dates & Pricing
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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 Global Journeys. 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.
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