Grandeur of BC & Alaska

Day 1 - Fly to Vancouver, transfer to Whistler

Fly to Vancouver, transfer to Whistler on arrival (included).

Day 2 - Enjoy Whistler

Explore Whistler and its lakes at your leisure today. Why not explore Whistler & Blackcomb mountains with your Peak 2 Peak Gondola ticket.

Day 3 - Enjoy Whistler

Today we have included a Bear Viewing excursion.

Duration: 2.5 hours

Experience the Whistler Olympic Park like it's your own private oasis as you explore the 2010 Legacy Trail network. Immerse yourself in a pristine, intact ecosystem in which mother bears, cubs, and males searching for mates, roam freely and untagged, providing spectacular viewing and photography opportunities. You"ll be amazed by the Olympic rings, biathlon, and training facilities, all in the heart of where our resident black bear population eats, sleep, mate and raise their young. Experience private lakes, lookouts, waterfalls, bear dens, tracks and tree markings, and feast on berries straight from the bush. Whether you pack your camera or just your phone, our guides will help you find the perfect memory to take home. There are several photographic points of interest where you will get out of the vehicle so wear appropriate footwear and layered clothing as temperatures can change quickly in the mountains. Each vehicle is equipped with insect repellant or you may bring your own.

What to Expect: Guests will be picked up and dropped off at the location of their choice (including Nita Lake Lodge). Dress in layers with sturdy footwear; bring insect repellent and camera. Binoculars will be provided.

Highlights: - Tracking and observing wild black bears - Photo opportunity at Alexander waterfalls - Photo opportunity of Black Tusk mountain - Behind the scenes tour of Whistler Olympic Park: -Stop at top of ski jumps - Stop at Biathlon target range - 2010 Olympic iconic Inukshuk statue - Admission to Whistler Olympic Park included - 127 km of 2010 Olympic Legacy Ski trails - 4x4 adventure on engineered trails - Boosters provided for children +40 pounds - Free Survivor-style Photo Safari face buff - Free Junior Rangers Club activities included - Free frameable postcard photographs of bears

What to bring: Dress in layers with sturdy footwear; bring insect repellent and camera. Binoculars will be provided.

Note: - Gratuity is included. - Clients are required to walk short distances to bear feeding sites daybeds, rub trees, and dens. - Clients will be travelling in a custom suburban 4 wheel drive on unpaved ski area roads. The drive can be bumpy at times. Clients are required to walk short distances to bear feeding sites daybeds, rub trees, and dens.

Day 4 - Whistler - Vancouver

Today you will be transferred by floatplane to Vancouver, the scenery will be spectacular taking you from the Sky to Sea. Stay 3 nights at the stunning Hotel Loden in Vancouver.

Day 5 - Enjoy Vancouver

Today you can explore Vancouver with your Hop on Hop off Sightseeing pass.

Explore Vancouver onboard clear-top buses and San Francisco-style Trolleys. This flexible Dual Pass combination of the CITY and PARK Routes offers all the highlights of downtown Vancouver, including major attractions, and scenic points of interest. Choose to Hop-Off at any of the 29 stops, and Hop-On again to continue the tour. This flexible city tour offers up the highlights of downtown Vancouver, including major attractions, and scenic points of interest. Choose to Hop-Off at any of the 29 stops, and Hop-On again to continue the tour. Take an up close and personal look at Vancouver's urban oasis, Stanley Park, have lunch at Granville Island, visit the historical Gastown or the trendy Yaletown, and don't forget Robson Street to do a little shopping! Highlights of the route include English Bay, Stanley Park, Granville Island, Yaletown, Gastown, Chinatown, Robson Street, and the Entertainment District. Full commentary in English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean & Mandarin on the clear top convertible Hop-On, Hop-Off busses. Enjoy Commentary in English onboard the San Francisco-style Trolleys. Both bus types (clear top and trolley) will be travelling on all routes. There is no designated bus type per route. Highlights: - Commentary in English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin (clear top buses only) - Convertible clear top buses for stunning views, rain or shine - San Francisco-style Trolleys with live commentary - Hop-Off at any stop in Stanley Park, Granville Island, Yaletown, Chinatown, Gastown and more - Hop-Off at any of the connecting stops on both routes at Canada Place, False Creek Ferries, Library Square, Chinatown, Sports District, and Gastown - False Creek Ferries Pass

Day 6 - Enjoy Vancouver

Spend today at your leisure in Vancouver, making sure you take in Vancouver's newest attraction - Fly Over Canada (included).

Day 7 - Vancouver to Victoria

Today you will be transferred to Victoria and take in Butchart Gardens. View the spectacular British Columbia coastline by land and ship, followed by a stop at Butchart Gardens en route to the British inspired city of Victoria. Board a BC Ferries vessel at Tsawwassen terminal for a 90-minute sail through the serene beauty of the Gulf Islands. Marine wildlife sightings from the outdoor ship decks are common, especially eagles, sea lions and whales. Arrive at Swartz Bay terminal on Vancouver Island and continue to the enchanting botanical paradise of Butchart Gardens. Wander through a series of themed gardens, highlighted by the massive Sunken Garden and dancing fountain. The City of Victoria boasts many impressive architectural wonders, including the iconic Parliament Buildings and the waterfront Fairmont Empress Hotel. Visit the unique shops and cafes of Government Street and Chinatown. Stroll along the Inner Harbour for prime ocean views, and enjoy some free time to take in this culturally significant city. Packed with ever-changing experiences of the Pacific Coast and Vancouver Island, this tour is a mustdo for those who have not yet visited Victoria. Highlights: BC Ferries (ticket included), Butchart Gardens (admission included), Victoria City Tour, Leisure Time.

Day 8 - Enjoy Victoria

Spend this morning at your leisure in Victoria. This afternoon we have included the Eat Like a Canadian food tour. This 3-hour tour starts at Fisherman's Wharf and ends on Government Street. We start the tour at Finest at Sea where we will get a behind-the-scenes look at their processing plant and a chance to try amazing local seafood. We then head to the colourful Fisherman?s Wharf where we will sample a traditional Canadian Poutine. You can't come to Canada without trying this Canadian dish! Our next stop is at the award-winning seafood restaurant The Blue Crab. With an amazing view of the harbour, we sample a crab cake (their most popular dish) and pair it with a Caesar cocktail, Canada's most popular drink and virtually unheard of outside of Canada. After a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, we stop at the Courtyard Cafe for a nanaimo bar, the Courtney Room for some French-bistro dishes, and Artisan Wine Shop for a BC Wine tasting. Did you know that 95% of BC wine is consumed within BC? Drink it while you can! We end the tour on bustling Government Street at Beavertails for one last Canadian dessert. Iconic sights include The Parliament Buildings, The Empress hotel, Pendray House, the Inner Harbour and much more. A perfect tour to see all the top sights in the Downtown Core and to sample Canadian cuisine.

- 10+ samples of food & beverages from 7 culinary stops  - Guided tour of Fisherman's Wharf, the Inner Harbour, and Government Street. - Sample all Canadian dishes including a Canadian cocktail and BC wine. - Learn about the history of Victoria and hear stories about Canadian cuisine special.

Day 9 - Victoria to Vancouver, Alaska cruise

Transfer from Victoria to Vancouver for your 7 night Alaska Cruise on Regent Seven Seas Mariner.

Day 10 - Inside Passage

The fabled Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world, and one of the few where deep-draft vessels can sail close to steep mountain walls. The scenery is unbelievable, with forests in a hundred shades of green, tumbling turquoise glaciers, and evocative towns loaded with history, culture and adventure. With most of Southeast Alaska accessible only by boat or plane, the Inside Passage is a lifeline to the outside world. All day long it hums with activity.

Day 11 - Ketchikan

Ketchikan, on the southwest side of Revillagigedo Island, grew up around salmon canneries and sawmills. Ketchikan's name supposedly comes from the native term "Katch Kanna", which roughly translates: "spread wings of a thundering eagle." At one time Ketchikan was proclaimed the “Salmon Capital of the World.” An outstanding collection of totem poles make a visit to Ketchikan essential for anyone interested in Native art. Travelers flock to Ketchikan for their first look at the North Country, and are rarely disappointed.

Day 10 - Juneau

In 1880, Joe Juneau and Richard Harris were prospecting for gold with the help of Indian guides. Here they discovered nuggets “as large as beans” at the mouth of the aptly named Gold Creek. Out of their discoveries came three of the largest gold digs in the world where more than $150 million in gold was mined. Juneau’s surrounding beauty and natural wonders have attracted cruise ship travelers for over a century, with steamship companies bringing tourists here since the early 1880’s.

Day 13 - Skagway

Skagua, as it is known by the Tlingit, means” windy place.” Skagway, a place of many names, and much history is the northern terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway. It was known to thousands of hopeful gold rushers as the gateway to the gold fields. Skagway retains the flavour of the gold rush era and the character of such colourful inhabitants as Soapy Smith “King of the Frontier Con Men”; especially on Broadway, with its false-front buildings, and in the Trail of ‘98 Museum, with its outstanding collection of gold fever memorabilia.

Day 14 - Icy Strait

Discover the frontier town of Icy Strait surrounded by nature in its unspoiled glory. Pine trees as tall as skyscrapers, humpback whales, eagles, wild salmon, black bears and more, form the harmonious tapestry of life in this Alaskan hinterland. Visit the Native Theater and Heritage Center to see Tlinglit tribal members enacting their history through song and dance. Also worthy of attention are the elaborately carved totem poles. Stroll over to the Cannery Museum and find out how this staple of the Alaskan diet is processed. Shop for locally made preserves, jewelry, wooden carvings, clothing, and bath products. Take a walk along the well-marked nature trail to Hoonah. Enjoy delicious and abundant seafood, Dungeness crab, salmon, shrimp and cod in this remarkable natural environment.

Day 15 - Cruising Hubbard Glacier

You will cruise the spectacular Hubbard Glacier today

Day 16 - Anchorage, fly to UK

This morning you will disembark Regent Seven Seas Mariner and transfer to Anchorage Airport for your flight back to the UK.