Jewels of Alaska & Canada

Day 1 - Fly to Calgary

On arrival at Calgary Airport you will be transferred by coach to your Banff hotel.

Day 2 - Explore Banff

This morning we have included the popular Explore Banff with Gondola tour. You will have the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure.

Duration approx: 5 hours and 30 minutes to 6 hours and 30 minutes

Learn about culture, geology and wildlife while exploring the spectacular sights of the renowned mountain town of Banff. This sightseeing tour will take you to some of the most incredible sights and sounds that western Canada has to offer. Head up the Banff Gondola to the peak of Sulphur Mountain for a 360 degree panorama of the Bow Valley.

You will visit points such as: - Bow Falls - Sulphur Mountain - Tunnel Mountain Drive - Surprise Corner - Hoodoos - Two Jack Viewpoint - Lake Minnewanka - Banff Gondola (admission included) - Dedicated on-board host - Light snacks & refreshments included - Light lunch included in tour

Note: - Stops listed in the itinerary may be substituted based on the driver's discretion. Some stops may be unavailable due to seasonality, weather conditions or traffic delays.

Day 3 - Banff to Jasper via Icefield Parkway

Duration: 11 hours* *Note: Not all of the regularly scheduled stops on this sightseeing tour are accessible during the Winter, so the length of this tour may be shortened during this time.

Today's tour to Jasper takes us through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in North America. Following the spine of the Canadian Rockies, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged snowy peaks, and over 100 glaciers. The entire day is spent in the majesty of Canada's two most famous National Parks, Banff and Jasper. Departing Banff we pass Vermilion Lakes and the fortress formations of Castle Mountain before arriving at stunning Lake Louise and the world famous Chateau Lake Louise. After a short break we continue northwards on the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic stretches of highway in North America. Stops will be made at Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, and the Weeping Wall before arriving at the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield where we allow time to enjoy the "Ice Explorer Ride" and the Glacier Skywalk. From here the parkway descends Tangle Ridge and follows the Athabasca River, which begins as melt water from the Athabasca Glacier. We then stop at the Athabasca Falls, where the boiling waters of the river plunge into a chasm gouged out of the valley floor.

Highlights: - A boxed lunch is included - Glacier Adventure Package (Ice Explorer & Glacier Skywalk) admissions are included

Day 4 - Jasper Sightseeing

We have included the Maligne Lake & Guided Walk tour this morning.  

Duration: 5-6 hours

This amazing tour is a guided interpretive drive up the Maligne Valley. Our exploration will include a stop at Maligne Canyon for a gentle guided walk to the first two bridges above the gorge, a short stop at the "disappearing" Medicine Lake, and finally Maligne Lake. At this picturesque gem of the Canadian Rockies enjoy a guided walk along the Mary Schaffer Loop (3.2km return). We have alternative tours available, speak to your Canada Expert for details.

Day 5 - Jasper to Quesnel - Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf

Wide-eyed, you’ll experience mountainous terrain, untouched lakes and incredible waterfalls. You’ll gradually lose altitude as you come through the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The awesome sight of Mount Robson, the range’s highest peak, will greet you. Every step of the way, your emotions will follow the extremes of the journey, from silent awe to uncontained elation. This route offers the best kind of drama—the nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat kind! Arrive in Quesnel for your overnight stay.  

Day 6 - Quesnel to Whistler - Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf

After an overnight hotel stay in Quesnel, you’ll head south again.Turning south and east, the landscape becomes more rugged. More wild. Sheer cliffs on one side, milky-green lakes on the other. You’ll travel down the Pemberton Valley as you glide beside gorgeous Anderson and Seton Lakes. Arrive in Whistler for your overnight stay.

Day 7 - Whistler to Vancouver - Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf

Having had a relaxing stay at one of Whistler's hotels, Prepare to be amazed as you make your way past massive cliffs, deep canyons, and stunning bridges. You'll roll along the scenic fjord of Howe Sound and along the foot of the Coast Mountains until arriving in the stunning city of Vancouver.

Day 8 - Vancouver City Highlights tour

This morning we have included a 3.5 hour Vancouver City Highlights tour. Prepare to experience the unique history and unfolding splendour as you tour through the modern streets of Vancouver. Drive by the most renowned sights and learn how Vancouver became the city it is today. Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and framed by British Columbia's imposing mountains, it's easy to fall in love with this astonishing city. Drive through historic neighbourhoods such as Gastown, Chinatown, scenic English Bay and the picturesque Vancouver Harbour. Stops in Stanley Park feature Indigenous Peoples' Totem Poles, spectacular views of the mountains and the Lions Gate Bridge. Also includes the opportunity to wander through the charming farmer's market at Granville Island. The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure.

Day 9 - Vancouver Exploring

Day 10 - Board your Alaska Cruise

Morning at leisure in Vancouver before making your way to short distance to Canada Place, where you will board your Celebrity ship for a sensational 7-night Alaska cruise.  Transfer not included.

Day 11 - Cruising the 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 12 - Icy Strait Point

For thousands of years, the Tlingit Indians have called this place home. Located just 22 miles southeast of Glacier Bay National Park, Icy Strait Point offers travellers the chance to view an enormous variety of wildlife including humpback whales, eagles, and brown bears, or explore monuments to the region’s fishing heritage. Please note that on some sailings Icy Strait Point is replaced with Sitka.

Day 13 - Hubbard Glacier

Hubbard Glacier is the largest calving glacier on the North American continent. The glacier routinely calves off icebergs as high as 10-storey buildings, sending massive blocks of ice into the sea every few minutes.

Day 14 - Juneau

Juneau, the capital of Alaska, has an air of mystique – a town you cannot reach by road, you need to fly or come by sea! Juneau delights with an abundance of water, forests and mountains.Situated between the Coast Mountains and the Gastineau Channel, Juneau offers a lot of variety, with the immense Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefields at its back door and the Tongass National Forest stretching out to the northeast. Juneau offers a variety of activities from shopping downtown to dogsledging, hiking, whale-watching and so much more.

Day 15 - Ketchikan

You've never tasted salmon so fresh. Known as the 'Salmon Capital of the World', Ketchikan is also the ancestral home of the Tlingit people, who have carved the world's largest collection of totem poles. If you're up for an adventure, take a canoe and nature trail excursion through the rain forest or a wilderness exploration followed by a sumptuous crab feast you'll long remember.

Day 16 - Cruising the Inside Passage

Cruise back along the Inside Passage and take in the breath-taking wilderness coastline, with snow capped mountain peaks, glaciers, and rain forests. You may see whales, eagles, sea lions, sea otters, and mountain sheep.

Day 17 - Arrive Vancouver, transfer to Victoria

This morning disembark the ship and take the coach transfer from Vancouver Cruise Terminal to Victoria. The coach will take you onto the ferry and drop you off at Victoria downtown Bus Station, from here you can get a local taxi for the short 5-10 minute ride to your downtown hotel.

Day 18 - Whale Watching

Marvel at the majesty of Canada's marine wildlife on this 3-hour whale-watching adventure in Victoria. Hop aboard your covered vessel and cruise through the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait with your guide. Watch for marine wildlife from the open sun decks or in the heated indoor cabin. The vessel will stop at points of interest through the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait. Listen to fascinating commentary from marine naturalists onboard, and admire the beautiful Orcas, Humpback whales, Gray whales and Minke whales you find. You may also see local marine wildlife such as Dall's porpises, Harbour porpoises, Steller and California sea lions, Harbour and Elephand seals, otters and a variety of birds such as cormorants and Bald Eagles.  Remainder of your day is at your leisure

Day 19 - Fly from Victoria

This morning at leisure before your flight from Victoria homeward (in direct).