Welcome to Western Canada! Make your way to your downtown Calgary hotel, where you can relax after your flight or head straight out to explore. Known as Canada’s ‘Cowboy Country’, Calgary blends big-city attractions with a distinctly western charm, and is the gateway to the Canadian Rockies.

Start at the Calgary Tower for sweeping views across the city and towards the Rockies, then wander along Stephen Avenue, lined with shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. For a slower pace, follow the Bow River to Prince’s Island Park and the red Peace Bridge, or head east to East Village, home to the Calgary Central Library and Studio Bell. In the evening, enjoy dinner downtown before the next stage of your Western Canada adventure.

SilverLeaf: Delta Calgary Downtown or similar
GoldLeaf: Fairmont Palliser Hotel or similar

Depart Calgary this morning on a scenic transfer to Banff, travelling west as Alberta’s foothills give way to the peaks of the Canadian Rockies.

Along the way, your journey includes a guided introduction to some of Banff National Park’s best-known sights. See Bow Falls, travel along Tunnel Mountain Drive, and stop at Two Jack Viewpoint, with time to take in the surrounding mountain scenery.

You’ll also ride the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, where panoramic views stretch across Banff, the Bow Valley, and six surrounding mountain ranges.

To complete the journey, enjoy a one-hour cruise on Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park. You have truly arrived in the Canadian Rockies!

SilverLeaf & GoldLeaf: Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa or similar

Today is yours to enjoy as you please in the welcoming town of Banff, where you’ll find activities for all.

Spend time browsing the shops, cafés and restaurants along Banff Avenue, or follow one of the easy walking trails beside the Bow River. For a little more adventure, the Tunnel Mountain Trail offers rewarding views across the town and Bow Valley.

You could also visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, where natural hot springs played an important role in the creation of Canada’s first national park, before enjoying a soak at Banff Upper Hot Springs, set high on the slopes of Sulphur Mountain.

Alternatively, you could join a Mountain Lakes & Waterfalls day tour from Banff to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Takakkaw Falls. Just ask your travel expert to add it to your itinerary.

SilverLeaf & GoldLeaf: Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa or similar

Feel the excitement build as you board the Rocky Mountaineer this morning for your ‘First Passage to the West‘ rail journey. This spectacular route follows the historic line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, built in the late 19th century to connect eastern and western Canada.

Enjoy the ever-changing scenery as you descend almost 1 kilometre in altitude between Banff and Kamloops. Highlights of today’s journey include the incredible Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, and Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park.

You will arrive in Kamloops in the evening.

SilverLeaf & GoldLeaf: Selected Kamloops hotel (comfortable, moderate standard)

Breakfast and lunch

From Kamloops, your Rocky Mountaineer journey continues west, to the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver.

As you traverse the British Columbia interior, you’ll follow winding river canyons and pass pristine forests, before crossing the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley. You Rocky Mountaineer hosts will let you know when you are approaching the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate, and other journey highlights.

On arrival in Vancouver this evening, you’ll be transferred to your city centre hotel.

SilverLeaf: Sutton Place Hotel or similar
GoldLeaf: Sheraton Wall Centre or similar

Breakfast and lunch

You have a full day to explore Vancouver before boarding your Alaska cruise tomorrow.

For a morning stroll, head to Stanley Park and follow the seawall for views across English Bay, Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains, or wander through the forest trails and visit the totem poles at Brockton Point.

In the afternoon you could catch the ferry to Granville Island Public Market, or the shuttle to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, where a series of elevated walkways and bridges provide stunning views of the surrounding forests and the canyon below. Just let your Travel Consultant know if you would like to pre-book tickets.

SilverLeaf: Sutton Place Hotel or similar
GoldLeaf: Sheraton Wall Centre or similar

Your Alaska cruise departs from Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, in downtown Vancouver, this afternoon, giving you time for a leisurely breakfast or a little more sightseeing – the Museum of Vancouver coming recommended.

After settling into your cabin, make sure you’re up on deck to as your Holland America cruise passes under Lions Gate Bridge into Burrard Inlet. Then enjoy the coastal scenery as you sail between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland towards Alaskan waters.

Your choice of cabin

Dinner on board

Alaska’s Inside Passage is a renowned cruising route through a protected network of waterways, featuring glacier-cut fjords and lush rainforests.

Enjoy a whole day at sea, soaking in the scenery and keeping an eye out for passing whales and other marine life.

If you’re cruising during the summer, it stays light until late. Inside, there is a choice of restaurants and onboard entertainment to enjoy.

Your choice of cabin

All meals on board

The coastal scenery between Hobart Bay and Juneau is simply stunning; the mountains clad by old-growth temperate rainforest.

Your cruise will briefly moor at around 09:00 for those who wish to take an optional excursion to Tracy Arm Inlet (additional cost). This 48 kilometre fjord has glaciers clinging to its cliff faces, and summer waterfalls that plunge into the sea. Exploring in a high speed catamaran, the tour is also a great opportunity to see wildlife, with guests often spotting pigeon guillemots, bald eagles, harbour seals, mountain goats and bears.

The Tracy Arm Inlet excursion concludes in Juneau, re-joining the cruise ship. You can spend a leisurely afternoon in the Alaskan capital, or join one of several other excursions on offer including whale watching, sea kayaking, a tour to Mendenhall Glacier and Juneau’s Glacier Gardens, a helicopter flight and the ever-popular all-you-can-eat salmon bake!

Your choice of cabin

All meals on board

At the height of the Klondike Gold Rush, the port town of Skagway quickly grew to become Alaska’s largest, albeit somewhat raucous,  settlement. Much of the town has been preserved as part of a National Historical Park, with rangers offering free walking tours.

You have a full day in Skagway, with another wide range of optional activities available. Highly recommended is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, an incredible feat of engineering built to facilitate the gold rush. The journey to the summit of White Pass passes towering glaciers and cascading waterfalls, and crosses and sky-high trestles. You can stay on the train to come back down again, or for an adrenaline kick descend by mountain bike!

Other optional excursions include gold panning, dog sledding, and a wilderness safari to Glacier Point.

Your choice of cabin

All meals on board

Have your binoculars and camera ready as you cruise through Glacier Bay to the mile-wide Margerie Glacier, where you may have a chance to witness ice calving.

This area is also known for its abundant wildlife, with humpback whales frequenting the icy waters and  brown bear patrolling the wind-swept beaches.

Whilst you’ll probably want to spend most of the day on deck, do make sure to join the onboard presentation from a local Huna Tlingit guide about the ecology and geology of Glacier Bay, and why it’s critical that wild lands remain forever wild.

Your choice of cabin

All meals on board

Your next port of call is Ketchikan, a colourful town that appears to cling to the banks of the Tongass Narrows, surrounded by forest.

Rich in resources, this area has been the home to the Tlingit people since time immemorial, and the Haida and Tsimshians who moved to what is now South East Alaska from Canadamuch later. You can learn about their history and traditions at the Totem Heritage Centre and Totem Bight State Park, and in nearby Saxman Village.

A number of optional excursions are also available including sea kayaking, salmon fishing, an e-bike ride through the rainforest, and bear spotting by floatplane!

Lastly, for souvenirs (or locally smoked salmon), take a stroll along historic Creek Street, a boardwalk built over the Ketchikan Creek.

Your choice of cabin

All meals on board

Enjoy a final day cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage.

Keep an eye out for whales and other wildlife as your Holland America cruise heads back south towards Vancouver.

Enjoy a last dinner on board, and tonight’s evening entertainment.

You choice of cabin

All meals on board

Having sailed through the night, arrive into Vancouver early this morning.

It’s the end of your Rocky Mountaineer and Alaska cruise holiday today, though if you would like to add extra nights in the city, or in nearby Seattle, just let your Travel Consultant know.

Vancouver International Airport is around a 30 minute drive from Downtown / Canada Place Cruise Terminal.

Breakfast on board

• SilverLeaf – Experience luxury service with panoramic views, gourmet meals, friendly hosts, and complimentary baggage transfers, all designed to elevate your Rocky Mountain journey.
• GoldLeaf – Enjoy gourmet meals prepared by Executive Chefs and breathtaking views through bi-level glass dome coaches, offering an unforgettable perspective of the Canadian Rockies.

• Inside – Convertible lower beds, Mariner’s Dream™ queen-size bed, premium massage shower heads, and a range of amenities.
• Ocean View – As above, plus an ocean view.
• Vista Suite – Suites with a veranda and floor-to-ceiling windows, featuring convertible lower beds, Mariner’s Dream™ queen-size bed, whirlpool bath, mini-bar, and refrigerator.
• Neptune Suite – Spacious suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, private veranda, king-size Mariner’s Dream™ bed, whirlpool bath, and access to the Neptune Lounge with exclusive services.