Welcome to Canada! Make your way to your downtown Calgary hotel, where you can relax after your flight, or drop your bags off and then head out to explore.

The Calgary Tower’s 158 metre-high observation deck is a great place to get your bearings, and Prince’s Island Park perfect for an evening stroll.

SilverLeaf: Delta Calgary Downtown or similar

GoldLeaf: Fairmont Palliser Hotel or similar

Depart Calgary this morning and ascend into the Canadian Rockies!

Your first stop is Banff, where a guided tour to Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos, and  boat cruise on the beautiful Lake Minnewanka await.

After riding the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, from where it is possible to see six mountain ranges, continue onto Lake Louise for a two night stay, surrounded by soaring snow-capped peaks.

If you would prefer to stay in Banff rather than Lake Louise just let your Travel Consultant know.

SilverLeaf & GoldLeaf: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or similar

Today is yours to enjoy as you please at Lake Louise.

You could hire a kayak and gently paddle across the lake’s turquoise waters, or follow the 2 km trail along it’s northern shore to the milky creek that gives the lake its iconic colour.

Is you’re feeling energetic, a 3.4 km uphill hike from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise leads you to Lake Agnes, a hidden gem, tucked beneath towering peaks.

Back at the hotel, you can relax in the Fairview Bar or enjoy a dip in the indoor pool.

SilverLeaf & GoldLeaf: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or similar

Today you will travel from Lake Louise to Jasper via one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. En route you will stop at the Athabasca Glacier to ride out onto the ice in an Ice Explorer, and the impressive Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a glass-floored, counter-levered walkway that extends out over the cliffs of the Sunwapta Valley. Lunch is provided at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre.

SilverLeaf: The Crimson, Jasper or similar

GoldLeaf: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge or similar

Lunch

Today is yours to explore Jasper and the surrounding National Park at your leisure. Various activities are available to pre-book before you travel. You could go in search of black and grizzly bears on a Jasper wildlife tour or enjoy a Malign Lake cruise. Just let your Travel Consultant know what you would like to do.

SilverLeaf: The Crimson, Jasper or similar

GoldLeaf: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge or similar

Feel the excitement build as you board the Rocky Mountaineer this morning for your Journey Through the Clouds!

Enjoy a delightful breakfast and lunch on board, and insightful commentary from your attentive hosts, as you climb over Yellowhead Pass then descends past the towering Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

Your luxury rail journey continues south, tracking the North Thompson River and passing Pyramid Falls, before arriving into Kamloops in the evening.

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

Breakfast, 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, Lunch

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

For a morning stroll head to the picturesque Stanley Park, where you can wander along the seawall.

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.