Canada & Alaska Extravagance

Day 1 - Fly to Calgary

Fly to Calgary and transfer to your Banff hotel. (Transfer included.)

Day 2 - Discover Banff tour

Today you have your complimentary Discover Banff and its Wildlife tour.

Duration: 3 hours

Build a connection to our World Heritage Site on our trademark sightseeing tour as you visit Banff's landmarks and historic places. Hear how the 11,000 year old human history of the Bow Valley changed when three railway workers rediscovered a hidden natural hot spring. Visit the abandoned mining town of Bankhead, a relic of Banff's industrial past. All the while learn about wildlife behavior, habitat, and their winter survival adaptations as you tour around the area. Your time will be spent enjoying the sights, taking photos, and participating in short walks to view points, on the many stops of the tour.

Tour highlights: Bow Falls, Banff Springs Hotel, Bankhead (an abandoned mining town and relic of Banff's industrial past), Surprise Corner, Hoodoos & Bow Valley Viewpoint, Lake Minnewanka, refreshment and maple cookies.

Drop off is available at the Banff Gondola. Please advise your driver at time of boarding if you would like to be dropped off there.  (You have a complimentary pass for the Banff Gondola)

Day 3 - Enjoy Banff

Spend today at your leisure taking in Banff and it's National Park. End your days sightseeing by relaxing at the Banff Hot Springs (admission included).

Day 4 - Lake Louise

Today take the short transfer to Lake Louise and check-in to the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise where you will have a lake view room

Day 5 - Icefield Parkway Discover to Jasper

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, Peyto Lake and the Weeping Wall before arriving at the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield where we allow time to enjoy the “Ice Explorer Ride” on to the Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk (includedFrom 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.

Day 6 - Enjoy Jasper

Today you have the Maligne Lake & guided walk tour.  

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). Remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Day 7 - Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to Kamloops, in the heart of the British Columbia Interior. As you journey west and south you will be surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Continental Divide and by the river valleys of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Today’s highlights include Mount Robson, Pyramid Falls, the climb over Yellowhead Pass, and the journey along the North Thompson River as you approach Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops. Breakfast & Lunch included.

Day 8 - Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service

Your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. On today’s journey you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the Interior, through winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade Mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Vancouver this evening. Overnight in Vancouver. (Transfers included) Breakfast & Lunch included

Day 9 - Explore Vancouver

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.

Afternoon at your leisure.

Day 10 - Board the Seven Seas Mariner

Your hotel in Vancouver offers a complimentary taxi service to the cruise port, please book this in during check in. This afternoon board the "Seven Seas Mariner" for your 7-night, luxurious Alaska Cruise.

Day 11 - Cruise the Inside Passage

Today cruise one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world - the Inside Passage - where ships can sail close to steep mountain walls, giving magnificent views of the unbelievable scenery from forests to evocative towns.

Day 12 - 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. Travellers flock to Ketchikan for their first look at the North Country and are rarely disappointed.

Day 13 - 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 travellers for over a century, with steamship companies bringing tourists here since the early 1880’s.

Day 14 - 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 15 - Icy Strait (Hoonah)

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 16 - Cruising the Hubbard Glacier

Viewing the magnificent grandeur of immense glaciers is surely one of the highlights of a journey to Alaska. Sail along a cliff face over six miles wide, 300 to 400 feet from peak to sea level and 300 feet from sea level to the bottom. As Hubbard Glacier advances, listen to the symphony of creaks and groans as it moves and calves. This makes for some exciting moments when the huge chunks of ice crash into the bay creating a wonderful sound called 'white thunder' by the Tlingit people. Please be advised that due to the under-developed nature of this destination, organized tours are not available.

Day 17 - Arrive Anchorage

On arrival in Anchorage, transfer to Anchorage International airport (included) for your flight to the UK