Canada & Alaska Sojourn

Day 1 - Fly to Toronto

On arrival at Toronto, transfer to your chosen hotel for a 3 night stay.

Day 2 - Enjoy Toronto

Today we have included the Toronto Hop on Hop off Bus along you to explore Toronto at your own pace. 

Day 3 - Toronto - Niagara Falls - Toronto

Full day tour through the orchard-laden Niagara Peninsula to Niagara Falls, one of the great wonders of the world. Tours include: • Niagara City Cruises (mid-April - mid-November) or Journey Behind the Falls • Meal overlooking Niagara Falls, • Free time in Niagara on the Lake

Exploring Niagara Falls independently we recommend adding the Niagara Falls Explorer Pass. Providing you will access to Niagara Falls top attractions including Journey Behind the Falls, Niagara Parks Power Station, White Water Walk, Whirlpool Aero Car, Niagara’s Fury.

*Please note that the Niagara Falls Explorer Pass does not include transport between Toronto and Niagara Falls.

Day 4 - Fly Toronto to Calgary

Check out of you Toronto hotel and transfer to Toronto Airport for your flight to Calgary.

On arrival in Calgary, transfer to your chosen hotel in Banff. 

Day 5 - Enjoy Banff

Day at leisure to enjoy Banff and the National Park. Perhaps even pre-book an excursion, ask one of our Canada Experts for some recommendations. 

Day 6 - Scenic transfer Banff 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" and the Glacier Skywalk (included).

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 hearty picnic lunch is included and will be enjoyed at a secluded location along the Icefields Parkway.  

Ice Explorer Ride 

Facing the Columbia Icefield Visitors Centre lies the Athabasca Glacier - a tongue of ice 6 kilometres long and one kilometre wide descending almost to road level. Take time for Brewster's Ice Age Adventure, a tour onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier.

You will travel in a specially designed Brewster Snocoach to the middle of the glacier, on a 5 kilometre round trip journey. Your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out interesting geological features as you travel in safety and comfort.

At the icefall below the glacier headwall, you will have the option of stepping out onto ice formed from snow falling as long as 400 years ago.

Glacier Sky Walk 

A 500 metre interpretive boardwalk and a glass-floored observation platform extending 30 metres out over the Sunwapta Valley. Glacier Skywalk offers spectacular scenery and a rare view of nature.

Anyone of any age and any activity level can immerse themselves in nature in a way that makes them feel truly overwhelmed by their surroundings and their unique vantage point!

Day 7 - Explore Jasper

Day at Leisure to explore Jasper. Why not pre-book our popular Discover Jasper and its Wildlife tour, take a outdoor hiking and cooking tour, take a ride on the Tramway up Whistlers mountain or just relax and indulge yourself on a foodie tour.

Day 8 - Rocky Mountaineer Jasper to Kamloops

Travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s 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, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet), Pyramid Falls, the climb over Yellowhead Pass and the journey along the North Thompson River as you approach Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops. Breakfast, Lunch, Snack and beverage are included on board the train. Transfer included with Rocky Mountaineer.  

Day 9 - Rocky Mountaineer Kamloops to Vancouver

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 River 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. Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks and Beverages are included on board the train.  All transfers today are provided by Rocky Mountaineer.  

Day 10 - 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. Reminder of the afternoon at your leisure.

Day 11 - At Leisure

Today is yours at leisure. Why not speak ask one of our Canada Experts about the many excursions on offer in Vancouver, alternatively we can offer full day tours to Whistler with the Sea to Sky Gondola or Victoria with Butchart Gardens.

Day 12 - Board your Holland America Line Alaska Cruise

Spend this morning at your leisure and make your way to Canada Place around midday for your stunning 7 night Alaska Cruise.  

Day 13 - Inside Passage Cruising

At sea cruising the Inside Passage.

Day 14 - Tracy Arm Inlet & Juneau

Steep cliffs and glacier-covered mountains flank this fjord, fringed by the largest intact coastal temperate rain forest in the United States. Old-growth trees colonized Tracy Arm's mouth long ago as the Ice Age retreated. But further up the sinuous 48-kilometer (30-mile) waterway, its icy grip lingers a little.

There, the twin Sawyer Glaciers flow from the peaks down to the sea, sloughing off stories-high chunks of water frozen decades or even centuries before. Even more glorious than nearby Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm is part of the 5.7 million acres (or around 23,000 square kilometers) of pure wilderness sheltered by the Tongass National Forest (America's biggest).

Visitors often see bears, whales and mountain goats roaming across various corners of this pristine area—not to mention chubby baby seals resting on the ice floes. Summer temperatures average 35 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 16 degrees Celsius), so pack warm clothing.

And don';t forget waterproof gear, even when traveling by cruise ship: More than a meter and a half of rain falls here each year! We also recommend a water bottle, thermos or reusable coffee cup: On scenic cruising days, cruise ships ban paper and disposable plastic products that could litter this unsullied environment.

Juneau, Alaska may well be the most remote, most beautiful and strangest state capital in the United States. Surrounded by water, forest and mountain sights, visitors seeking things to do in Juneau indoors and outdoors can hike a glacier, eat fresh-caught fish on a seaside patio and tour a grand capitol building all in one day.

The city itself is pleasant, but the real highlight of a visit to Juneau is tracking down some wildlife.

You can hike up Mount Roberts to chance upon wild deer and bald eagles. Most sightseeing and whale-watching tours head north to Auke Bay—bring a good pair of binoculars to get the best view of these majestic and surprisingly graceful creatures.

If you prefer land mammals, catch a floatplane to a nearby wildlife reserve such as Chichagof or Admiralty Island to spy some bears lolling around.

The sleepy, misty city of around 32,000—mostly fishermen and small-business owners—has a frontier town vibe, but welcomes more than a million visitors each summer to its natural attractions, cementing Juneau as Alaska’s number-one tourist destination. 

Day 15 - Skagway

Skagway was the gateway to the Klondike gold rush in 1898 and the glory days still resound through the town. Stroll through Skagway and browse the restored buildings and wooden boardwalks at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park or take a ride on the White Pass & Yukon narrow-guage railway and finish up in the Red Onion Saloon!

Day 16 - Glacier Bay

Glacier Bay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that protects a unique ecosystem of plants and animals living in concert with an ever-changing glacial landscape. It has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than any place else in the world. Watch as monumental chunks of ice split off a glacier and thunder into the sea - the impact sending water hundreds of feet into the air. Hold your breath, catch the moment on film. Then wait for it all to happen again. As it always does….

Day 17 - Ketchikan

With shops and houses built out over the water, Ketchikan clings to the shoreline of the Tongass Narrows. The stairways are weathered and the vibe is cheerful in the town that calls itself the Salmon Capital of the World.

Besides the main attractions – Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village – try a flightseeing trip to Misty Fjords National Monument.

These deepwater fjords were gouged out by retreating glaciers, leaving granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea and countless waterfalls plunging into placid waters

Day 18 - Inside Passage cruising

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 19 - Disembark cruise in Vancouver

Disembark your cruise in Vancouver this morning and transfer to your hotel. Ask one of our Canada Experts for some recommendations of how to spend your day is this vibrant coastal city.

Day 20 - Fly from Vancouver

Today transfer to Vancouver airport for your overnight flight.