FLY FREE to CANADA - 23 Day Scenic Spectacular Rockies and Alaskan Cruise
return airfares from Australia to Seattle, including taxes; airport to hotel and ship to airport transfers; all transportation throughout; first class accommodations during land tour; free upgrade to Verandah Cabin on cruise; 42 superb meals; all tipping & gratuities; Gold Leaf travel on Rocky Mountaineer train; all sighseeing as per itinerary; services of an experienced Tour Director
Day 1: Arrival in Vancouver (D) On arrival you will be met and transferred* to your hotel in the heart of one of Canada’s most beautiful cities. Tonight meet your Tour Director and travelling companions for a ‘Welcome to Canada’ dinner.
Overnight Stay: The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Day 2: Vancouver (B) Be the first to see the sunlight warm the dewed foliage and timbers of the forest with a Guided Nature Walk through the rainforest at Capilano Suspension Bridge, as the park opens early exclusively for us! Later enjoy a guided tour of Vancouver and an afternoon to explore at your leisure. Overnight Stay: The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Day 3: Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops (B,L) Early morning transfer to Vancouver Railroad Station for a 2 day rail experience on ‘The Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World.’ Settle back in your Goldleaf carriage. Follow the Fraser RiverValley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, arriving into Kamloops. Tonight, perhaps enjoy dinner and a show.
Overnight Stay: Kamloops Hotel (as assigned by Rocky Mountain Vacations)
Day 4: Rocky Mountaineer Train - Jasper (B,L,D) Transfer back to Kamloops station and continue your journey eastward into the spectacular Rocky Mountains. Today’s highlights include Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954m, Pyramid Falls, as well as the climb over the Yellowhead Pass into Jasper National Park. This evening arrive in Jasper and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight Stay: Sawridge Hotel
Day 5: Jasper (B, D) Included Scenic Freechoice activities this morning, followed by an afternoon at leisure.
Day 6: Icefields Parkway - Glacier 'Ice Explorer' - Lake Louise (B,D) Depart Jasper and travel south along the Icefields Parkway, acclaimed as one of the most spectacular journeys in the world, and enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery. Be amazed by the powerful Athabasca Falls, then make a stop at the Columbia Icefield, where you’ll take the ‘Ice Explorer’ onto the mighty 300-meter thick Athabasca Glacier. Arrive into Lake Louise and enjoy a nature walk along the shoreline of the lake. Included Scenic Freechoice Dining this evening. Overnight Stay: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Day 7: Lake Louise - Emerald Lake - Banff (B,D) Visit Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge enroute to the township of Banff. On arrival into Banff enjoy your Gondola Ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain, with unbelievable views of the Bow River valley. Included Scenic Freechoice Dining this evening
Two Night Stay: The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Day 8: Banff (B) Included Scenic Freechoice activities this morning, and the afternoon is yours to explore the alpine township of Banff
Day 9: Sun Peaks (B,D) Today we travel to the alpine ski village of Sun Peaks. After dinner enjoy this evening's included Scenic Enrich highlight - a historic insight into the fur trading industry and life as a pioneer - Exclusive to Scenic Tours. Overnight Stay: Delta Sun Peaks Resort or similar
Day 10: Cariboo Region - Whistler (B) Visit Historic Hat Creek Ranch and learn about the Shuswap people. Continue to the charming reosrt of Whistler Village. This evening's included Scenic Enrich presentation involves stepping into the world of the Black Bear with Michael Allen, a world leader in Black Bear research - exclusive to Scenic Tours. Included Scenic Freechoice Dining this evening. Two Night Stay: The Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Day 11: Whistler (B) Included Scenic Freechoice activity this morning. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Day 12: Howe Sound - Victoria (B) Optional 1 Hr Floatplane Flight to Victoria. Leave the crowds behind and soar over the many scattered islands through the Georgia Strait to the historic capital of British Columbia, Victoria. Arrive early afternoon giving you more time to explore! (additional Expense).
After breakfast drive along south along the Sea to Sky highway. On arrival at Horseshoe Bay board the BC Ferry and travel through Georgia strait to Vancouver Island. Continue onto Victoria, British Columbia's beautiful capital city.
Two Night Stay: The Fairmont Empress Hotel
Day 13: Victoria - Butchart Gardens - Sightseeing (B, D) Today visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens, a 22-hectare showplace of magnificent, colourful gardens. Afterwards enjoy an included Scenic Freechoice activity.
Day 14: Seattle - Alaskan Cruise (B,D) This morning transfer to Seattle Peir to join your luxurious cruise ship for your 7 night voyage through the famed Inside Passage to Alaska. Check into your Stateroom (FREE Upgrade to Verandah Stateroom - subject to availability) onboard Holland America Lines ms Westerdam and settle in for an unforgettable cruise.
Day 15: Cruising the Inside Passage (B,L,D) Spend the entire day cruising the Inside Passage one of the worlds’ most spectacular waterways as your ship threads her way past forests of spruce, mountains, islands and inlets.
Day 16: Juneau (Alaska's capital) (B,L,D) Juneau is only accessible by air or sea, so the best way to arrive is by luxury cruise! Learn the city’s Gold Rush story, drop into the Red Dog Saloon or visit the fascinating Alaska State Museum. (Shore excursions are at own expense).
Day 17: Hubbard Glacier(B,L,D) Hubbard Glacier is an awesome, inspiring attraction. It is the longest tidewater glacier in Alaska at 3 miles across and 3-400 feet tall. As you glide along this sparkling blue marvel, wathc for seals basking on ice floes and listen for the loud, deep rumble and wait for the mighty crack and thunderous crash of the glacier carving
Day 18: Sitka (B,L,D) Sitka is nestled between picturesque mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
Day 19: Ketchikan (B,L,D) Arrive into picturesque Ketchikan. Take the opportunity to visit Totem Bight State Park and walk through the forest to a replica Tlingit Indian Village.(Shore excursions are at own expense).
Day 20: The Inside Passage (B,L,D) A relaxing day as you travel south through the inside passage shaped by glaciers millions of years ago.
Day 21: Seattle (B) Disembark this morning and transfer* to Seattle airport for your flight home.
Day 22: Cross International Dateline - inflight to Australia
Day 23: Arrive home
