This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
Experience the once in a lifetime grandeur of boarding the Rocky Mountaineer train from Vancouver to Banff with jaw-dropping scenery and multi-award winning service
A land of rugged hills, rushing waters and undisturbed wildlife, Alaska is as big as it is wild. Whether you're watching whales splash in the Pacific Ocean, gazing up at towering ice formations like the Hubbard Glacier or journeying by train deep into the last frontier on Anchorage's Coastal Classic Railroad, Alaska is sure to quench any explorer's thirst.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
✓ Incredible sightseeing, explore the breathtaking Rockies and Banff National Park, travel on the Rocky Mountaineer and cruise the remote Inside Passage to Alaska
✓ 2 day journey on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf
✓ 8 nights accommodation in central 3 to 4-star accommodation
✓ Including two magical nights at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
✓ 7 nights cruising the Inside Passage and Alaska with Royal Caribbean
✓ 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners
✓ Embark on a scenic cruise on Lake Minnewanka in Banff
✓ Ride the Banff Gondola for sweeping views of the Rockies
✓ Enjoy leisurely two night stays in Banff and Lake Louise
✓ Dedicated transportation as outlined in the itinerary
✓ Luggage handling and rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops and Lake Louise
✓ All National Park fees
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Upon arrival at Calgary Airport make your way to the desk of the local scheduled transportation company for your transfer to Banff.
Note: Flights must arrive into Calgary before 2000.
Today is yours at leisure to discover what Banff has to offer. Framed by rocky peaks and verdant valleys, Banff is one of the most picturesque towns on Earth.
OPTIONAL - DISCOVER BANFF TOUR
Join a guided sightseeing of Banff area in a modern 24 passenger bus, guided by enthusiastic interpretive guides who love to share their knowledge with you. Your journey includes the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, the natural wonders of Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka and the incredible views of Surprise Corner.
We depart Banff today, with our first stop at Vermillion Lakes. Journey from Vermilion Lakes to the “Jewel of the Canadian Rockies” Lake Louise. Then shadow the Great Divide exploring the natural viewpoints of Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake. At the Columbia Icefield ride on an all-terrain Ice Explorer and sip on the fresh waters of a glacier. Continue on through the Sunwapta Valley and take a stroll at Athabasca Falls before a late afternoon arrival at Jasper.
Today you will have a free day to explore Jasper.
OPTIONAL TOUR - JASPER WILDLIFE DISCOVERY
Jasper is the ultimate place to view wildlife in their natural surroundings. Join our informative wildlife tour and discover Jasper’s hidden gems all while seeking out the regions furry original inhabitants! Elk, deer, bear, moose and mountain goats are just a sample of the many wild animals roaming the park.
Travel onboard the 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.
Leaving Kamloops, 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, through the 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. Arrival in Vancouver is scheduled for early evening where you transfer independently to your Vancouver hotel.
Today you will have a day to explore Vancouver.
OPTIONAL TOUR - VANCOUVER HOP ON HOP OFF 2 DAY PASS
Explore Vancouver onboard clear-top buses and San Francisco-style trolleys. This flexible Classic Pass combines the CITY and PARK Routes and offers all the highlights of downtown Vancouver, including major attractions, and scenic points of interest. Choose to Hop-Off at any of the 29 stops, and Hop-On again to continue the tour.
Make your own arrangements to Vancouver Cruise Terminal to board your Alaska Inside Passage cruise.
Ports of call may vary cruise to cruise based on ship schedules.
Your ship offers the perfect platform for viewing British Columbia’s Inside Passage. This archipelago spans 25,000 miles from Seattle to Prince Rupert near the Alaskan border. Here you’ll ply calm waters sheltered between the British Columbia mainland and Vancouver Island. Along the way catch a glimpse of breathtakingly rugged scenery, plus staggering wildlife like salmon sharks, white spirit bears, and millions of seabirds.
Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage – a gateway to the wild landscapes and seascapes of Misty Fjords National Monument. The canned salmon capital of the world, it’s a hub for fishing and outdoor sports. It’s also home to three tribes of Northwest Coast Indians, making it a great place to get a taste for the local culture. You’ll see it in the colourful, hand-carved totems that line the city’s streets and parks, and in the unique stilted homes that cling to Deer Mountain’s slopes. If you want to get up close and personal with nature, venture into the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States. Or head to Ketchikan Creek Waterfall for amazing views of downtown Ketchikan and a glimpse at the yearly salmon runs.
Tracy Arm Fjord extends over 30 miles alongside the wilderness of Tongass National Forest. Sailing through this deep and narrow passage delivers some of the most breathtaking scenery you’ll find in Alaska. See active glaciers carved into 7,000-foot-tall mountain peaks and plunging waterfalls burrowed into evergreen-clad cliffs. Glimpse native wildlife and watch deep blue icebergs float past the ship.
If you’re looking for an authentic taste of wild, rugged adventure, a cruise to Haines, Alaska is just the ticket. Located less than 70 miles north of Juneau, along the continent’s longest and deepest fjord, Haines offers endless outdoor activities for intrepid explorers. Hike deep into misty coastal rainforests and ancient spruce woodlands. Set out on a rafting adventure along the rivers that thread the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Learn about the gold rush era at Fort William H. Seward. And discover the area’s rich cultural heritage in museums dedicated to the Native Tlingit People.
Sitka truly offers the best of Alaska. Its small-town appeal stems from a unique blend of Russian, Tlingit and American history. Its snow-capped peaks and volcanic Mount Edgecumbe pose amongst the state’s most postcard-worthy scenes. And its rare wildlife astounds, from Saint Lazaria Island’s orange-beaked puffins to Alaska Maritime Refuge’s 40 million seabirds. This is off-the-beaten-track Alaska, where you can kayak Sitka Sound alongside swimming sea otters or fly-fish for the world’s biggest halibut. Whether it’s hiking along Baranof Island trails or listening to tribal stories passed down for generations, in Sitka the midnight sun never sets on adventure.
Today is a full day to relax and enjoy the many activities, restaurants and entertainment your ship has to offer.
Welcome back to Vancouver. Your ship will arrive in port at approximately 7:00AM this morning. At the appropriate time, disembark your Alaska cruise and make your own way to your downtown hotel for your last evening in Vancouver.
At the appropriate time, make your own way to Vancouver International Airport for your onward flight. We hope you have enjoyed your incredible journey through Canada and Alaska!
Within the unique world of rail travel, Rocky Mountaineer is so much more than just a train. It's the key to unlocking a hidden world of unparalleled beauty as you carve through otherwise inaccessible terrain in the Canadian Rockies. And your job aboard their all-dome fleet? To indulge in the most luxurious journey you've ever experienced. It's a tall order, but you're moving in the right direction. Hot gourmet breakfasts and lunches served at your spacious seat means you won't have to miss a moment of the splendor out your window. Nor will you miss a moment of the latest captivating yarn or historical tidbit from your onboard Host.
Travel through scenic valleys, the Coast Mountains range and the Fraser Canyon with its spectacular white water rapids and dramatic landscape. You will follow the route of the Fraser River, home of British Columbia’s largest salmon run, pass by the Albreda Glacier and magnificent Pyramid Falls, and hopefully see wildlife on the way. The highlight of this route is majestic Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
Rocky Mountaineer service levels
SilverLeaf - Included
Your SilverLeaf service on board Rocky Mountaineer includes:
GoldLeaf - From an additional $700 per person, twin-share. Single from an additional $1,400.
In addition to the SilverLeaf inclusions listed above, your GoldLeaf experience includes:
For more information on the Rocky Mountaineer, click HERE.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID -19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID -19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
Flexible Date Change Option
Book now, change later with our Flexible Date Change option. You may select this $99pp option at time of purchase, giving travellers the flexibility to change your date without penalty (subject to availability, less third party costs incurred, plus any applicable surcharges for the new date selected).
Date change must be requested prior to 65 days before your original selected departure date*. Once inside 65 days of departure, date changes are not permitted.
*some packages may have a varied period in which you can request a date change due to limitations with the third -party provider.
Please refer to our 'Book with Confidence' section for terms and conditions.
The Flexible Date Change option does not cover cost incurred for components not fulfilled by Inspiring Vacations or in the event extra services have been booked with Inspiring Vacations outside of the standard package, including but not limited to airfares, pre/post accommodation or insurance.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling off period..
Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7 day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply. Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard.
Single Supplement
Select 'book now' and choose 1 passenger to show the single supplement for this tour.
Triple Share
Available upon request.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e -tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Group size varies from package to package. Depending on the services provided, the group size might range from private 2 person experiences up to coaches of 60 people depending on your selected holiday.
Tour Styles - This package is a Partially Escorted style.
To meet the needs of various types of travellers, we choose to operate various types of tours and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels -
Independent - On these packages you will travel from city to city on your own, exploring at your own pace. We have arranged transportation in most cases and day tours for you to see the destination. Enjoy the time and flexibility to linger longer or pick up the pace and see as much as possible.
Partially Escorted - A portion of these packages runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is independent, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
Fully Escorted - This tour is fully escorted by an expert English -speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
Children
Children must share a room with parents at all times and are charged the same price as adults.
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
You will enjoy waking up onboard Serenade of the Seas, a dreamlike ship that’s sleek and sunlit, with panoramic vistas and wide-open spaces at every turn. Acres of glass enclose a nine-story central atrium, while glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows ensure incredible views throughout the day. Here you can bask at the tranquil Solarium pool, recharge at Vitality Spa, or reach new heights on the signature Rock Climbing Wall. When the sun goes down, the night heats up with Broadway-style shows, Casino Royale, and 16 bars and lounges.
Stateroom Details;
Each stateroom aboard Serenade of the Seas includes the follwing services and amenities;
Complimentary 24-hour In-Room Dining
Daily Housekeeping
Nightly turndown service
Generous Storage
Safes for your valuables
Stateroom Bedding;
INSIDE - Included
Two lower beds convertible to one Royal King bed— Much larger than your regular cruise room, with seating and a desk. Each room includes a private bathroom, vanity area, hair dryer, TV and phone. (Approximately 20 square metres).
OCEAN VIEW - From an additional $345 per person, twin share (Single from an additional $750)
These staterooms include two lower beds convertible to one Royal King bed—includes seating and a desk, with a window allowing natural light into the room. Each room includes a private bathroom, vanity area, hair dryer, TV and phone. (Approximately 15 square metres).
OCEANVIEW BALCONY CABIN UPGRADE - From an additional $645 per person, twin share (Single from an additional $1,290)
Sliding glass doors open onto your private balcony from this comfortable stateroom, which includes two lower beds convertible to one Royal King bed. Each room includes a private bathroom, vanity area, hair dryer, TV and phone. — (Approximately 18 square metres with a 4sqm balcony).
Cabin Upgrades and prices are subject to availability upon booking. Please note your upgrade option as a special request when booking and our team will be in touch with a confirmed quote. If we are unable to confirm your request, we will quote alternative options.
Enhance your journey with this Optional Tour Bundle for only $245 AUD per person. See itinerary for tour descriptions.
Day 2 - Discover Banff Tour
Day 4 - Jasper Wildlife Discovery Tour
Day 7/8 - Vancouver Hop on Hop off 2-day Classic Pass
Book now, change later with our Free Flexible Date Change. Change your date free of charge for any COVID-19 related reason up to 30 days prior to departure. Date change must be requested prior to 30 days before your original selected departure. Once inside 30 days of departure, date changes may not be permitted. Date changes are subject to availability and any difference in price between the old and new date collected at the time of amendment.
The Free Flexible Date Change option does not cover cost incurred for components not fulfilled by Inspiring Vacations or in the event extra services have been booked with Inspiring Vacations outside of the standard package, including but not limited to airfares, pre/post accommodation or insurance.
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