21 Day Reflections Of The Rockies & Alaska Cruise

Your journey begins today upon your arrival in Victoria. Be met at the airport and then transferred to your hotel. After you check in and relax, you will meet your fellow guests and Tour Director at a Welcome Reception later today.

This morning, enjoy a short orientation tour of Victoria before visiting The Butchart Gardens. Among the most famous gardens in the world, The Butchart Gardens are more than a hundred years old and have a distinctive style all of their own. Spend time wandering through the lovely Sunken Garden and relax in the beautiful setting of the Japanese Garden and the Italian Garden. Explore the plants and floral displays on show. Then, perhaps take a whale-watching cruise or a horse-drawn carriage tour (own expense).

Drive to the town of Chemainus before boarding a ferry across the Georgia Strait to Horseshoe Bay. Admire expansive views of the Coastal Mountains as you journey along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway, with a stop at Shannon Falls en route to Whistler. Instead of taking the ferry, you may like to take a floatplane flight across the Georgia Strait to Whistler (own expense).

Insider Experience: Enjoy an indigenous-inspired feast at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and gain insight into the heritage of the local First Nations people.

Today is yours at leisure to explore. Perhaps enjoy one of the select experiences available to you. Take an incredible floatplane flight, tour Blackcomb Mountain on a Jeep Safari, or head up to the snowline of Whistler Mountain by 4x4 or snowcat. Other options include a gondola ride, an informative Tree Trek, an adventurous Zip Trek or a breathtaking helicopter flight (own expense).

After breakfast, travel through the rugged Cariboo region to Blue River.

Insider Experience: Enjoy an incredible overnight escape at Mike Wiegele Heli Village, which offers adventure and serenity in a picturesque setting. Relax amid the lodge’s rustic surrounds and enjoy a dinner this evening as you prepare for tomorrow’s adventures.

The day ahead promises alpine scenery and adventure in the great outdoors. Later, follow the famous Yellowhead Highway on your way to fairytale Jasper National Park. En route you’ll pass the majestic Mt Robson, which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, before continuing to the mountain resort town of Jasper.

Insider Experience: Set off on a remarkable River Safari to stunning Grizzly Bear Valley where you’re likely to witness active native wildlife on the riverbank.

After breakfast today, you have the whole day to relax or explore Jasper National Park. There is no end to the excitement you can find in this beautiful region, so perhaps choose one of the select experiences on offer. You might like to take in the sights on a unique Harley Davidson sidecar tour. Alternatively, why not embark on a thrilling rafting adventure along the Athabasca River or join a memorable evening wildlife experience (own expense). This evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers.

Travel along the Icefields Parkway, considered the world’s most scenic highway, and stop at the Columbia Icefield for an exhilarating Ice Explorer ride onto Athabasca Glacier. After, continue to Lake Louise, the ‘Jewel of the Rockies’.

Insider Experience: Settle into The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and relax in spectacular surrounds.

This morning, travel to the stunning mountainscapes of glacier-fed Moraine Lake (weather permitting) on your way to Banff. This afternoon, arrive in Banff with time to explore this charming alpine town on a sightseeing tour.

Enjoy today at leisure to discover more of this beautiful alpine resort at your own pace. If you’re after adventure, then why not choose from a range of select experiences available to you. Consider joining a heli-flightseeing tour for aerial views of this breathtaking region, watch for local wildlife on an exhilarating Bow River float trip or perhaps set off on a Banff Experience tour (own expense).

This morning, board the world-famous Rocky Mountaineer train and settle into your carriage with large panoramic windows for expansive views of the fabled Rocky Mountains. Your journey takes you through the Spiral Tunnels, a historic engineering feat which snakes its way through the region. Then continue on through impressive Kicking Horse Canyon before arriving in the city of Kamloops late in the afternoon. There is time to settle into your comfortable hotel, explore, relax and dine this evening.

Rejoin the Rocky Mountaineer and continue your rail adventure west towards the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, enjoy incredible front-row views of the region’s natural beauty, taking in some of its many highlights, which include Fraser Canyon, the Coast Mountains and Fraser Valley. Late this afternoon, arrive in Vancouver where you will spend the next two nights. Settle into your centrally located hotel and enjoy free time to explore. Tonight, you might like to try a local restaurant for dinner.

Later today, fall in love with the beautiful city of Vancouver and get to know some of its most vibrant areas and best-loved attractions, such as Gastown and Granville Island, on a sightseeing tour. Tonight, enjoy a special Farewell Dinner with your fellow guests.

Insider Experience: Watch for bears and enjoy a delicious breakfast at Grouse Mountain. During your bear experience you will receive early access to Grouse Mountain, with opportunities to see the resident bears exploring their habitat before you sit down to breakfast.

After breakfast this morning, transfer to board your premium cruise ship. Enjoy time to relax and settle into your cabin before dinner on board this evening.

Enjoy a full day at sea at the beginning of your phenomenal journey. Relax and absorb the majestic scenery as your ship cruises past dramatic rocky headlands and glides over the frigid waters of the Inside Passage. You also have plenty of time to explore the facilities of your cruise ship and perhaps relax in one of the onboard public areas.

Today your journey brings you to Alaska’s capital, Juneau. There is time to explore the region’s glacial terrain and gold rush history or perhaps choose to make your way to the town and explore the rustic shops located here. You may also like to experience an exhilarating dog sled ride over a glacier or try one of the other activities available to you. These include sampling delicious salmon baked over a fire or even trying your hand at panning for gold in this former gold rush town (own expense).

This morning, you’ll dock at the port of Skagway, which is located at the northernmost point of the Inside Passage. Skagway was once a frontier town and gateway to the Klondike and still celebrates its gold rush past to this day. You will find a variety of stores and saloons in town that capture the excitement and history of the gold rush days. Here, you will also have the opportunity to learn more about gold prospecting or to view some of the fascinating local wildlife on a tour (own expense).

Wake up to the breathtaking sight of Glacier Bay National Park this morning, with its formidable rivers of ice, wild coastline and sheltered fjords. As you cruise through the national park, it is easy to see why the area has received World Heritage status. Today, you’ll gain a more detailed insight into the unique nature of this national park as local rangers join you on board to explain the geological wonders and diverse wildlife found in this remarkable region.

Arrive today in the Alaskan town of Ketchikan, regarded as the salmon capital of the world and renowned for its idyllic scenery and rich Alaskan Native cultures. Here, you will have free time to relax and explore the town at your leisure. Alternatively, perhaps choose to join a walking tour of the town or learn about the history of Tlingit culture at Saxman Native Village (own expense), where you’ll be fascinated by the collection of Native American totem poles found on display.

Today marks your final day aboard your premium Holland America Line cruise ship. You’ll spend the day cruising south through the Inside Passage and its magnificent landscapes and towering glaciers. There is time to relax on board and enjoy the premium facilities of your ship while you take in the incredible views. This evening, savour a final dinner on board.

After breakfast aboard your cruise ship this morning, disembark in Vancouver for your airport transfer and onward flight.