Spectacular Rockies and Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

Welcome to Canada! You will be met at Vancouver International Airport and transferred to your hotel. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner. (D)

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Vancouver including Stanley Park with its intricately carved totem poles, the waterfront area, historic Gastown with its lively shops and restaurants and Granville Island which is famous for its fresh food markets. Visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park where you can make your way across this spectacular suspension bridge, 70 metres above the Capilano River. Take in the surrounding forest and join the award winning Treetops Adventure along a series of elevated walkways. (B)

Set off on a two day rail experience on “The Most Spectacular Train Journey in the World”. Settle back in your GoldLeaf carriage as you enter the Fraser Valley then follow the Thompson River towards Kamloops. (B/L)

Continue your journey into the soaring, rugged snow-capped mountains. Marvel at the beauty of the glaciers, lakes and forest sitting at the foot of these grand mountains. Arrive into beautiful Lake Louise and the famous ‘Diamond in the Wilderness’, where we will stay in one of the Rockies most stunning and historic properties. (B/L)

Lake Louise enjoys picture perfect surroundings. Spend the day exploring the lake and soaking up the spectacular scenery. Take a walk around the edge of the lake or simply sit back, relax and take it all in. (B/D)

Set off to Banff, a picturesque town located within Banff National Park and the quintessential Rocky Mountains town. Upon arrival enjoy a sightseeing tour including Bow River and Bow Falls. Spend the next two nights at the "Castle in the Rockies", one of the most iconic and impressive hotels in Canada. (B)

Take the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain where you will witness inspiring views. Later, enjoy a sightseeing tour including Bow River and Bow Falls. (B/D)

• DiscoverMORE Take a breathtaking helicopter flight or relax on a float trip along the river (extra expense)

This morning, we travel north along the Icefields Parkway, acclaimed as one of the most spectacular journeys in the world. Enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery as you pass rugged peaks and glaciers fringed by thick forest and shimmering lakes.

We make a stop at the Columbia Icefield, North America’s largest sub-polar ice pack, where you’ll climb aboard the ‘Ice Explorer’ for a once-in-a-lifetime journey onto the mighty 300 metre thick Athabasca Glacier. The day’s end finds us in Jasper National Park, an alpine wonderland of pristine wilderness and abundant wildlife. (B)

Today, you have the opportunity to explore Jasper and its surrounds. This evening settle down for dinner at your hotel, a perfect way to unwind. (B/D)

• DiscoverMORE Float trip along the Athabasca River (extra expense)
• EmeraldPLUS This afternoon, enjoy a leisurely walk along the Flower Trail, which offers stunning views of the Athabasca River, surrounding mountains, and vibrant wildflowers. Wander through peaceful forests and open meadows while taking in the cool, calming atmosphere by the river before enjoying the Horns and Antlers presentation.
  

Depart Jasper and head past the awesome 3,954 metre high Mt. Robson. Continue through the Cariboo Mountains region and into the lush Okanagan Valley to Kelowna. Visit one of Kelowna’s award-winning wineries. (B/D)

Travel through scenic landscapes as the road meanders alongside the Nicola River and through sandstone chasms. Follow the Thompson and Fraser River past the town of Lillooet to the charming alpine resort of Whistler. (B)

Today is at leisure for you to explore the resort village of Whistler. (B)

• DiscoverMORE Special opportunity to take a Photo Safari tour or a dinner tasting tour (extra expense)

Travel along the Sea to Sky Highway following the rugged coastline, stopping at the awesome Shannon Falls. Board the BC ferry and cruise through the Georgia Strait to Vancouver Island before arriving into Victoria, British Columbia’s capital. (B)

Enjoy an orientation tour of Victoria’s Bastion Square, Beacon Hill and residential areas. Later, visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens, a 22 hectare showplace of magnificent, colourful gardens. Learn about the history and flora while exploring the gardens. (B/D)

• EmeraldPLUS The Dining Room Restaurant at Butchart Gardens provides a charming dining experience within the historic Butchart residence, complete with stunning views of Tod Inlet and the Italian Garden. Enjoy a delicious dinner, making it a perfect complement to the breathtaking garden surroundings.
• DiscoverMORE Take a horse and carriage ride, or go whale watching (extra expense)

Transfer to Vancouver where you will farewell your Tour Director as you board your luxurious cruise ship and check into your comfortable ocean view stateroom (upgrade to verandah stateroom additional expense) on the Holland America Cruise Ship ms Koningsdam and settle in for an unforgettable 7 night voyage through the famed Alaskan waterways. (B/D)

Relax as you cruise one of the world’s most spectacular waterways. (B/L/D)

Spend the day cruising the Inside Passage with its jaw dropping scenery. In the afternoon sail into Juneau, arguably one of America’s most beautiful state capitals, with the looming summits of Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts providing a gorgeous backdrop. (B/L/D)

Cruise into Skagway, the gateway to the Klondike. Enjoy free time to go ashore and stroll along the weathered boardwalks admiring the shop front facades, reminiscent of the gold rush era. (B/L/D)

Enter the iceberg-strewn waters of Glacier Bay National Park, where thirteen spectacular glaciers flow from surrounding mountains into the waters of the bay. A National Park Service Ranger will help you spot wildlife, while pointing out sights and explaining glacial activity. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to see a pinnacle of ice ‘calve’ or break away from the face of the glacier, and with a thunderous boom land in the bay. (B/L/D)

Welcome to the salmon capital of the world. Rich native history makes the town an essential stop for anyone interested in native art. (B/L/D)

A day of relaxation as you cruise south. (B/L/D)

Disembark early this morning and transfer to Vancouver International Airport to board your homeward flight (book flight after 2pm).

Please book your flight to depart out of Vancouver after 02:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Tours cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. (B)