15 Day Highlights of Canadian Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

Welcome to Calgary, the gateway to the Canadian Rockies. Upon arrival at the airport, make your way to your downtown hotel. Once you have settled in, you might choose to stroll through the city center or visit the nearby shopping district. Tonight is at your leisure to enjoy your first evening in Alberta. Special Information Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Hotel check-in time is at 3pm. If arriving prior to this, you will be able to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel's discretion.

After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Calgary. We'll visit downtown Calgary, take in the views of the Calgary Tower, and see the famous Stampede Grounds and Saddledome. We then depart the city and travel along the Trans-Canada Highway into the heart of the Canadian Rockies and into Banff National Park, Canada's first national park. On arrival, your tour leader will show you the highlights of the town, including views of the Banff Springs Hotel, Tunnel Mountain, the Hoodoos, and the rushing Bow Falls.Inspiring HighlightsCalgary city sightseeing tourEntry into Banff National ParkBanff townsite tourBow Falls and the HoodoosSpecial InformationYour travel time today is approximately 2 hours

This morning we travel to the shores of Lake Louise, where you can wander the lakefront and take in views of the Victoria Glacier and the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. We then continue to Moraine Lake, set in the beautiful Valley of the Ten Peaks, for one of the most photographed views in the Canadian Rockies. We return to Banff mid afternoon, with the remainder of the day at leisure to walk the forest trails, browse the boutiques and galleries on Banff Avenue, or relax at a local cafe.Inspiring HighlightsLake Louise and views of the Victoria GlacierMoraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten PeaksSpecial InformationYour travel time today is approximately 3 hoursMoraine Lake typically opens early June. Access is dependent on snow and avalanche conditions. If access is not available, you will enjoy more time at Lake Louise and in Banff

After breakfast, we journey north along the Icefield Parkway, a route famous for its incredible scenery of crystal green lakes and snow-capped peaks. Along the way, we stop at Peyto Lake before arriving at the Columbia Icefield. Here, you will board a massive Ice Explorer vehicle for a once-in-a-lifetime drive onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. You will have the chance to walk on the ice and even fill your water bottle with fresh glacier water. We continue to Jasper, stopping at the powerful Athabasca Falls if time permits.Inspiring HighlightsIcefields Parkway scenic drivePeyto Lake photo stopAthabasca Glacier Ice Explorer experienceAthabasca Falls visitSpecial InformationYour travel time today is approx. 4.5 hours.Athabasca Glacier typically opens for visitors in the first week of May. Access is dependent on weather conditions. If access is not available, you will enjoy more time in Jasper

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the rugged beauty of Jasper National Park. You could visit the local visitor center to learn about the park's history, take a stroll around the Jasper townsite, or head to the shores of a nearby lake to enjoy the mountain air.

Departing early in the morning, today we travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to Kamloops, in the heart of the British Columbia 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 the climb over the Yellowhead Pass, Pyramid Falls, Mount Robson, at 3,954 metres, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and the journey along the North Thompson River as you approach Kamloops in the evening.

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 B.C. Interior, through winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Cascade and Coast Mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser 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, where your trip leader will meet you at the Rocky Mountaineer station and transfer you to the hotel with the rest of your group, where you will have the night at leisure to explore this vibrant city. Inspiring Highlights Thompson River Fraser Canyon

After breakfast, enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour of Vancouver. Highlights include Stanley Park to see the impressive collection of totem poles, the beaches of English Bay, Granville Island, the trendy shops of Robson Street, and the historic atmosphere of Gastown. We also visit Canada Place before arriving at the Cruise Ship Pier Cruise Terminal to embark for your voyage to the Inside Passage.Take some time to explore the various decks and amenities as the vessel prepares to depart. As the ship pulls away from the pier, enjoy the stunning views of the Vancouver skyline and the surrounding mountains.Special InformationAlaska is part of the USA, and an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) or a visa may be required for entry. It is the responsibility of each traveller to ensure they meet the entry requirements for the United States based on the passport they are travelling with. Requirements can vary depending on your nationality, so we recommend checking with your local embassy or consulate well in advance of travel.

Today is spent cruising the world-famous Inside Passage. This coastal route weaves through a labyrinth of islands and towering fjords, offering some of the most scenic cruising in the world. Enjoy breakfast as you watch the shoreline for sightings of bald eagles, whales, and porpoises. The day is yours to relax on deck, participate in shipboard activities, or simply take in the verdant landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Inspiring Highlights Scenic cruising through the Inside Passage Breathtaking coastal fjord views Wildlife spotting opportunities from the deck

Today we arrive at Juneau, Alaska's remote capital city, which is accessible only by sea or air. After a hearty breakfast on board, you will have the day to explore this unique destination nestled at the foot of Mount Juneau. You might choose to join one of the many excursions that you can pre-book onboard or wander through the historic downtown area. Tonight, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere on the ship as you depart for your next destination. Inspiring Highlights Exploration of Alaska's capital, Juneau Views of Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts Opportunity to see the Mendenhall Glacier

Step back in time as the ship docks in Skagway, the legendary gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush. This morning, enjoy breakfast before heading ashore to explore the well-preserved wooden boardwalks and Victorian-era buildings of the downtown district. You may wish to learn more about the prospectors who once flocked here in search of fortune. Inspiring Highlights Historic Gold Rush architecture in Skagway Stunning mountain backdrops Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Prepare for a day of spectacular natural beauty as you cruise into the heart of Glacier Bay National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to massive tidewater glaciers that often "calve," or drop giant chunks of ice into the sea with a thunderous roar. A National Park Service Ranger will provide expert commentary on the local ecosystem and geology. Keep your binoculars ready for sightings of humpback whales, sea otters, and harbor seals. Inspiring Highlights Spectacular glacier viewing in Glacier Bay National Park Onboard commentary from National Park Rangers Incredible marine wildlife sightings

This morning, we arrive in Ketchikan, known as the "Salmon Capital of the World" and famous for its rich Native Alaskan heritage. After breakfast, you can explore the colorful shops and galleries of Creek Street, built on stilts over the water. The town is also home to an impressive collection of standing totem poles. Inspiring Highlights Vibrant Creek Street boardwalk Native Alaskan totem pole displays

Your final full day is spent cruising back through the majestic Inside Passage. Enjoy breakfast and take advantage of any ship amenities you haven't yet experienced. This is the perfect time to relax, reflect on your Alaskan adventures, and take in the last of the rugged coastal scenery. Spend your final evening enjoying a farewell dinner on board.

The ship returns to the beautiful city of Vancouver this morning. After a final breakfast on board, it is time to disembark. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.