14 Day Ultimate Rocky Mountain, Canada & Alaska Explorer

Banff Sightseeing Tour 

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Banff National Park. Start your morning with a leisurely hike in Johnston Canyon and stroll along the shores of picturesque Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.  Alpine, cross-country skiing, heli-skiing and snowboarding are popular activities in quiet Lake Louise, 35 miles east of Banff, as are ice fishing, skating, dog sledding and ice climbing. In summer, the area attracts almost as many visitors to its trails, waters and rock faces. Peer into turquoise Lake Louise in Banff National Park, three miles from the town of the same name, and be amazed by the colour. The renowned grand hotel Chateau Lake Louise sits at the brim of the eponymous lake In the afternoon, visit the world famous Banff Springs Hotel and Bow Falls. With your free time in Banff, you may also choose from optional activities such as soaking in the natural spa at the Upper Hot Springs* or taking a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain*.

Accommodation: Banff Aspen Lodge.

Rocky Mountaineer Train from Banff to Kamloops

Toast to your first day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer! Today you’ll pass by the snow-peaked mountains and crystal-clear waters that our country is famous for. Highlights include; the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon and Rodgers Pass.  A dramatic change of scenery will take place as you approach the ranchlands of the interior plateau.

Stop and spend the night in your hotel room in the city of Kamloops.

Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops to Vancouver

The mountains return and combine with thick fir forests and the mighty Fraser River to create a spectacular setting for your last day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Today, one of the highlights will be passing by Hell’s Gate, a narrow canyon that transforms the Fraser River into a powerful surge of water rapids.  Arrive in Vancouver in the afternoon and after checking into your hotel, take advantage of your “Hop On, Hop Off” bus pass to explore the city at your own pace.

Accommodation: Atrium Hotel Vancouver

Vancouver Sightseeing 

Use your included, “Hop On, Hop Off” bus pass to explore the city at your leisure.  Explore the best of Vancouver as your hop-on, hop-off tour circles through a series of cultural districts, seaside points of interest and open spaces.  Enjoy a comfortable sightseeing experience onboard either a San Francisco-style trolley or clear-top bus. On this hop-On, hop-Off tour, you will have the freedom to plan your own sightseeing itinerary with 28 stops close to the major Vancouver attractions. The tour operates on two routes: 1/ City Route: covers all the downtown highlights.  2/Park Route: covers the open spaces, natural wonders and the seaside.  The on-board live GPS commentary in 7 languages will give you the opportunity to learn about what makes this city so special. Some of the major attractions covered along the tour are: Canada Place, Art Gallery, Robson Street, Chinatown, Vancouver Aquarium, Stanley Park, English Bay Beach, Sports District, Library Square, Parq Casino Science World. Blessed with a spectacular Pacific Rim location, Vancouver is a study in contrasts and cohesion. Set between the mountains and the sea, the city blends cultures and landscapes, allowing visitors to enjoy a modern, cosmopolitan city alongside the great outdoors. 

Accommodation: Atrium Hotel Vancouver

Alaska Inside Passage Cruise.

Bon Voyage – catch a taxi to the Vancouver cruise dock to board the Serenade of the Seas ship to Alaska.

Inside Passage

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, Alaska

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 Alaska

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.

Juneau, Alaska

You can’t get to Juneau easily without a sprint by air or by sea. But once you arrive you’ll find majestic views and rich culture in every corner. With its snowcapped mountains, misty rainforests, massive glaciers and bounty of wildlife, Alaska’s remote state capital is the perfect place to dive into nature. Framed by Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts, the city’s picturesque central area offers centuries-old bars, boutique shops and historical landmarks. For a taste of the local culture, visit the historic district and the Alaska State Museum. And for outdoor thrills, you can take your pick of activities ranging from whale watching in Auke Bay Harbour to tundra trekking over Mendenhall Glacier, and even try your hand at gold panning in Last Chance Basin.

Haines, Alaska

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, Alaska

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.

Depart Vancouver for Australia.

Please catch a taxi to Vancouver airport for your flights home to Australia.

We hope you have enjoyed your tour to spectacular Canada & Alaska.

Arrive Home in Australia.

Welcome Home – Tour Concludes – Memories Begin