Best of Canadas West with Alaska Inside Passage cruise (Holland America Outside Cabin)
Day 1 - Arrive Vancouver Welcome to Vancouver! A complimentary transfer is provided to the Trafalgar hotel. Your Tour Director is at the hotel this afternoon to greet you and answer your questions. Join us at 6:00pm for a Welcome Reception at the hotel.
Day 2 - Vancouver — Strait of Georgia — Victoria (2 nights) Our tour of Vancouver takes us to Stanley Park to view the famous totem poles, beautiful English Bay, Chinatown and historic Gastown with its charming cobbled streets. We then cross the Strait of Georgia by ferry to Vancouver Island and the quaint and very British city of Victoria for a two-night stay. Our orientation tour introduces us to Bastion Square, the Inner Harbour and the ornate Parliament Buildings. This evening, dinner is served at a local restaurant. (Full Breakfast, Highlight Dinner)
Day 3 - Victoria sightseeing & at leisure We start the day with breakfast at the world-famous Butchart Gardens. We are joined by a horticulturist and learn about the garden's history and plant species. Later, there is time to explore this 55-acre showcase of extraordinary floral displays. The rest of the day is at leisure for optional activities. (Highlight Breakfast)
Day 4 - Victoria — Sea to Sky Highway — Whistler We travel north to Chemainus, a seaside town known for its beautiful murals. Later, we journey across the Strait of Georgia and along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway. We stop at 337-meters Shannon Falls before arriving at Whistler for a guided walking tour of the village. (Full breakfast)
Day 5 - Whistler — Kamloops Climbing over the Coast Mountains, we journey along the picturesque Duffy Lake Road, often referred to as "one of the best drives in Canada." We then descend into the great Fraser River Canyon and cross BC's interior to arrive at the logging town of Kamloops. After dinner at a local restaurant, we are taken on an exclusive, after-hours guided visit to the Secwepemc Museum, and learn about the First Nations peoples of Canada. We then join an Aboriginal guide for a tour of Heritage Park and enjoy demonstrations of native dances and storytelling. (Full Breakfast, Highlight Dinner)
Day 6 - Kamloops — Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks — Banff (2 nights) Today we head for the great Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. Weather permitting, we enjoy a walk through Giant Cedars, a beautiful temperate rainforest, before climbing over Rogers Pass inside Glacier National Park. We then cross the Columbia River and enter Yoho National Park, where we view Natural Bridge and Spiral Tunnels. Crossing the Continental Divide, we enter Banff National Park, Canada's oldest national park. We arrive at the quintessential alpine resort of Banff, our home for the next two nights. (Full Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7 - Banff sightseeing & at leisure Our sightseeing tour of Banff features the classic viewpoint of Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive, Bow Falls and the wind-shaped rock formations known as hoodoos overlooking Bow Valley. We then board the Banff Gondola for a ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Experience a bird's eye view of six mountain ranges from the upper terminal. The afternoon is at leisure. Why not enjoy an optional float trip on the Bow River, a helicopter flightseeing over the Rockies, or a bit of Canadian fun at an excellent dinner theatre show" (Full Breakfast)
Day 8 - Banff — Lake Louise — Icefields Parkway — Jasper National Park (2 nights) This morning, we are taken on an interpretive walk along the shores of Lake Louise. Learn about the wildlife, nature and history of the area, and soak in the stunning landscape combining azure glacial waters with deep green forests, jagged snow-capped peaks and the mighty Victoria Glacier. We then head north along the stunning Icefields Parkway, driving beneath snow-capped peaks, thundering waterfalls and glistening glaciers. Keep an eye out for wildlife including elk, black bears and mountain goats. Take the trip of a lifetime aboard an Ice Explorer as we journey onto the massive Athabasca Glacier. We end the day in the heart of Jasper National Park, our home for the next two nights. After dinner tonight, learn about Rocky Mountain wildlife at a fun and informative presentation by a local expert. (Full Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9 - Jasper National Park sightseeing & at leisure This morning enjoy an interpretive walk at Maligne Canyon, one of the most beautiful gorges in the Rockies. Learn about the underground river system as we wander along the canyon's trail, past beautiful waterfalls and spectacular rock formations. The rest of the day is at leisure. Stroll the township of Jasper or join us on an optional guided glacier hike to Mount Edith Cavell, or a relaxing cruise on beautiful Maligne Lake. (Full breakfast)
Day 10 - Jasper — Mount Robson — Lac Le Jeune This morning we head west over Yellowhead Pass and arrive at Mount Robson, the Rockies' tallest peak at 3,954m. We then follow the Thompson River as it winds its way down through the Columbia Mountains. We arrive at our resort, beautifully located on the shores of Lac Le Jeune. Here, we join a local expert on a nature walk to the beaver dam at the end of the lake, and learn about the resident beaver colony. This evening, join us for a hearty farewell dinner party. (Full Breakfast, Dinner)
Lac Le Jeune - Vancouver — Seattle Today we head south over the Cascade Mountains and Coquihalla Pass, back to the Fraser Valley and Vancouver. Our 11-Day Tour Members leave the tour today.Our 19-Day Tour Members continue on to Seattle for overnight. (Full Breakfast)
Day 12 - Seattle — Inside Passage cruise (7 nights) Board the high-speed Victoria Clipper ferry for the spectacular cruise from Victoria's Inner Harbour across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, through the scenic San Juan Islands and the Puget Sound, to Downtown Seattle. Here, a transfer is provided to your cruise ship. Board Holland America's ms Oosterdam or Princess Cruises" Golden Princess (please check the price panel on the opposite page for each cruise line's schedule.)Settle into your luxurious stateroom with private balcony for a glorious 7-night Inside Passage cruise to Alaska. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 13 - Inside Passage scenic cruising Spend the entire day cruising the famous Inside Passage, one of the world's most spectacular waterways. Enjoy the scenic grandeur of this area, sailing through narrow passages, past thousands of islands, towering mountains, deep green carpets of coastal rainforest, and possibly spot eagles, porpoises and whales. (Full Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 14 - Juneau Arrive at Juneau, Alaska's capital city. From massive scenic mountains to historic buildings, this gorgeous town has something for everyone. Perhaps explore the lush Tongass National Forest, the rustic shops in town, or get out and kayak, dogsled, raft, whale watch, flightsee or fish. (Full Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 15 - Hubbard Glacier scenic cruising Cruise through Yakutat Bay and view Hubbard Glacier. Come face to face with a gigantic wall of ice that fills the view, extending five miles in width and 40 stories in height, dwarfing even the largest ships. As you glide along this sparkling blue marvel, watch for seals basking on ice floes, listen for the loud, deep rumble and wait for the mighty crack and thunderous crash. At any moment, you could witness an eternal drama as nature sculpts icebergs before your eyes. (Full Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 16 - Sitka The onion domes of St. Michael's Cathedral are your first clue that Sitka was once a Russian settlement — the colonial headquarters of Count Baranof, no less. Meet Tlingit native people and become acquainted with local marine life during your interesting visit. (Full Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 17 - Ketchikan This coastal town clings to the shores of Tongass Narrows and drapes the mountains with a cheerful air. With free time in this delightful town, visit Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight Historical State Park and Saxman Village. (Full Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 18 - Inside Passage cruising — Victoria Enjoy a relaxing day cruising south through the Inside Passage, carved by glaciers millions of years ago, arriving late afternoon in Victoria. You may wish to disembark for one last visit to this fascinating city, or stay on board to toast an unforgettable journey with new-found friends. (Full Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 19 - Arrive Seattle — Depart Vancouver Back in Seattle, your adventure comes to a close as complimentary transfers are provided to Vancouver International Airport and the Trafalgar hotel in Vancouver. (Full Breakfast)
Note: Please do not schedule any flights before 3:00pm
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