Canadian Rockies By Road & Rail With Alaska Cruise

Day 1-2

Banff

Arrive at Calgary International Airport, pick up your hire car and head straight for the mountains! Your destination is the charming mountain town of Banff which is just 90 minutes away. Stroll the riverside path to the beautiful Bow Falls before heading down Banff Avenue to take your pick from the wide array of restaurants. The next day you are free to explore, there are many attractions in easy access of the town centre such as Lake Minnewanka, historic hot springs, and the Banff Gondola.

Day 3

Lake Louise

Drive up the Bow Valley Parkway, stopping at viewpoints over Morant’s Curve and Castle Mountain and talking a walk at Johnstone Canyon. Spend the afternoon at Lake Louise, one of the most photographed lakes in the world. There is plenty to see and do here so take a canoe out on the lake, hike up to the Lake Agnes Tea House, have lunch at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Day 4

Icefields Parkway

Start the day with a visit to the nearby Moraine Lake for breath-taking views down the Valley of the Ten Peaks before joining the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic highways in the world. Take your time driving this parkway, stopping at the many spectacular viewpoints at Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, The Big Bend and Panther Falls. Arrive in the afternoon at the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle where you will spend the night at the Glacier View Lodge. This evening you will have an exclusive Ice Explorer tour, stepping out onto the Athabasca Glacier, before enjoying dinner at the Altitude Restaurant.

Day 5

Icefields Parkway

After breakfast, join an exclusive tour to the Glacier Skywalk for unobstructed views of the Sunwapta Valley. Continue north on the Icefields Parkway, making a stop at the Athabasca Falls and at Mt Edith Cavell for a hike on the path of the Glacier Trail to see new growth alpine forest and spectacular views of Mt. Edith Cavell and the Angel Glacier. Take a ride on the Jasper Skytram and enjoy the views from the top of Whistler's peak before finishing your adventure on the Icefields Parkway in the town of Jasper.

Day 6

Jasper

You have a free day to explore Jasper and the surrounding national park. We recommend you drive to the famous Maligne Lake and cruise to Spirit Island, an iconic vista of the Canadian Rockies with distant jagged mountains providing the perfect backdrop. Along the way stop at the dramatic Maligne Canyon and viewpoint over Medicine Lake and be on the lookout for wildlife, Jasper is known for the herd of Elk that graze on the outskirts of town.

Day 7

Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops

Travel on board the Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia's interior. From inside Rocky Mountaineer's signature glass dome carriages you will see dramatic changes in scenery as you travel over the Yellowhead Pass, past Mount Robson, at 3,954 metres the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, along banks of the North Thompson River and into the desert-like environment around Kamloops.

Day 8

Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver

Step back on-board Rocky Mountaineer as you continue west towards the Pacific Ocean. On today's journey you will see more changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the B.C. interior through winding river canyons and past the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley before arriving in the coastal city of Vancouver.

Day 9

Vancouver

Today you are free to explore Vancouver! Take a stroll round Stanley Park, head over to Granville Island to discover a world of food, art and culture or take a shuttle bus over to the North Shore and the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, hanging 70 metres over the Capilano River.

Day 10

Holland America Line

Arrive independently at the cruise terminal in Vancouver’s picturesque Canada Place ready to board your cruise to Alaska with Holland America Line. With over 150 years of experience of exploring Alaska, you are in for an experience that will create memories to last a lifetime.

*This is a sample itinerary that may vary by sailing date.

Day 11

Inside Passage

Sit back and relax as you cruise Alaska's Inside Passage, a spectacular route through a protected network of waterways, featuring glacier-cut fjords, lush rainforests, and diverse wildlife. With Holland America’s Explorations Central program, you can immerse yourself in the destination by joining one of the dynamic and informative talks on subjects that include the history of the region, and Alaska’s iconic whales.

Day 12

Tracy Arm Inlet & Juneau

The day begins with a scenic cruise into Tracy Arm Inlet, where steep cliffs and glacier-covered mountains flank this fjord, fringed by the largest intact coastal temperate rain forest in the United States. After, cruise to Juneau and visit the most remote, most beautiful, and strangest state capital in the United States. Surrounded by water, forest and mountain sights, visitors seeking things to do in Juneau indoors and outdoors can hike a glacier, eat fresh-caught fish on a seaside patio and tour a grand capitol building all in one day.

Day 13

Skagway

At the peak of the Klondike Gold Rush, the town of Skagway served as the primary gateway to the legendary gold fields, and quickly grew into Alaska’s largest settlement. Today the town is a gateway for a new kind of visitor: those looking to explore Alaska’s colourful history, pristine wildlife, and unrivalled natural beauty.

Day 14

Glacier Bay

As you cruise into Glacier Bay, close your eyes, and take in the sounds—the creaks and groans of “living” ice, the shrill cries of gulls and soaring eagles, the splash of a breaching Humpback Whale. Open them again and you will see frosted peaks towering over mossy forests, wide tidewater glaciers, and marine wildlife. Holland America Line partner with rangers and local Huna Tlingit guides who provide expert insight into this diverse ecosystem and millennia-old culture meaning you will leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation of this 3.3-million-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 15

Ketchikan

Surrounded by soaring peaks and green forests, Ketchikan clings to the shoreline of the Tongass Narrows, with shops and houses built out over the water. Ketchikan is one of the best spots along the Inside Passage to explore the rich cultural sights of Native Alaskan nations and you can see intricately carved totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center and Totem Bight State Park. Make sure to leave time to explore the sights in the town itself, including historic Creek Street, a boardwalk built over the Ketchikan Creek, where you can shop for souvenirs, smoked salmon, and local art.

Day 16

Inside Passage

Enjoy another day of scenic cruising as you sail back down the Inside Passage. Make sure you enjoy one last meal at your favourite onboard restaurant. With a wide variety of restaurants to choose from and a focus on fresh, sustainably caught seafood, a cruise with Holland America is also an unforgettable journey in flavour.

Day 17

Fly Home

Your adventures in Western Canada and Alaska have come to an end. After some last-minute shopping and sight-seeing transfer independently to Vancouver International Airport for your flight home.