Itinerary
- Day 1
Vancouver
You'll arrive in Vancouver and get settled at your hotel. Later this afternoon, you'll meet your Travel Director. The city itself offers plenty of options - you can ski in the morning, take a swim in the ocean by early afternoon, and find great restaurants for dinner. It's that kind of place where outdoor activities and food options really come together.
- Day 2
Vancouver to Whistler
This morning starts with a sightseeing tour of Gastown, Vancouver's oldest neighborhood (it became a National Historic Site in 2009), and Stanley Park where you'll see the famous totem poles. From there, you'll drive the Sea-to-Sky highway with mountain peaks and ocean views on both sides. You'll stop at Shannon Falls Provincial Park to see British Columbia's third highest waterfall. By the end of the day, you'll reach the alpine village of Whistler.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Gastown
- Visit to Stanley Park to see totem poles
- Drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway
- Stop at Shannon Falls Provincial Park
Landmarks/POIs Gastown Stanley Park Shannon Falls - Day 3
Whistler
Whistler has tons of adventure options for you. You can hike or bike on various trails through Whistler Village, which keeps you active and surrounded by mountain scenery. If you want something different, there are optional experiences like bear viewing with a local wildlife photographer, whitewater rafting, or zip lining at 100 km per hour through the mountain wilderness.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Whistler Village
- Access to hiking trails
- Access to biking trails
Optional Activities
- Bear viewing with a local wildlife photographer
- Whitewater rafting
- Zip lining (100 km per hour)
Landmarks/POIs Whistler Village - Day 4
Whistler to Victoria
The morning includes a cultural experience at Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre with breakfast featuring authentic First Nations food and traditional music performances. After that, you'll take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Vancouver Island, stopping in the seaside town of Chemainus to see its famous giant outdoor murals. Later you'll arrive in Victoria for an orientation tour of the capital, passing the Parliament Buildings, Government Street, and Beacon Hill Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Authentic breakfast at Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre including blueberry, cheese and onion Bannock), Lunch
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre with First Nations cultural performance
- Ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Vancouver Island
- Visit to Chemainus
- Orientation tour of Victoria
Landmarks/POIs Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre Chemainus Parliament Buildings Beacon Hill Park - Day 5
Victoria
You'll spend your morning at Butchart Gardens, a century-old estate with sunken, rose, Japanese, Italian and Mediterranean gardens. Plenty of photo opportunities throughout. The rest of the day is yours to do as you like in Victoria. There's an optional whale watching cruise available where you might spot orcas, bald eagles, porpoises and seals in the surrounding waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Butchart Gardens
Optional Activities
- Whale watching cruise
Landmarks/POIs Butchart Gardens - Day 6
Victoria to Kamloops
You'll take the ferry back to the mainland and then drive to Kamloops. The route gives you plenty of time to take in the surrounding landscapes as you travel through this part of British Columbia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ferry from Victoria to mainland
- Day 7
Kamloops to Jasper
You'll drive along the Yellowhead Highway through the white fenced ranch lands of the prairie provinces, with views of the snow-capped Columbia Mountains around you. Early on this drive, you'll catch your first look at Mount Robson, the most prominent mountain in the North American Rockies and highest peak in the Canadian range. By evening, you'll arrive in Jasper, which sits in the heart of Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through ranch lands along the Yellowhead Highway
Landmarks/POIs Mount Robson Jasper National Park - Day 8
Jasper
Jasper National Park, the largest in the Canadian Rockies, has lots of activities to choose from. You can visit Maligne Lake and take an optional seasonal boat cruise around the largest glacially fed lake in the Canadian Rockies. Foodies might join a Local Expert on a Jasper Food Tour downtown or take a guided e-bike tour. For those wanting more action, there's a guided nature hike or Jasper Raft Tour available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Boat cruise on Maligne Lake (seasonal)
- Jasper Food Tour with Local Expert
- Guided e-bike tour
- Guided nature hike
- Jasper Raft Tour
Landmarks/POIs Maligne Lake Jasper National Park - Day 9
Jasper to Canmore
You'll explore the Columbia Icefield by traveling the Icefields Parkway, then ride a giant Ice Explorer across the Athabasca Glacier to get a closer look at this ancient formation. After that, you'll continue on the Icefields Parkway, leaving Jasper National Park and entering Banff National Park (another UNESCO World Heritage Site). You'll see Lake Louise, one of the most beautiful lakes in North America, before heading to Canmore for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ride in Ice Explorer across Athabasca Glacier
- Drive along the Icefields Parkway
Landmarks/POIs Columbia Icefield Athabasca Glacier Banff National Park Lake Louise - Day 10
Canmore to Banff
Optional helicopter flights (weather dependent) can take you over iconic sites like Three Sisters Peak, Sundance Ranges, and Gloria and Assiniboine Glaciers. There's also a sightseeing tour along Tunnel Mountain Drive in Banff with views of Cascade Mountain, Mt. Rundle, Bow Falls, and the hoodoos rock formations. You can choose from various experiences including a Plant Medicine Walk with a First Nations guide or an evening Banff Gondola ride with dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour along Tunnel Mountain Drive
Optional Activities
- Helicopter flights (weather dependent) over Three Sisters Peak, Sundance Ranges, Gloria and Assiniboine Glaciers
- Plant Medicine Walk with First Nations Local Guide
- Banff Gondola ride with dinner (evening option)
Landmarks/POIs Three Sisters Peak Sundance Range Gloria Glacier Assiniboine Glacier Tunnel Mountain Drive Cascade Mountain Mt. Rundle Bow Falls - Day 11
Banff to Kamloops
You'll begin a two-day journey on the luxury Rocky Mountaineer train. The train passes through Canada's spectacular Rocky Mountains, including Mount Robson, Canada's highest peak. You'll stay overnight in Kamloops, and the whole experience lets you take in the scenery from an elevated perspective while traveling through remote, beautiful country.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Luxury Rocky Mountaineer train journey
Landmarks/POIs Mount Robson - Day 12
Kamloops to Vancouver
Your luxury train journey continues as you travel through the clouds, passing through the Coast Mountains and remote landscapes of Canada's west. The train will arrive at Vancouver station. From there, you'll make your own way to your Vancouver overnight accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Luxury Rocky Mountaineer train journey
Landmarks/POIs Coast Mountains - Day 13
Vancouver to Cruise Departure
You'll check in to your Holland America cruise liner by 1:00 PM at Canada Place. The ship will then depart, passing below Vancouver's spectacular Lion's Gate suspension bridge. It's a nice way to leave the city and start your cruise.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Embark on Holland America cruise
Landmarks/POIs Lion's Gate Bridge - Day 14
Inside Passage
Your cruise takes you through deep fjords, forested islands and snowcapped peaks as you navigate the Inside Passage. The scenery is constant on this route, with new views around every section of coastline.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Inside Passage
Landmarks/POIs Inside Passage - Day 15
Tracy Arm Fjord to Juneau
High granite walls surround the ship as you venture into Tracy Arm Fjord, weaving through the Tongass National Forest. You'll reach Juneau, the Alaskan capital, where you can explore this historic city and its surroundings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Tracy Arm Fjord
- Navigate through Tongass National Forest
Landmarks/POIs Tracy Arm Fjord Tongass National Forest - Day 16
Skagway
You'll arrive in Skagway, the largest city in Alaska that still has the feel of the gold rush era. Gold rush era buildings and spectacular vistas are what you'll find here when you explore the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Skagway
Landmarks/POIs Skagway - Day 17
Glacier Bay
The ship visits Glacier Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that protects a unique ecosystem of plants and animals. The glacial landscape here is truly unlike what you'll see anywhere else in the world, making this a memorable part of your cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Glacier Bay
Landmarks/POIs Glacier Bay National Park - Day 18
Ketchikan
You'll venture into Ketchikan, known as the 'salmon capital of the world'. The atmosphere in this Alaskan destination is cheerful and welcoming, with plenty to see and do during your port stop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Ketchikan
Landmarks/POIs Ketchikan - Day 19
Inside Passage
On your final day at sea, you'll return through the Inside Passage heading back toward Vancouver. You can spend time on deck soaking in the crisp air and the scenery all around you on this last leg of the cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Inside Passage
Landmarks/POIs Inside Passage - Day 20
Vancouver
Your cruise ends as the ship sails back into Vancouver Harbour. You'll disembark at approximately 9:30 AM, completing your journey through British Columbia, the Canadian Rockies, and Alaska.
- Meals
- Breakfast
