Western Canada with Inside Passage and Alaska Cruise (89852026)

Day 1:
CALGARY Welcome to Calgary! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3-6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.



Day 2:
CALGARY-BANFF NATIONAL PARK This morning, take a city tour of Calgary, home to the world-famous Calgary Stampede. Highlights include downtown, Fort Calgary, Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Then travel west into the majestic Canadian Rockies and beautiful Banff National Park where you 'll spend the next two nights. Have an orientation tour upon arrival.



Day 3:
BANFF NATIONAL PARK Enjoy your day exploring Banff, one of Canada 's favorite year-round resorts, with summer activities including hiking, horseback riding, golfing, and fishing. Your Tour Director will have lots of suggestions. Lift your sights higher on an exhilarating optional helicopter ride with spectacular views over the Canadian Rockies. Or if you prefer staying closer to the ground, join the Panoramas & Peaks* optional excursion to breathtaking Moraine Lake in the famed Valley of the Ten Peaks.

*This optional excursion begins operating in early June.



Day 4:
BANFF NATIONAL PARK-LAKE LOUISE-COLUMBIA ICEFIELD-JASPER NATIONAL PARK As we journey north, view precipitous gorges, snowcapped mountain ranges, and lakes of exquisite blues and greens. Stop at Lake Louise, its turquoise waters perfectly mirroring the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Continue to the Columbia Icefield to experience a ride on the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick! Winding our way up the western fringe of Alberta, our journey takes us through some of the Canadian Rockies ' most breathtaking wilderness. Later, go with the flow on an optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Arrive in Jasper and take an orientation tour that showcases the area 's unspoiled beauty.



Day 5:
JASPER NATIONAL PARK Make your day magical with an optional narrated cruise on the gorgeous blue waters of Maligne Lake and see much-photographed Spirit Island*. The balance of the day is free to enjoy everything Jasper has to offer, from guided hikes and quaint shops to meandering wildlife.

*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June.



Day 6:
JASPER NATIONAL PARK-MOUNT ROBSON-PRINCE GEORGE Depart Jasper and follow the Fraser River to the base of Mount Robson, the highest of Canada 's Rockies at almost 13,000 feet. Continue to Prince George, the province 's “northern capital” for an overnight stay.



Day 7:
PRINCE GEORGE-SMITHERS-VIA RAIL THE SKEENA-PRINCE RUPERT Today board VIA Rail 's Skeena train for the trip of a lifetime. Sit back and enjoy an all-daylight journey that winds its way through the majestic Coast Mountains and follows the mighty Skeena River—often referred to as the “River of Mists.” Retrace the steps of the ancient First Nations trading routes and follow the paths of the earliest fur traders. Along the way, keep an eye out for soaring bald eagles, black bears, moose, and other wildlife. Disembark in Prince Rupert for a two-night stay.

NOTE:
Train travel is subject to unforeseen delays.



Day 8:
PRINCE RUPERT After an orientation of Prince Rupert, enjoy a visit to the North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site for a guided tour of British Columbia 's oldest cannery village. Learn of the canning process and what life was like in the village in the last century during peak production. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.



Day 9:
PRINCE RUPERT-INSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE-PORT HARDY Early this morning, embark on one of the world 's most beautiful ocean voyages! The scenery is spectacular, with towering mountains, roaring waterfalls, endless islands, and virgin rainforests. Marine life abounds, often with sightings of sea lions and porpoises—you may even spot a killer whale! Late-evening arrival into Port Hardy.

NOTE:
Cruising time through the Inside Passage is approximately 16 hours. Please come prepared with all medications, eyeglasses, and any other items you will need.



Day 10:
PORT HARDY-CHEMAINUS-VICTORIA An early departure from Port Hardy follows the eastern coastline of Vancouver Island, through the port of Campbell River, the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Continue south with a stop in Chemainus, a unique village with more than 30 murals depicting pioneer settlement of the area. Late afternoon arrival into Victoria.



Day 11:
VICTORIA Morning sightseeing includes the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park with its unusual collection of totem poles. The rest of the day is yours to explore this charming city. Perhaps have high tea at the Empress Hotel, visit the Royal British Columbia Museum, or stop to smell the roses and countless other gorgeous blooms on an optional excursion to Butchart Gardens with its 55-acres of magnificent floral displays. This evening, consider taking a relaxing stroll along the lovely Waterfront Promenade.





Day 12:
VICTORIA-FERRY CROSSING-VANCOUVER AREA Today we set sail across the Strait of Georgia through the spectacular Gulf Islands, an area known for its Mediterranean-like climate. Arrive in Vancouver and take a city tour that includes Stanley Park, Chinatown, the harbour, and more. This evening is at leisure. Perhaps venture out to explore Vancouver 's diverse culinary scene for dinner.



Day 13:
VANCOUVER AREA Today is at leisure. Maybe take a water taxi to lively Granville Island with its bustling Public Market, street musicians, and waterfront cafés, or visit historic Gastown with its cobblestone streets, antique shops, art galleries, and iconic Gastown Steam Clock. Your Tour Director will have lots of suggestions.



Day 14:
VANCOUVER (EMBARKATION) Say goodbye to your Tour Director and embark on your cruise ship. Your package price includes Holland America 's 'Have It All Premium Cruise Package. (D)



Day 15:
SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE Spend the day cruising one of the world 's most spectacular waterways. Located along the coast of British Columbia, the Inside Passage is the longest sheltered inland waterway in the world. Watch the water for orcas and humpback whales. (B,L,D)



Day 16:
JUNEAU Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on Gastineau Channel, Alaska 's capital city of Juneau has massive Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefield at its back door. Visit the rustic shops in town—or get out and kayak, raft, hike, whale watch, flightsee, or fish. There 's no end to the adventure because of the long daylight hours. (B,L,D)



Day 17:
SKAGWAY Skagway is historically considered the gateway to the Gold Rush of 1898 when thousands of men with dreams of striking it rich poured into the city and withstood treacherous winter conditions traveling on to the Yukon Territory. Explore gold rush lore at the Trail of '98 Museum or at the Red Onion Saloon, with its treasure trove of memorabilia featuring pictures of Klondike Kate, Peahull Annie, and other historic characters. Or simply walk on the boardwalks along the dirt streets and enjoy perusing all the shops. (B,L,D)



Day 18:
SCENIC CRUISING: GLACIER BAY Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anyplace else in the world. How does it feel when a colossal chunk of ice splits off a glacier and crashes into the sea? The sound is like thunder and the impact shoots water hundreds of meters into the air. You hold your breath as you capture the moment on camera, then wait for it to happen again! (B,L,D)



Day 19:
KETCHIKAN Alaska 's “First City” of Ketchikan is so named because it is the first major landfall for most cruisers as they enter the picturesque fjords of the Inside Passage, where the town clings to the banks of the Tongass Narrows, flanked by green forests nurtured by abundant rain. An important hub of the salmon-fishing and -packing industries, visitors can try their luck on a sport-fishing excursion or simply savor the fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants. It is also one of the best spots along the Inside Passage to explore the rich cultural sights of Native Alaskan nations like the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. (B,L,D)



Day 20:
SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE Arguably one of the greatest cruising routes in the world, the Inside Passage stretches through stunning landscapes, from Misty Fjords National Monument to famed Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. Sailing the Inside Passage offers opportunities to spot some of Alaska 's most iconic wildlife, with humpback whales and orca plying the bountiful waters alongside the ships, bald eagles soaring overhead and brown bears lumbering on the shoreline. (B,L,D)



Day 21:
VANCOUVER (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends this morning. Please schedule flights after noon. (B)