Alaska Cruise & Canadian Rockies

Alaska Cruise & Canadian Rockies

Tours Starts: Calgary, Alberta

Tours Ends: Anchorage, Alaska

Day 1

Fly to Calgary, AB

If you booked your flight with YMT, you will be met by a representative at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

Sandman Inn or similar

Day 2

Banff National Park

Start your tour through the majestic Canadian Rockies by traveling north and enjoy a stop at Bow Falls; take in the sparkling water dancing in the sunlight and hear the sound of crisp sparkling water as it cascades down the limestone ledges. Then, pass through the charming town of Banff and enter Banff National Park. See Canada's "Diamond in the Wilderness," Lake Louise, known for its turquoise, glacier fed waters. The tranquil waters that mirror the magnificent peaks and lush forest all around will leave you speechless, making Lake Louise a perfect location to take a picture worth much more than 1,000 words!

Canmore Inn & Suites or similar

Day 3

Jasper via the Icefields Parkway and Icefields Glacier Experience on the Athabasca Glacier

This morning, travel along the Icefields Parkway en route to stunning Jasper National Park. Stop to experience the breathtaking Athabasca Glacier, the most visited glacier in North America, nestled at the bottom of the Columbia Icefield. Board a massive Brewster Ice Explorer and take a remarkable excursion onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. Experience the full magnitude of this enormous icefield as you take in the view and feel the glacier underfoot. You'll also have the opportunity to step onto the “Glacier Skywalk,” a glass floor observation platform suspended 918 feet over the Sunwapta Valley (at an additional cost). In the afternoon, arrive in Jasper.

Best Western Jasper or similar

Day 4

Kamloops, BC

Today we travel to British Columbia. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of Mt. Robson and the surrounding provincial nature reserves. Characterized by a unique combination of energizing recreational activities and a warm, welcoming culture, you’ll soon understand why Kamloops is known as British Columbia’s friendliest city.

If you choose to take advantage of our fantastic Rocky Mountaineer upgrade, you'll part from the group and board the train this morning for an unforgettable ride down from the mountains. Enjoy awe-inspiring vistas and explore areas otherwise inaccessible for a magical journey unlike any other. Your ride aboard the luxurious train continues through the evening and into tomorrow, when you'll reconnect with the rest of the group at your hotel in Vancouver. (B)

Ramada Kamloops or similar

Day 5

Vancouver City Tour

Discover vibrant Vancouver on a guided city tour! The city is renowned for its clear mountain views, incredible cuisine, and overall wonderful quality of living. See why so many people love to visit and live in this fabulous city. The afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure.

Sandman Hotel Vancouver Airport or similar

Day 6

Board Holland America's ms Noordam (4:30 PM)

This afternoon, board Holland America's ms Noordam. Discover the many facilities aboard and enjoy the striking vistas that surround you!

Day 7

Scenic Inside Passage Cruising

Sail through the Inside Passage, a complex labyrinth of fjords and bays where whales and sea lions find refuge during the summer months.

Day 8

Ketchikan (7:00 AM–3:00 PM)

Nicknamed the "Salmon Capital of the World," this important fishing port is also home to the world's largest collection of Native American totem poles. You can enjoy a stroll through the picturesque waterfront district of this quaint boardwalk city built on stilts.

Day 9

Juneau (10:00 AM–10:00 PM)

Nestled at the feet of snowcapped Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts, Alaska's state capital is nicknamed "Little San Francisco" because of its narrow streets and flights of wooden steps that hug the rolling landscape. Admire the multicolored houses built into the hillsides as you wander and completely immerse yourself in the Alaskan lifestyle.

Day 10

Skagway (7:00 AM–9:00 PM)

Where the Gold Rush began, Skagway was the turbulent staging point for prospectors determined to find riches in the Klondike gold fields. Even today, Skagway's well-preserved history and atmosphere can transport you back to the 1898 gold rush like no other Alaskan port.

Day 11

Glacier Bay

The overwhelming grandeur of glaciers, exotic wildlife, and pristine environment combine to offer a breathtaking view of raw nature. Spend the entire day cruising a 60-mile passage, passing glaciers galore, abundant wildlife and scenic beauty unique in all the world. Experience the spectacle of glacier calving, where great chunks of ice are continually falling into the bay with a deafening roar, which enhances the fascinating scene.

Day 12

College Fjord

Cruise through the Gulf of Alaska and enjoy a relaxing day at sea as the ms Noordam sails through Prince William Sound to College Fjord, which contains five tidewater and large valley glaciers, a spectacular site. Take full advantage of your last night aboard the ship; the daily newsletter outlines a variety of shipboard activities and the experienced crew will be happy to help with suggestions.

Day 13

Disembark and Depart for Home (7:00 AM)

We disembark this morning in Whittier. Travel north on your comfortable motor coach to Anchorage for a farewell dinner and your evening departure. (D)

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.