Rockies Grandeur & Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

Welcome to Canada! You will be met at Victoria International Airport and transferred to your hotel. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner. Two Night Stay: Chateau Victoria or similar Please book your flight to arrive into Victoria prior to 05:00 PM.

This morning, visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens, a 22 hectare showplace of magnificent, colourful gardens. Learn about the history and flora while exploring the gardens. Afterwards, enjoy an orientation tour of Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, Beacon Hill and residential areas. There is free time to explore Victoria or allow Emerald to assist you in discovering more about this historic region. DiscoverMORE Go whale watching, take a horse and carriage ride, Eat like a Canadian food tour, or enjoy a scenic float plane flight (extra expense)

After breakfast, drive north along Vancouver Island to Nanaimo. Board the BC Ferry and travel through the Georgia Strait to Horseshoe Bay. Journey inland along the Sea to Sky Highway as the road follows the rugged coastline with views of Horseshoe Bay on your left and forested parks and mountains on your right. You will have the chance to stop at the awesome Shannon Falls before arriving at the charming alpine resort of Whistler Village. This evening, you are free to explore the village’s cobbled pathways and plazas. Overnight Stay: Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa or similar DiscoverMORE Undertake a Photo Safari tour with a local expert, or have dinner with a twist on a tasting tour (extra expense)

Travel along the scenic Duffy Lake Road lined with thick forest, into the town of Lillooet. In the afternoon, head into the mountains to the picturesque village of Kamloops where the North and South Thompson rivers meet. Overnight Stay: South Thompson Inn or similar

Today, you will be rewarded with astounding views as you reach the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies. Travel through British Columbia and into Alberta, enjoying glimpses of the soaring mountains as you make your way through the three spectacular national parks of Mount Revelstoke, Glacier and Yoho. Travel from primeval forests to Ice Age glaciers, waterfalls and mountain peaks. Late this afternoon, we arrive into Banff National Park. Two Night Stay: The Mount Royal Hotel or similar

A full day at leisure for you to enjoy Banff and its many sights and attractions. DiscoverMORE Take a breathtaking helicopter flight, ride the Banff Gondola or relax on a float trip along the river (extra expense)

Start the day with a tour of Banff including the Bow River, the Hoodoos and Bow Falls. Continue along the Trans-Canada Highway past Castle Mountain and Mount Temple to Lake Louise, the “Diamond in the Wilderness”. Enjoy some free time taking in the spectacular scenery. Your destination today is Emerald Lake, so named because of the vibrant colour of its glacier fed waters. Overnight stay at Emerald Lake Lodge, which sits right on the shores of the lake surrounded by towering peaks and forests. Overnight Stay: Emerald Lake Lodge or similar

This morning, we travel north along the Icefields Parkway, acclaimed as one of the most spectacular journeys in the world. Enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery as you pass rugged peaks and glaciers fringed by thick forest and shimmering lakes. We make a stop at the Columbia Icefield, North America’s largest sub-polar ice pack, where you’ll climb aboard the ‘Ice Explorer’ for a once-in-a-lifetime journey onto the mighty 300 metre thick Athabasca Glacier. The day’s end finds us in Jasper National Park, an alpine wonderland of pristine wilderness and abundant wildlife. EmeraldPLUS: Walk above the Rockies deepest canyon; Maligne Canyon, then dine at Wilderness Kitchen an original Canadian smokehouse located at the canyon trailhead. This is an authentic experience which goes beyond the table and the stories of Maligne come alive with a special horns and antler presentation. Overnight Stay: Lobstick Lodge or similar

Set off on a two day rail experience on “The Most Spectacular Train Journey in the World”. Settle back in your SilverLeaf carriage (upgrade to GoldLeaf at additional expense). Enjoy incredible views of the soaring mountains including Canada’s highest peak, the awesome 3954 metre Mount Robson as you journey towards Kamloops. Overnight Stay: Kamloops Hotel (as assigned by Rocky Mountaineer)

Continue your journey on board the Rocky Mountaineer following the Thompson River and passing through the magnificent Fraser Valley. Late afternoon, we arrive into Vancouver. Overnight Stay: Metropolitan Hotel or similar

Today, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Vancouver including Stanley Park, the waterfront, Gastown and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Make your way across this spectacular suspension bridge, 70 metres above the Capilano River, and join the award winning Treetops Adventure along a series of elevated walkways. This afternoon, head to Canada Place Pier to board your cruise ship. Farewell your Tour Director and check into your comfortable ocean view stateroom (upgrade to verandah stateroom additional expense) on the luxurious Holland America Cruise Ship ms Koningsdam# and settle in for an unforgettable 7 night voyage through the famed Inside Passage.

Spend the day cruising the Inside Passage, one of the world’s most spectacular waterways passing forests, mountains, islands and inlets.

Spend the day cruising the Inside Passage with its jaw dropping scenery. In the afternoon sail into Juneau, arguably one of America’s most beautiful state capitals, with the looming summits of Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts providing a gorgeous backdrop. The historic city centre goes back to its gold-rush origins, but nature is the priceless treasure.

Established in 1897 as a trading post for prospectors headed to the Klondike Gold Rush, Skagway was an untamed town controlled by organised criminals. Today, the town retains its gold rush character and its colourful past is carefully preserved in the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. For a truly memorable excursion, take an optional ride on the narrow gauge White Pass and Yukon Railroad (shore excursions are at own expense).

Endicott Arm is a 30-mile fjord that snakes through the Tracy Arm-Fords Wilderness Area. At the head is the majestic 600-foot-tall, mile-wide Dawes Glacier. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to see a pinnacle of ice ‘calve’ or break away from the face of the glacier, and with a thunderous boom land in the sea.

Welcome to the salmon capital of the world! Part of the town is built along a steep hillside and part is built on pilings over the water. Rich native history and an outstanding collection of totem poles makes the town an essential stop for anyone interested in native art.

A day of relaxation. Take advantage of the ship’s many facilities, or simply relax on deck with a drink and watch unmatched scenery glide by.

Disembark early this morning and transfer to Vancouver Airport to board your homeward flight (book flight after 2pm). Please book your flight to depart out of Vancouver after 02:00 PM. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Tours cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.