Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska by Sea

Your scenic vacation, traveling through the stunning natural expanses of Canada and Alaska, begins today in Calgary. On arrival, join a group transfer to Banff, a resort town in Banff National Park in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. This national park - along with Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks - form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage site for their outstanding natural beauty.

As you arrive into this mountainous landscape, the remainder of the day and evening is yours to get acquainted with your new surroundings. You might like to wander along one of the local hiking paths accessible from Banff or get a birdseye view of the scenery while riding the Banff Gondola.

Banff's main shopping street, Banff Avenue, has boutiques to explore, as well as a surprisingly diverse culinary scene, with plenty of options for you to explore for dinner this evening. Overnight Banff.

 With adventure on the horizon, enjoy an included transfer to Banff's railway station this morning to board the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer. This renowned train provides unobstructed views of the stunning Canadian Rockies from carriages with domed-glass ceilings, exceptional service and wonderful dining experiences.

As you travel from Banff to Kamloops today, enjoy breakfast and lunch and views that cannot be seen from any other method of transportation. Highlights of the route include the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass and Craigellachie.

The landscape gradually becomes more arid as the train approaches Kamloops, a city in British Columbia's interior. Because the Rocky Mountaineer travels only during the day to provide the best views of the changing scenery, the journey pauses here for the night. A group transfer takes you to your conveniently located hotel, where you enjoy a free evening to find dinner locally. Overnight Kamloops.

• Breakfast, Lunch

 Return to Kamloops train station this morning for another day of magnificent scenery on the Rocky Mountaineer. Today's route sees you all the way to the West Coast to the city of Vancouver. This metropolis is a haven for nature lovers and culture-seekers alike and provides a heavy dose of history, as well.

Your second day aboard the train includes breakfast and lunch and is another showcase of the changing terrain as you near Vancouver. Highlights along the way include the Thompson River and Hell's Gate in Fraser Canyon. You will enjoy an encore of mountain scenery as the Rocky Mountaineer passes through the towering peaks of the Coast Mountains.

Once in Vancouver, a group transfer takes you to your hotel, and upon checking in, the remainder of the evening is at leisure to begin exploring. Overnight Vancouver.

• Breakfast, Lunch

 Traverse urban cityscapes, seaside parks and ancient rainforests today as you explore Vancouver and the North Shore. Begin with the highlights of downtown before you continue across the Lion's Gate Bridge to Vancouver's scenic North Shore and the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Don't miss the impressive collection of First Nations artwork and the historic Story Centre. From the spectacular Cliffwalk, gaze out over the Capilano River before you walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge to the other side, where many unique experiences await.

Return to downtown Vancouver and get ready to engage all your senses as you step into Granville Island Market. This market is an artisan haven for all things local and handmade, including delicious food, coffee, tea, eclectic artwork and West Coast music. Carry on through bustling Chinatown and continue to historic Gastown, the heart of Vancouver. Following the tour, you are free to continue your day at your own pace. Overnight Vancouver.

 The day is yours to enjoy Vancouver as you please. You might like to spend the day shopping on Robson Street or visiting attractions like the Vancouver Art Gallery, which houses a multitude of unique exhibits year-round.

You can opt for a more active day with a bike tour of Stanley Park or simply walk along the park's beautiful Seawall for views of beaches, the ocean and the city. Another option is to return to Granville Island Market for a walking food tour. For a truly thrilling way to experience Vancouver, you could book an excursion that takes to the skies via seaplane, providing a complete aerial view of the city and the North Shore Mountains.

For dinner, you have a worldly array of eateries at your fingertips, from authentic Chinese restaurants in Chinatown to seafood restaurants and romantic eateries in historic Gastown. Overnight Vancouver.

 Enjoy a relaxed morning to wrap up your explorations on Canada's West Coast. This is the perfect opportunity to admire the floral displays of VanDusen Botanical Garden or to visit one of Vancouver's museums, such as the Museum of Vancouver. You could also shop for souvenirs or simply soak up the atmosphere while relaxing on a park bench.

Later today, make your way to the harbor to board your Holland America cruise ship and begin your relaxing cruise through Alaska's Inside Passage. With amenities like a spa and salon, the Pinnacle Grill, and a Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, this cruise ship has something for every traveler.

Settle into your onboard accommodation as the city fades into the distance, and enjoy your first dinner onboard this evening. Overnight ship.

• Dinner

 Awaking this morning in the extraordinary scenery provided by the Inside Passage, you cruise onward toward Alaska. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner on board today as the ship winds through this UNESCO-protected network of waterways, following in the slipstream of adventurers and prospectors.

Passing stunning fjords and deep inlets along the wild and rugged coastlines of British Columbia and southeast Alaska, the ship navigates an area of pristine waters, snow-capped mountains and glacial waters. This region was first charted by an English sailor, Captain George Vancouver, between 1791 and 1795, for whom our port of departure was named. His maps of the Inside Passage were so detailed and accurate that they were used by many future generations.

In addition to its history and beautiful scenery, this area is also renowned as a haven for marine animals, including whales, so keep watch as the day of cruising unfolds. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ketchikan is the southernmost city in Alaska and your first port of call as the ship docks here this morning. In addition to being a hub for salmon fishing and packing, this charming city has a deep connection to its Native Alaskan roots. During your visit, you might like to delve into this indigenous culture at the Totem Heritage Center and Totem Bight State Park, both of which have an impressive collection of carved totem poles.

Staying in downtown Ketchikan, you could meander along Creek Street, a wooden boardwalk that spans the Ketchikan Creek. Here, you will find a selection of museums, galleries, restaurants and popular local shops. This street is a fantastic place to sample local salmon or explore the region's gold-rush-era history before departing this afternoon. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 After a night of cruising along the coast, the ship arrives in Juneau, Alaska's capital city. Juneau is perhaps the United States' most unique state capital, as it is accessible only by water or air and offers an idyllic blend of culture and nature to explore during your free day here.

As you step off the ship, you might like to browse the rustic local shops or spend a day touring downtown Juneau. While exploring downtown, you can see the Capitol Building, St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church and the House of Wickersham, a stunning Victorian built in the 1920s. Alternatively, you could learn more about the state's history at the Alaska State Museum or climb aboard the Mt. Roberts Tramway for outstanding views.

Alternatively, book a shore excursion that takes you out into the pristine nature surrounding Juneau, the Juneau Icefield encompasses more than 30 glaciers. Here, you can view the mighty Mendenhall Glacier, amongst other stunning ice masses. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 With mountains rising on either side of the serene waters of Taiya Inlet, Skagway is our port of call this morning. Once the lawless hub of the Klondike Gold Rush, Skagway served as the entry point for the gold fields, and people rushed here in the hoping of making it rich. This frontier town quickly turned into Alaska's largest settlement, full of saloons and traders. While peaceful now, Skagway retains its authenticity as its buildings have been authentically preserved.

With a free day here, you could wander the town's historic boardwalk, which looks much the same as it did in the 1850s, browse the galleries and craft shops or watch local life go by from a coffee shop or saloon. Take your time and shop at stores, such as the Trail Bench and Lynch & Kennedy's Dry Goods, or stop at The Red Onion Saloon, which served guests for more than 125 years. Overnight Ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 A feast for the ears and the eyes, Glacier Bay is one of the region's most spectacular locations and the ship's destination today. Marvel at the crystal-clear beauty of the bay's numerous tidewater glaciers, rugged fjords and snowy mountain peaks, soundtracked by the creaks of "living ice" and the shrill of gulls and eagles overhead. Glacier Bay's ice formations are around 4,000 years old and are protected by UNESCO.

Spending our day onboard the ship allows us to cruise peacefully through this evocative Alaskan landscape. In this untouched and pristine environment, you can witness the stark majesty of nature, from thick, mossy forests and pure glacial waters to the creatures that inhabit them, including humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and otters. Wrap up warm and venture out on the deck with your camera to observe an unforgettable highlight of your Alaskan cruise. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Another cruise highlight lies ahead as the cruise ship navigates through Prince William Sound to College Fjord, an area of dramatic natural beauty in the northern portion of the sound. Follow a route first charted by railroad tycoon Edward Henry Harriman and a team of scientists, including John Muhr, in 1899 while witnessing surreal panoramas of ancient ice.

Cruising through College Fjord today puts many glaciers within view, with some areas allowing you to see up to eight at a time - those on the left being named for esteemed women's colleges and those on the right bearing the names of men's colleges. Harvard Glacier is the largest within the aptly named fjord. Because Prince William Sound is an active calving area, your views here may be accompanied by the pops, rumbles and booms of glaciers, creating an all-encompassing cruising experience during your last day onboard. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Through the night, your cruise continues through Prince William Sound to the ship's final port of call, Whittier. The immensity of Alaska's nature is all around this small town, making it the perfect transition between sea and land. Look upon beautiful mountains and the glacial water as you make your way to land for the next leg of this memorable journey.

Boarding the Holland America Line CruiseTrain in single-level domed-glass cars, venture from Whittier along the Turnagain arm, eventually cutting inland to Anchorage. This city blends nature, art and modern amenities seamlessly and is your home for the night. Make your way to your conveniently located hotel, and then enjoy a free evening after checking in. You might like to admire Anchorage's public art displays as you set out for dinner in one of the city's many eateries, which highlight cuisine from around the globe and fresh Alaskan seafood. Overnight Anchorage.

• Breakfast

 Get to know another side of Alaska today as you venture deep into the heart of the wild on the Alaska Railroad's flagship train, the "Denali Star." With an early start this morning, head to the railway station to board this iconic train, and settle in for a journey filled with contrasts.

Leaving coastal Alaska behind, the train crosses the Knik River and offers stunning views of the Chugach Mountains. Watch for distant glimpses of the nation's highest peak, Denali, as the train nears Talkeetna and an astounding perspective on the plunging Hurricane Gulch while crossing its 296-foot bridge. Later this afternoon, the train crosses Broad Pass with panoramic scenes of the Alaska Range framing the backdrop and winds along Healy Canyon and the Nenana River, arriving in Denali National Park.

Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel, and then the remainder of the day and evening are yours to explore this breathtaking parkland. Heading to the visitor's center allows you to learn about the park and grab a map for your adventures. Overnight Denali.

 With a free day in Denali National Park, your options for exploring this vast natural landscape are endless. The park is home to miles of hiking trails, with options for every ability, and stunning lookout points from which to photograph the sheer majesty that encompasses Denali. For a more structured day, there are ranger-led tours that you can join and guided park tours can be booked locally.

Later this afternoon, make your way to Denali's train station to board the Denali Star once more, this time bound for the city of Fairbanks. Steeped in gold rush history, Fairbanks didn't become a major city until the early 1900s when an Italian immigrant struck gold. Since then, Fairbanks has grown and transformed, becoming a cultural hub while remaining distinctly wild. This is perhaps the best city in Alaska for Northern Lights viewing during the cold months, and in the summer, it becomes a land of Midnight Sun. On arrival, make your way to your hotel for the night and enjoy a free evening. Overnight Fairbanks.

 Jaw-dropping displays of nature were hallmarks of this epic journey through Canada, the Inside Passage and Alaska. From the dramatic peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the rainforests of Canada's West Coast and then through the mountains and glaciers of the Inside Passage, each view has been more impressive than the last. In between, time in dynamic cities and fascinating ports of call has given you a full picture of the north's vast intrigue.

This morning, your rail and cruise vacation comes to an end. As you check out of the hotel, you are free to make your way to Fairbanks' airport for your return flight home. If you are not ready to leave Alaska behind, speak to a Rail Specialist to make arrangements to extend your time in Fairbanks.