Day 1  Thursday Our incredible train journey commences!  Board VIA Rail train at Union Station (downtown) for our 9:00AM departure.   Our first class rail cars are refurbished to the 1950's genre in Art Deco.  The observation dome offers unequalled views as we roll across the Appalachian Shield of Ontario.  The private bedrooms are comfortable and all meals are included (Checked baggage is not available until day 5, smaller overnight bag is recommended on the train).  Be sure to visit the Bullet Lounge in the Park Car for a nightcap. 
VIA RAIL BEDROOMS  /  DINING CAR  /  DOME CAR  /  PARK-LOUNGE CAR

Day 2  Friday  Ride the rails across the great prairies and into the foothills of Alberta that give way to the mighty Rocky Mountains.  Overnight aboard the train in private bedroom.

Day 3  Thursday Roll through Edmonton, capital of Alberta in the morning and continue for early afternoon arrival into Jasper, Alberta.   Disembark and transfer to one of our Jasper hotels for your overnight.

Day 4  Sunday   This morning we tour alpine  JASPER and, above the townsite, beautiful PYRAMID LAKE.   Perhaps take an optional cruise of magnificent MALIGNE LAKE and its incredible aquamarine waters.  The views are stunning and the water is a shade of blue found only in these mountains.   Spirit Island is a famous spot for  photographers seeking the perfect picture.    For those with a car rental a few miles to the south of  Jasper is the JASPER GONDOLA which will take you to the top of the "Whistlers" from where the views of the valleys and peaks are outstanding.   Nearby are ATHABASCA FALLS and HORSESHOE LAKE.

   
Toronto skyline

Toronto skyline

  This morning, board the Rocky Mountaineer westbound (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays).  The Rocky Mountaineer is all daylight travel and is one of the most dramatic train trips in the World.  Service by on-board multi-lingual attendants is superb.  You will travel through rugged terrain and experience the great Spiral Tunnels (where the train circles around inside a mountain and comes out over itself) and ascent over Rogers Pass.  Roll on through 5 mountain ranges to the city of Kamloops.  We stop and transfer to our hotel for the night (included). 

Day 9  Friday  Re-board the Rocky Mountaineer in the morning and continue west.  This region of Canada is interesting as we emerge from the great Rockies into Canada's only desert.  Dramatic scenery rolls by as we parallel the mighty Thompson and Fraser Rivers past Hell's Gate.  Arrive in Canada's most beautiful city, Vancouver in the early evening.  Transfer on your own to one of our downtown hotels (a very easy cab ride). 

Day 10  Saturday/Sunday Cruise Departure (some sailings depart on Sundays and require one more overnight in Vancouver)  Transfer the short distance to one of Vancouver's two cruise ship terminals.  Board the cruise ship in the early afternoon for a 4:00 sailing departure.  We work with all the major cruise lines.  We can arrange affordable inside cabins, picturesque outside cabins and verandas and staterooms.  We do it all.  Sail north along the beautiful inside passage.  

Day 11  Sunday/Monday  Cruise the inside passage.  Towering mountains, narrow fjords and pre-historic glaciers combine to make one of the World's great sea voyages.  This is prime habitat for grizzly bears, sea lions, bald eagles, porpoise and of course several species of whales.  Ocean currents between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia are some of the fastest in the World and you can see fish farms, loggers  and coastal cities fade into wilderness as you calmly sail north.  

Day 12  Monday/Tuesday  Arrive at Ketchikan, Alaska and disembark.  This city is both wet and wild.  Pristine wilderness is fed by the abundant moisture.  It is here you find pristine wilderness and a high concentration of animal life.  Consider seeing the outside museum of native art and one of the largest collections of totem poles in the World.  

Day 13  Tuesday/Wednesday  Juneau is the next stop.  Juneau is only accessible by water and air.  Grizzly bears are commonly seen here and you can see the Governer's Mansion here.  Majestic Mendenhall Glacier is just 13 miles from the state capital, where you have views of Juneau Icefield, Lynn Canal and Stephens Passage.  Following Juneau we cruise either Sawyer or Hubbard Glacier.  These glacier parks continually amaze and inspire cruisers.  Massive chunks of ice calve off the edges and crash into the salt water below, often as frequently s once per hour.  Backdropped with coastal mountains with white caps the sightseeing here is unique in the World and absolutely astounding.  

Day 14  Wednesday/Thursday  Situated at the head of the scenic Lynn Canal, Skagway was once the gateway to the Goldrush.  Listen for the echoes of "There's Gold in them thar hills" echoing from the canyon walls and valleys.   Stroll the famous historic Gold Rush National Historic Park, Trail of '98 Museum and the White Pass and Yukon narrow-gauge Railroad.   Others may want to experience a shore excursion to the glaciers of Chilkat State Park or go dogsledding on Denver Glacier. 

Day 15  Thursday/Friday  The quaint port of Wrangell, at  the mouth of the Stikine River has much to offer.  Be sure to check out the Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory or Petroglyph Beach State historic Park.   

Day 16  Friday/ Saturday  We cruise the inside passage southbound back into Canadian waters.  Enjoy the fabulous food and entertainment aboard the ship Pass the Alaska Panhandle.  The colors are inspiring with brilliant blue ice of glaciers, emerald green of virgin forests, diamond-bright waterfalls and fall foliage yellow and golds.     

Day 17 Saturday/Sunday  Arrive in Vancouver in the morning and disembark.  Some passengers will transfer to Vancouver International Airport BUTCHART GARDENS and the city of VICTORIA  on Vancouver Island or travel up to WHISTLER Resort area (North of Vancouver).   

 Vermilion Lakes near Banff and Lake Louise

Cruise the amazing inside passage

Wildlife awaits you