Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska Inside Passage cruise

Enjoy complimentary airport lounge access before boarding your flight from the UK to Calgary. On arrival, you’ll be met for a transfer directly to the Canadian Rockies, where you’ll be spending the next couple of nights in Banff – either based in the centre, or at a serene mountain retreat on the wooded slopes overlooking the town. 

Stay: Banff Royal Canadian Lodge (Superior / Silver Leaf) / The Rimrock Resort (Deluxe / Gold Leaf)

You have the whole day free to explore Banff and its surroundings as you please. You may be tempted to embark on a cruise on Lake Minnewanka, make the most of the many scenic hiking trails nearby, or take a ride on the Banff Gondola. However you choose to spend your time here, you can expect magnificent views at every turn. The town itself, meanwhile, has no shortage of museums, shops and restaurants to check out. A soothing soak in the steaming waters of the Banff Upper Hot Springs is the perfect way to round off your day. 

Stay: Banff Royal Canadian Lodge (Superior / Silver Leaf) / The Rimrock Resort (Deluxe / Gold Leaf)

You’ll board the Rocky Mountaineer this morning, setting off on a spectacular rail journey between the snow-capped peaks, glistening lakes and sprawling forests of the Canadian Rockies. Highlights include Castle Mountain, the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Canyon. Breakfast and lunch are served onboard while you take in the ever-shifting scenery before arriving in Kamloops in the early evening. All hotels in Kamloops are of moderate standard: your hotel will be assigned post-booking. The rest of the evening is yours to spend at leisure.

Stay: Kamloops accommodation (Rocky Mountaineer allocated)

Rejoin the Rocky Mountaineer, continuing west through the arid, almost desert-like landscapes of the Thompson River valley before the scenery becomes greener once more as you approach the luscious fields and forests of the Fraser Valley. There are multiple canyons, cliffs and gorges along this section, making for plenty of captivating sights. You’ll arrive in Vancouver in the early evening, giving you time to settle into your city centre hotel and head out for dinner. Vancouver is replete with a vast and eclectic array of dining options to suit all tastes, so you certainly won’t be short of options.

Stay: Pinnacle Hotel Harbour Front (Superior / Silver Leaf) / Paradox Hotel (Deluxe / Gold Leaf)

You'll have ample time today to explore the myriad delights of Vancouver, one of Canada’s most dynamic and diverse cities. Take a stroll through Stanley Park, head out on a hike on Grouse Mountain, peruse the food stalls and art studios of Granville Island, embark on a whale watching excursion, or visit the excellent Vancouver Aquarium. The Victorian-style red brick buildings, cobbled walkways and buzzing cafes of Gastown, the historic core of downtown Vancouver, are also well worth exploring, as is Yaletown, where former warehouse buildings have been converted into an array of world-class restaurants and trendy bars.

Stay: Pinnacle Hotel Harbour Front (Superior / Silver Leaf) / Paradox Hotel (Deluxe / Gold Leaf) 

Enjoy a laid-back morning in Vancouver before being transferred to the port where you’ll board your Holland America Line cruise ship and begin your journey towards Alaska. Settle into your stylish stateroom or suite before enjoying your first dinner onboard. With an array of dining options, live entertainment and amenities ranging from a pool and a fitness centre to a spa and a casino, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy your time onboard. The ship will depart Vancouver in the late afternoon.

Stay: Koningsdam, Holland America Line

Expect spectacular scenery in abundance as you cruise north along the Inside Passage, which encompasses the southwest coast of Alaska, a region home to fjords, glaciers, sandy coves and thousands of islets and islands. A rich variety of wildlife inhabits the region, including bears, whales, dolphins, seals and eagles – so be sure to keep a close eye out. 

Stay: Koningsdam, Holland America Line

Today, you’ll arrive in Juneau, Alaska’s remote capital city, surrounded on all sides by forests, mountains and the sea. While the downtown area is an interesting place for a stroll, with plenty of charming cafes, restaurants and shops to choose from, it’s only by venturing beyond the centre of Juneau that you really come to appreciate the area’s natural beauty. The range of excursions on offer here is extensive, including whale watching, salmon fishing, sea kayaking, husky sledding (depending on the season) and visiting the awe-inspiring Mendenhall Glacier. 

Stay: Koningsdam, Holland America Line

Continuing north, your next stop is Skagway, a town which flourished as a focal point of the Klondike Gold Rush during the late 1890s, and is now renowned as a gateway to the Alaskan wilderness. Learn all about its fascinating history on a guided walking tour, enjoy a scenic journey on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, hike along the historic Chilkoot Trail, go zip-lining in the forests, or see whales, seals and sea lions on a boat safari to Glacier Point. 

Stay: Koningsdam, Holland America Line

Cameras and binoculars at the ready – this section of your cruise brings breathtaking views at every turn as you approach Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. This 3.3 million acre expanse of snow-capped mountains, fjords, mighty glaciers, temperate rainforests and iceberg-dotted waters is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring some of Alaska’s most dramatic scenery. Wrap up warm and take it all in from the ship’s open deck while expert local rangers and guides provide a fascinating, insider’s perspective into this diverse eco-system and the indigenous people that inhabit it. This is another prime opportunity to spot whales, bears and an array of other wildlife. 

Stay: Koningsdam, Holland America Line

Returning back towards the south, you’ll call in at Ketchikan, known as ‘The Salmon Capital of the World’ due to the abundance of salmon found in its creek, particularly during the big rush that takes place in the summer months. The town is also an interesting place to learn about the history and culture of the native Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian communities, such as at the Totem Heritage Center and the Saxman Totem Park. There are also opportunities to hike through the Tongass National Forest, go sea kayaking among the Tatoosh Islands, go fishing or spot black bears in the wild. Alternatively, you may prefer to explore the town itself, perhaps enjoying a pub crawl and sampling fresh, local seafood.

Stay: Koningsdam, Holland America Line 

Today, you’ll travel back through the Inside Passage, passing between its fjords, bays and islands with further opportunities to spot a rich variety of wildlife along the way. 

Stay: Koningsdam, Holland America Line

Arriving back in Vancouver, you’ll disembark your cruise ship after breakfast. A private transfer will then take you to the airport for your overnight flight home, arriving in the UK on day 14.