3-Week Canada and USA Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Canada And USA tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffCanada and USA travel expert at TourRadar

• 21 Days in Canada & Alaska, incl. Toronto and Vancouver

  The ultimate 21-day adventure connecting Canada and USA's natural wonders. Roll through 5 Canadian provinces via VIA Rail before exploring Alaska's Inside Passage. Visit Niagara Falls, 4 national parks in Canadian Rockies, and cruise Glacier Bay with stops in Juneau and Skagway.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Toronto & Niagara Falls

    Begin in Toronto with a welcome gathering. Take a scenic drive to Niagara Falls on day 2 for the famous boat ride. "Watching the thundering falls from river level was absolutely incredible - just remember to wear the provided poncho!" End your day with dinner at the CN Tower overlooking Toronto.

    
  • Days 3-6

    VIA Rail Journey Across Canada

    Start your cross-country adventure on The Canadian train. The 1950s art deco cars offer spectacular views of Ontario's lakes, Manitoba's prairies and Saskatchewan's rivers. "The observation dome car was perfect for wildlife spotting - we saw moose and eagles right from our seats." Book a Sleeper Plus cabin for maximum comfort during your journey.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Canadian Rockies

    Reach Jasper and take in the mountain views. Visit Maligne Lake and Spirit Island early for the best photos. Take the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield and ride an Ice Explorer onto Athabasca Glacier. Continue to Lake Louise and Banff National Park. "The Icefields Parkway drive takes longer than expected with all the photo stops - plan for a full day."

    
  • Days 10-12

    British Columbia & Vancouver Island

    Head through Yoho National Park to Kamloops for a riverside dinner. Take the BC Ferry to Vancouver Island and watch for whales from the deck. Explore Victoria's charm and the beautiful Butchart Gardens. "Visit the gardens in late afternoon when tour buses leave and light is perfect for photos."

    
  • Days 13-20

    Alaska Cruise

    Take a 7-night Alaska cruise from Vancouver through the Inside Passage. You'll see Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Skagway's Gold Rush sites and Glacier Bay National Park. "Pack binoculars - we saw whales, bears, and eagles right from the ship deck." The Inside Passage waters are typically calm.

    
  • Day 21

    Vancouver

    Finish in Vancouver with a morning tour of Stanley Park and Chinatown. Book an afternoon flight to allow time for morning activities.

    

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• 21 Days in Western Canada & Alaska, incl. Canadian Rockies and Inside Passage

  A grand 21-day tour spanning Canada and USA. Marvel at Banff's wilderness, ride Columbia Icefield's Ice Explorer, cruise Alaska's Inside Passage aboard MS Koningsdam, and visit Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier before ending in Vancouver.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Calgary & Banff

    Start your trip with a morning tour of Calgary before driving west into the Canadian Rockies. Visit Calgary Tower first thing for the best views and shortest lines. Plan your 90-minute drive to Banff in the afternoon to avoid traffic on Highway 1.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Banff National Park

    Banff is your perfect base for hiking and wildlife watching. Take the Sulphur Mountain Gondola before 10 AM to avoid crowds. Lake Minnewanka's 2-hour boat tour is great for spotting bighorn sheep along the shore. Visit Lake Louise but skip the parking hassle. Take the early shuttle from Banff since parking lots fill up by 8 AM in summer.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Jasper National Park & Columbia Icefield

    The Icefields Parkway to Jasper is a 3.5-hour drive, but set aside 6 hours for photo stops. Book the first Ice Explorer tour at Columbia Icefield (9 AM) to beat the crowds. Look for elk in Jasper, especially around Pyramid Lake during early morning or evening hours.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Prince George & VIA Rail Journey

    Take the 8-hour Skeena train through the Coast Mountains. Get to the dome car early for the best seats. Bring your own food since onboard options are limited. The train follows old First Nations trading routes where you might spot bears and eagles.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Inside Passage Cruise & Vancouver Island

    The Inside Passage cruise takes 16 hours and offers excellent wildlife viewing. Pack binoculars and layer your clothing. Morning fog typically clears by midday. Once on Vancouver Island, you can drive to Victoria in about 4 hours along the coast.

    
  • Days 11-13

    Victoria & Vancouver

    Victoria's Inner Harbour is perfect for walking tours. Take the 90-minute ferry to Vancouver through the Gulf Islands. In Vancouver, explore Stanley Park by bike. You can rent one near the entrance and ride the 5.5-mile seawall path for great city views.

    
  • Days 14-21

    Alaska Cruise

    Your cruise visits Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Book shore trips early since popular ones like helicopter glacier tours fill up fast. Bring rain gear since Southeast Alaska gets wet even in summer. For the best glacier views in Glacier Bay, find a spot on the forward observation deck early.

    

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• 20 Day Canadian Rockies & Alaska Itinerary, incl. Vancouver and Banff

  The ultimate 20-day adventure spans Canada and Alaska, showcasing Vancouver's Stanley Park, Banff's wildlife viewing, Lake Louise's turquoise waters, and Victoria's Butchart Gardens. Concludes with Holland America's 7-night cruise through Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Vancouver

    Your journey begins with two full days in Vancouver. "Get to Stanley Park early - by 8AM the seawall path is perfect for cycling before crowds arrive," suggests a regular visitor. Take a city tour to see the main attractions, then spend time at Granville Island's public market (it's best around 10AM when all vendors are set up) and walk through historic Gastown.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Okanagan Valley to Banff

    Travel to Kelowna through British Columbia's wine region. Visit local vineyards before heading to Banff National Park via Rogers Pass at 4,379 feet. Remember to bring layers since mountain weather changes quickly, even in summer.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Banff National Park

    Spend two days exploring Canada's first national park. A recent visitor shares: "The early morning wildlife tours are worth the 5AM wake-up - we saw elk, bighorn sheep and even a grizzly." Visit Lake Louise early for the calmest water and best photo opportunities. Include the Columbia Icefield tour with its unique Ice Explorer vehicle ride.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Jasper to Sun Peaks

    Take in Jasper's wild landscape and wildlife. You can join the Maligne Lake cruise from late May. The drive to Sun Peaks passes Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 12,972 feet. Make time for photos at Pyramid Falls.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Whistler

    Travel the historic Gold Rush Route to Whistler. Summer activities include hiking and ziplining. A previous visitor suggests: "Take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola early to avoid afternoon clouds that can block mountain views."

    
  • Days 11-12

    Victoria

    Cross to Vancouver Island and visit Butchart Gardens. A regular visitor recommends: "Go late afternoon when day-trippers leave - the gardens are magical in evening light." Explore Victoria's harbor area on foot to see the best of British Columbia's capital.

    
  • Days 13-19

    Alaska Cruise

    Start your 7-day Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver. Visit Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier, historic Skagway, Glacier Bay's ice fields, and Ketchikan's totem poles. For wildlife spotting, a fellow traveler notes: "The naturalist said early morning or late afternoon offer best sightings when waters are calmer."

    
  • Day 20

    Vancouver

    Return to Vancouver. Book flights after noon to allow enough time for getting off the ship.

    

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