Rockies Grandeur, Alaska Cruise & Best of the East 2027 - 26 Days

Itinerary

1. Intro

   Introduction
2. Day 1

   Victoria

   Victoria Show on map

   Accommodation

   Hotel (Chateau Victoria or similar)

   

3. Day 2

   Victoria

   Victoria Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Visit Butchart Gardens - 22-hectare garden showplace with colourful flowerbeds and Sunken Garden
   • Orientation tour of Victoria's iconic sites including Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, Beacon Hill Park, and residential neighbourhoods

   Optional Activities

   • Whale Watching Cruise - three-hour excursion on the Salish Sea with expert naturalists to view orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, and bald eagles (pre-booking recommended)
   • Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour - clip through elegant streets and Beacon Hill Park on slow travel experience (pre-booking recommended)
   • Take to the Skies Over Victoria - floatplane flight over Pacific coast departing from Inner Harbour with views of Strait of Juan de Fuca and Olympic Peninsula (pre-booking recommended)
   • Victoria Bites & Sights Tour - cross Inner Harbour by ferry, explore Canada's oldest Chinatown, historic pub stop, and visit Victoria's chocolate shop (pre-booking recommended)
   • Afternoon Tea at The Empress - world-renowned tea service at Fairmont Empress with Empress Blend in iconic Lobby Lounge (pre-booking recommended)

   Landmarks
   Butchart Gardens
   Inner Harbour
   Bastion Square
   Beacon Hill Park
   Fairmont Empress

4. Day 3

   Victoria to Whistler

   Victoria to Whistler Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast

   Included Activities

   • Drive from Victoria to Nanaimo
   • Board BC Ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay across Georgia Strait
   • Travel along Sea to Sky Highway from Horseshoe Bay to Whistler Village

   Optional Activities

   • Peak 2 Peak Gondola - connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains spanning over three kilometres of open sky with alpine terrain (pre-booking recommended)
   • Whistler Tasting Tour - evening stroll through Whistler Village with stops at four restaurants, four courses, wine tastings, and local stories (pre-booking recommended)
   • Zip Lining Over Whistler Valley - four ziplines over the valley between mountains with suspension bridges and forest trails (pre-booking recommended)

   Landmarks
   Nanaimo
   Horseshoe Bay
   Whistler Village
   Whistler Mountain
   Blackcomb Mountain

5. Day 4

   Whistler - Thompson Valley

   Whistler - Thompson Valley Show on map

   Accommodation

   Hotel (South Thompson Inn or similar)

   Landmarks
   Duffy Lake Road
   Lillooet

6. Day 5

   Thompson Valley - Lake Louise - Emerald Lake

   Thompson Valley - Lake Louise - Emerald Lake Show on map

   Accommodation

   Hotel (Emerald Lake Lodge or similar)

   Landmarks
   Lake Louise
   Castle Mountain
   Mount Temple
   Emerald Lake

   

7. Day 6

   Emerald Lake - Athabasca Glacier - Emerald Lake

   Emerald Lake - Athabasca Glacier - Emerald Lake Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Travel the Icefields Parkway (230km between Banff and Jasper)
   • Columbia Icefield & Ice Explorer - Board a purpose-built glacier vehicle and stand on the 300-metre-thick Athabasca Glacier

   Landmarks
   Icefields Parkway
   Columbia Icefield
   Athabasca Glacier

8. Day 7

   Emerald Lake - Banff

   Emerald Lake - Banff Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Sightseeing tour of Banff including Bow River and Bow Falls

   Landmarks
   Moraine Lake
   Valley of the Ten Peaks
   Bow River
   Bow Falls
   Banff National Park

9. Day 8

   Banff

   Banff Show on map

   Meals

   Dinner (Dinner at Sky Bistro - locally inspired dishes served at mountaintop setting with far-reaching views)

   Included Activities

   • Ascend Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain summit
   • Dinner at Sky Bistro mountaintop restaurant with locally inspired dishes and views of Banff, Bow Valley, and Rocky Mountains

   Optional Activities

   • Heli Flightseeing Banff - helicopter tour weaving between Three Sisters Peaks with views of rugged peaks, glittering lakes, and Bow River (pre-booking recommended)
   • Bow River Float Trip - rafting excursion through heart of Canadian Rockies past towering peaks and wildflower banks with potential wildlife sightings (pre-booking recommended)
   • Discover Banff & Its Wildlife - guided coach tour through heritage landmarks and mountain vistas with wildlife spotting opportunities and refreshments at viewpoint (pre-booking recommended)
   • E-Bike & Hike Johnston Canyon - guided e-bike tour past lakeshores and mountain forest followed by hiking into canyon to view Lower Falls (pre-booking recommended)

   Landmarks
   Sulphur Mountain
   Sky Bistro
   Three Sisters Peaks
   Bow River
   Johnston Canyon
   Johnston Canyon Lower Falls

10. Day 9

    Banff - Kamloops

    Banff - Kamloops Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast (Freshly prepared, regionally inspired cuisine served at seat), Lunch (Freshly prepared, regionally inspired cuisine served at seat)

    Accommodation

    Hotel (Hotel in Kamloops (assigned by Rocky Mountaineer))

    Included Activities

    • Rocky Mountaineer train journey through Canadian Rockies
    • Freshly prepared regionally inspired cuisine served at seat
    • Full range of included beverages including wines, beers, spirits, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and juices

    Optional Activities

    • Upgrade to GoldLeaf carriage (additional expense)

    Landmarks
    Mount Robson

11. Day 10

    Kamloops - Vancouver

    Kamloops - Vancouver Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast (Served on board), Lunch (Served on board)

    Accommodation

    Hotel (Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre or similar)

    Included Activities

    • Rocky Mountaineer train journey to Vancouver
    • Breakfast and lunch served on board
    • Full range of included beverages including wines, beers, spirits, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and juices

    Landmarks
    Thompson River
    Fraser Valley

12. Day 11

    Vancouver

    Vancouver Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Sightseeing tour of Vancouver including Stanley Park, waterfront area, and Granville Island
    • Suspension Bridge Park - crossing the suspension bridge 70 metres above Capilano River
    • Treetops Adventure - elevated walkways high above the forest floor

    Landmarks
    Stanley Park
    Granville Island
    Capilano Suspension Bridge
    Capilano River

13. Day 12

    Vancouver - Alaska Cruise

    Vancouver - Alaska Cruise Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast (Breakfast with the bears at Grouse Mountain)

    Included Activities

    • Breakfast with the bears at Grouse Mountain - watch grizzly bears at the sanctuary during breakfast
    • 7-night Alaska Inside Passage cruise on ms Koningsdam

    Optional Activities

    • Upgrade to Verandah Stateroom (additional expense)

    Landmarks
    Grouse Mountain
    Canada Place Pier

14. Day 13

    Alaska - Inside Passage Cruising

    Alaska - Inside Passage Cruising Show on map

    Landmarks
    Inside Passage

15. Day 14

    Inside Passage - Juneau

    Inside Passage - Juneau Show on map

    Landmarks
    Juneau
    Mt. Juneau
    Mt. Roberts

16. Day 15

    Juneau - Skagway

    Juneau - Skagway Show on map

    Landmarks
    Skagway

17. Day 16

    Skagway - Glacier Bay National Park

    Skagway - Glacier Bay National Park Show on map

    Landmarks
    Glacier Bay National Park

18. Day 17

    Glacier Bay - Ketchikan

    Glacier Bay - Ketchikan Show on map

    Landmarks
    Ketchikan
    Creek Street

19. Day 18

    Alaska - Inside Passage Return

    Alaska - Inside Passage Return Show on map

    Landmarks
    Tongass National Forest
    Inside Passage

20. Day 19

    Vancouver - Toronto

    Vancouver - Toronto Show on map

    Accommodation

    Hotel (Sheraton Centre Toronto or similar)

    

21. Day 20

    Toronto - Niagara Falls - Niagara-on-the-Lake

    Toronto - Niagara Falls - Niagara-on-the-Lake Show on map

    Meals

    Dinner (Welcome dinner at 360 Restaurant at CN Tower with flavours from across Canada and panoramic views over the city skyline)

    Included Activities

    • Niagara Falls cruise to the base of Horseshoe Falls
    • Visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake heritage town
    • Dinner at 360 Restaurant at CN Tower with locally inspired dishes and panoramic views over the city skyline

    Landmarks
    Niagara Falls
    Horseshoe Falls
    Niagara-on-the-Lake
    CN Tower

22. Day 21

    Toronto - Kingston - Ottawa

    Toronto - Kingston - Ottawa Show on map

    Meals

    Dinner (Special dinner with dance presentation at Madahòkì Farm showcasing indigenous culture and traditions)

    Accommodation

    Hotel (Delta Ottawa Hotel City Centre or similar)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Madahòkì Farm for authentic cultural experience with Cultural Ambassadors
    • Traditional arrival and welcome ceremony
    • Special dinner and dance presentation showcasing indigenous culture

    Landmarks
    Kingston
    Thousand Islands
    Lake Ontario
    St. Lawrence River

23. Day 22

    Ottawa - Quebec City

    Ottawa - Quebec City Show on map

    Accommodation

    Hotel (Hotel Château Laurier or similar)

    Included Activities

    • Guided sightseeing tour of Ottawa including Parliament Hill, City Hall, National Gallery, elegant streets and formal landmarks
    • Guided tour of Quebec City including Plains of Abraham, Citadel, and Parliament Buildings
    • Walking tour of Vieux Carré (Old City) and Lower Town with cobblestone lanes, heritage facades, and intimate squares

    Landmarks
    Parliament Hill
    National Gallery of Canada
    Plains of Abraham
    Citadelle of Quebec
    National Assembly of Quebec
    Vieux Carré

24. Day 23

    Quebec City

    Quebec City Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Old Quebec Walking Tour (extra expense) - World Heritage-listed tour through cobblestone streets and centuries-old landmarks exploring 400+ years of French civilization
    • Lower Town & Grand Market by E-Bike (extra expense) - E-bike tour through Old Quebec's atmospheric streets with heritage architecture, followed by visit to Grand Marché for local producers and regional flavours
    • Quebec City Guided Sightseeing River Cruise (extra expense) - River cruise on the St. Lawrence from Old Quebec toward Montmorency Falls passing Île d'Orléans with Château Frontenac backdrop
    • Old Quebec City Food Tour (extra expense) - Walking tour through cobblestone streets and hidden corners sampling Québécois favourites with local history at each stop

    Landmarks
    Vieux Carré
    Montmorency Falls
    Île d'Orléans
    Château Frontenac
    Grand Marché

25. Day 24

    Quebec City - Montreal

    Quebec City - Montreal Show on map

    Meals

    Lunch (Lunch at traditional Québécois sugar shack showcasing hearty local cuisine and time-honoured traditions of rural Quebec)

    Accommodation

    Hotel (Novotel Montréal or similar)

    Included Activities

    • Visit traditional Québécois sugar shack
    • Learn how maple candy is made
    • Lunch showcasing hearty local cuisine and traditions of rural Quebec

    Landmarks
    Chemin du Roy

26. Day 25

    Montreal

    Montreal Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Sightseeing tour of Montreal
    • Visit St. Joseph's Oratory
    • Visit Notre-Dame Basilica
    • View city skyline from Mount Royal parklands designed by Frederick Law Olmsted

    Optional Activities

    • Montreal Underground City Tour (extra expense) - Guided tour through one of the world's most remarkable urban networks linking metro stations, shops, hotels, and public spaces
    • Montreal by Cadillac Convertible (extra expense) - Classic Cadillac convertible tour with local guide revealing iconic landmarks, mural-lined streets, and character-filled neighbourhoods
    • Beyond the Market Walking Food Tour (extra expense) - Walking tour of Jean-Talon Market exploring outstanding produce, cheeses, charcuterie, and international flavours, continuing to Little Italy

    Landmarks
    St. Joseph's Oratory
    Notre-Dame Basilica
    Mount Royal
    Jean-Talon Market
    Little Italy

27. Day 26

    Montreal

    Montreal Show on map