Canadian Rockies, Rail & Alaska Cruise Holiday

Description

1 Night - Calgary
1 Night - Banff
1 Night - Lake Louise
2 Nights - Jasper
1 Night - Kamloops
2 Nights - Vancouver
7 Nights - Alaskan cruise

North America is home to some of the most stunning scenery in the world and those with the time to explore it properly will find they are not disappointed. On this multicentre holiday you’ll spend a week in the Canadian Rockies, being expertly guided by a local or you can simply travel on your own, included in that take a journey on one of the world’s most famous train journeys, then finish with seven days cruising the breath-taking waters of Alaska.

UK – Calgary (1 night): You will start your adventure in Calgary, having been flown to this city that is a famous gateway to the Rockies. Despite its rapid development in the form of skyscrapers, Calgary still goes by its nickname of Cowtown to many, due to its annual rodeo and festival, which is held each year in July. Recover from your flight by being fed and watered, as well as entertained at the city's main drag, The Beltline and 17th Avenue.

Calgary – Banff (1 Night): The following day you will feel like you have been transported to a different world, as the natural beauty of Banff could not be further removed from the high rises of Calgary. Here, the jagged peaks of the mountains are complemented by the deep blue of the lakes, best viewed from the Banff Gondola, a world-class cable car that offers panoramic views of the whole area.

Banff – Lake Louise (1 Night): Driving through the Banff National Park is the perfect build-up to the eye-popping beauty of Lake Louise, which tells you that you've reached the real Rockies. Here, the water is a shade of blue you've never seen before and the peaks of the mountains are capped with ice. If you can tear yourself away from the views for long enough to get into a kayak, this is a great way to explore the area, although good old fashioned walking boots are the only tools required to take it all in.

Lake Louise – Jasper (2 Night): The stunning scenery continues as you arrive in Jasper, but this tranquil mountain town offers a touch of indulgence to go with the activities provided by the great outdoors. Unwind with a delicious meal, as Jasper is renowned for its fresh and well-cooked cuisine or soak yourself in one of the town's many spas. We’ll also arrange a visit to Athabasca Falls, where the falling water is made all the more beautiful by its natural backdrop and we’ll also arrange for you to explore the impressive glacier which is definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

Jasper – Kamloops (1 night): Next you’ll hop aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train to be transported to Kamloops in style. There is nothing quite like rail travel to open up a landscape and this iconic train plies one of the most scenic routes in North America. Enjoy the cabin of your choice and commentary about everything you can see out of the window. This may include bears, bald eagles and mountain goats, as the area is rich in wildlife. You’ll then spend the night in the city of Kamloops, situated at the confluence of two branches of the Thompson River.

Kamloops – Vancouver (2 Nights): The following day you will continue this impressive rail journey on to Vancouver where you’ll spend your next two nights. Vancouver is a thriving hub of culture and style located on Canada’s West Coast. Known for its vibrant theatre and music scene as well as a burgeoning foodie movement, Vancouver is the ideal place to cap off an incredible Rockies experience.

Vancouver – Alaska (7 nights): Expect the scenery to make quite a departure from what you have seen so far, as you venture into Alaska on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise. A definitive highlight for most travellers is gliding along the infamous Inside Passage, offering views of one of the most spectacular sea-lanes anywhere in the world. Sail close to the towering mountain walls, take in the myriad hues of the surrounding forests and watch glaciers calve into the sea. This is one experience that you will never forget.

Look out for the likes of black and brown bears, wolves, deer, moose, seals and whales as you reach the Tracy Arm Fjord in the Tongass Forest National Park. Snowcaps melt to provide dramatic waterfalls descending into the water, with the Sawyer Glaciers perfectly framed by surrounding mountains in the distance.

There must be few capital cities around the world that have no roads leading up to them, but cruising into Alaska's capital, Juneau makes the experience all the more special. Encircled by mountains, forests, icefields and glaciers, it is a community at one with nature. Nearby Skagway experienced its doom days at the end of the 19th century, but restored houses, wooden boardwalks and the White Pass & Yukon narrow-gauge railway mean there is still a lot to see.

Enjoy exploring the city of Ketchikan, built on the water over fjords carved out of the landscape as the glaciers retreated. Self proclaimed as the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan has a number of attractions worth visiting, including Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village.

Alaska – UK (Overnight): You will then sail back down the Inside Passage to be returned to Vancouver, before taking your flight back to the UK.