24 Day Rockies & Voyage of the Glaciers

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
SCENIC TOURS EXCLUSIVES

    * 2 night stay at the Fairmont Empress Hotel
    * Overnight at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
    * Comprehensive lecture on Black Bears
    * Native Presentation in Sun Peaks
    * Floatplane Whistler to Victoria (optional)
    * Scenic Tours Exclusives

INCLUDED PREMIUM HIGHLIGHTS

    * Rail and Coach Tour tipping
    * Fully Escorted including Alaskan cruise
    * ‘Ice Explorer’ Ride on the Athabasca Glacier
    * 2 nights in Victoria, Banff and Denali
    * Scenic FreeChoice in Victoria, Banff and Denali National Park
    * Authentic Sternwheeler cruise down the Chena and Tanana Rivers
    * 2 day Rocky Mountaineer Rail Experience
    * 7 night Gulf of Alaska Cruise
    * Ports of call Ketchikan, Juneau & Skagway
    * Cruise dramatic Glacier Bay

FINE DINING

    * Scenic Freechoice Dining in Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Whistler
    * 47 superb meals including 21 Full Buffet Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 18 Dinners

 FB – Full Buffet Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner

Itinerary

Day 1    Home Port – Victoria (D)
Upon arrival at Victoria Airport you will be met and transferred* to British Columbia’s charming and historic capital Victoria and your hotel. Tonight enjoy a “Welcome to Canada" reception and dinner. (Flight not included in Land Content Only price, please schedule your flight arrival no later than 5.00pm).
Two Night Stay: The Fairmont Empress Hotel. EXCLUSIVE to Scenic Tours

Day 2    Victoria – Butchart Gardens – Scenic FreeChoice (B)
This morning visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Enjoy 22 hectares of wonderful floral displays including the spectacular Japanese, Italian and Rose Gardens at your own pace before returning to Victoria Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions. Choose from (1) Historic Walking Tour and Afternoon Tea at the Empress; or (2) A Horse & Carriage Tour or (3) Salmon Fishing ; or (4) Whale Watching cruise in either a comfortable covered boat; or (5) or by high speed Zodiac inflatable boat; or (6) Scenic Floatplane Flight; or (7) Explore Victoria’s Historical Past.

Day 3    Howe Sound – Whistler Village – Scenic FreeChoice (B,D)
Exclusive to Scenic Tours: optional one hour floatplane flight to Green Lake, Whistler. Leave the crowds behind and soar over the many scattered islands through the Georgia Strait to the pristine alpine mountains in Whistler. Arrive at lunch time giving you more time to explore (additional expense).

After breakfast travel to Nanaimo and cross to the mainland by ferry. Drive north along Howe Sound, stopping to view the awesome Shannon Falls, one the tallest waterfalls in British Columbia before continuing to Whistler. EXCLUSIVE to Scenic Tours, step into the world of the Black Bear with Michael Allen, a world leader in Black Bear research. Scenic FreeChoice Dining. This evening choose where to dine from a selection of restaurants in Whistler. Choose from (1) Portebello, (2) The Wildfower at the Chateau, (3) The Clubhouse, (4) The Keg.
Overnight Stay: The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, EXCLUSIVE to Scenic Tours

Day 4    Hat Creek Ranch – Sun Peaks (B,D)
Stop at Historic Hat Creek Ranch to learn about the Shuswap people. Continue to Sun Peaks, this evening enjoy dinner and a historic look into the fur trading industry and life as a pioneer-EXCLUSIVE to Scenic Tours.
Overnight Stay: Delta Sun Peaks Resort or similar

Day 5    Cariboo Mountains – Tete Jaune Cache – Jasper National Park (B,D)
Travel through British Columbia’s Cariboo region, enjoying tantalising glimpses of the soaring granite mountains of Canada’s Rockies. Stand at the base of awesome, 3,954 metre Mt Robson before arriving into Jasper. This afternoon relax and perhaps enjoy a stroll around Lac Beauvert. Scenic FreeChoice Dining. This evening choose where to dine from a selection of restaurants in Jasper (applicable to tours accommodated at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge only). Choose from either (1) The Emerald Lounge or (2) The Edith Cavell or (3) The Moose Nook Northern Grill or (4) Meadows Restaurant.
Overnight Stay: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Day 6    Icefields Parkway – Glacier ‘Ice Explorer’ (B,D)
This morning enjoy a guided walk down the stunning Maligne canyon. Continue south enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery along the Icefields Parkway, acclaimed as one of the most spectacular journeys in the world. Board the ‘Ice Explorer’ onto the mighty Athabasca Glacier. Upon arrival at the beautiful Lake Louise enjoy a nature walk along the shoreline of the lake before dinner. Scenic FreeChoice Dining. This evening choose from a selection of restaurants at Chateau Lake Louise. Choose from (1) Fairview Dining Room, (2) Poppy Brasserie, (3) Glacier Saloon, (4) Walliser Stube or (5) Tom Wilson Steakhouse..
Overnight Stay: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Day 7    Emerald Lake – Banff (B,D)
A relaxing morning before visiting  Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge enroute to the township of Banff. Scenic FreeChoice Dining. This evening choose where to dine from a selection of restaurants in Banff. Choose from either (1) Bow Valley Grill or (2) Waldhaus Restaurant or (3) Castello Ristorante, (4) Grapes Wine Bar , or (5) Samurai Sushi Bar and Restaurant..
Two Night Stay: The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Day 8    Banff – Scenic FreeChoice (B)
This morning you are free to choose one of the following Scenic FreeChoice activities, included in the tour at no extra cost. Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions. Choose from (1) Guided Nature Hike; or (2) Golf at Banff Springs Golf Course; or (3) Sulphur Mountain Gondola ride; or (4) Bow River float trip; or (5) Lake Minewanka Cruise; or (6) Heli Flightseeing.

Day 9    The Rocky Mountaineer Train – Kamloops (B,L,D)
Early morning transfer to Banff Railroad Station for a 2 day rail experience on ‘The Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World.’ Relax in your guaranteed Goldleaf carriage and experience unsurpassed levels of Dome Car service. Cross Kicking Horse Pass and view the glaciers and snowcapped mountains of Rogers Pass before arriving into Kamloops. Tonight, perhaps enjoy dinner and a show at The Maple Leaf Musical or Lumberjack Show. (Optional Dinner-Show at own expense. Book with your Travel Agent).
Overnight Stay: Kamloops Hotel (as assigned by Rocky Mountaineer)

Day 10    The Rocky Mountaineer – Vancouver (B,L,D)
Transfer back to The Rocky Mountaineer to continue your journey west. Follow the Thompson River and pass through the magnificent Fraser Canyon and Fraser River Valley before arriving into Vancouver. Tonight, join your Tour Director and fellow travellers for dinner together at your hotel.
Overnight Stay: The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Day 11    Vancouver – 7 night Alaskan Cruise (B,D)
Breakfast at your hotel and a leisurely morning before transferring to your luxurious Princess cruise ship for your 7-night voyage through the Inside Passage and head north to Alaska. Check into your Guaranteed Verandah Stateroom and settle-in for a week of spectacular experiences.

Day 12    Cruising the Inside Passage (B,L,D)
Spend the entire day cruising the Inside Passage one of the worlds’ most spectacular waterways as your ship threads her way past forests of spruce and hemlock, mountains, islands and inlets.

Day 13    Ketchikan (B,L,D)
Arrive into picturesque Ketchikan. Take the opportunity to visit Totem Bight State Park and walk through the forest to a replica Tlingit Indian Village. (Shore excursions are at own expense).

Day 14    Juneau, Alaska’s Capital (B,L,D)
Arrive into Alaska’s scenic capital city, Juneau. Learn the city’s Gold Rush story, drop into the Red Dog Saloon or visit the fascinating Alaska State Museum. (Shore excursions are at own expense).

Day 15    Skagway (B,L,D)
Sail into Skagway with plenty of free time to go ashore and stroll the weathered boardwalks and false-fronted buildings as you step back to the Days of 1898.

Day 16    Spectacular Glacier Bay (B,L,D)
This morning cruise into Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and experience 13 spectacular glaciers. A Ranger onboard the ship will help you spot wildlife & explain glacier activity.

Day 17    College Fjord -Prince William Sound (B,L,D)
Prince William Sound is indented with dozens of glacier-carved fjords. Within the Sound lies College Fjord, home to 16 glaciers. Tonight enjoy a last, sumptuous dinner on your elegant ship.

Day 18    Whittier – Anchorage – Mt McKinley (B,D)
Arrive into Whittier and disembark. Meet your Tour Director and travel via the Alaska Wildlife Refuge to Anchorage. Time to explore the Anchorage Markets (subject to operation) before continuing to Wassila, starting point for the annual Iditarod Race each Spring. Continue to the magnificent Mt McKinley Princess wilderness lodge. This grand Alaskan Lodge showcases unparralled views of Mr McKinley, the highest point in all of North America.
Overnight Stay: Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge

Day 19    Midnight Sun Express – Denali National Park (B,D)
Breakfast, then transfer to the Midnight Sun Express rail. Relax and enjoy impeccable service as you travel towards Denali National Park. Arrive into Denali this afternoon, on arrival at your hotel the remainder of the day is yours to explore.
Two Night Stay: Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge

Day 20    Denali National Park – Scenic FreeChoice (B)
This morning enjoy your Scenic FreeChoice activities, included in the tour at no extra cost. Choose from (1) Comprehensive Tundra Wilderness Tour or (2) Natural History Tour of Denali National Park or (3) Rafting down the Nenana River or (4) Visit the homestead of a three time Iditarod champion and meet his champion sled dogs. Return to your lodge this afternoon with the remainder of the day free for optional excursions such as a helicopter flight over Denali National Park or simply enjoying your surrounds (Optional activities at own expense).

Day 21    Fairbanks – Riverboat Cruise (B,D)
This morning depart Denali for Fairbanks, on arrival board a sternwheeler riverboat cruise down the Chena and Tenana Rivers. Tonight, join your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a final dinner together at your hotel.
Overnight Stay: Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge

Day 22    Fairbanks (B)
Breakfast and then transfer* to Fairbanks Airport to board your homeward flight (please book departure flights after 9 am).

Day 23    Cross International Dateline
In flight, cross the international dateline.

Day 24    Arrive Home Port
Tour ends upon arrival – the end of an exciting tour.

Departure Dates + Availability