Into the Wild

Experience all the natural beauty and wonder of Western Canada and Alaska on our Passage Through the Rockies and Alaska Cruise.

Have your camera at the ready, because from the moment your plane lands in Calgary, you will want to document every moment of this incredible 19-day tour, comprised of coach and cruise, and if you wish, even a remarkable rail journey.

From your very first day, the standard is set. Travel to the breathtaking beauty of Banff National Park by coach towards the charming alpine ski village of Banff. Along the way, you will have a visit to Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, where you will get up close to one of Canada’s most iconic creatures. The next day you have a hard decision to make, will you take a Banff Experience Tour, embark on a heli-flightseeing tour, or hop into a float boat and meander down Bow River? No matter what you choose, knowledgeable guides and breathtaking views are assured.

The next breathtaking destination is a bucket-list item for anyone visiting the area, the supreme Lake Louise. Rightfully called the “Jewel of the Rockies”, the impossibly clear emerald lake must be seen to be believed. With a night at the Lake Louise Inn scheduled, you will have more than enough time to absorb this natural marvel. Fortunately, with Travelmarvel's well-thought-out itinerary, the highlights continue when you arrive at Athabasca Glacier the next day. The largest icefield in Canada, you will appreciate touring these extreme conditions onboard the Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle, perfect for navigating the 10,000-year-old sheet of ice in style.

Continue your adventure through the Rockies with an exhilarating River Safari to Grizzly Bear Valley (concluding in a lovely lunch on a floating restaurant), before heading to Vancouver, where you will have two nights to explore the infamously friendly seaport city. Next is Whistler, where you will have your pick of exciting outdoor activities to enjoy, followed by a leisurely day in Victoria, with the option to hop aboard a whale-watching cruise or indulge your romantic side with a horse-drawn carriage tour. You might want to save some of your energy for a very special visit to Butchart Gardens, where you will enjoy a Farewell Dinner in the original Butchart family residence with a view of the splendid Italian garden.

After 12 adventure-filled days on land, you might be ready for something different…a cruise through the spectacular Inside Passage perhaps? Make yourself comfortable aboard the Holland America Line’s Zaandam cruise ship, your home for the next week, and prepare to set sail for Alaska’s capital, Juneau. As if visiting a city only accessible by boat and plane wasn’t exciting enough, during your visit you can take a dog sled ride, try your luck panning for gold and, of course, sample some fresh locally caught baked salmon.

For the next four days observe Alaska’s most extreme landscapes and dock at the rarely visited locations of Skagway and Ketchikan, where enthusiastic local guides will be all too happy to share the wonders of the region, from the rich history of gold prospecting to the abundance of native wildlife. 

After a tour filled with adventure, awe-inspiring landscapes, and endearing wildlife, by the time you are seated for your final dinner on board your Alaskan cruise, your camera roll will be full, you will have made many like-minded friends, and you will probably be wishing you could do it all again.

 

Get ready to create your own extraordinary memories and explore the Rockies and Alaska with Travelmarvel now.

 

Words by Grace Cullinan.