Western Canada and The Inside Passage
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Calgary
Arrive at Calgary’s International Airport and transfer independently to your downtown hotel. After an individual check-in, the remainder of the day is free to explore the streets of this dynamic city, famous for its annual Stampede. The tour director will contact you in the late afternoon. Overnight in Calgary.
Day 2
Calgary to Banff National Park / Canmore
This morning we set out to meet fellow travellers at breakfast before we tour the sights of Calgary. We admire such modern and historic landmarks as the Calgary Tower, Fort Calgary and the skyscrapers of the commercial district. Leaving Calgary behind we set our sights on the Rocky Mountains, which can already be seen, far off in the distance. Experience the majesty of the mountains as we first travel through the foothills and then enter Banff National Park. We tour the region around Banff amidst snow-capped peaks, sparkling glaciers and emerald green lakes and see landmark Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls and Tunnel Mountain. Overnight in Canmore. Canadian breakfast included.
Day 3
Canmore / Banff National Park
The entire day is at leisure to tour Banff and browse through the many boutiques and specialty shops along Banff Avenue. An optional full-day tour is offered to the Columbia Icefield. The tour starts with a visit to Lake Louise, followed by a scenic drive to the world famous Icefields Parkway. At the spectacular Columbia Icefield we board an Ice Explorer vehicle that will take us onto the surface of the ancient Athabasca Glacier for an incredible and unique sightseeing experience. Alternately, you may also take an optional 12-minute helicopter sightseeing tour of the Spray Lakes and Spray Valley. The flight path takes you over the forested slopes of Mount Buller, offering a dramatic view of the shale patterns and rocky outcroppings of the surrounding mountains of the Goat Range. Overnight in Canmore. Continental breakfast included.
Day 4
Canmore to Kamloops
Our drive today is on the famed Trans-Canada Highway, following a route charted by the railroad engineers and fur traders of the mid 1800s. We continue our tour of the Canadian parks system as we cross the jagged Kicking Horse Pass into British Columbia’s Yoho National Park. From the highway, we are treated to a dazzling display of vast icefields, deep canyons, dense forests and glacier-fed streams. One awe-inspiring landscape follows another en route to Glacier National Park. We continue through the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges to the rugged interior town of Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops. Continental breakfast included.
Day 5
Kamloops to Whistler
We can expect a day of dramatic scenery changes when we drive through the ranch lands and head for the coastal mountains. An optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour over Garibaldi Park gives you an inspiring view of a natural preserve of volcanic peaks, alpine lakes and meadows. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Whistler. Continental breakfast included.
Day 6
Whistler to Vancouver
We drive south along the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway through a dramatic landscape of jagged fjords and glaciated mountain peaks. We leave the countryside behind and explore the metropolis of Vancouver on a sightseeing tour. Highlights include Stanley Park, Prospect Point, English Bay, historic Gastown, bustling Chinatown and much more. The afternoon is free to discover more of this coastal gem. Overnight in Vancouver. Continental breakfast included.
Day 7
Vancouver
The Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains form the backdrop to your day at leisure in Vancouver. You might want to do some shopping down on Robson Street, relax in Vancouver’s playground Stanley Park or stroll through the markets of Granville Island. You can also go on an optional full-day tour to Victoria, the charming provincial capital that is proud of her maritime heritage. Before taking the ferry back to Vancouver, you will visit Butchart Gardens, one of the world’s great floral displays set in a reclaimed stone quarry. Overnight in Vancouver. Canadian breakfast included.
Day 8
Vancouver / Alaskan Cruise
Today you check out of your hotel and are transferred to the Vancouver cruise terminal where you board Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam and are welcomed by the crew who will be your hosts for your cruising adventure. Familiarize yourself with amenities of the ship and watch the sun set over the water from the wide decks of this magnificent craft. The ship weighs anchor and sets sail this afternoon for one of the most famously beautiful passages in the world. Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight on board the Nieuw Amsterdam.
Day 9
Inside Passage
Enjoy the fantastic scenery on the first full day of cruising, travelling through the Inside Passage. Just beyond the deck rails, the gems of Alaska are laid open in a spellbinding vista of rain forests, glaciers, fjords and white-capped peaks. Along the way it is common to view whales and sea lions at play along the coastlines as well as a near countless assortment of marine bird life. Overnight on board the Nieuw Amsterdam. Full board included.
Day 10
Tracy Arm Inlet / Port of Juneau
Travel the Stephens Passage as it flows into the Boundary Ranges at Tracy Arm, a narrow, twisting, 48 -kilometre-long fjord that ends at the twin Sawyer glaciers. Lush rain forest gives way to ancient stone as the land dramatically rises to 2100m towering peaks, the waterway ending at the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Arriving in the port of Juneau, take some time to explore this unique state capital and its frontier culture and spirit. Overnight on board the Nieuw Amsterdam. Full board included.
Day 11
Port of Skagawy
Cruising to the Gold Rush stopover town of Skagway, travel in the footsteps of the prospectors that either continued on to the gold fields, or remained to create the historic town that still thrives today. Perhaps take some time to ride the antique White Pass & Yukon narrow-gauge railway, step into the Red Onion Saloon or peruse the restored buildings and wooden boardwalks of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Overnight on board the Nieuw Amsterdam. Full board included.
Day 12
Glacier Bay
An exciting day cruising ahead, exploring the famous waters of Glacier Bay - home to Glacier Bay National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park boasts a unique ecosystem of plants and animals living in concert with an ever-changing glacial landscape. When a monumental chunk of ice splits off a glacier and thunders into the sea, the impact shoots water dozens of metres into the air. Glacier Bay has more active ‘calving’ (splitting off) tidewater glaciers than anyplace else in the world. Overnight on board the Nieuw Amsterdam. Full board included.
Day 13
Port of Ketchikan
Cruise into the port of Ketchikan today, set along the shores of the Tongass Narrows, unique for its many shops and houses built suspended above the water. Known as the Salmon Capital of the World, this lively town also is home to Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and the Saxman Village. The town is surrounded by natural wonders, inviting all visitors to discover their wild side amidst the wilds of the Alaskan landscape. Overnight on board the Nieuw Amsterdam. Full board included.
Day 14
Inside Passage
Today the ship slowly retraces its voyage along the Alaskan and British Columba coastlines. Watch how the landscape slowly and subtly changes as you descend into the more southern and warmer climate of the Pacific Northwest temperate area. Overnight on board the Nieuw Amsterdam. Full board included.
Day 15
End of Tour
Early this morning you arrive in the port of Vancouver and disembark the Nieuw Amsterdam. You transfer individually to Vancouver’s International Airport in time to check in for your return flight. Breakfast included.
Prices, Dates, Hotels & Conditions
CHANGE CURRENCY
€
£
$
A$
¥
C$
The final price you will pay for this tour is that displayed in CAD. Prices converted in other
currencies are for guidance purposes only and are approximate.
| DEPARTURES 2024 | PRICE FROM (INTERIOR CABIN) |
PRICE FROM (OCEAN VIEW CABIN) |
PRICE FROM (VERANDAH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAY 18 | 3720 | 4520 | 4880 |
| JUNE 1 | 3720 | 4520 | 5145 |
| JUNE 15 | 3855 | 4650 | 5145 |
| JULY 6, 20 | 3855 | 4650 | 5145 |
| AUG 24 | 3575 | 4520 | 4880 |
YOUR ESCORTED MOTORCOACH TOUR INCLUDES
- Services of a professional Tour Manager throughout
- Deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach with onboard restroom facilities
- Hotel accommodations as specified or similar
- Sightseeing as specified
- Hotel taxes; service charges; and baggage (one suitcase per person)
SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS
- Banff sightseeing tour
- Calgary sightseeing tour
- Vancouver sightseeing tour
HIGHLIGHTS
- 7 breakfasts Days 2 to 8
- Full board days 8 to 15 starting with dinner on Day 8 and ending with breakfast on Day 15
TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS
- Assisted transfer from hotel to cruise terminal on Day 8
- 7 night return cruise from Vancouver to Alaska, on board Holland America, Koningsdam
Cruise accommodation
- The Holland America Koningsdam cruise ship featured in the Western Canada and the Inside Passage programme offers 3 cabin types: interior cabin, ocean view cabin and verandah. The verandah and ocean view cabins have an either a window or sliding glass door. The interior cabin does not have a window.
- All cabins feature: Two lower beds convertible to queen, approximately 16.25 sq metres, complimentary 24-hour room service, Dual voltage 110/220 AC, Four pillows in every stateroom, complimentary use of bathrobes, 100% Egyptian cotton towels, bathroom accessories & hair dryer, complimentary beach towel service, plentiful storage space in your bathroom & wardrobe, laundry service*, 23” LCD-HD Interactive television system to view & select shore excursions, order room service & watch movies*, luggage delivery, individual safe, direct-dial telephone, thermostat controlled air-conditioning, mini-bar*.
*at additional charge.
In addition to these features, the individual categories feature:
- Verandah: Balcony (3.9 sq metres), Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, Sitting area, some with sofa bed
- Ocean View Cabin: Window
| NIGHT | CITY | HOTEL ACCOMMODATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calgary | Sandman Hotel Calgary City Centre |
| 2-3 | Banff National Park/Canmore | Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre |
| 4 | Kamloops | Ramada Kamloops |
| 5 | Whistler | Whistler Village Inn & Suites or Pinnacle Whistler or Listel Hotel |
| 6-7 | Vancouver | Sandman Hotel Vancouver City Centre or Sandman Suites on Davie |
| 8-14 | Alaskan cruise | On board the Holland America cruise |
PRE & POST HOTELS
PRE: Calgary, Sandman Hotel City Centre Calgary
POST: Vancouver, Sandman Hotel Vancouver City Centre
IMPORTANT NOTE
This tour crosses the U.S./Canada border. Passengers should obtain relevant visas for both nations prior to travel where necessary.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Banff - Columbia Icefields Excursion including Ice Explorer ride
- Whistler Floatplane Sightseeing Tours - Spectacular Glacier Tour
- Whistler Floatplane Sightseeing Tours - Ultimate Glacier Tour
- Vancouver - Victoria Excursion including coach/ferry transfers and visit to Butchart Gardens
- Holland America Cruise offers daily port-of-call excursions, bookable and payable on-site. Cruise directors will have a list of available excursions and pricing
