CANADIAN & ALASKAN MASTERPIECE (COACH, ROCKY MOUNTAINEER REDLEAF & INSIDE CABIN) - 2015

The ultimate holiday to Canada & Alaska. Travel via our Canadian Tours through British Columbia & Alberta onboard the amazing Rocky Mountaineer and see Vancouver, Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Jasper National Park, Sun Peaks & Whistler. Then embark on a seven night cruise to Alaska taking in the beautiful Glacier Bay, Inside Passage, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchican.

NOTE: Guaranteed share option is not available on this tour

Standard Features

Destinations

SIGHTSEEING In Vancouver, Banff, and Victoria; Stanley Park, Sulphur Mountain gondola ride, Columbia Icefield (Ice Explorer ride), and Butchart Gardens

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS Glacier National Park, Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise, Sunwapta Pass, Jasper National Park, British Columbia's Gold Rush & Cariboo regions, Strait of Georgia, Gulf Islands, Sea-to-Sky Highway to Horseshoe Bay, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, and Inside Passage.

GUIDES Services of a professional Tour Director; crew member service while cruising the Inside Passage on Holland America's MS Volendam.

TRANSPORTATION 2-day, all-daylight rail journey on board the Rocky Mountaineer (REDLEAF SERVICE); Ferry

crossing to/from Vancouver Island; 7-night Holland America cruise on the MS Volendam (INSIDE CABIN); Private, deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring.

HOTELS Twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling.

Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.

Meals Breakfast – 9

Lunch – 8

Dinner – 7

On Rocky Mountaineer - 2 continental breakfasts (CB), 2 lunches (L)

on Holland America cruise - 7 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)

Day by Day Itinerary

1. VANCOUVER. Welcome to Vancouver! Enjoy time at leisure to relax or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

2. VANCOUVER. This morning, an included city tour highlights STANLEY PARK, Chinatown, the harbour and beaches, and more. The remainder of the day is at leisure, and your Tour Director will have suggestions for your further exploration of the city. Take a water taxi to lively Granville Island with its outdoor markets, street musicians, and waterfront cafes. Or, visit historic Gastown with its steam-powered clock, antique shops, art galleries.

3. VANCOUVER-ROCKY MOUNTAINEER-FRASER CANYON-KAMLOOPS. An exciting morning as you board the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight, classic rail journey. Follow the Fraser River through snowcapped mountains, eventually arriving at Kamloops. The Rocky Mountaineer travels through some of Canada's most spectacular scenery. Breakfast and lunch are included. (CB,L)

4. KAMLOOPS-ROCKY MOUNTAINEER-YOHO NATIONAL PARK-SPIRAL TUNNEL-BANFF NATIONAL PARK. Reboard the train and witness spectacular sights such as Shuswap Lake, the Monashee Mountains, and Glacier National Park. Travel through the heart of the Selkirk Mountains before entering the spectacular domain of Yoho National Park. The train winds through the Spiral Tunnels before climbing Kicking Horse Pass. Cross the Continental Divide and enter the province of Alberta and BANFF NATIONAL PARK. (CB,L)

5. BANFF NATIONAL PARK. Morning sightseeing includes a visit to Sulphur Mountain for a GONDOLA RIDE, complete with panoramic views of Banff's spectacular scenery. The balance of the day is at leisure. Play golf, horseback ride, hike the many wilderness trails in the area, stroll through Banff, or simply relax at the hot springs. Your Tour Director will suggest an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies and can offer recommendations for dinner.

6. BANFF NATIONAL PARK-LAKE LOUISE. Enjoy a day of scenic grandeur. Travel to Lake Louise and Yoho National Park, see the Natural Bridge spanning Kicking Horse River, and visit Emerald and Moraine Lakes. Overnight in Lake Louise, where green-blue waters form a perfect mirror reflection of Mount Victoria.

7. LAKE LOUISE-COLUMBIA ICEFIELD-JASPER NATIONAL PARK. Scale Bow Pass, with splendid views of Peyto Lake, then climb Sunwapta Pass to savour stunning vistas of alpine meadows, waterfalls, and massive glaciers. Next stop: 365-metre (1,200-feet) thick COLUMBIA ICEFIELD for a thrilling Ice Explorer ride.

8. JASPER NATIONAL PARK-SUN PEAKS. Stand at the base of awesome, 3,953-metre (12,970-feet) Mount Robson. Travel through British Columbia's Fur Trade and Cariboo regions, enjoying tantalising glimpses of the soaring granite mountains of Canada's Rockies. Watch for wildlife as you continue to the internationally renowned Sun Peaks ski resort.

9. SUN PEAKS-LILLOOET-WHISTLER. Head south, following the once-treacherous Cariboo Wagon Trail. From Lillooet - "Mile 0 of the Gold Rush Route" - our motorcoach will follow the shores of Seton and Duffey Lakes, with a mid-afternoon arrival in Whistler. There are optional activities to choose from, including flightseeing by floatplane over the lakes and glaciated peaks of Garibaldi Provincial Park.

10. WHISTLER-FERRY CROSSING-VICTORIA. This morning, set sail across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. In Victoria, sightseeing includes BUTCHART GARDENS, the Empress Hotel, Legislative Buildings, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park.

11. VICTORIA. A day at leisure gives you the chance to stroll around the harbour, go shopping on Government Street, or have lunch in one of the many pubs. Your Tour Director will suggest several optional excursions, including a whale-watching cruise.

12. VICTORIA-VANCOUVER (EMBARKATION). Board your ferry this morning and head back to the Canadian mainland, where you will

transfer to Holland America's luxurious MS Volendam for a 7-night voyage through the famed Inside Passage. (D)

13. SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE. Spend the day cruising one of the most picturesque sea lanes in the world, the natural beauty here is unbelievable, featuring thick emerald-green forests and expansive turquoise glaciers. (B,L,D)

14. JUNEAU. Accessible only by air and water, history, Native culture, wildlife, and nature come to life here. Shop for gold nuggets, saunter through the swinging doors at the Red Dog Saloon, or visit mighty Mendenhall Glacier. (B,L,D)

15. SKAGWAY. Step back in time as you stroll along wooden boardwalks, visit the Red Onion Saloon, explore Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, or ride the antique White Pass & Yukon Route narrow-gauge railway. (B,L,D)

16. SCENIC CRUISING: GLACIER BAY. This incredible Biosphere Reserve protects a unique ecosystem, hosting an amazing spectacle as tremendous slabs of ice break off and "calve" into the sea. (B,L,D)

17. KETCHIKAN. Hugging the shores of the Tongass Narrows, this self-proclaimed "Salmon Capital of the World" boasts the largest totem collection on the planet and a former red-light district-turned art district on historic Creek Street. (B,L,D)

18. SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE. Cruise through the awe-inspiring scenery of the Inside Passage. Keep your cameras ready for spouting whales, soaring eagles, and other wildlife. Tonight, enjoy a sumptuous dinner and onboard entertainment. (B,L,D)

19. VANCOUVER (DISEMBARKATION). Disembark the ship this morning and transfer to Vancouver International Airport for your return flight home. Please schedule homebound flights after Noon. You can extend your holiday with extra nights and explore the "Jewel of the Pacific" further with a variety of exciting optional activities. (B)

Source: http://www.cosmostours.com.au