16 Day Rockies Small Group Tour & Alaska Cruise
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
A land of rugged hills, rushing waters and undisturbed wildlife, Alaska is as big as it is wild. Whether you're watching whales splash in the Pacific Ocean, gazing up at towering ice formations like the Hubbard Glacier or journeying by train deep into the last frontier on Anchorage's Coastal Classic Railroad, Alaska is sure to quench any explorer's thirst.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
✓ Small group tour - Up to 26 guests
✓ Incredible sightseeing, uncover the dramatic beauty of Western Canada, begin in Calgary, bask in the beauty of Banff, experience stunning Lake Louise, travel to Whistler and board a deluxe cruise of the Inside Passage
✓ 8 nights accommodation in 3-3.5 star hotels
✓ 7 nights cruising the Inside Passage and Alaska with Celebrity Cruises on board the spectacular Celebrity Eclipse in an inside stateroom (upgrades available) including drinks, Wi-Fi & gratuities included
✓ Choose from an included array of beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks, wines by the glass, sodas, juices, and bottled water on board your cruise
✓ Breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
✓ Fully escorted by a dedicated professional guide (Days 2 - 9)
✓ Dedicated coach transportation
✓ Unforgettable sightseeing as per the itinerary
✓ All national park fees
✓ Only $99 deposit per person. See Fine Print for more information
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Canada! On arrival, please make your own way to your Calgary hotel.
Tonight’s hotel is located only a short distance from the airport. The hotel runs a 24hr complimentary shuttle which guests can use. Customer pick up is located on the Arrivals Level at bus bays 16,17 & 37. From the hotel, it is only a 15-minute taxi to downtown Calgary for those customers wanting to begin exploring straightaway.
Today, meet your guide in the lobby for a morning city tour of Calgary. This tour will pass the main sights, including Calgary Tower, the famous Stampede park where the annual rodeo is held, downtown business district and Scotsmans Hill for views over the city. Then, we will drive the short distance to Banff with a sightseeing tour on arrival. Here you’ll see the Bow River Falls, Tunnel Mountain Drive with the wind eroded hoodoos and the Surprise Corner with views of historic Banff Springs Hotel.
This morning begins with a short drive along the Bow Valley Parkway to Lake Louise. Highlights will include Johnston Canyon, Moraine Lake, the Valley of the Ten Peaks, and the Victoria Glacier, which shimmers on the icy blue-green waters of Lake Louise. In the afternoon, return to Banff to enjoy the picturesque setting of this quaint mountain town.
Today depart from Banff and head west along the TransCanada Highway across the Continental Divide. Canada is home to some of the most iconic and spectacular national parks in the world, today’s highlights include three of the best - Yoho, Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Parks. There will be many stops along the route including Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, Rogers Pass and the Spiral Train Tunnels. The steep grade in Kicking Horse Pass posed a serious challenge. The solution called for a pair of loops that would be tunneled deep into the valley walls making for a spectacular sight.
This morning enjoy a leisurely start before we travel into the desert-like country of the Thompson-Okanagan region. Sagebrush and rolling hills dominate the landscape, making a startling contrast from the lush coastal mountain region. Our destination is Kamloops, located at the confluence of the South and North Thompson rivers in British Columbia’s semi-arid grasslands. With over 2,000 hours of sunshine each year, Kamloops is home to an incredibly diverse landscape of sagebrush-covered hills, ravines, wide open grasslands, rugged mountains, forested valleys and pristine lakes.
Leaving Kamloops, we drive west along the shore of Kamloops Lake to reach Cache Creek before arriving at Lillooet. Lillooet was the starting point of the Gold Rush Trail. Continuing past Lillooet, we travel the beautiful Duffey Lake road which winds through the Coast Mountains to the ranch country around Pemberton. A short drive south lies the four season resort town of Whistler. True to its bold and cultured character, Whistler’s offering of experiences lets you indulge all of the senses. From the cultural to the culinary, the educational to the entertaining, its boutique shops, museums, restaurants, galleries, events and festivals deliver countless options for all in all seasons.
Today is a full day to enjoy Whistler at your own pace.
This morning is at leisure before we reboard the coach for Vancouver. Enroute to Vancouver we travel along the Sea to Sky Highway along beautiful Howe Sound passing through the communities of Squamish and Britannia Beach. Highlights along the way include Shannon Falls and the Stawamanus Chief, the second largest standing piece of granite in the world. Tonight, enjoy a central location in Downtown Vancouver.
Today a morning sightseeing tour of Vancouver begins with a drive around Stanley Park, stopping at the Totem Poles. Continue on via Canada Place and the waterfront, Chinatown, North America’s second largest and finally, historic Gastown with its 19 th Century buildings, cobblestone streets and hidden passageways. You will also visit Granville Island with its famous public market and many crafts and artisans shops before transferring to Vancouver Cruise Terminal for your cruise departure.
Please note: Your luggage will be stored on the bus today before departing on your cruise.
There are multiple cruise departures on this day. A portion of your group may be joining an alternative cruise based on their selection.
Your ship offers the perfect platform for viewing British Columbia’s Inside Passage. This archipelago spans 25,000 miles from Seattle to Prince Rupert near the Alaskan border. Here you’ll ply calm waters sheltered between the British Columbia mainland and Vancouver Island. Along the way catch a glimpse of breathtakingly rugged scenery, plus staggering wildlife like salmon sharks, white spirit bears, and millions of seabirds.
A Russian settlement until the Alaska Purchase of 1867, Sitka’s Russian heritage is still very much rooted in the city. Visit St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral for a pristine example of period architecture. Nestled on the coast of the Gulf of Alaska, there’s much natural beauty to explore on a Sitka cruise. A walk along the promenade in Whale Park offers a chance to view breaching humpback whales while a trek into Sitka Historical Park reveals stunning coastal trails and hundred-year-old totem poles. Venture to Tongass National Forest for up close views of wildlife, including Alaska Coastal Brown Bears, American Bald Eagles and Sitka Blacktail Deer. Or head to the Sheldon Jackson Museum, the oldest standing structure in all of Alaska which is home to a small, yet impressive collection of artifacts from all of Alaska’s indigenous groups.
The Hubbard Glacier is located about 30 miles north off the coast of Yakutat and is by far one of Alaska’s most exciting natural treasures. On your cruise to Hubbard Glacier, enjoy incredible picture-perfect views of this glorious mount of ice from about every angle on your ship. Named after Gardiner Hubbard, the founder and president of the National Geographic Society, Hubbard Glacier is the longest tidewater glacier in the world. Dramatically massive at about 7-miles wide, 76-miles long and as tall as a 30-story building above the waterline, it’s the largest river of ice in North America. How this magnificent block came to form begins about 400 years ago from the snowfalls on the slopes of Mount Logan. While most of the world’s glaciers are retreating, the Hubbard Glacier has continued to thicken over the years and on rare occasion will partially block Russell Fjord, temporarily damming its passage.
Juneau is Alaska’s capital and is also the state’s second largest city. A unique destination for a myriad of reasons, Juneau sits nestled up next to the Gastineau Channel in the Alaskan panhandle with no connecting roads to other cities – making the capital city only accessible by water and air, including via Juneau cruise port.
Mount Juneau towers above the city’s downtown area, giving Juneau an atmosphere of being surrounded by mountain caps and the serene waters of the nearby channel. The waterfront bustles with vessels of all types and sizes, from luxury cruise ships to local fishing boats to 2-person floatplanes.
Whether you’re traveling to Alaska for an adrenaline-filled adventure or you prefer simply sitting back, relaxing, and taking in stunning landscapes in the Last Frontier, this must-see destination features something for everyone.
You've never tasted salmon so fresh. Known as the 'Salmon Capital of the World', Ketchikan is also the ancestral home of the Tlingit people, who have carved the world's largest collection of totem poles. If you're up for an adventure, take a canoe and nature trail excursion through the rain forest or a wilderness exploration followed by a sumptuous crab feast you'll long remember (on your own account).
Please note: Optional shore excursions can't be booked until closer to departure. You will be notfiied once they are available.
Today is a full day to relax and enjoy the many activities, restaurants and entertainment your ship has to offer.
Welcome back to Vancouver. Your ship will arrive in port at approximately 7:00AM this morning. At the appropriate time, disembark your Alaska cruise and make your own way to the airport for your onward flight. We hope you have had an unforgettable experience in Canada.
Please note: Flights should not be booked prior to 12:00PM midday to allow enough time for disembarkation. For customers departing later, there are paid luggage storage facilities at Canada Place cruise terminal which will allow you to store your luggage and sightseeing in Vancouver prior to your flight departure.
Cruise Details
7 Nights onboard the newly renovated Celebrity Eclipse
To see further details on the ship, please click HERE
Cabin Bedding and Upgrades
Bedding on board the cruise is restricted to the following configurations. If you wish to upgrade your cabin, the following amounts are payable in addition to the package price prior to travel:
Inside Stateroom: INCLUDED
Your escape at sea, Inside Staterooms offer 18sqm of living space. Each inside stateroom on board Celebrity includes world-class amenities. Celebrity’s eXhale™ Queen size bed or twin beds, Shower, Interactive Flat Sceen TV, safe, 24hr room service, Internet access.
Ocean View Stateroom
Expansive views make Ocean View Staterooms on the Celebrity Eclipse the ideal place to unwind at sea. These perfectly indulgent spaces come furnished with Celebrity’s eXhale™ bedding featuring a luxury Queen-sized mattress and everything else a modern traveler needs.
Upgrades from $650 per person, twin share subject to availability (Single price $1,200)
Ocean View Veranda
Ample indoor and outdoor space come together to create your private sanctuary at sea. Your personal veranda lets you greet the day, soak in breathtaking sunsets, and enjoy fresh sea breezes.
Upgrades from $1,000 per person, twin share subject to availability (Single price $1,600)
Please select your cabin upgrade by following the 'book now' prompts
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling off period. Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7 day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.
Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers. As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available. This particular tour is categorised as a “3”:
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision. For the services of your guide, it is suggested that you budget for CAD$5 per person, per day. Tipping of your driver is also appreciated and we would suggest CAD$4 per person, per day. We do have an option to pre-pay the tipping for the coach portion of your itinerary at a cost of $100AUD per person, which can be added to your booking.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $2,999 per person in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Visa & Passport Information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return to Australia.
CANADA - An E-Visa waiver is required.
To begin your visa application please click HERE.
Information required:
Wait for it to be approved and you will be notified via email within approximately 48 hours.
USA - An E-Visa waiver is required.
To begin your visa application please click HERE.
Information required:
Wait for it to be approved and you will be notified via email within approximately 48 hours.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
20 - 26 people.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
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