30 Day Eastern Canada, The Rockies & Alaska Cruise With Denali and Yukon

On arrival in Toronto. After checking in with your tour director, the remainder at your leisure to explore the streets of this dynamic city. Discover Toronto’s colourful neighbourhoods, take a ride to the top of the CN Tower, experience the lively theatre district and indulge in one of the numerous restaurants.

Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.

Please note: if you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

This morning, meet your group at breakfast before setting out to discover the many identities of the Canada’s most cosmopolitan city. After seeing the provincial parliament buildings, the waterfront, the imposing CN Tower and lively Chinatown, we leave the city and head for the Niagara Peninsula. We pass through outlying communities and towns along the shores of Lake Ontario en route to Niagara Falls. Time is allocated to admire the falls and take part in some of Niagara Falls numerous activities.

We leave the Toronto skyline behind and drive east towards Ottawa. Our route then winds through rolling farmland, following the rivers and lakes of the Rideau Waterway. Upon arrival in Ottawa, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the national capital. Defined by the Rideau Canal (designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site) and the government buildings on Parliament Hill, the city offers many great sights including the public gardens, the Byward Market and City Hall.

This morning we travel along the scenic Ottawa River to the French-speaking province of Quebec. We skirt the magnificent Laurentians and follow the Chemin du Roy Highway past rustic Quebecois villages and historic shrines. Today’s journey ends in Quebec’s cultural heartland, Quebec City. We tour within the walls of the old city and view the ornate city gates, Lower Town, the Citadel and Battlefields Park.

The day is at your leisure to further explore the sights of this charming World Heritage Site. You can enjoy an optional full day excursion to Tadoussac including 3-hours of whalewatching on the St. Lawrence River at the mouth of the Saguenay River aboard a regular boat. Upon return, we will visit the spectacular Montmorency Falls that are 30 metres higher than the Niagara Falls with a flow of roughly 35,000 litres of water per second.

Departing from Quebec City we drive along the St. Lawrence River in the footsteps of the early settlers. Upon arrival in Montreal, we tour the second largest French-speaking city in the world. The dynamic city of Montreal encapsulates the two founding cultures of Canada and boasts a curious blend of history and modernity. Touring the downtown area we view the Olympic Complex, charming Old Montreal, McGill University, the residential streets of Mount Royal and the bustling shopping streets.

Today’s journey takes us back to Toronto. On route will be a stop in Rockport you have an option of enjoying an entertaining and relaxing cruise through the beautiful 1000 group of islands.

Farewell your Eastern Canada Tour Director and fellow travellers today, before a day at leisure in Toronto. It’s a great opportunity to catch up on some shopping or visit some of the memorable sights that Toronto has to offer.

At the appropriate time, make your own way to Toronto Airport to board your included flight to Calgary.

Welcome to Calgary! On arrival, make your own way to your downtown hotel where upon checking-in, you have the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Calgary International Airport (YYC) is located approximately 20km from downtown Calgary. There are a range of transportation options available. Taxis are available for approximately CAD$45-55 per vehicle.

Please note today is unescorted.

Savour a leisurely day in Calgary, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this dynamic city. Explore its bustling streets, renowned for their diverse shopping experiences, or venture out to discover the captivating landmarks and attractions that define Calgary's unique charm.

This evening, meet your Western Canada Tour Director and fellow travellers.

This morning, we gather with our fellow travellers over breakfast before embarking on a captivating exploration of Calgary's landmarks, both modern and historic. From the iconic Calgary Tower to the storied Fort Calgary and the imposing skyscrapers of the bustling commercial district, we marvel at the city's diverse architectural tapestry.

As we bid farewell to Calgary, our gaze shifts towards the majestic Rocky Mountains, looming on the distant horizon. Prepare to be enchanted as we traverse through the picturesque foothills, gradually entering the breathtaking expanse of Banff National Park.

Our journey through Banff National Park is a feast for the senses, encompassing highlights such as the charming Banff town site, the commanding presence of Tunnel Mountain, and the awe-inspiring vista of the Banff Springs Hotel. Delight in the natural wonders of Johnston Canyon and the peculiar formations of the Hoodoos, before cruising along the scenic Bow Valley Parkway. Our adventure culminates at the renowned Lake Louise, offering an unforgettable rendezvous with one of the world's most iconic alpine lakes. We return to Banff whilst looking out for bears and moose, before retiring to our hotel in the heart of Banff.

After a delicious breakfast, begin your northward journey along the Icefields Parkway, where you'll be enchanted by an array of breathtaking landscapes. Admire the shimmering blue-green lakes, meandering mountain streams, lush forests, and majestic snow-capped peaks that dominate the scenery.

Alternatively, you may opt for a leisurely day in Banff, allowing you to explore the townsite further and fully embrace the mountain lifestyle.

Today's journey takes us along the renowned TransCanada Highway, tracing the path originally charted by railroad engineers and fur traders in the mid-1800s.

Our route traverses Kicking Horse Pass, guiding us from the Rockies into the picturesque Columbia River Valley, before ascending through Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. The Selkirk Mountains, known for their abundant winter snowfall, boast more than one hundred active avalanche zones.

Continuing onward, we navigate through the majestic Monashee Mountain Range, eventually arriving at the rugged interior town of Vernon.

Today marks our departure from the Okanagan Valley and its majestic mountains as we journey through the lower mainland. Few routes in Canada offer such a diverse range of vegetation in such a compact distance as Highway 3 between Osoyoos and Tashima. At the western end, lush rainforests abound, while to the east lies a desert landscape where prickly pear cacti thrive. Our route takes us along the Coquihalla Highway before arriving in Vancouver.

Indulge in a captivating sightseeing expedition of Vancouver, showcasing iconic attractions including Stanley Park with its renowned totem pole collection, picturesque English Bay, the vibrant ambiance of Robson Street, historic Gastown, bustling Chinatown, and the majestic Canada Place and Cruise Ship Pier.

The afternoon and evening is at leisure in Vancouver. There are countless restaurants, shops and bars within walking distance from your centrally located hotel. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to provide recommendations.

You have some time this morning for some last minute shopping before making your own way to the Vancouver Cruise Terminal to board your Alaskan Inside Passage cruise.

Once you have checked in to the cruise, begin exploring all that your ship has to offer. 

Ports of call may vary cruise to cruise based on ship schedules. 

Relax and enjoy a full day of scenic Inside Passage cruising and immerse yourself in Holland America Line elegance. 

We arrive into our first port of Ketchikan at 7am this morning. 

Alaska's "First City" of Ketchikan is so named because it’s the first major landfall for most cruisers as they enter the picturesque fjords of the Inside Passage, where the town clings to the banks of the Tongass Narrows, flanked by green forests nurtured by abundant rain. 

Ketchikan has long been an important hub of the salmon-fishing and -packing industries. Visitors can try their luck on a sportfishing  or simply savour the fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants on a cruise to Ketchikan excursion. Ketchikanis also one of the best spots along the Inside Passage to explore the rich cultural sights of Native Alaskan nations like the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. You can see intricately carved totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center and Totem Bight State Park, while the attractions of Saxman Village just outside of Ketchikan offers the chance to see Tlingit culture in action, with working carvers and a dance show in the clan house. On an Alaska cruise to Ketchikan don't forget to leave time to explore the sights in the town itself, including historic Creek Street, a boardwalk built over the Ketchikan Creek, where you can shop for souvenirs, smoked salmon and local art, while exploring gold rush­–era tourist attractions like Dolly’s House Museum.

Juneau is known for its outdoor recreation, fresh seafood and fine dining. The city itself is pleasant, but the real highlight of a visit to Juneau is tracking down some wildlife. You can hike up Mount Roberts to chance upon wild deer and bald eagles. Most sightseeing and whale-watching tours head north to Auke Bay—bring a good pair of binoculars to get the best view of these majestic and surprisingly graceful creatures. If you prefer land mammals, catch a floatplane to a nearby wildlife reserve such as Chichagof or Admiralty Island to spy some bears lolling around on Alaska cruise excursion.

The sleepy, misty city of around 32,000—mostly fishermen and small-business owners—has a frontier town vibe, but welcomes more than a million visitors each summer to its natural attractions, cementing Juneau as Alaska’s number-one tourist destination. 

Step back to the days of the last great gold rush as we arrive into Skagway at 7am this morning. 

At the height of the Klondike Gold Rush, the port town of Skagway served as the primary gateway to the legendary gold fields, and quickly grew into Alaska’s largest settlement. It was then a raucous frontier hub packed with trading posts, saloons and guesthouses. As the gold rush faded into the 1900s, so did Skagway—but today it has been reinvigorated as a gateway for a new kind of visitor: those looking to explore Alaska’s colourful history, pristine wildlife and unrivalled natural beauty.

At every turn, you’ll find yourself immersed in gold rush lore, from the infamous Red Onion Saloon that still keeps a pistol that Wyatt Earp left behind en route to the Klondike, to the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, a classic narrow-gauge railway that traverses rugged mountains and passes cascading waterfalls and towering glaciers as it connects Skagway to Whitehorse deep in the Yukon. Known as the "Garden City of Alaska," Skagway is filled with beauty and nature.

Cruise the ice-studded fjords of this national treasure for a full eight hours as a Park Service Ranger narrates.

On your cruise to Glacier Bay, close your eyes and take in the sounds—the creaks and groans of  “living” ice, the shrill cries of gulls and soaring eagles, the splash of a breaching humpback whale. Frosted peaks towering over mossy forests, wide tidewater glaciers (there are seven in the park), and marine wildlife are a given on Glacier Bay cruises, but every experience in this changing biosphere is unique.

Scenic cruising College Fjord will bring you close to many glaciers—there’s even a spot where you can see eight at once. Your chances of watching ice thunder into the water is high, as the Prince William Sound is one of the most active areas for calving.

Out of all Alaska fjords, College Fjord is the most storied. The Harriman Expedition of 1899 with John Muir and other notable scientists traversed the College Fjord aboard the George W. Elder, funded by Ivy League colleges. All of the glaciers were named for various schools. As you travel into College Fjord, the glaciers on the left are named for women's colleges and those on the right are named for men's colleges. The names are Amherst, Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Harvard, Smith, Vassar, and Yale.

Harvard Glacier is the biggest – its face is a mile and a half across. In case you’re wondering, it is rumoured that the scientists snubbed Princeton.

Disembark and embark on a picturesque rail journey along Turnagain Arm aboard the cruise train, en route to Anchorage, where your Journey Host will be waiting to greet you.

On arrival in Anchorage, enjoy the day at leisure to explore this fascinating city. Explore on your own or take an optional excursions. Don't miss the chance to ride the Anchorage Trolley or immerse yourself in Alaskan tribal culture at the Native Heritage Center.

While the abundant wildlife alone is reason enough to cruise to Anchorage, Alaska, the city's rich culture is equally worth exploring. Nearly half of the state's population resides in Anchorage, including military personnel, Alaska Natives, adventurous transplants from the "lower 48," and oil industry workers. The city is dotted with coffee and espresso huts on every corner, and local culinary delights include fresh halibut, smoked salmon, and reindeer dogs.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Anchorage. Speak to your Journey Host about optional activities in the region.

This morning, board the luxurious domed rail cars of the McKinley Explorer to Denali for a two night stay at this magnificent national treasure. These unique, single level domed rail cars with great panoramic windows are just the perfect way to see this magnificent part of Alaska.  Canyons, cascading waterfalls, glaciers and spectacular scenery await at every turn. On a clear day, you can see the stunning Denali (North America's tallest mountain) shortly after our departure from Anchorage.

On arrival at your remote lodge on the edge of Denali National Park, enjoy the evening at leisure. There are a number of activites on offer at McKinley Chalet Resort. Speak with the hotel concierge or your Journey Host for more information.

Today, embark on the unforgettable Tundra Wilderness Tour, a 5-6 hour fully narrated sightseeing excursion that takes you into the heart of Denali National Park.

Standing at an impressive 20,310 feet above sea level, Denali is more than just a mountain; it’s the crown jewel of Alaska’s interior, majestically rising above the pristine wilderness. If you’re hoping for more than just a fleeting glimpse of “the Great One,” you’re in luck.

On this expertly guided adventure, you'll likely encounter some of Alaska's "big five": grizzly bears, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, and wolves.

Back at the lodge, enjoy a cocktail reception with your fellow travellers.

This morning, we travel to Fairbanks. On arrival, climb aboard an authentic Alaskan sternwheeler, the Riverboat Discovery, and embark on a journey back in time along the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Since 1950, the Binkley family has been operating riverboat tours in Fairbanks. Explore the natural beauty and history of the area with third- and fourth-generation captains. Enjoy a tour with native Alaskans in a traditional village and meet some of the pioneers who call this land home.

Afterwards we head to the airport for our included flight to Dawson City in the Yukon. 

This morning, visit the original Discovery Claim that sparked the Klondike Gold Rush. Then, head to Gold Dredge 4, where a Parks Canada guide will share the history of gold dredging in the area. The afternoon is free for optional excursions.

Once the vibrant heart of the Klondike Gold Rush, Dawson City today is a charming blend of wooden sidewalks and frontier-era shops along the banks of the Yukon River. While the town's gold rush legacy is a major draw, its history stretches far beyond the 1896 stampede. The Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin, or "people of the river," have lived in the region for thousands of years, offering a rich cultural heritage to explore. Dawson City has also inspired literary greats like Robert Service and Jack London.

Today, Dawson still features active gold mining, along with a thriving tourism and arts scene. Many adventurers pass through town to stock up on supplies before venturing into the rugged peaks of the Yukon’s Tombstone Territorial Park.

In Dawson, you can pan for gold like a prospector, or take part in a unique local tradition: sipping a cocktail containing a real human toe.

Take your time to unwind before heading to the airport for your flight to Vancouver, with a brief stopover in Whitehorse. Upon arriving in Vancouver, you’ll have the entire afternoon free to revisit some of your favorite spots or to discover parts of the city that you might have missed during your previous visit. Whether it's exploring vibrant neighborhoods, visiting cultural landmarks, or indulging in local cuisine, this is the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into Vancouver's unique charm at your own pace.

At the appropriate time today, make your way a few steps to the terminal for your departure flight. We hope you have enjoyed your incredible journey through Canada, Alaska and The Yukon.