Rockies Explorer and Alaska Cruise

Today you will make your way to London Heathrow for your flight to Vancouver in the Canadian province of British Columbia. On arrival to this beautiful city, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Take some time to relax in your room before meeting your fellow travellers and APT Tour Director at a Welcome Dinner this evening.

Today you’ll experience the very best of Vancouver on a fantastic half-day sightseeing tour. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll soak in the scenery at the vast Stanley Park, explore the trendy Granville Island and immerse yourself in the historic neighbourhood of Gastown.

Board the Rocky Mountaineer and relax in the comfort of your GoldLeaf carriage as you set out into the mountains aboard one of the only passenger trains that covers this historic route. Glide past incredible scenery as your train follows the Thompson River on the way to Kamloops, where you’ll stay for the night.

Your rail journey continues east towards the Canadian Rockies today. Journey through vast ranchlands, past Shuswap Lake and along the South Thompson River. See the engineering marvel of the Spiral Tunnels and traverse Kicking Horse Pass, which takes you into the province of Alberta. On arrival in Banff National Park, disembark the train and head for the Fairmont Banff Springs.

Enjoy a Freedom of Choice Sightseeing activity this morning. Verdant forests, glacial lakes, crystalline rivers and soaring mountain peaks – the World Heritage-listed landscapes of Banff National Park are at your doorstep.

Enjoy a Signature Experience before travelling via the stunning alpine scenery of Moraine Lake on your way to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Overlooking the impossibly blue waters of Lake Louise, you’ll treasure your stay at one of the most alluring locations on the planet.

Join Highway 93, otherwise known as the Icefields Parkway, and wind along one of the world’s most scenic stretches of road, past glaciers, vast icefields, sweeping valleys and brilliant blue lakes. After pausing to take in Peyto Lake, make a stop at the giant Columbia Icefield. Here you’ll board a specially designed Ice Explorer vehicle and journey right onto the Athabasca Glacier. Continue on via Athabasca Falls to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, located on the shores of pristine Lac Beauvert.

This morning, join the Yellowhead Highway with a stop to take in views of Mount Robson, then continue your journey to the alpine resort of Sun Peaks.

Travel through the historic Cariboo region, where gold pioneers once roamed, via the rural town of Lillooet. Stop at the picturesque Seton and Duffey lakes, before re-entering the Coast Mountains on your way to the alpine resort village of Whistler.

Today, travel south from Whistler, along the Sea to Sky Highway, to stunning Horseshoe Bay. From here, you will take a ferry across the bay to Vancouver Island and the small city of Nanaimo. Then, continue by coach via Chemainus, arriving later in the beautiful city of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.

After a morning exploring The Butchart Gardens, enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. On the final evening of your land journey, join a special dinner with your fellow travellers.

After breakfast this morning, return by ferry to the mainland, where you will board your ship and settle in for your seven-night Alaska Inside Passage cruise.

Start your day with the incredible scenery of the Inside Passage. Enjoy a full day at sea as your ship cruises along coastal British Columbia and the Alaska Panhandle. Glide past rocky headlands and over the icy waters of the Inside Passage, one of the most picturesque sea lanes in the world and one of the few places where deep-draft vessels can sail close to steep mountain walls.

After breakfast this morning, continue your journey to the Alaskan capital of Juneau. Set at the foot of the majestic Coast Mountains on the Gastineau Channel, this beautiful capital city attracts many travellers despite its remote location. Here, you may explore at leisure, or set off on an exciting excursion (own expense).

Arrive in Skagway at the northernmost point of the Inside Passage. Here, there are a variety of unique excursions on offer (own expense). The city never fails to capture the attention of visitors, with its wide range of historic buildings and intriguing stories. You can also choose to set out on your own discovery.

Today you will draw back your curtains to the sight of World Heritage-listed Glacier Bay National Park. As you cruise through rivers of ice and between sky-scraping peaks, you’ll enjoy commentary from local rangers who have come aboard your ship. They will talk about the geological wonders of the passage and hopefully point out some of the diverse wildlife and marine mammals found here, such as sea lions and orcas.

Arrive at the city of Ketchikan, set right on the shores of the Tongass Narrows. Ketchikan acts as a gateway to a wide variety of attractions, including Misty Fjords National Monument – one of America’s largest wilderness areas. This city also lays claim to the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles.

Cruise south today, back through the Inside Passage, towards your final port of call, Vancouver.

On arrival in Vancouver this morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Arrive back in London today.