ITINERARY Alaska and Canada 16 Day Glacier Cruise and Canadian Rocky Mountain Tour International Flights Included Day 1: Fly to Calgary and transfer to Banff Fly to Calgary on a connecting flight via Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver. Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport by your tour guide and transferred to the alpine resort town of Banff (1 hour 30 minute drive approximately). The main thoroughfare in Banff is lined with boutiques and restaurants mixed with chateau-style hotels and souvenir shops. The surrounding 6,500 square kilometres of parkland are home to lots of wildlife including elk and grizzly bears. Relax and unwind by soaking in the natural 40 C spa at the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Overnight in Banff: Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa (3 Star) Premium Accommodation: Fairmont Banff Springs (4 Star) Day 2: Discover the delights of Banff Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon and more Commence your trip of the incredible Canadian Rockies at Banff National Park through the iconic mountain resort towns of Banff and Lake Louise. Marvel at the glorious Moraine Lake with a panoramic view of the Valley of the Ten Peaks, followed by a leisurely hike to the Lower Falls of Johnston Canyon. Then stroll along the picturesque shores of Lake Louise, crowned as the Jewel of the Rockies. Conclude the day with a swift stop at world famous Banff Springs Hotel and Bow Falls and take a ride to the top of the Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola followed by a famous Alberta Steakhouse dinner. Overnight in Banff: Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa (3 Star) Premium Accommodation: Fairmont Banff Springs (4 Star) and dinner Day 3: Enjoy the natural wonder of Jasper National Park Today s highlight is a jaw-dropping road trip to Jasper National Park. Take in the world s most scenic glaciers, lakes and mountain peaks as you traverse the Icefields Parkway passing by subalpine forests through to the immense Columbia Icefield. Here, embark on a glacier adventure ride aboard the massive Ice Explorer snow coach onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. Enjoy a short stop at the powerful waterfall of Athabasca Falls before heading into the beautiful alpine town of Jasper. 1 of 5
The drive from Banff to Jasper is 288km or approximately 3 hours 30 minutes without stopping, but you of course will be stopping and sight seeing along the way. Overnight in Jasper: The Athabasca Hotel (3 Star) Premium Accommodation: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (4 Star) Day 4: Enjoy Mt Robson and travel to Kamloops Step on the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mount Robson Provincial Park, home to the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and recognised for its vast natural beauty and mountain landscapes containing rare species, peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, canyons, limestone caves and fossils. Then take off to Blue River for an exciting River Safari to the stunning Grizzly Bear Valley where you are likely to witness active wildlife on the riverbank. Arrive in Kamloops and spend the evening here. The drive from Jasper to Kamloops is 441 kms. Overnight in Kamloops: Sandman Signature Kamloops Hotel (3 Star) Premium Accommodation: Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre (4 Star) Day 5: Enjoy Othello Tunnels, the town of Hope and journey to Vancouver Set out on a fun hike at Othello Tunnels, a series of old train tunnels and bridges that cut through the solid granite walls and pass over the wild Coquihalla River near the town of Hope. After lunch, enjoy a mini tour of the cosmopolitan metropolis Vancouver city, stopping by the bustling Granville Island Public Market, a food lover s paradise, before reaching the coastal city of Richmond. The drive from Kamloops to Vancouver is 354 kms. Overnight in Vancouver: Executive Airport Plaza Hotel Richmond (3 Star) Premium Accommodation: The Westin Wall Centre (4 Star) Day 6: Travel to Seattle to begin your 7 night cruise Bid farewell to beautiful Western Canada and cross the border into the United States of America through to the Port of Seattle to board your luxury week-long Inside Passage Cruise of Alaska s undisturbed wildlife, rugged wilderness and jaw-dropping natural wonders. 2 of 5
The drive from Vancouver to Seattle is 229 kms. and dinner Day 7: At Sea Enjoy the day at sea sailing through the natural wonders of Alaska. The Explorer of the Seas offers a bounty of holiday, learning and entertainment possibilities and activities for every guest. Do as little or as much as you like. Day 8: Cruise the Alaska Inside Passage and arrive in Juneau Arrive at Juneau at 12pm, the capital of Alaska, founded during a gold rush in 1880. Today, the former gold-mining town counts among its riches some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery. Nestled at the foot of Mt Juneau in the Alaska Panhandle, it faces the water from the mainland side of Gastineau Channel. Several magnificent fjords are located along the channel coast and the majestic Mendenhall Glacier, a favourite of visitors, is nearby. Depart at 9pm. Celebrity Solstice itinerary: Arrive at the Ketchikan, the Salmon Capital of the World, a popular port of call for Alaskan cruisers. 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 cannot resist. Depart at 4pm. Day 9: Step back in time in Skagway Arrive in Skagway at 7am and relive the gold rush. The great Klondike Gold Rush lives on in Skagway s charming city centre of restored 19th-century buildings and its historic railway. From the vintage train admire the mountains and see the 1898 trail that fortune seekers travelled on foot. Depart at 8.30pm. 3 of 5
Celebrity Solstice itinerary: Cruise to Tracy Arm Fjord arriving at 6am. View the aweinspiring landscape carved by glaciers with hundreds of waterfalls cascading down 3,000-foot granite walls. Depart at 10am. Arrive at Juneau at 1:30pm, the capital of Alaska, founded during a gold rush in 1880. Today, the former gold-mining town counts among its riches more of Alaska s most spectacular scenery. Nestled at the foot of Mt Juneau in the Alaska Panhandle, it faces the water from the mainland side of Gastineau Channel. Several magnificent fjords are located along the channel coast and the majestic Mendenhall Glacier is nearby. Depart at 10pm. Day 10: The magnificent Tracy Arm Fjord Arriving at 7am, just South of Juneau lies the amazing Tracy Arm Fjord, carved by glacier activity. Among the sights to admire from the icy waters are the 900m (3,000- foot) waterfalls from the high granite walls. Depart at 12pm. Celebrity Solstice itinerary: Cruise to Skagway arriving at 7am and relive the gold rush. Ride the Yukon Railroad, discover Dyea or enjoy horseback riding through majestic forests. Depart for the Inside Passage at 6pm. Day 11: At Sea Enjoy the day at sea sailing through the calm waters of Alaska simply taking in the scenery or partaking in some of the many entertainments on offer on this cruise ship. For example you could learn Salsa dancing and Italian, climb the rock wall, ice skate on the equator, slow things down with a hot stone massage or indulge in a feast of duty-free designer shopping. See, do and learn more at sea than you ever thought possible or do nothing at all! 4 of 5
Day 12: Port of Call: Victoria, British Columbia Cruise to Victoria, Canada arriving at 9am (5.30 pm for Celebrity Solstice) and prepare to be romanced with blooming flowers, magnificent architecture, and gourmet treats, an unforgettable getaway. Depart at 6pm (11:50 for Celebrity Solstice). Day 13: Explore Seattle s collection of neighbourhoods and the Boeing Factory Disembark the cruise after an early breakfast. Begin your tour of Emerald City Seattle by learning about the world s largest airplane manufacturer with a fascinating tour of the Boeing Factory complex, recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest building in the world by volume. Head downtown for a familiarisation drive, stopping at scenic overlooks as you pass by distinct neighbourhoods, some sitting high on hilltops, others afloat on calm waters. Explore the colourful Pike Place Market overlooking Elliot Bay, Seattle s most popular tourist destination and home to a large variety of shops and restaurants with waterfront views. Note: Please prepare to disembark the ship for an 8:30am pick up. Overnight in Seattle: Sheraton Bellevue Hotel (3 Star) Premium Accommodation: Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle (4 Star) Day 14: Explore Seattle Explore more of Seattle today with the option to scale the dazzling skyline from 520 feet at the Observation Deck of the iconic Space Needle. Gaze in awe of the amazing collection of full blown glass art and sculptures at popular Chihuly Garden and Glass. You will be taken to the airport in time for your flight to Australia, via Los Angeles, San Fransisco or Vancouver. Day 15: In flight Day 16: Arrival in Australia We hope you had a wonderful time and would love to hear all about it! 5 of 5