Alaska Cruise & Canadian Rockies Tour 15 Days Day 1 Australia - Vancouver Welcome to Canada s vibrant port city of Vancouver. On arrival at Vancouver International Airport you will be transferred to your hotel by hotel shuttle. Enjoy some time at leisure to relax or do some independent exploring of Vancouver. Day 2 Vancouver Golden (B) Our journey begins in British Columbia s fertile valleys as we travel through the Trans-Canada Highway. Continue travelling over the towering Cascade Mountains into Golden. Golden is located between the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Columbia Mountain ranges and with close proximity to six of the most stunning national parks that Canada has to offer; Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke and Yoho. Day 3 Golden -The Unspoiled Wilderness of National Parks - Columbia Icefield*- Banff (B) Journey through four of Canada s most breathtaking National Parks: Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Yoho and Banff. On the way stop at the Eagle Pass and visit the Last Spike of the transcontinental railway where it connects the east and the west. Then, head for Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park and ride on the specially designed Ice Explorer (optional activity) onto the surface of the stunning Athabasca Glacier. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff including Bow Falls, featured in 1953 Marilyn Monroe s film River of No Return and the historical Fairmont Hotel Banff Springs before reaching your hotel in Banff. Day 4 The Two Exquisite Lakes Of Louise and Moraine Vernon (B) Enjoy an interpretive walk along the shore of Lake Louise and learn about the history and geography of the area. Later, see another great icon of the Canadian Rockies, Moraine Lake, crowned by ten notable peaks. Stop at the Spiral Tunnels viewpoint and Roger Pass Discovery Centre. Stay overnight in Vernon. Day 5 Vernon Vancouver (B)
Head west for Kelowna, the heart of the Okanagan Valley, home to world-class vintners and a vibrant wine community. At Lake Okanagan, let us listen to its legendary story and search for the lake monster Ogopogo. Return to Vancouver for a sightseeing tour including Gastown, Vancouver s historic district, where you ll follow your guide on a stroll down the cobbled streets past 19th-century buildings. After soaking up the lively cultural atmosphere of Chinatown, one of North America s largest Chinatowns, head to Robson Street, Vancouver s famous shopping district in the heart of downtown Vancouver. You ll then explore famous Stanley Park. At Brockton Point, see the nine historic totem poles built by the First People in British Columbia. These stunning pieces of artwork reflect the rich culture of the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest. Take a walk in the forest and ascend to Prospect Point, the highest point of Stanley Park, and get amazing scenic views of the North Shore Mountains, the Lions Gate Bridge, and Burrand Inlet. Day 6 Vancouver Board Cruise Ship (B, D) This morning be transferred to the Pier for your 8 day/7 night 5 Star Alaska Northern Glacier Cruise on board Celebrity Millennium operated by Celebrity Cruises, one of the highest rated cruise brands. To sail on Millennium, the first of Celebrity s Millennium-class of ships, is an experience that cannot be expressed in words. Stride her decks and see for yourself what those who have experienced her already know: Millennium is more than a ship; she is a special memory waiting to be had. Day 7 Inside Passage (B,L,D) The Inside Passage is a coastal route for ocean-going vessels along a network of passages that weave through the islands on the Pacific coast of North America. The route extends from southeastern Alaska in the United States, through western British Columbia in Canada, to northwestern Washington State in the USA. Ships using the route can avoid some of the bad weather in the open ocean and may visit some of the many isolated communities along the route. Carved by glaciers and blanketed with majestic hemlock and spruce, the Passage is a region of pristine water, snow-capped mountains, deep fjords and forested islands.
With its mild, maritime climate, this area is a prime habitat for bald eagles, sea lions, porpoises and whales. Glacier Bay National park has 16 active tidewater glaciers, and Misty Fiords National Monument near Ketchikan has 900 m cliffs rising directly from pristine ocean channels. Alaska s Inside Passage offers spectacular scenery, abundant wild-life, vivid Native cultures, astounding history and exceptional hospitality that are hallmarks of the region. Interestingly, the Inside Passage is also a destination for kayakers and canoeists from all over the world, who paddle along the fjords from British Columbia to Glacier Bay in Alaska. People have been living along the Inside Passage for a very long time. Due to the fluctuations in sea level over the millennia, much of the record of human habitation is under water. Original visitors travelled the Inside Passage in spectacular seagoing canoes. From 1791-95, England s Captain George Vancouver made extensive charts of the entire Inside Passage and he and his crew are responsible for many of the names on the map today. Now, in addition to the large 2,000-passenger ships traditionally associated with Inside Passage cruise tours, you can enjoy active, small ship cruises. Day 8 Ketchikan (B,L,D) Alaska s first city Ketchikan is situated along the shores of Alaska s Inside Passage within the heart of the Tongass National Forest. Evergreen mountains rise out of the water, the lush green landscape nurtured by the abundant rainfall of the temperate rainforest environment. Visitors are presented with a remarkable array of activities and attractions that highlight the town s history, industry and culture, and bring them up close to resident wildlife. Ketchikan s impressive variety of shops and galleries feature work by many of the island s resident artists as well as an assortment of souvenir items and unique gifts that make shopping a must-do. Visitors are presented with a good choice of one-day tours that can be enjoyed in four hours or less. These include a self-guided option based on the official Walking Tour map that directs visitors to the numbered signs posted along the routes. Together with this, visitors can pay for an audio walking tour, which provides insightful information about what is seen. Also on offer is the opportunity to experience the real Alaska by going fishing or wild-life viewing. Another option is to rent a classic car that includes a self-touring guide, an experience that helps visitors return to their youth. Truly worth visiting are the Ketchikan Alaska Museums and Heritage Centres that are home to fascinating totem poles and native Alaskan artefacts, along with preserving and promoting local traditional arts and crafts. These include the Tongass Historical Museum with both perma-
nent and temporary exhibits, and the Southeast Alaska Discovery Centre with a flexible plan that allows for improvisation by educational groups, community groups and families. If possible enjoy the amazing local food on offer, such as king crab, salmon and halibut, Ketchikan s seafood specialties that are always fresh. Ketchikan has a climate greatly modified and moderated by its maritime location. Day 9 Icy Strait Point, Hoonah (B,L,D) Alaska s newest cruise port, Icy Strait Point, is located just down the road from Hoonah, and 35 km S.E. of Glacier Bay National Park. It is the result of collaboration between the local communities and cruise corporations, to attract visitors eager to experience America s last wilderness. Millions of dollars have been invested in creating a facility that offers cruise travellers an authentic and refreshing Arctic experience. Visitors can explore secluded beaches, take walks through old-growth forests, experience some of the best whale-watching and bear viewing opportunities, as well as ride the world s highest zip line. Also on offer is the opportunity to get an understanding of the history and culture of the villagers by listening to Tlingit Native stories, and taking note of the buildings that are constructed from sustainable local timber and built by local Tlingit workers in traditional style. Take the time to browse through the craft shops that feature local artisan crafts. Then visit the free museum and the Historic Salmon Cannery that is over 100 years old. There s an amazing amount of history around these buildings, and inside the cannery all of the businesses are Alaskan-owned and operated. Be sure to taste the local food at the high quality restaurants. Meet the Indians of the Village at their Indian Show. Locally-carved totems and canoes and handmade native crafts are still made in the traditional style today by Tlingit residents. Take in the breathtaking scenery of Chichagof Island and enjoy numerous wildlife encounters. Home to over 250 species of waterfowl and birds, Hoonah is a bird-watchers paradise. There are several tours on offer to get out in nature, or view Glacier Bay from the air. Cruise with the whales, search for brown bears, go kayaking, book a charter fishing excursion, or watch the wildlife. Day 10 Juneau (B,L,D) Built on a narrow shelf between Mt. Juneau and the deep waters of Gastineau Channel,
Juneau is Alaska s state capital and a rewarding destination for glacier viewing. Juneau is a blend of fishermen and teachers, legislators and artists, homemakers and lawyers, union workers and frontier entrepreneurs, students and Native elders, all sharing an active port city within an inspiring wilderness setting. Visitors often take the Mount Roberts Tramway, an aerial tramway, that takes them from the cruise ship docks up to the SW ridge of Mount Roberts, providing great scenic views of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel. Twenty kilometres out of town is the Mendenhall glacier, a must-see. In front of the federal building, the large fountain with its bronze statue of pelicans, which are not indigenous to Alaska, is most appealing. Juneau is home to the Alaska State Museum, which contains a life-sized eagle tree, as well as other permanent galleries. However, you must visit the Red Dog Saloon with its swinging doors, sawdust floors, and flag covered ceiling. The cherished memorabilia that includes Wyatt Earp s gun, a walrus oosik (a walrus penis bone), trophy, wildlife mounts, historical posters, photographs, and currency signed by miners, simply just blows one away. Juneau Whale Watch s custom boats depart from Auke Bay Harbour and explore Alaska s Inside Passage for the best Juneau whale watching. May through September this spot is the playground for whales, eagles, Orca, bears, as well as a number of different seabirds. In fact it is one of the largest concentrations of Humpback whales found anywhere on the planet. That s how they can guarantee that whales will be seen. On top of that visitors will witness some of the most spectacular views, sharp rising snow-capped mountains on either side of calm, clear blue water, surrounded by lush green fir trees. Day 11 Skagway (B,L,D) Skagway in Alaska, USA, is an historical city where the past lives on, and a place where the romance and excitement of yesteryear linger around every street corner as well as in every bend of the trail. Gateway to the Klondike and the Gold Rush, visitors can still ride the antique White Pass and Yukon narrow-gauge railway up through silvery-purple rock faces, past Deadhorse Gulch, to see what it was like back then. While in Skagway you can easily walk around town, see all of the historical sites along the back streets and stroll down historic Broadway. Rent a bicycle or automobile and give yourself a tour in Southeast Alaska. Also available are helicopter tours that prove very popular, while biking and rock- climbing adventures are also popular. Organized tours of Skagway may include stops at the Trail of 98 Museum, Gold
Rush Cemetery and viewing Skagway from the lookout perched on a mountainside above the city. Comfortable motorcoach tours are available to the interesting Yukon community of Carcross. Sit down at one of the small cafes, or taste something in an Alaskan brew pub, or treat yourself to a meal in a restaurant with surprises created by local chefs. The very reasonably priced on-off day bus pass will take you from the pier to the Klondike goldfield area to the delightful Jewell Garden, where a white-topped mountain background contrasts with a riot of colourful plants, and a miniature railroad setting await you. Skagway is famous for its hospitality. When gold was discovered in Nome in 1899, Skagway s population plummeted, and the town nearly fell into ruin. Saved by tourism in the 1920s, Skagway today is a sort of living history centre. Every summer, hundreds of actors and historians recreate the excitement of the Gold Rush for thousands of cruise ship visitors. Day 12 Hubbard Glacier (B,L,D) Marching to the beat of a different drum, Hubbard Glacier is advancing while the rest of Alaska s ice rivers are receding rapidly. In 1986 and again in 2002 the glacier galloped forward, closing off Russell Fjord to create an entirely new lake. These phenomena quickly passed and were followed by short retreats, but the glacier is once again on the move and Russell Fjord is headed for another spell as an inland body of water. Hubbard Glacier is the longest tidewater glacier in Alaska, extending over 120 km from its source on Mt Logan in the Yukon. As Hubbard advances it creaks and groans as it moves and is a very actively calving glacier. This makes for some exciting moments when the huge chunks of ice crash into the bay creating a wonderful sound known locally as white thunder. The sail up to Hubbard is both leisurely and beautiful. Small ice bergs, sometimes with sea birds or seals resting on them, float in the water that is glacial blue. Seals calve on the ice bergs here as Orca whales do not visit the bay. This huge white and ice blue glacier is lit by the most amazing, unpolluted day light you have ever seen. The ship gets up so close you can pick out the colours and lines all along the Glacier. Then are heard massive cracks, like gunshots, as avalanches and ice drop off the Glacier itself. It is truly an amazing once in a lifetime sight, possibly a Wonder of the World. Day 13 Seward (B,L,D)
Ice-free the year round, Seward was a natural choice as the ocean terminal and supply centre during the construction of the Alaska Railroad. Fishing is great all year round and not surprisingly Seward is famous for its Annual Silver Salmon Derby, the biggest fishing event in Alaska. Also very well known is its Fourth of July celebration that features a gruelling foot race to the top of Mt. Marathon. The small coastal town itself is known for its scenic views, several fantastic trips and tours as well as its fine selection of shops. Day 13 Seward Anchorage - Australia (B) This morning, disembark from your Luxury cruise ship to start your journey home. Today there is an optional narrated wildlife sightseeing tour before your flight (if your flight schedule permits)*. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre where you will have an opportunity to see bears, moose, caribou, musk oxen in their natural setting. Get ready to take lots of pictures of Alaskan animals as they play right in front of you. Then continue on to Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport for your homebound flight. Please note that due to limited flights from Anchorage to the Continental United States, some flights may depart close to or after midnight or next morning. Day 14 In flight Day 15 Australia Arrive home today.