18 Day Inspiring Canadian Rockies With Alaska Cruise & Denali Discovery

Welcome to Calgary! Upon checking-in, you have the remainder of the day at your leisure to enjoy the city. Special InformationAirport 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.

This morning,around 7am, we gather with our fellow travellers over breakfast before embarking around 8:30am 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. For those wanting to take part in the Banff Gondola, they will be dropped at the Gondola around 3pm. Those who aren't will be then taken to the hotel to check in. The Wagon Ride with Cowboy BBQ Cookout Dinner optional tour will commence around 4:30pm. Please note, if you would like to do both the Banff Gondola and the Cowboy Cookout, you will need to make your own way from the gondola to the Cowboy Cookout pick-up point.Special Information Please note - access to Johnston Canyon can be prohibited if weather is icy or wet.

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. Today's destination is the Jasper Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre. If you haven't pre-booked the optional Icefield Explorer Snow Coach Ride (own expense), you'll have around 1.5 hours to enjoy other activities. You can book and pay directly for the Skywalk experience, have lunch at the Altitude or Chalet Restaurant, take a hike along the free trails that begin at the centre, or simply relax and explore the Discovery Centre and its outdoor patio with stunning glacier views. 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. This evening will be at your leisure to experience Vernon. Inspiring Highlights Trans Canada Highway Rogers Pass Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

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. Special Information:All departures in June 2026 will be staying in Whistler instead of Vancouver. Whistler departures will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Whistler and 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. Special InformationPorts 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 savor 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. Inspiring Highlights Totem Heritage Center Totem Bight State Park Saxman Village Creek Street Dolly's House Museum

Arriving in Juneau at 10am, enjoy a full day of exploring Alaska's capital. 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. Inspiring Highlights Mount Roberts Auke Bay Chichagof Island Admiralty Island

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 colorful history, pristine wildlife and unrivaled 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. Inspiring Highlights Red Onion Saloon White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad Skagway town

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 givens on Glacier Bay cruises, but every experience in this changing biosphere is unique. Inspiring Highlights Glacier Bay National Park Tidewater Glaciers

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 rumored that the scientists snubbed Princeton. Inspiring Highlights College Fjord Harvard Glacier

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. Inspiring Highlights Anchorage cruise train Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

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 activities on offer at McKinley Chalet Resort. Speak with the hotel concierge or your Journey Host for more information. Inspiring Highlights McKinley Explorer Domed Rail Journey Denali National Park Denali (North America's tallest mountain) McKinley Chalet Resort Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.

Today after breakfast, 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. Inspiring Highlights Tundra Wilderness Tour

After a morning at leisure in Denali, today you'll head to Fairbanks - Alaska's Golden Heart City. 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. Now, you can 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. Spend the evening at leisure in Fairbanks. Inspiring Highlights Riverboat Discovery Chena and Tanana Rivers Native Alaskan village tour Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Your tour concludes this morning in Fairbanks. At the appropriate time, make your own way to Fairbanks Airport for your onward flight. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special InformationAirport 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.