27 Day Highlights of Eastern Canada and the Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer, Alaska Cruise & Denali Discovery

Bonjour, Welcome to Canada! Arrive in Montreal and make your way independently to your downtown hotel. After meeting your tour director and checking in, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to explore the vibrant and culturally rich streets of Montréal. Overnight stay in Montreal. Special Information 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. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.

After breakfast, you'll start your guided tour of Montreal, the world's second-largest French-speaking city. Discover highlights of the downtown area, including the Olympic Complex, historic Old Montreal, McGill University, Mount Royal's picturesque neighborhoods, and the city's lively shopping districts. You will have time to visit the Biodome (at own expense), showcasing five distinct ecosystems of the Americas, and the expansive Botanical Gardens, home to 22,000 plant species, ten exhibition greenhouses, and over 20 themed gardens across 75 hectares. Enjoy an evening at your own leisure Inspiring Highlights Montreal Guided City Tour

After breakfast at your hotel, we will depart Montreal and journey along the scenic St. Lawrence River toward the cultural heart of Quebec—Quebec City. Traveling the historic Chemin du Roy Highway, we pass through charming French-Canadian villages and towns. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour inside the old city's fortified walls, featuring views of the grand city gates, Lower Town, The Citadelle, and Battlefields Park. Enjoy a leisurely evening in this magical city. Inspiring Highlights St Lawrence River Chemin du Roy Highway Quebec City Guided Tour Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a free day in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. For those interested, an optional full-day excursion to Tadoussac is available, featuring a thrilling 3-hour whale-watching cruise on the St. Lawrence River, near the mouth of the Saguenay River. On the return journey, stop to admire the breathtaking Montmorency Falls—30 metres taller than Niagara Falls, with a flow of approximately 35,000 litres per second (up to 125,000 litres in spring). Special InformationPlease note - Optional activity can be booked on-ground with your tour leader at an extra expense.

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Quebec City and travel alongside the picturesque Ottawa River en route to Canada's capital, Ottawa. Our journey winds past the scenic Laurentian Mountains and along the historic Chemin du Roy, passing through quaint Québécois villages and notable shrines. En route, we stop for a guided visit and tasting at the iconic Chez Dany Sugar Shack. Upon arrival in Ottawa, enjoy a brief orientation followed by a city tour showcasing highlights such as the Rideau Canal—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—Parliament Hill, public gardens, the lively ByWard Market, and City Hall Enjoy an evening of leisure. Inspiring Highlights Chez Dany Sugar Shack Rideau Canal Parliament Hill Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours

After breakfast today, we travel to Toronto, passing through scenic farmland and following the picturesque rivers and lakes of the Rideau Waterway. Along the way, we stop in Rockport, where you have the option to enjoy a leisurely and scenic cruise through the stunning Thousand Islands. Upon arrival in Toronto, the remainder of the day is yours to explore this energetic and diverse city. Wander through its vibrant neighborhoods, take in the views from the top of the CN Tower, explore the bustling theatre district, or indulge in one of the city's many renowned dining spots. Inspiring Highlights Rideau Waterway Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours. Please note - Optional activity can be booked on-ground with your tour leader at an extra expense.

This morning, enjoy breakfast with your fellow travelers before setting out to explore the diverse character of Canada's most cosmopolitan city. Highlights include the provincial parliament buildings, Toronto's bustling waterfront, the iconic CN Tower, and vibrant Chinatown. Later, we depart the city for the scenic Niagara Peninsula, passing charming communities along Lake Ontario's shoreline. Upon arrival at Niagara Falls, take time to admire the breathtaking views and explore the many attractions available. For an unforgettable experience, you may choose to board the thrilling Niagara City Cruises – Voyage to the Falls. This evening will be spent back in Toronto. Inspiring Highlights CN Tower Niagara Falls Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours Please note - Optional activity can be booked on-ground with your tour leader at an extra expense.

At the appropriate time, make your own way to Toronto Airport to board your included flight to Calgary. On arrival to Calgary, 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 that today is unescorted, and you will meet your new Western Canada Trip Leader tomorrow. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours. Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 23kg (51lbs), and one 7kg (15 lbs) carry-on, with options to increase your luggage allowance at the airport if needed. Your flight will be unescorted, and you will need to make your own way to your hotel in Calgary.

After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Calgary. We'll visit downtown Calgary, take in the views of the Calgary Tower, and see the famous Stampede Grounds and Saddledome. We then depart the city and travel along the Trans-Canada Highway into the heart of the Canadian Rockies and into Banff National Park, Canada's first national park. On arrival, your tour leader will show you the highlights of the town, including views of the Banff Springs Hotel, Tunnel Mountain, the Hoodoos, and the rushing Bow Falls.Inspiring HighlightsCalgary city sightseeing tourEntry into Banff National ParkBanff townsite tourBow Falls and the HoodoosSpecial InformationYour travel time today is approximately 2 hours

This morning we travel to the shores of Lake Louise, where you can wander the lakefront and take in views of the Victoria Glacier and the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. We then continue to Moraine Lake, set in the beautiful Valley of the Ten Peaks, for one of the most photographed views in the Canadian Rockies. We return to Banff mid afternoon, with the remainder of the day at leisure to walk the forest trails, browse the boutiques and galleries on Banff Avenue, or relax at a local cafe.Inspiring HighlightsLake Louise and views of the Victoria GlacierMoraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten PeaksSpecial InformationYour travel time today is approximately 3 hoursMoraine Lake typically opens early June. Access is dependent on snow and avalanche conditions. If access is not available, you will enjoy more time at Lake Louise and in Banff

After breakfast, we journey north along the Icefield Parkway, a route famous for its incredible scenery of crystal green lakes and snow-capped peaks. Along the way, we stop at Peyto Lake before arriving at the Columbia Icefield. Here, you will board a massive Ice Explorer vehicle for a once-in-a-lifetime drive onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. You will have the chance to walk on the ice and even fill your water bottle with fresh glacier water. We continue to Jasper, stopping at the powerful Athabasca Falls if time permits.Inspiring HighlightsIcefields Parkway scenic drivePeyto Lake photo stopAthabasca Glacier Ice Explorer experienceAthabasca Falls visitSpecial InformationYour travel time today is approx. 4.5 hours.Athabasca Glacier typically opens for visitors in the first week of May. Access is dependent on weather conditions. If access is not available, you will enjoy more time in Jasper

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the rugged beauty of Jasper National Park. You could visit the local visitor center to learn about the park's history, take a stroll around the Jasper townsite, or head to the shores of a nearby lake to enjoy the mountain air.

Departing early in the morning, today we travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to Kamloops, in the heart of the British Columbia Interior. As you journey west and south, you will be surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Continental Divide and by the river valleys of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Today's highlights include the climb over the Yellowhead Pass, Pyramid Falls, Mount Robson, at 3,954 metres, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and the journey along the North Thompson River as you approach Kamloops in the evening.

Your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. On today's journey, you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the B.C. Interior, through winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Cascade and Coast Mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Vancouver, where your trip leader will meet you at the Rocky Mountaineer station and transfer you to the hotel with the rest of your group, where you will have the night at leisure to explore this vibrant city. Inspiring Highlights Thompson River Fraser Canyon

After breakfast, enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour of Vancouver. Highlights include Stanley Park to see the impressive collection of totem poles, the beaches of English Bay, Granville Island, the trendy shops of Robson Street, and the historic atmosphere of Gastown. We also visit Canada Place before arriving at the Cruise Ship Pier, and then back to the hotel.

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. Ketchikan is 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. 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) Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.

Today we 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.