Majestic Rockies & Eastern Canada: 30 days Banff to New York City

Upon arrival in Calgary, you will be transferred directly to the mountain town of Banff, where a three-night Scenic Special Stay at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs awaits. Set against a dramatic backdrop of soaring peaks and the rushing Bow River, this castle-like hotel is one of Canada’s most celebrated landmarks. Take time to settle in and absorb the surroundings before meeting your Tour Director and fellow guests this evening for a welcome briefing and dinner.

Please book your flight to arrive into Banff prior to 05:00 PM.

After breakfast, discover Banff’s natural beauty and historical significance on a guided tour, taking in the Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Hoodoos Viewpoint and Lake Minnewanka. A visit to Cave and Basin offers a deeper perspective on the journey ahead. A gathering place of profound significance to Indigenous Peoples for over ten thousand years, it was the discovery of thermal springs here in 1883 that sparked the creation of Canada’s first national park. Rich in both history and natural beauty, it remains one of the most thought-provoking stops on the journey. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the vibrant streets of downtown Banff at leisure.

Today, World Heritage-listed Banff National Park is yours to explore, with your choice of Scenic Freechoice experiences shaping the day entirely as you wish.

Scenic Freechoice:
Heli Flightseeing Banff: Lift off and venture into one of earth’s most dramatic mountain landscapes via helicopter. Weave between the iconic Three Sisters Peaks as sheer rock faces rise around you and the true scale of the Canadian Rockies sinks in. Rugged peaks, glittering lakes and untouched wilderness surround you on every side, with the winding Bow River far below, a breathtaking experience that cannot be replicated from the ground.

Bow River Float Trip: Just minutes from downtown Banff, step onto your raft on the Bow River and let it carry you through one of earth’s most spectacular mountain landscapes. No experience needed, just a sense of wonder. Drift peacefully downstream as towering peaks rise on every side, wildflowers line the banks and water birds glide alongside. Wildlife has a habit of appearing when you least expect it.

E-Bike & Hike Johnston Canyon: A guided e-bike tour through mountain forest and along shimmering lakeshores, followed by a hike into Banff’s most beloved canyon, walking deeper into towering rock walls until the spectacular Lower Falls thunders into view. Two iconic Banff experiences, beautifully combined into one extraordinary day.

Banff Gondola: Ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for a stunning bird’s-eye view of Banff township and six mountain ranges stretching to every horizon.

Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Banff Springs: Rejuvenate in the mineral pools of the Willow Stream Spa, drawing energy from the mountains around you in this serene and beautifully appointed sanctuary (available on select early season departures only).

Leaving Banff behind, your journey follows the storied Bow Valley Parkway toward Lake Louise. The south-facing slopes along this historic route are home to lush foliage and a resident cast of elk, mule deer, bears and even the occasional wolf. Arrive at Lake Louise, known as the Diamond in the Wilderness, and settle into your Lakeview Room at the breathtaking Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for an overnight Scenic Special Stay. This evening, the choice of where to dine is yours.

Scenic Enrich
Meet a retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for a fascinating and personal insight into the enduring importance of the Mounties, past and present.

Scenic Freechoice Dining:
Choose between a French-Canadian Brasserie-style dining experience overlooking the spectacular lake or the refined elegance of contemporary Canadian cuisine, both within the elegant surrounds of the Chateau where attentive service and thoughtful flavours make every meal an occasion.

Consistently ranked among the world’s great scenic drives, the Icefields Parkway winds through a procession of towering peaks, ancient glaciers, turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls that few roads on earth can match. Journey through this magnificent highway to the Columbia Icefield, where you board an Ice Explorer and glide onto the vast icy expanse of the Athabasca Glacier, a humbling encounter with ice that has been forming for centuries. Later, arrive in Jasper and settle in for two nights at the renowned Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Scenic Enrich
Embark on a guided walk led by an Indigenous storyteller, learning about the medicinal and culinary uses of native plants gathered from the surrounding wilderness. Inspired by the walk, dinner this evening features ingredients drawn directly from Jasper’s landscape, a beautifully considered connection between place and plate.

Spanning approximately 11,000 square kilometres, World Heritage-listed Jasper National Park is the largest park in the Canadian Rockies. Whether drawn to the skies, the river or the deep wilderness, today is entirely yours to shape with your choice of Scenic Freechoice experiences.

Scenic Enrich
Join a guided wildlife tour into Jasper’s natural wonderland, where elk, deer, black bears, moose and mountain goats thrive in their pristine habitats, an intimate encounter with the wild heart of the Canadian Rockies.

Scenic Freechoice:
Harley-Davidson Sidecar Tour: Gear up, climb in and feel the rumble of a Harley-Davidson beneath you as you roll out into the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Wind up dramatic mountain roads where sweeping views of the Athabasca Valley stretch before you, or venture off the beaten track into the wilder, quieter side of Jasper that most visitors never encounter. Open air, open road and the Rockies all around, the kind of experience that stays with you.

Athabasca River Rafting: Board your raft and float the very same waters that fur traders navigated over two centuries ago, deep in the heart of one of the world’s most celebrated national parks. No experience needed. Gentle rapids add just the right touch of excitement, and the riverbanks reward those who pay attention, with elk, moose, wolves, eagles and bears making regular appearances.

Maligne Valley & Lakes: Journey deep into the spectacular Maligne Valley on an interpretive drive through the heart of Jasper National Park. Witness Medicine Lake, a remarkable natural phenomenon that disappears entirely each year, before arriving at Maligne Lake where impossibly vivid water, soaring peaks on every horizon and three glaciers in plain view frame the iconic Spirit Island, one of the most photographed scenes in all of Canada.

Wildfire Peak-Nic: In July 2024, a wildfire of historic proportions swept through Jasper National Park, the largest in over a century. On this 4km hike through one of Canada’s most dramatically transformed landscapes, witness new growth, wildflowers pushing through ash and wildlife quietly returning. At the peak, share a hot lunch and hear why wildfire is not destruction, but nature’s most powerful tool for renewal.

Board the legendary Rocky Mountaineer for one of the world’s great rail journeys. Settled into your GoldLeaf Service glass-dome carriage, traverse dramatic mountain passes and sweeping canyons as the landscapes of the Canadian Rockies unfold in every direction. There is a quiet rhythm to train travel — the landscape unfolds at its own pace, the scenery draws you in, and every curve reveals a new perspective. Tonight, unwind in a Kamloops hotel selected by Rocky Mountaineer.

The second day on board the Rocky Mountaineer brings its own rewards. Watch the remarkable confluence of the Fraser and Thompson rivers come into view from your glass-dome carriage, then settle in for another day of celebrated Rocky Mountaineer cuisine paired with local wines and craft beers as breathtaking scenery continues to unfold. Arrive in cosmopolitan Vancouver, where a one-night stay at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver awaits. Mountains rise behind you, the Pacific stretches ahead, and the energy of the city is immediate and inviting.

The day begins at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, opening early exclusively for Scenic guests. Breakfast is served at the Cliff House Restaurant, which pays homage to the original clifftop structure built on the canyon’s edge in 1889, is followed by a wander across the suspension bridge high above the lush forest canopy. Continue to Stanley Park, where ancient West Coast rainforest, the waterfront Seawall and iconic First Nations totem poles offer a morning that captures the full breadth of Vancouver’s extraordinary natural setting.

From Canada Place Pier, board Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam for your seven-night Alaskan cruise and settle into your Verandah Stateroom, a private outdoor space from which humpback whales and bald eagles may well make their first appearance. A dedicated Scenic Cruise Liaison accompanies the journey throughout, providing personalised assistance, hosting activities and ensuring every moment on board is as seamless as the days that came before.

Settle into the pleasures of life on board as the ship cruises northward along the breathtaking Inside Passage. The scenery shifts with every passing hour, forested islands, mountain peaks and sheltered waterways replacing one another in a slow and spectacular procession. Whether you choose to relax on your private verandah, visit the spa or explore the on-board restaurants and lounges.

Explore Alaska’s state capital, a city accessible only by air or sea and shaped entirely by the extraordinary landscape that surrounds it. Hemmed in by mountains and ocean, Juneau carries a character unlike anywhere else in the United States. Delve into its rich history, from the drama of the Klondike Gold Rush to the enduring culture of the indigenous Tlingit people, marvel at glacier vistas and explore a vibrant arts scene that reflects a community deeply connected to the wilderness it calls home.

Step back in time as you wander through the streets of Skagway, a living testament to the Klondike Gold Rush era. Meticulously preserved shop facades and wooden boardwalks whisper tales of adventure and fortune, and with the mountains pressing in close on all sides, it is easy to imagine the thousands who once flooded these streets in search of gold and glory. It is one of those places that wears its history openly and with great pride.

A World Heritage Site and one of the world’s great wilderness experiences, Glacier Bay is a place of humbling scale and rare quiet beauty. Cruise past dramatic ice walls that tower above the waterline, a steaming hot chocolate in hand, and listen for the deep resonant crack of calving glaciers echoing across the water. Let the serenity of this frozen wilderness settle into the memory, a day unlike any other on the journey.

Ketchikan earns its reputation as the salmon capital of the world with well-justified pride. Totem poles rise from the creek banks, fishing boats jostle in the harbour and the rhythm of this working coastal community is impossible to resist. The vibrant atmosphere weaves together the echoes of native heritage with the energy of a fishing culture that remains very much alive. Delight in local delicacies and immerse yourself in a place that feels genuinely and authentically itself.

Savour the final day of the cruise as the ship sails southward through the Inside Passage. It is a day for reflection, for lingering over the scenery, for conversation with fellow guests and for the quiet pleasure of knowing that a journey of this quality leaves its mark long after it ends.

Disembark and join your flight to Montréal (flight not included, please book your flight to depart after 12.30pm). Montréal is union of European charm and North American attitude. Enjoy a two-night stay at the luxurious Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth.

A mosaic of cultures, flavours and creative energy that comes alive at street level, Montréal rewards those who wander. This morning, join a guided city tour to uncover its history, striking architecture and distinct neighbourhoods, from the heritage streetscapes of the Plateau to the grandeur of Mount Royal. This afternoon, make the city your own with your choice of Scenic Freechoice experiences. 

Scenic Freechoice:
Beyond the Market Walking Food Tour: Jean-Talon isn’t just a market – it’s the beating heart of Montréal’s food culture. Sample fresh goat cheese, lose yourself in a spice den, taste exceptional charcuterie and discover a forager, a sorbet maker and Syrian sweets around every corner. A stroll into Little Italy brings freshly roasted coffee, generations of tradition and an award-winning bean-to-bar chocolate maker.

Montréal Underground City Tour – The City Beneath the City: Most visitors never know it exists. Stretching 33 kilometres beneath the city, Montréal’s Underground City is a vast, ingeniously designed network of metro stations, towers, hotels and public squares, built to keep the city moving through the harshest winters. A local guide reveals hidden passageways, insider shortcuts and the fascinating history behind one of the world’s most remarkable urban feats.

Montréal by Cadillac Convertible: Settle into a stunning Cadillac convertible and let Montréal unfold around you in the most stylish way imaginable. Iconic landmarks, vibrant neighbourhoods and hidden gems come to life with a passionate local guide. No crowded buses, no rushing – just open skies, great stories and insider knowledge that turns a city visit into something genuinely memorable. 

Travel the historic Chemin du Roy – the ancient road connecting Montréal and Québec City for centuries – passing through Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, the self-proclaimed world capital of ice fishing. Along the way, a Scenic Enrich experience offers a genuine taste of Québécois tradition. 

Scenic Enrich
Step inside a local Sugar Shack to discover the centuries-old art of maple sugaring – a practice that began with the Indigenous peoples of North America and was embraced by French settlers, giving birth to one of Québec’s most beloved traditions. Savour traditional Québécois fare and enjoy the warmth of live, local music in a setting that feels genuinely unchanged by time.

Arrive in Québec City and settle into a three-night Scenic Special Stay at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – the world’s most photographed hotel, dominating the city’s skyline above the Saint Lawrence River and visible from almost anywhere in the city. 

Dating to 1608, Québec City is one of the oldest European settlements in North America – a fortified city of stone buildings, narrow streets and a French-speaking soul unlike anywhere else on the continent. This morning, a guided tour takes in the Latin Quarter, the sweeping Plains of Abraham, City Hall and the historic Place Royale. The afternoon is yours to shape with your choice of Scenic Freechoice experiences. 

Scenic Freechoice:
Old Québec Walking Tour – Four Centuries Waiting to be Discovered: A World Heritage treasure and the cradle of French civilisation in North America, Old Québec invites you into four centuries of living history. Every alley and hidden doorway holds something worth discovering. Your guide weaves world-changing battles and generations of local artistry into a walk-through cobblestone streets that feels anything but ordinary.

Lower Town & Grand Marché by E-Bike – Québec City Like a Local: Ride through narrow, atmospheric streets past heritage architecture and a legendary public square, following the waterfront of the Old Port where fortification walls rise above and the St. Lawrence stretches to the horizon. A riverside path leads to the Grand Marché, where local producers invite you to taste and linger.

Québec City Guided Sightseeing River Cruise: Discover Québec City from the water on a guided cruise along the St. Lawrence River, sailing from Old Québec past Île d’Orléans toward Montmorency Falls, with sweeping views of the Château Frontenac from the water. Relax on the outdoor terraces as your guide brings the city’s remarkable story to life.

Stretching between mountains and shores, the Charlevoix region reveals landscapes of rare, unhurried beauty – a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve that has captivated artists and travellers for centuries. Today’s full-day excursion follows the Royal Road – the Chemin du Roy – from the historic heart of Québec City, pausing at the thundering Montmorency Falls and Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, a revered North American pilgrimage basilica before arriving in the charming town of Baie-Saint-Paul for a leisurely regional lunch. The panoramas, the gastronomy and the sense of quiet grandeur make this one of the journey’s most quietly memorable days.

Begin the day at one of Canada’s most immersive wildlife experiences. At Parc Oméga, elk, bison, wolves, bears and foxes roam freely through vast natural habitats – a Scenic Enrich experience that is as humbling as it is remarkable. Continue to Ottawa, Canada’s capital, situated at the confluence of several rivers and a city whose very name derives from the Algonquin word Odawa, meaning “to trade.” Settle into the Westin Ottawa before an evening that celebrates the city’s culinary standing. 

Scenic Enrich
 Encounter Canada’s iconic wildlife roaming freely through the vast natural habitats of Parc Oméga.

Scenic Enrich
Savour Ottawa’s finest cuisine through a progressive dining experience, with each course served at a different celebrated restaurant in the heart of the capital – a seamless, convivial way to discover a city through the lens of its food.

Before departing Ottawa, a guided morning tour reveals the city’s considerable grandeur – Parliament Hill rising above the Ottawa River, the Victorian architecture of its public buildings and the beautifully park-lined Rideau Canal, a World Heritage Site in its own right. Continue south to Toronto for a two-night stay at the storied Fairmont Royal York, one of Canada’s most celebrated addresses. 

This morning’s guided tour takes in Toronto’s great landmarks – the St. Lawrence Market, Toronto Harbour and the vibrant pulse of Dundas Square. Later, rise to the observation deck of the iconic CN Tower and step out onto the famous glass floor for breathtaking views over the expanse of Lake Ontario. The day draws to a close on the water, with a relaxing harbour cruise offering a final, sweeping perspective of the city’s remarkable skyline. 

Few natural wonders command the senses like Niagara Falls. Cruise to the very base of the falls and feel the full, thunderous force of the cascading waters at close range. This evening, dinner at Table Rock Restaurant perched right beside the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, which is one of the most extraordinary dining settings imaginable.   The Niagara Parks Power Station’s spectacular sight and sound night show follows, a theatrical tribute to the power that once lit a continent. Your Scenic Special Stay is at the Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa, where Fallsview rooms place the falls themselves as your backdrop, a setting that stays with you long after you have moved on. 

Cross into the United States and arrive in Lancaster, a picturesque Pennsylvania city steeped in history, known for its rolling countryside, strong sense of community and the enduring presence of the Amish. Savour a traditional home-style Amish feast this evening, a warm and generous introduction to a culture that has remained deliberately apart from the modern world. Settle into the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square.

This morning, visit an authentic Amish farm for a genuine and unhurried insight into a way of life guided by faith, tradition and community – a way of living that stands in quiet, principled contrast to the world beyond its fences. Then continue to Washington D.C., where neoclassical monuments and the great institutions of American democracy await. The White House, the Supreme Court and the Capitol building anchor a city that carries the weight of a nation’s story in every boulevard and stone. Enjoy a two-night stay at the Fairmont Washington D.C.

An immersive guided tour reveals the history and enduring influence of the US capital, from the solemn memorials of the National Mall and the wide avenues of Arlington Cemetery to a guided tour inside the US Capitol itself, taking in the Crypt, the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall, also known as the Old Hall of the House. Few cities carry the weight of history quite like Washington D.C., and few days on this journey leave a deeper impression.

Continue to New York City, and the energy of the world’s most famous skyline, and enjoy a two-night stay at the New York Marriott Marquis in the heart of Times Square. After dark, a NYC Night Bus tour reveals the city in its most dazzling state, with the lights, the movement and the sheer scale of it all best absorbed from the open road.

This morning, circumnavigate the island of Manhattan from the teak decks of an elegant motor yacht, exploring the city’s architecture, engineering marvels and revitalised waterfront, with expert narration from a member of the American Institute of Architects New York. It is a perspective on this most vertical of cities that few visitors ever experience.

Scenic Enrich
Nothing captures the spirit of New York quite like a night on Broadway. This evening, you’ll be treated to an unforgettable production in the world’s most celebrated theatre district – one of those experiences that reminds you why live performance, in the right city, in the right theatre, remains truly incomparable.

Your journey draws to a close in New York City. Farewell your new friends, taking with you wonderful memories. Depart with memories of two nations, countless encounters and a journey that set the standard for luxury exploration.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. Please refer to Scenic’s terms and conditions for further information. Hotels are indicative and subject to change.