Grand Adventure: The Canadian Rockies & Alaska

Spend the day in Canada’s first national park! Its stunning glacial lakes, majestic wildlife, and picture-perfect mountain town draw in tourists from all over. Meet a retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and revel in stories from their time in service. Take in aerial views on a gondola ride, then see the awe-inspiring beauty of Lake Louise. Watch for bears, cougars, elk, bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and more. Savor lunch at the grand Fairmont Banff Springs hotel with views of the valley and Mount Rundle before an afternoon to explore independently.

Explore interpretive exhibits in the Glacier Discovery Centre before boarding our Ice Explorer, a special all-terrain vehicle with six wheels, for a thrilling ride onto the famous Athabasca Glacier. Delight in up-close views of this geological  wonder as our driver-guide shares the history of the icefields and how they contribute to nearby ecosystems. Then, step out onto the ice to feel its power beneath your feet as you take in its breathtaking beauty and sip fresh glacial water.

Enjoy the freedom to move about during your rail adventure. Rest in your cozy Sleeper Plus cabin, delight in regional gourmet meals in the dining car, and visit in the Skyline car’s scenic dome section to lounge near windows that extend to the ceiling for breathtaking views. The Sleeper Plus accommodations offer solo travelers a Cabin for One, featuring a sofa chair by day/bed by night and access to nearby restroom and shower facilities. Travelers with double occupancy reservations enjoy a Cabin for Two, featuring two chairs during the day/upper and lower beds at night, plus a private washroom.

Previously a limestone quarry, this National Historic Site is a horticultural wonderland of meticulously designed landscapes, vibrant flowerbeds, and themed gardens. After Robert Butchart depleted the limestone deposits, his wife created the famous Sunken Garden. Since 1906, it has expanded to Japanese and Italian-style gardens as well as stunning rose gardens. Now there are over 900 plant varieties that bloom every year, attracting more than a million visitors annually.

This award-winning vessel is part of Holland America Line’s Pinnacle Class that boasts elegant spaces, fantastic live entertainment, and world-class amenities, such as an opulent spa. Every beautiful stateroom has a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking a private walk-out verandah for unrivaled scenic viewing experiences. With 24-hour room service and all meals included, you can indulge in the variety of exceptional cuisine options whenever you wish. Be sure to try regional specialties, like halibut and grilled salmon!

Alaska’s history comes to life as we cruise down the Chena River. While aboard an authentic sternwheeler, we marvel at the “Wedding of the Waters” where the Chena and Tanana Rivers meet, observe an Alaskan bush pilot in action, and watch a champion sled dog demonstration from the kennels of the late Susan Butcher, four-time Iditarod winner. Along the way, we go ashore to be immersed in frontier living with a guided walking tour of a  recreated Athabascan Native camp to discover how the Athabascans skillfully survived for over 10,000 years.

Spanning over six million acres of Alaska’s interior wilderness, these preserved lands boast a diverse terrain of tundra, dense forests, and awe-inspiring glaciers that accommodate some of the most spectacular wildlife in the country. The heart of the park is Mount Denali, North America’s tallest mountain, reaching 20,320 feet and often shrouded in clouds. When conditions are favorable, you may catch a glimpse of its soaring peak – a bucket list experience of a lifetime. This area also draws in people from around the globe hoping to see Alaska’s “Big Five” which includes moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and the elusive gray wolf. 

Marvel at 10,000 square miles of protected landscapes, including one of the world’s largest concentrations of tidewater glaciers! Surrounded by the Chugach National Forest, our narrated cruise is packed with rich history, captivating wildlife, and otherworldly scenery. Revel in the opportunity to view 26 glaciers, such as Harriman Fjord’s namesake glacier and the vast Harvard Glacier in College Fjord. As we cruise through ice-filled waters,  listen for the thunderous sound of massive ice chunks calving into the sea. Adorable sea otters, harbor seals, Dall’s porpoises, whales, mountain goats, bears, or migratory birds may also make an appearance!