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Western Canada by Rail with Alaska Cruise

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Operated by Cosmos
Tripcode: 8934
Overview
Destination:
Canada
Duration:16 days
Type:Group tour (max 48)
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
Travel Period
May 2026 - September 2026
16 days from Calgary to Vancouver
Create incredible memories to last a lifetime traveling through the majestic Canadian Rockies! Overnight in Calgary, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Kamloops, Vancouver, and Victoria, and enjoy a 7-night Alaska cruise. Along the way, you’ll witness spectacular scenery and visit western Canada’s most famous cities. Take an orientation tour in Calgary, home of the world-famous Calgary Stampede, and then head to Banff National Park to witness its natural beauty and abundant wildlife with time to hike, horseback ride, relax at the hot springs or join an optional helicopter excursion! Journey to Lake Louise, with its turquoise water reflecting the surrounding glacial peaks. Travel the scenic Icefield Parkway for a thrilling ride aboard an Ice Explorer on ice that’s 750 feet thick! Continue to the vast wilderness and majestic peaks of Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Go on a hike, stroll the townsite, join an optional float trip down the Athabasca River or go on an optional narrated cruise to Maligne Lake and magical Spirit Island. Then it’s time to board the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight journey from Jasper National Park to the vibrant city of Vancouver. This train ride travels through stunning scenery and takes you back to a time when getting to your destination was part of the fun! Along the way, pass Mount Robson, the Canadian Rockies’ highest mountain, wild rivers, magnificent mountain ranges, and turbulent Hell’s Gate. More beautiful scenery awaits on your ferry crossing from Vancouver through the picturesque Gulf Islands to Victoria. Visit the magnificent Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of floral displays then have time to explore this charming city. Your adventure continues with a ferry across the Strait of Georgia to return to Vancouver to embark on your Alaska cruise! Watch for spouting whales, soaring eagles, barking seals, and other wildlife. Marvel at glaciers and witness the amazing spectacle of thunder and spray as tremendous slabs of ice break off and “calve” into the sea. Be astonished by the views as you cruise the Inside Passage. This value-minded vacation with an itinerary full of awe-inspiring sights and once-in-a-lifetime experiences will create memories that will last forever!
All This. Included
The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available). Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Your Tour Includes:
• Entrance fee to Banff National Park and Jasper National Park
• Orientation tours of Banff, Jasper, and Victoria
• Tickets for the Icefields Explorer Experience at Columbia Icefields
• 2-day, all-daylight rail journey on the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service (GoldLeaf Service upgrades are available)
• Guided city sightseeing of Vancouver
• Ferry crossing to/from Vancouver Island
• Admission to Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island
• Cruise on Holland America’s MS Zaandam including Holland America’s ‘Have It All Premium Cruise Package,’ featuring a signature beverage package, dinner in a specialty restaurant, $100 shore excursion credit, and Wi-Fi package.
Highlights:
Standard inclusions
  • 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners
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Itinerary
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CALGARY
Welcome to Calgary! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3:-6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.

CALGARY–BANFF NATIONAL PARK
The discovery of oil converted this cattle-ranching town into a thriving, sophisticated city. Sightseeing highlights downtown, Fort Calgary, Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Next, drive west through the foothills of the Rockies into Banff National Park. Enjoy an orientation tour upon arrival. Evening is at leisure.

BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy the day exploring Banff, Canada’s first national park. Hike the many wilderness trails, horseback ride, golf, stroll through Banff townsite, or simply relax at the hot springs. The park is also the perfect place for wildlife watching as it is home to 53 species of mammals. The most commonly seen are deer, elk, and big horn sheep. For a different, and thrilling, perspective take an optional helicopter ride for breathtaking aerial views of the Canadian Rockies. Or if you prefer keeping your feet on the ground, join the Panoramas & Peaks* optional excursion to visit breathtaking Moraine Lake in the famed Valley of the Ten Peaks.

*This optional excursion begins operating in early June.

BANFF NATIONAL PARK–LAKE LOUISE–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–JASPER NATIONAL PARK
First stop is stunning Lake Louise, the crown jewel of Banff National Park, with its turquoise waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Then precipitous gorges, snowcapped mountain ranges, and more exquisite lakes come into view as your motorcoach scales three mountain passes. Stop at the Columbia Icefield for another trip highlight and experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick! Late this afternoon, go with the flow on an optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Upon arrival in Jasper National Park, take an orientation tour showcasing the area’s unspoiled beauty.

JASPER NATIONAL PARK
A day at leisure to explore the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. This morning, consider joining the optional narrated cruise on magical Maligne Lake to Spirit Island*. On the return journey, view picturesque Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon keeping an eye out for native wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and elk. Then perhaps do some hiking or peruse the shops in town.

*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June.

KAMLOOPS–ROCKY MOUNTAINEER–VANCOUVER
This morning your train adventure continues as you head through the ranchlands along the Thompson River. View the stark beauty of Fraser Canyon and the turbulence of mighty Hell’s Gate. After an evening arrival in Vancouver, transfer to your hotel. (B,L)

VANCOUVER–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA
Morning sightseeing in Vancouver includes beautiful Stanley Park and other city highlights. Afterward, sail through the spectacular Gulf Islands, known for their Mediterranean-like climate, to the charming city of Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Stop at world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55-acres of floral displays, then enjoy sightseeing in Victoria that includes Bastion Square, the Parliament Buildings, and Thunderbird Park with its collection of totem poles. This evening, perhaps enjoy a walk and a fresh seafood dinner along the harbourfront while you savor the view.

VICTORIA–FERRY CROSSING–VANCOUVER (EMBARKATION)
Sail via ferry across the Strait of Georgia this morning to Vancouver. After arrival in Vancouver, say goodbye to your Tour Director and transfer to Canada Place and board your cruise ship. Your package price includes Holland America’s ‘Have It All Premium Cruise Package.' (D)

SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE
Spend the day cruising one of the world’s most spectacular waterways. Located along the coast of British Columbia, the Inside Passage is the longest sheltered inland waterway in the world. Watch the water for orcas and humpback whales. (B,L,D)

JUNEAU
Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on Gastineau Channel, Alaska’s capital city of Juneau has massive Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefield at its back door. Visit the rustic shops in town—or get out and kayak, raft, hike, whale watch, flightsee, or fish. There is no end to the adventure because of the long daylight hours. (B,L,D)

SKAGWAY
Skagway is historically considered the gateway to the Gold Rush of 1898 when thousands of men with dreams of striking it rich poured into the city and withstood treacherous winter conditions traveling on to the Yukon Territory. Explore gold rush lore at the Trail of ’98 Museum or at the Red Onion Saloon, with its treasure trove of memorabilia featuring pictures of Klondike Kate, Peahull Annie, and other historic characters. Or simply walk on the boardwalks along the dirt streets and enjoy perusing all the shops. (B,L,D)

SCENIC CRUISING: GLACIER BAY
Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anyplace else in the world. How does it feel when a colossal chunk of ice splits off a glacier and crashes into the sea? The sound is like thunder and the impact shoots water hundreds of meters into the air. You hold your breath as you capture the moment on camera, then wait for it to happen again! (B,L,D)

KETCHIKAN
Alaska’s “First City” of Ketchikan is so named because it is 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. An important hub of the salmon-fishing and -packing industries, visitors can try their luck on a sport-fishing excursion or simply savor the fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants. It 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. (B,L,D)

SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE
Arguably one of the greatest cruising routes in the world, the Inside Passage stretches through stunning landscapes, from Misty Fjords National Monument to famed Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. Sailing the Inside Passage offers opportunities to spot some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, with humpback whales and orca plying the bountiful waters alongside the ships, bald eagles soaring overhead and brown bears lumbering on the shoreline. (B,L,D)

VANCOUVER (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends this morning. Please schedule flights after noon. (B)

Dates

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Travellers

Operator
Cosmos

For more than 60 years, Cosmos has done something remarkable: Bringing the world to people; and people to the world. By pioneering value touring holidays, Cosmos enjoys a long and storied history of turning travel dreams into reality. We make possible “never thought I would” or “never imagined I could” moments by making travel attainable and easy. And in doing that, we help you expand your horizons, clear your head and open your heart to the world around you. Cosmos understands that adventure is waiting for us – all of us – out in the world. And there simply is no better time than the present to discover new sights, new sensations and new experiences. That’s why we pride ourselves in turning “what if” moments into “I did” realisations by providing wayfarers and wanderers unparalleled access to the globe with value-centric holidays in 67 countries, on six continents. Let the unexpected begin. Let awe-inspiring take over. Adventure is knocking. Cosmos travellers are answering by exploring the world that’s always within reach.

Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use
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$8,805*
per person twin share
15 nights
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