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Western Canada by Rail with Calgary Stampede & Alaska Cruise

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Operated by Cosmos
Tripcode: 8935
Overview
Destination:
Canada
Duration:18 days
Type:Group tour (max 48)
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
Travel Period
July 2027 - July 2027
18 days from Calgary to Vancouver
Your adventure begins at the Calgary Stampede, “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” This celebration of the Old West brings frontier traditions to life with entertainment and exhibits, great food, world-famous Chuckwagon Races, and the Calgary Stampede Rodeo.

Continue to Banff National Park, stunning Lake Louise, and the Icefields Parkway, where you’ll ride the all-terrain Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier before traveling to the dramatic landscapes of Jasper National Park.

Then experience a two-day, all-daylight rail journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper to Vancouver. Pass Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, wild rivers, mountain ranges, and the Hell’s Gate rapids on the Fraser River.

See Stanley Park and other highlights in Vancouver before crossing by ferry through the Gulf Islands to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Visit beautiful Butchart Gardens, then enjoy free time to explore Victoria before returning by ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver to board your Alaska cruise.

Cruise the spectacular Inside Passage, watching for whales, bald eagles, seals, and other wildlife. Marvel at Alaska’s glaciers and, if conditions allow, witness the dramatic spectacle of ice calving into the sea. This value-minded combination of the Calgary Stampede, the Canadian Rockies, and an Alaska cruise is an unforgettable vacation!
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).

Your Tour Includes:

• 2-Day Pass to the Calgary Stampede with reserved tickets to the Evening Show, including Chuckwagon Races and the Rodeo
• Alaskan 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.

Notes:
  • Visting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions and dates of operation.

  • Early departures may not be able to visit Columbia Icefield (opens in early May), Maligne Lake & Spirit Island optional excursion (opens late May to early June), or Moraine Lake optional excursion (opens in early June).

  • At least one member of the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older.

  • Cruise itineraries are provided by Holland America Line and are up to date at time of printing. Your travel documents will contain the most current information.

  • Maximum elevation on tour: 7,500 ft.

Highlights:
Standard inclusions
  • On Rocky Mountaineer—2 breakfast, 2 lunches
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Itinerary
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Day 1 - CALGARY
Welcome to Calgary, home of the Calgary Stampede! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.

Day 2 - CALGARY
Welcome to the Calgary Stampede, “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” Your hotel is conveniently located on the train line to Stampede Park, allowing you to come and go as you please. Dust off your cowboy boots and head through the gates of Stampede Park into a world of wonder and “Wild West” ropin’-n’-ridin’ with your included admission. Experience the traditions and culture of Canadian First Nations at Elbow River Camp or sample Western fare at the Midway. Enjoy live entertainment on the many performance stages, then explore international exhibits and displays of Western art.

This evening, watch the heart-stopping Chuckwagon Races as drivers and their teams race for the finish line in one of the Stampede’s signature events. Afterward, enjoy the outdoor Grandstand Show featuring hundreds of singers, dancers, and musicians in a spectacular musical production.

Day 3 - CALGARY
Saddle up for another day exploring the Calgary Stampede grounds and grandstands for the famous Calgary Stampede Rodeo. Fuel up for the day with a pancake breakfast at Fluor Rope Square at Stephen Avenue Mall. Return to the Stampede grounds this morning to catch anything you may have missed the day before. Complete your western look with a cowboy hat, shirt, or boots from one of the many vendors before taking your seat in the grandstands for the Calgary Stampede Rodeo this afternoon.

Watch the top riders and ropers compete in classic rodeo events, including the crowd-favorite bull riding competition. Outside the stadium, enjoy square dancing, country bands, livestock displays, shops, and local food.



Day 4 - CALGARY–BANFF NATIONAL PARK
The discovery of oil transformed Calgary from a cattle-ranching town into a thriving, modern city. Sightseeing highlights downtown Calgary, The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary), Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Next, drive west through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains into Banff National Park. Enjoy an orientation tour upon arrival. The evening is at leisure.

Day 5 - BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy the day exploring Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park. Hike the many trails, stroll through Banff townsite, or relax at the hot springs. Banff National Park is also an excellent place for wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. For a different perspective, choose an optional helicopter ride for breathtaking aerial views of the Canadian Rockies. If you prefer to stay on the ground, join the Panoramas & Peaks* optional excursion to visit gorgeous Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

*This optional excursion begins operating in early June.

Day 6 - BANFF NATIONAL PARK–LAKE LOUISE–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–JASPER NATIONAL PARK
First stop is stunning Lake Louise, the crown jewel of Banff National Park, where turquoise waters reflect the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Then travel the Icefields Parkway, crossing three mountain passes as gorges, snowcapped peaks, and glacier-fed lakes come into view. Stop at the Columbia Icefield for a tour highlight – a ride aboard the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier. Late this afternoon, consider an optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Upon arrival in Jasper National Park, enjoy an orientation tour of the townsites.

Day 7 - JASPER NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Immerse yourself on a memorable optional narrated cruise on the glacial waters of Maligne Lake to legendary Spirit Island*. Along the way, see Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon while keeping an eye out for wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and elk. Then perhaps hike one of the park’s trails or browse the shops in the Jasper townsite.

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

Day 8 - JASPER NATIONAL PARK–ROCKY MOUNTAINEER–MOUNT ROBSON–KAMLOOPS
Board the Rocky Mountaineer for a two-day, all-daylight rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Coast. Along the way, pass Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and follow the North Thompson River with views of the Monashee Mountains. Enjoy free time in Kamloops this evening. (B,L)

Day 9 - KAMLOOPS–ROCKY MOUNTAINEER–VANCOUVER
This morning, continue your Rocky Mountaineer rail journey through the ranchlands along the Thompson River. Travel through the Fraser Canyon and see the powerful whitewater of Hell’s Gate on the Fraser River. Arrive in Vancouver this evening and transfer to your hotel. (B,L)

Day 10 - VANCOUVER–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA
Morning sightseeing highlights Stanley Park and other Vancouver landmarks. Afterward, sail through the Gulf Islands, to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. Visit Butchart Gardens and its 55-acres of floral displays, then continue sightseeing in Victoria, including Bastion Square, the Parliament Buildings, and Thunderbird Park home to an impressive collection of totem poles. This evening, perhaps enjoy a stroll along Victoria’s Inner Harbour and dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants.

Day 11 - VICTORIA–FERRY CROSSING–VANCOUVER (EMBARKATION)
Sail via ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver this morning. After arriving, transfer to Canada Place and bid farewell to your Tour Director and board your Holland America cruise ship for a 7-night voyage through the Inside Passage. Your package price includes Holland America’s ‘Have It All Premium Cruise Package.' (D)

Day 12 - SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE
Spend the day cruising the Inside Passage, one of the world’s most scenic coastal waterways. Located along the coast of British Columbia, the Inside Passage is the longest sheltered inland waterway in the world. Watch the water for marine life, including orcas and humpback whales. (B,L,D)

Day 13 - JUNEAU
Located at the foot of mountain peaks on Gastineau Channel, Alaska’s capital city of Juneau is home to Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefield. Browse the shops in town—or get out and kayak, raft, hike, whale watch, flightsee, or fish. With long daylight hours, you'll have even more time to enjoy Juneau’s outdoor adventures. (B,L,D)

Day 14 - SKAGWAY
Skagway is known as the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, when thousands of prospectors passed through town on their way to the Yukon Territory. Visit the Trail of ’98 Museum or the historic Red Onion Saloon to learn more about Skagway’s Gold Rush history, including stories of Klondike Kate, Peahull Annie, and other colorful characters. Or stroll the wooden boardwalks and browse the shops of this historic frontier town. (B,L,D)

Day 15 - SCENIC CRUISING: GLACIER BAY
Cruise through Glacier Bay National Park, where snow-capped mountains, forests, and tidewater glaciers create one of Alaska’s most spectacular landscapes. Keep your binoculars and camera ready as you sail to Margerie Glacier, where you may have the chance to witness the dramatic spectacle of ice calving. Watch for wildlife along the shoreline and in the water, including humpback whales, grizzly bears, and other native species. (B,L,D)

Day 16 - KETCHIKAN
Named Alaska’s “First City” as the first major port of call for many cruises sailing the Inside Passage, Ketchikan sits along the Tongass Narrows and is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. Known for its salmon fishing and Native Alaska heritage, Ketchikan offers opportunities to try your luck on an optional sport-fishing excursion, savor fresh local seafood, or learn about the traditions of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. (B,L,D)

Day 17 - 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 and 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, bald eagles soaring overhead and brown bears lumbering on the shoreline. (B,L,D)

Day 18 - 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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