Canada and the Rockies with Alaska Cruise

11 Day Escorted Tour With 7 Day Extension

Canada, North America
24 Meals Included
12 Excursions
Intermediate Pace

Experience the stunning beauty and rich culture of Canada on this unforgettable journey through the Rocky Mountains. Marvel at breathtaking landscapes, explore iconic national parks, and discover the unique charm of Canada’s western provinces that attracts nature lovers, adventure seekers, and cultural enthusiasts alike.

Discover the last frontier of snow-dusted peaks, teal waterways inhabited by salmon hunting grizzlies, an endless blanket of spruce forests and a wealth of small town hill dwellings on our sensational 8-day cruise.

Highlights

  • Ride a gondola to Sulphur Mountain and a snow coach along Columbia Icefield
  • Marvel at awe-inspiring Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
  • Stroll across the world's highest suspended footbridge over the Capilano River
  • Visit the 1,000-acre Stanley Park, one of the largest city parks in North America
  • Tour Calgary and Vancouver and explore Banff, Yoho and Glacier National Parks
  • Wander along the walkway through Johnston Canyon
  • See wildlife along the Inside Passage
  • Marvel at the Sawyer Glacier
  • Explore Alaska's capital city Juneau
  • Enjoy relics of the Klondike Gold Rush

Map Key

Train
Coach
Boat
Airplane
Walking
1
Number of nights

Itinerary

Day 1
UK to Calgary

Depart on your scheduled flight from the UK to Calgary. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, settling in and exploring the vibrant city.

Day 2
Calgary to Banff

Breakfast

After breakfast, your day starts with a sightseeing tour of Calgary. Set against the rolling foothills of the majestic Canadian Rockies. Enjoy the city’s blend of modern attractions and historical landmarks, before departing for Banff. Embarking on a tour to uncover some of Canada’s best-kept wilderness secrets. Drive along the scenic Tunnel Mountain Drive, taking in the magnificent spires of layered rock in Bow Valley. Ride the gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, where you’ll be awed by the enormity of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Day 3
Banff

Breakfast

Enjoy a day at leisure in Banff. Explore the charming town, take a hike, or visit the natural hot springs. The day is yours to discover this beautiful region at your own pace

Day 4
Banff to Jasper

Breakfast

Journey to Jasper with stops at Lake Louise and Lake Moraine. Admire the turquoise waters of Moraine Lake, and the stunning beauty of Lake Louise, home to grizzly bears, moose, and timber wolves. Continue to the Columbia Icefield for a thrilling snow coach excursion across the ancient glacier.

Day 5
Jasper

Explore Jasper National Park, renowned for its stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. Consider an optional cruise to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake, one of the most photographed spots in the Canadian Rockies.

Day 6
Jasper to Kamloops

Depart for Kamloops, stopping enroute for a scenic Wildlife River Safari on the Blue River. Arrive in Kamloops and check into your hotel, enjoying the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 7
Kamloops to Whistler

Travel to Whistler, a world-renowned mountaintop resort. Upon arrival embark on an orientation tour of this skier’s paradise. Afterwards you could opt for a peak-to-peak gondola ride for spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

Day 8
Whistler to Victoria

Depart for Victoria, taking a ferry to this picturesque island off the coast of Vancouver. Visit the famed Butchart Gardens, a stunning display of floral artistry.

Day 9
Victoria

Breakfast

Discover Victoria’s rich history and British Colonial heritage on a walking tour. Explore the charming streets, historic buildings, and beautiful waterfront of this captivating city. This afternoon is yours to enjoy this majestic island at your own pace.

Day 10
Victoria to Vancouver

Breakfast

Take a ferry back to the mainland and head to Vancouver. Explore the city’s key attractions on foot with an orientation tour led by your guide.

Day 11
Vancouver

In the morning, visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, experiencing the thrill of walking among the treetops. Return to Vancouver for an afternoon at leisure, exploring the city or relaxing as you please.

Day 12
Alaskan Cruise - The Inside Passage

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Leaving Vancouver behind your ship will trace the outline of North America's most scenic coastal landscape, weaving through islands of the Pacific Coast known as the Inside Passage. Boasting wildlife filled fjords and evergreen-coated scenery, position yourself on the upper deck for the best chance to observe soaring eagles, grizzly bears, breaching wales and bathing seals.

Day 13
Alaskan Cruise - Tracy Arm Inlet & Juneau

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Weather permitting, the ship will navigate the 30-mile long Tracy Arm Fjord to view the mammoth Sawyer Glacier which oversees a slow-moving river of ice. After lunch you'll arrive in Juneau, Alaska's state capital, in which there are a number of optional excursions on offer including dog sledging with huskies, whale watching and a helicopter ride over the glacier.

Day 14
Alaskan Cruise - Skagway

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The ship arrives in Skagway this morning where it remains all day, leaving plenty of time to explore this charming relic of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. Wooden sidewalks and turn-of-the-century buildings will take you back to the lawless living of pioneer days. Shore excursions are also aplenty; we recommend you take a fascinating ride on the restored carriages along the old White Pass and Yukon railroad through the Alaskan wilderness.

Day 15
Alaskan Cruise - Glacier Bay

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today enjoy a tour highlight as your cruise ship slowly enters Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that protects a unique ecosystem of majestic humpback whales, black bears and Yukon wolves. A national park ranger will come on board to provide a detailed commentary of your wild surroundings and answer any questions you have. You may also have the chance to witness a monumental chunk of ice splitting off one of the eight gargantuan glaciers.

Day 16
Alaskan Cruise - Ketchikan

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a morning of cruising, the ship will arrive at the city of Ketchikan, a small metropolis that clutches the shores of the Tongrass Narrow. Explore this charming area in your own time, wandering along Creek Street, through the Totem Pole Park or pick one of the optional wildlife excursions such as a bear adventure by floatplane or an Alaskan fishing experience.

Day 17
Alaskan Cruise - The Inside Passage

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Your final full day on board will be spent returning through the Inside Passage allowing you more time to appreciate the area's distinct beauty, observe its natural inhabitants or simply relax.

Day 18
Cruise Disembark to UK

Breakfast

This morning arrive back at Vancouver's port where you will disembark and be transferred to the airport for your return flight back to the UK.

View Full Itinerary

This tour can be booked by calling 0330 818 8907

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Accommodation

The hotels listed below are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent to you approximately 10 days before you travel
Sheraton Eau Claire
1 nights
Calgary, Canada
More details
Red Carpet Inn
2 nights
Banff, Canada
More details
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Important Information

The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Some road construction &/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.

If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £500.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

British Citizens will need an eTA to visit Canada. Applying for an eTA is a simple online process that takes just a few minutes. You will need your passport, a credit card, and an email address. It costs $7 CAD to get an eTA and it will be valid for up to five years. You must also make sure that you carry the correct travel documents and identification. Please visit www.cic.gc.ca. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries.

Your flight to Canada is with British Airways, departing from London Heathrow, Terminal 5. Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage (40cm/30cm/15cm) plus 1 item of hand luggage not exceeding in size and 1 personal item such as a handbag, briefcase, or laptop case. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-In should be at least 3 hours before departure. IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves moderate days of walking on uneven paths and small hills, and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

The currency in Canada is the Canadian Dollar. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK.

USA: The currency in Alaska is the American Dollar ($).

As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.

You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any meals and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £500-£600 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour. Please also bear in mind that there will be several shopping opportunities throughout your tour. Tipping is at your discretion, however we would recommend approximately $7 per person per day. Tips are accepted in the local currency, however it is asked that if you do not tip in the local currency that you only pay with notes, as coins cannot be exchanged.

The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 20, and the maximum will be 40. If in the unlikely event there are less than 20 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

This is an escorted tour, meaning the you will have the services of an English speaking guide during each excursion ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.

Private Tour: If you have booked a private tour then you will be accompanied by a Driver Guide or a Driver and Local Guides. These will be available to you during all scheduled sightseeing. Private Tours can depart on any day of the week depending on flight and train schedules and the opening days of the attractions. They will follow the itinerary as described in the brochure unless you have been advised otherwise and you will still have all of the same meals, sightseeing and local excursions included.

Excursions during your cruise are in shared services, meaning that these excursions are not exclusive to Mercury Holidays customers, you will have an English-speaking local guide present during these excursions ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. This guide will only be available during excursions.

Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.

Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.

On your arrival in Calgary you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Go West Tours, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/ Go West Tours representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.

If you need to contact Go West Tours during your stay the details are:

Go West Tours head office: Telephone: 001 415 837 0154

Emergency contact information: Please find below the emergency contact details for Go West Tours 24hr Telephone: 001 415 837 0154 (business hours 08:30-17:30 USA Pacific Time) Out of hours West Coast Groups: 001 415 710 1913 Out of hours East Coast Groups: 001 415 793 6458

Text & WhatsApp Line 24/7 001 415 484 7201