Your Itinerary
ARRIVE IN VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Welcome to Vancouver!
At 6 pm, meet your travel companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
Bountiful Beauty
Depart Vancouver and travel into the agricultural region of the Okanagan Valley to the thriving lakefront resort community of Kelowna. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant tonight. (B,D)ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE in Kelowna with its long stretches of sandy beaches, vineyards, and orchards. Indulge in a dessert featuring regionally grown fruit, take an evening stroll on the lakefront boardwalk or sample a glass of local wine. Your Tour Director has suggestions to make the most of your free time. Tap your GlobusGO mobile app for maps, tips, and more.
KELOWNA–GLACIER NATIONAL PARK–BANFF, ALBERTA
Breathtaking Banff
Drive east and enjoy the panoramic vistas of peaks exceeding 10,000 feet on Rogers Pass at the summit in Canada’s Glacier National Park. Continue over the Continental Divide into Alberta before descending Kicking Horse Pass into Banff National Park. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT PICTURE PERFECT Get ready for a spectacular adventure to explore the beauty of Rocky Mountain peaks and turquoise glacial lakes in Banff National Park - Canada’s first national park. This awe-inspiring natural wonder, where soaring peaks and sapphire lakes meet the heavens for a breathtaking experience like no other on Earth!
Heavenly Heights
Breakfast this morning is served on top of Sulphur Mountain. Take a scenic ride on the [LF] Banff Gondola to the top of the mountain and enjoy spectacular views of Bow Valley served with a great meal. Additional sightseeing in Banff includes a visit to Bow Falls. The balance of the day is at leisure. Consider an optional helicopter flightseeing trip for a bird’s-eye view of the Rockies. (B)LOCAL FAVORITEEPIC RIDE Soar to the top of the world on the Banff Gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Enjoy breakfast and be in awe of the magnificent, natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies with breathtaking views you’ll never forget.
BANFF–LAKE LOUISE–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD –JASPER
Fire & Ice
Visit Lake Louise, whose blue-green waters form a perfect mirror reflection of Mount Victoria. Experience the awe-inspiring Icefields Parkway past towering peaks and immense hanging glaciers to the Columbia Icefield for a thrilling ride on the Ice Explorer. Discover the power of nature as you drive on the Athabasca Glacier. Continue along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park. Tonight, enjoy a special fireside chat with drumming, singing, and indigenous stories shared by the legendary [LF] Warrior Women. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURE & TRADITIONS “Tell me the facts and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.” So goes the powerful heartbeat of Mother Earth relayed in the stories and songs of Jasper’s Warrior Women. Gather ‘round the fire to hear unforgettable indigenous stories and moving music performed with a passion for sharing tradition and culture. TOUR HIGHLIGHT EPIC RIDE Be moved by an expedition across the Athabasca Glacier. Traverse this massive glacier aboard the all-terrain Columbia Ice Explorer and walk on the surface where the Earth’s geology is changing beneath your feet. Feel the force of nature’s strength on an ancient glacier that still carves the face of the Rocky Mountains today.
JASPER. EXCURSION TO MALIGNE LAKE
Spectacular Jasper
Enjoy a brief orientation tour to see Jasper’s unspoiled beauty, followed by an excursion to glacial Maligne Lake for a narrated cruise to Spirit Island. Cruise on clear azure waters amid lofty snow-capped peaks and learn the history of Spirit Island. The balance of the day is at leisure to explore Jasper on your own. Perhaps take an optional float trip down the historic Athabasca River, where your experienced rafting guide will navigate as you absorb the splendor of Jasper National Park. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTNATURAL WONDERS Spanning nearly 4,250 square miles of spectacular natural beauty, Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Its vast wilderness, majestic peaks, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking panoramic sights lie below an incredible Dark Sky to thrill stargazers as well. A cruise to Spirit Island on the turquoise waters of Maligne Lake is a spectacular sight to behold as one of the most photographed locations in the world for its jaw-dropping beauty.
JASPER–KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Historic British Columbia
Scenic drive on Yellowhead Highway past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, en route to Kamloops. (B)ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE in Kamloops with a stroll through downtown to find a wealth of shops, cafes, and eateries amid a vibrant local art and cultural scene in this outdoor mecca for hikers, skiers, and nature lovers. Take a walk through picturesque Riverside Park along the Thompson River for a touch of natural beauty in the heart of this modern city with roots in 10,000 years of its Native People and early 19th-century fur traders and gold prospectors. Check with your Tour Director for the best way to explore Kamloops or get the maps and tips you need on your handy GlobusGO mobile app!
Alpine Adventures
Travel to the alpine resort of Whistler, nestled at the base of breathtaking Whistler & Blackcomb Mountains, for a 2-night stay at the luxury basecamp, the Fairmont Chateau. The evening is free with time to explore. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT The luxurious Fairmont Chateau Whistler resort has a spectacular mountain setting with stunning architecture that blends with the natural alpine views. Relax in the spa or by the pool, play pickleball, kayak or unwind with a stroll through Whistler Village. Your Tour Director and GlobusGO mobile app have plenty of expert tips, maps, and more.
Peak Perfection
Full free day to explore all that Whistler has to offer. (B)ENHANCED FREE TIMEEXPLORE MORE in Whistler. Consider a trip on Whistler’s Peak2Peak Gondola, connecting Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Enjoy marvelous scenery and incredible photo opportunities as you travel via the longest unsupported gondola span in the world. Other options include a guided canopy walk in the treetops on suspensions bridges and trails, zipline excursion, shopping in the village, or just relaxing at your resort.
Ancient Traditions
Enjoy a visit and private breakfast at the [LF] Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, dedicated to the history and traditions of indigenous cultures. Then travel west to catch a BC Ferry to Vancouver Island for Victoria, Canada’s most British city. See major attractions on your city tour, including the Fairmont Empress Hotel, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. (B)LOCAL FAVORITECULTURAL GEMS Visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre before opening hours where you will be greeted with a First Nations welcome followed by breakfast. The centre is a spectacular setting, highlighting the history of Native traditions and beautiful culture which still resonate today.
Spend your day your way in Victoria
Explore more of Victoria with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
FIRST NATIONS
Visit the Royal BC Museum showcases the province's natural history, cultural heritage and the stories of Indigenous people. Three permanent galleries, Natural History, Becoming BC, and the First Peoples Gallery, feature exhibits and artifacts on colonial history, the gold rush, early settlers, modern culture and more. Visit adjacent Thunderbird Park, home to many totem poles and other First Nation monuments.
BIRD'S EYE VIEWS
Discover Vancouver Island at the Malahat SkyWalk in an immersive nature experience. The 10-story spiral tower soars 250 m (820 ft) above sea level for memorable views of fjords, forests, mountains, and islands in Canada and the US. Enjoy majestic views from within the treetops on the TreeWalk, a 20 m (65 ft) elevated boardwalk. Note: The SkyWalk tower features a wide wooden walkway with a gentle incline and no stairs.
The afternoon is free to explore on your own. Your Tour Director can recommend an optional wildlife and whale-watching trip, point you in the direction of Canada’s oldest Chinatown, walking trails, unique shopping neighborhoods or suggest museums to visit. Later, visit world-famous [LF] Butchart Gardens, followed by a special dinner in the former greenhouse, renovated to the Blue Poppy Restaurant. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE PICTURE PERFECT Butchart Gardens, named for the woman who founded this botanical oasis of blooming shades and horticultural design, is a National Historic site for its legacy and lush treasure of millions of flowering beds and over 900 varieties of plants in exquisitely landscaped gardens bringing fairytales to life.British Columbia Treasures
Board a BC Ferry and cross the Strait of Georgia through the spectacular Gulf Islands, an archipelago known for its Mediterranean-type climate. Enjoy a guided tour of Vancouver’s cultural and natural sites. In the evening, join your Tour Director and fellow travel companions for a festive farewell dinner. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Explore the captivating city of Vancouver on a guided tour, including the waterfront, Chinatown, and Stanley Park with its old-growth evergreen forests and totem poles.
Alaskan Adventure by Sea
Today, wave goodbye to your Tour Director and Driver in Vancouver before embarking on your 7-night Alaska Inside Passage cruise. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTNATURAL WONDERS You’re in for one wild and wonderful week on a roundtrip cruise on the incredible Inside Passage through the spectacular ports of Alaska. Cruise from Vancouver to discover spellbinding scenery from narrow fjords to scattered islets and towering peaks. Get close to massive glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park and wait breathlessly for ice to calve off and plunge into the ocean. Inside Passage waters are as smooth as it gets, while on shore you’ll find endless thrills and chills.
CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE, ALASKA
Glacial Fjords & Grand Forests
Alaska’s Inside Passage is a protected network of waterways that wind through glacier-cut fjords and lush temperate rain forests along the rugged coast of Southeast Alaska. 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. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTWILD BY NATURE Sailing the Inside Passage offers opportunities to spot some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, with humpback whales and orcas plying the bountiful waters alongside the ships, bald eagles soaring overhead and brown bears lumbering on the shoreline.
CRUISING: TRACY ARM–JUNEAU, ALASKA
Coastal Cliffs & The Catch of the Day
Steep cliffs and glacier-covered mountains flank the Tracy Arm fjord, fringed by the largest intact coastal temperate rain forest in the United States. Old-growth trees colonized Tracy Arm's mouth long ago as the Ice Age retreated. Continue cruising to Juneau, Alaska and visit the most remote state capital in the United States. Surrounded by water, forest and mountain sights, visitors in Juneau can hike a glacier, eat fresh-caught fish on a seaside patio and tour a grand capitol building all in one day. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTUNTAMED WILDERNESS Even more glorious than nearby Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm is part of the 5.7 million acres (or around 23,000 square kilometers) of pure wilderness sheltered by the Tongass National Forest (America's biggest). Visitors often see bears, whales, and mountain goats roaming across various corners of this pristine area—not to mention chubby baby seals resting on the ice floes. Summer temperatures average 35 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 16 degrees Celsius), so pack warm clothing. And pack your waterproof gear in preparation for the more than 60 inches (1 ½ meters) of rainfall each year!
The Rush for Gold
At the height of the Klondike Gold Rush, the port town of Skagway served as the primary gateway to the legendary gold fields, and quickly grew into Alaska’s largest settlement. It was then a raucous frontier hub packed with trading posts, saloons, and guesthouses. As the gold rush faded into the 1900s, so did Skagway—but today it has been reinvigorated as a gateway for a new kind of visitor: those looking to explore Alaska’s colorful history, pristine wildlife, and unrivaled natural beauty. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDS & LORE At every turn, you’ll find yourself immersed in gold rush lore in the town of Skagway, from the infamous Red Onion Saloon that still keeps a pistol that Wyatt Earp left behind on his way to the Klondike, to the narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, traversing rugged mountains, waterfalls, and towering glaciers on its course to Whitehorse deep in the Yukon.
CRUISING: GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK
Ice Dancing
On your cruise to Glacier Bay (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), close your eyes and take in the sounds—the creaks and groans of “living” ice, the shrill cries of gulls and soaring eagles, the splash of a breaching humpback whale. Frosted peaks towering over mossy forests, wide tidewater glaciers (there are seven in the park), and frequent wildlife sightings on Glacier Bay cruises are just a few of the thrilling experiences in this unique and beautiful biosphere. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT WILD DISCOVERIES With the serene majesty of snow-flecked and forested mountains defining its shores, Glacier Bay National Park offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Keep your binoculars and camera handy as you cruise Glacier Bay to the mile-wide Margerie Glacier for the chance to witness ice calving. Wildlife abounds in Glacier Bay, and you never know when you will see the fluke of a humpback rise out of the water or spot a lone brown bear patrolling a windswept beach.
Port of Call
Experience an adventure in Ketchikan, Alaska home to 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. Consider an optional guided rainforest walk in the Tongass National Forest and a visit to the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center to explore the rich Alaska Native culture and coastal rainforest ecosystem during your time in Ketchikan. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & TRADITION Ketchikan has long been an important hub of the salmon-fishing and salmon-packing industries. Savor the fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants or take a fishing excursion to catch your own! Ketchikan is one of the best spots along the Inside Passage to explore the rich culture of Native Alaskan nations like the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. See intricately carved totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center and Totem Bight State Park and visit the Saxman Village just outside of Ketchikan to see Tlingit heritage in action, with working carvers and a dance show in the clan house.
Where the Wild Things Are
Scenic cruising through the Inside Passage again offering opportunities to spot some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife. Enjoy the amenities and entertainment onboard the ship, recharge with a spa service or savor the last full day of sailing from the observation deck. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTALASKAN ADVENTURE Relish the last day of leisure on the ship and watch the horizon for humpback whales and orcas plying the bountiful waters, bald eagles soaring overhead and brown bears lumbering on the shoreline. 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.
VANCOUVER, BC (DISEMBARKATION)
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Schedule flights departing from Vancouver International Airport after noon. Want to explore more of Vancouver? Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)
