2025: Western Canada by Rail with Alaska Cruise (8934)
16 days from Calgary to Vancouver
Create a lifetime of incredible memories traveling through the majestic Canadian Rockies! Take an Ice Explorer ride on the Columbia Icefield in Alberta, travel across British Columbia on the Rocky Mountaineer Train, and enjoy scenic ferry crossings to/from Victoria-these are just a few of the many highlights on this Western Canada by Rail tour. You'll overnight in Calgary, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Kamloops, Vancouver, and Victoria, and you'll enjoy a 7-night Alaska cruise. Along the way, witness spectacular scenery and explore western Canada's most famous cities. Two nights in both Banff National Park, one of Canada's favorite resorts, and Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, give you time to hike, stroll the townsites, and go to new heights with optional excursions like a helicopter ride with breathtaking views over the Rockies! Between Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, stop in Lake Louise and marvel at this world-famous location with its turquoise waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. You'll also take a thrilling ride aboard an Ice Explorer to Athabasca Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice in the Canadian Rockies. And you'll board the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight journey from Jasper National Park to Vancouver. This train ride through stunning scenery 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. On the way into Victoria, enjoy sightseeing that includes a trip to world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of floral displays. But that's not all?watch for spouting whales, soaring eagles, barking seals, and other wildlife on your Alaska cruise. Marvel at glaciers and witness the amazing spectacle of thunder and spray as tremendous slabs of ice break off and 'calve' into the sea. This is a value-minded vacation with an itinerary full of awe-inspiring sights and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that is not to be missed!
Call 410-638-5822 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18854580
- Tour Operator
- Cosmos
- Offer
- Offer valid through 12/31/2024
- Duration
- 16 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Calgary | Welcome to Calgary! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions. |
| Day 2 | 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. On arrival, enjoy an orientation tour. |
| Day 3 | 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 the perfect place for wildlife watching as it is home to 53 species of mammals. You may spot some of these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. The most commonly seen are deer, elk, and big horn sheep. |
| Day 4 | Jasper National Park | First stop is stunning Lake Louise, 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, let it flow on an optional float trip down the historic Athabasca River. Spend the next two nights in Jasper National Park. An orientation tour showcases the area's unspoiled beauty. |
| Day 5 | 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. Later, perhaps do some hiking or peruse the shops in town.*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June. |
| Day 6 | Kamloops | An exciting morning as you board the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight, classic rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Coast. En route, pass Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Follow the North Thompson River and enjoy vistas of the Monashee Mountains. Enjoy free time in Kamloops this evening. (B,L) |
| Day 7 | 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) |
| Day 8 | Victoria | Morning sightseeing focuses on Vancouver's Chinatown, Gastown, and beautiful Stanley Park. Afterward, sail through the spectacular Gulf Islands, known for their Mediterranean-like climate. Afternoon sightseeing in Victoria includes world-famous Butchart Gardens, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park with its collection of totem poles. |
| Day 9 | Vancouver | Morning departure via ferry for Vancouver. After arrival in Vancouver, transfer to Canada Place and board your cruise ship. Your package price includes Holland America's 'Have It All Premium Cruise Package.' (D) |
| Day 10 | 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) |
| Day 11 | 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) |
| Day 12 | Skagway | In winter, the sidewalks are all but rolled up in Skagway, so you can imagine the frightful conditions endured by gold prospectors who passed through enroute to the Yukon. Take your time and poke your head into every little shop, from the Trail Bench to Lynch & Kennedy's Dry Goods. The Red Onion Saloon, with its honky-tonk piano and costumed barmaids, is a treasure trove of memorabilia featuring pictures of Klondike Kate, Peahull Annie, and other historic characters. To complete the picture of those rip-roaring days, visit the nostalgic Trail of '98 Museum. (B,L,D) |
| Day 13 | 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. The impact shoots water hundreds of meters into the air. You hold your breath as you capture the moment on camera, then you wait for it all to happen again. (B,L,D) |
| Day 14 | 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) |
| Day 15 | 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) |
| Day 16 | Vancouver | Your cruise ends this morning. Please schedule flights after noon. (B) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- US$ Price Details
Gratuities for Tour Director and driver are available for pre-purchase. Port taxes and fees are included in the vacation price.Any applicable Goods and Service Tax (GST) and/or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) for Canada, as well as cruise line non-commissionable fare, government taxes, and fees, depending on ship/date, are included in the price.Travel Terms & Conditions
The purchase of any travel services offered by Cosmos, constitutes a contractual arrangement between you (the Traveler) and Cosmos, and represents your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand the Terms & Conditions prior to booking. These Terms & Conditions cover Deposit & Final Payment information, Air-Inclusive Deposits & Final Payment, Revisions & Revision Fees, Air Arrangements, Participation, Travelers Who Need Special Assistance, Young Travelers, Smoking, Price Policy, Visas and Passports, Hotels & Accommodations, Baggage Allowance, Travel Documents, Not Included in the Land Price, Refunds, Service Inquires After the Vacation, Holidays, Safety, Photos & Pictures, Optional Excursions, and Responsibility.
Important Notes- Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required for Cosmos to reserve space for you. View Terms & Conditions for limited exceptions.
- The hotels and accommodations listed are provisional and subject to change and may be substituted with properties of similar standard. Hotels are confirmed approximately 30 days prior to departure and can be found in your travel documents, but are not guaranteed until check-in.
- The following charges are not included in the land vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; Intra-vacation air unless specified in the itinerary; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $11.20 per person, passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $4.00 per segment, and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government-imposed added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; passports; visas (except on Cuba programs) and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Cosmos menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature.
Booking your Vacation with Air
Our volume buying power saves you money. We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city. Cosmos offers 2 air options: Flex Air and Instant Purchase Air. Early Airfare Price Guarantee locks in a price that is guaranteed not to increase. Air pricing and schedules are available approximately 330 days prior to last travel date in the itinerary. At that time the best air price will be utilized and a new invoice with the air cost and confirmed schedule will be sent. The identity of the carrier, which may include the carrier's codeshare partner, will be assigned and disclosed at this time. If the guaranteed price is the lowest, the schedule with the lowest fare per contracted classes of service will be booked. Any voluntary change to the confirmed flights negates the guaranteed price and is subject to air pricing at the time of the change.
Guaranteed air-inclusive prices - air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. Additional per person, non-refundable, non-transferable deposits and payments are required for your international flights and/or for intra-trip air. These are in addition to the land deposits and payments. Air-inclusive trip pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of deposit or payment in full for the entire reservation as advised during the booking process. Deposit amounts for air range from $300 per person up to the full ticket price. Instant Purchase Air requires air payment in full at time of booking (i.e. air-inclusive vacation) plus a non-refundable per person service fee of $30 (North/Central America), $50 (Europe/Middle East) or $80 (all other international destinations). Once booked, Instant Purchase Air is non-refundable, and non-changeable. Once your airfare is confirmed and Globus has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.
Air-Inclusive Vacations - Applicable Taxes & Fees
Air-inclusive vacations include government-imposed taxes and fees applicable at the time of booking and will be shown as a Total Amount. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply. At the time of booking your air-inclusive vacation online, carrier Websites will be provided to check baggage fees, or you can visit www.iflybags.com for up-to-date baggage pricing/restrictions. For return travel from some countries, international travelers are required to pay entry and/or exit fees at the airport. These fees will be collected by the local government and are payable by the traveler at time of travel. Your confirmation booking information will contain information about these fees.
'Starting at' Disclaimer
The 'Starting at' or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) - please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).
