Edmonton to Alaska3

Day 1 Thursday Our incredible train journey begins! Board VIA Rail westbound at Edmonton's NorthSide Train Station. Roll across the prairies and into the Alberta foothills. The rolling plains soon give way to the magnificent Rocky Mountains. Arrive in "Jewel of the Canadian Rockies" JASPER, Alberta. We stop in Jasper and you can step off the train for some quick souvenir shopping. Keep on the lookout for wild animals as we cross the continental divide into British Columbia. Overnight in your comfortable bedroom and perhaps have a night cap in the Lounge car! VIA RAIL BEDROOMS / DINING CAR / DOME CAR / PARK-LOUNGE CAR

Day 2 Friday We scoot along the shores of Kamloops Lake (Kamloops being a native word meaning "meeting of the lakes") and then shadow the mighty Frasier River past Hell's Gate Canyon. Arrive in VANCOUVER early morning and transfer on your own the short distance to one of our downtown hotels.

Day 3 Saturday/Sunday Cruise Departure (some sailings depart on Sundays and require one more overnight in Vancouver) Transfer the short distance to one of Vancouver's two cruise ship terminals. Board the cruise ship in the early afternoon for a 4:00 sailing departure. We work with all the major cruise lines. We can arrange affordable inside cabins, picturesque outside cabins and verandas and staterooms. We do it all. Sail north along the beautiful inside passage.

Comfortable bedrooms aboard VIA Rail

Day 4 Sunday/Monday Cruise the inside passage. Towering mountains, narrow fjords and pre-historic glaciers combine to make one of the World's great sea voyages. This is prime habitat for grizzly bears, sea lions, bald eagles, porpoise and of course several species of whales. Ocean currents between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia are some of the fastest in the World and you can see fish farms, loggers and coastal cities fade into wilderness as you calmly sail north.

Day 5 Monday/Tuesday Arrive at Ketchikan, Alaska and disembark. This city is both wet and wild. Pristine wilderness is fed by the abundant moisture. It is here you find pristine wilderness and a high concentration of animal life. Consider seeing the outside museum of native art and one of the largest collections of totem poles in the World.

Day 6 Tuesday/Wednesday Juneau is the next stop. Juneau is only accessible by water and air. Grizzly bears are commonly seen here and you can see the Governer's Mansion here. Majestic Mendenhall Glacier is just 13 miles from the state capital, where you have views of Juneau Icefield, Lynn Canal and Stephens Passage. Following Juneau we cruise either Sawyer or Hubbard Glacier. These glacier parks continually amaze and inspire cruisers. Massive chunks of ice calve off the edges and crash into the salt water below, often as frequently s once per hour. Backdropped with coastal mountains with white caps the sightseeing here is unique in the World and absolutely astounding.

Day 7 Wednesday/Thursday Situated at the head of the scenic Lynn Canal, Skagway was once the gateway to the Goldrush. Listen for the echoes of "There's Gold in them thar hills" echoing from the canyon walls and valleys. Stroll the famous historic Gold Rush National Historic Park, Trail of '98 Museum and the White Pass and Yukon narrow-gauge Railroad. Others may want to experience a shore excursion to the glaciers of Chilkat State Park or go dogsledding on Denver Glacier.

Day 8 Thursday/Friday The quaint port of Wrangell, at the mouth of the Stikine River has much to offer. Be sure to check out the Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory or Petroglyph Beach State historic Park.

Day 9 Friday/ Saturday We cruise the inside passage southbound back into Canadian waters. Enjoy the fabulous food and entertainment aboard the ship Pass the Alaska Panhandle. The colors are inspiring with brilliant blue ice of glaciers, emerald green of virgin forests, diamond-bright waterfalls and fall foliage yellow and golds.

Day 10 Saturday/Sunday Arrive in Vancouver in the morning and disembark. Transfer to Vancouver International airport or you may choose to extend your stay and visit Vancouver and the largest island in North America, mighty Vancouver Island. Those extending their stay can go whale watching, see BUTCHART GARDENS and the city of VICTORIA on Vancouver Island or travel up to WHISTLER Resort area (North of Vancouver).

EXTENSION AVAILABLE: Motor coach picks us up at (or very near to) our downtown hotel and departs for Vancouver Island. Sail the ferry across to Vancouver Island and transfer to World famous BUTCHART GARDENS. The floral displays are astounding. Continue to VICTORIA, the most British city in Canada for a city tour. You have time to shop or enjoy high tea at the Empress Hotel before returning by coach and ferry to your Vancouver hotel. This is a great day!

Wildlife awaits you

This tour can also be booked in the opposite direction MORE TOURS FROM EDMONTON

This tour can also be booked in the opposite direction
MORE TOURS FROM EDMONTON