Vancouver Island and Alaska Cruise

Day 1 - Arrive in Vancouver

Upon arrival in Vancouver transfer to your downtown hotel. Spending the remainder of your day at leisure. 

Day 2 - Alaska Cruise

This morning enjoy a guided tour of Vancouver before joining your Alaska Cruise. 

Prepare to experience the unique history and unfolding splendour as you tour through the modern streets of Vancouver. Drive by the most renowned sights and learn how Vancouver became the city it is today. Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and framed by British Columbia's imposing mountains, it's easy to fall in love with this astonishing city. Drive through historic neighbourhoods such as Gastown, Chinatown, scenic English Bay and the picturesque Vancouver Harbour. Stops in Stanley Park feature Indigenous Peoples' Totem Poles, spectacular views of the mountains and the Lions Gate Bridge. Also includes the opportunity to wander through the charming farmer's market at Granville Island.

The tour will end at Canada Place, where you will board your cruise. 

Day 3 - Scenic Cruising of Inside Passage

Today cruise one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world - the Inside Passage - where ships can sail close to steep mountain walls, giving magnificent views of the unbelievable scenery from forests to evocative towns.

Day 4 - Tracy Arm/Juneau

The narrow Tracy Arm Fjord twists is way through the Tongass National Forest, surrounded by 300 foot high granite walls! The melting snow-caps create waterfalls which dot the shoreline, along with trees growing at odd angles from the rocky outcroppings.

Catch a glimpse of the varied wildlife that make their home in and around the fjord’s icy waters, including black & brown bears, wolves, deer, moose, seals and whales At the end of the Fjord, view the dramatic Sawyer glaciers which are framed by the mountains.

Juneau, the capital of Alaska, has an air of mystique – a town you cannot reach by road, you need to fly or come by sea! Juneau delights with an abundance of water, forests and mountains. Situated between the Coast Mountains and the Gastineau Channel, Juneau offers a lot of variety, with the immense Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefields at its back door and the Tongass National Forest stretching out to the northeast.

Juneau offers a variety of activities from shopping downtown to dog-sledging, hiking, whale-watching and so much more.

Day 5 - Skagway

Skagway was the gateway to the Klondike gold rush in 1898 and the glory days still resound through the town. Stroll through Skagway and browse the restored buildings and wooden boardwalks at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park or take a ride on the White Pass & Yukon narrow-gauge railway and finish up in the Red Onion Saloon!

Day 6 - Glacier Bay

Glacier Bay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that protects a unique ecosystem of plants and animals living in concert with an ever-changing glacial landscape. It has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than any place else in the world. Watch as monumental chunks of ice split off a glacier and thunder into the sea - the impact sending water hundreds of feet into the air. Hold your breath, catch the moment on film. Then wait for it all to happen again. As it always does.

Day 7 - Ketchikan

With shops and houses built out over the water, Ketchikan clings to the shoreline of the Tongass Narrows. The stairways are weathered and the vibe is cheerful in the town that calls itself the Salmon Capital of the World.

Besides the main attractions – Creek Street, the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village – try a flight sightseeing trip to Misty Fjords National Monument.

These deepwater fjords were gouged out by retreating glaciers, leaving granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea and countless waterfalls plunging into placid waters.

Day 8 - Scenic Cruising of Inside Passage

Cruise back along the Inside Passage and take in the breath-taking wilderness coastline, with snow capped mountain peaks, glaciers, and rain forests. You may see whales, eagles, sea lions, sea otters, and mountain sheep.

Day 9 - Disembark in Vancouver

Your Alaska cruise arrives back into Vancouver this morning. Spend the remainder of your day at leisure. Or speak to our Canada Experts if you wish to add on one of our Vancouver Experiences. 

Day 10 - Vancouver to Victoria (Start of escorted tour)

This morning check out of your Vancouver hotel and make your way to Canada Place the pickup point for your escorted tour at approximately 9:30am.

Today is the beginning of the escorted tour. After arriving onto the coach, you will begin your journey to Victoria taking the scenic ferry through the Gulf Islands. Once arrived in Victoria your first stop will be to Victoria’s famous Butchart Gardens. After the gardens you will have the opportunity to taste some local cider.

Checking into your hotel in the evening, with free time to explore the city.

Day 11 - Victoria

Begin your day with a guided tour of Victoria, highlights on the tour includes Beacon Hill Park, Chinatown, Fan Tan Alley, Fisherman’s Warf and Government Street. After your guided tour you will have your own free time to explore Victoria at leisure, enjoy a stroll along Government Street or visit the Royal BC Museum or enjoy afternoon tea at Fairmont Empress Royal.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12 - Victoria to Tofino

An early start this morning checking out of your Victoria hotel for your drive along the Malahat Highway where you can enjoy the beautiful views over the Southern Gulf Islands. Along the way making a stop at Malahat SkyWalk a 600 metre-long elevated walkway through the expansive Arbutus and Douglas Fir Forest.

The walk leads you to a spiralling tower which rises 250 metres above sea level providing 360 views of the islands, inlet, fjords, forest and mountains in two countries.

A second stop along the way will be at Duncan for a short tour of the City of Totems and some time to get yourself some lunch. Arriving at Tofino in the evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 13 - Tofino & Pacific Rim National Park

In the morning you will have the option to join your guide for a hike for a hike on Tofino’s magnificent beaches including Long Beach or enjoy some free time. Spend today visiting the neighbouring town of Ucluelet, with a visit to Ucluelet Aquarium where you will learn about all the spectacular marine life in the Tofino area.

Evening at leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 14 - Tofino & Pacific Rim National Park

Today you have a few different options of which activity you would like to join in this morning. You can enjoy a boat cruise to Hot Springs Cove, kayaking, surfing, hiking through one of the many rainforest trails or simply relax on the beach.

Spending the rest of the evening at leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 15 - Tofino to Campbell River

This morning you will depart Tofino travelling towards the east coast of Vancouver Island to Campbell River. On route you will have the opportunity to vist Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park . After a brief walk stopping for lunch at Coombs Market famously known for the goat on the rooftop. Here there is plenty of fresh produce, sandwiches and ice cream in town for you to enjoy.

Arriving at Campbell River in the evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 16 - Northern Vancouver Island

In the morning you have some freedom of choice of activities you can choose from including kayaking, fishing and whale watching. There is an option to do a full Grizzly Bear Expedition in the Toba Valley. (Available from September 1st to October 15th)

In the afternoon you can visit Elk Falls Provincial Park and explore the extensive network of walking and hiking trails including Elk Falls Suspension Bridge and enjoy a walk on the elevated cantilevered viewing platform that offers an amazing view of Elk Falls.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 17 - Campbell River - Nanaimo - Vancouver (End of escorted tour)

In the morning departing Campbell River making your way back to Vancouver. On route you will make a stop at Morningstar Farm in Parksville a great stop to enjoy some seasonal lunch. Also have the opportunity to stop at Nanaimo for a walk along the Harbourfront before retuning to cross the ferry at 3:55pm, arriving back into Vancouver at approximately 6:30pm.

From Canada Place making your way to your Vancouver hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 18 - Vancouver Return

Your itinerary comes to an end today. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.