Tours » Alaska Holiday & West Canada Holiday Tours » Group Tours » May Alaska Canada Group

Alaska & Canada - Group Tour departing 23 MAY 2010

27 Days / 26 Nights

The snow is melting, the flowers and wildlife are just starting to appear.  Visiting all the highlights of Western Canada & Alaska before the crowds get too big, the spring gives us remarkable views of bright white peaks set against crystal blue skies.

This tour is available in two shorter segments as our; Inside Passage & Canada Group Tour or Alaska & The Yukon Group Tour.  Some transport services will be shared during the times which these groups are in the same locations.

Indicative Price: AU$ 9,520 per person (twin share)

Brochure

Inclusions
Vancouver City Tour
Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tour (RedLeaf Service)
Icefields Parkway Tour
Ice Explorer Ride
Alaska Marine Highway Fares
LeConte Glacier Tour
Stikine River Cruise
White Pass & Yukon Railway
Top of the World Highway
Riverboat 'Discovery' Cruise
Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour
Alaska Airlines Flights & Taxes
Butchart Gardens

Highlights
Vancouver: 2 Nights
Banff: 2 Nights
Jasper: 2 Nights
Prince Rupert: 1 Night
Wrangell: 3 Nights
Haines: 2 Nights
Whitehorse: 1 Night
Dawson City: 2 Nights
Denali: 2 Nights
Anchorage: 2 Nights
Victoria: 2 Nights

Style
Escorted Group Tour
Rail Tour
Ferryliner Tour
Coach Tour

Map & Itinerary

May 2010

Sun 23: Vancouver - We arrive in Vancouver.

Mon 24: Vancouver City Tour - This morning we have a sightseeing tour of Vancouver including; Stanley Park, Gastown, English Bay, Chinatown and the waterfront.  This afternoon we are at our leisure to explore the city.

Tue 25: Vancouver to Kamloops - Rocky Mountaineer Railtour (B/L) - Early this morning we start our two day Rocky Mountaineer rail excursion.  Today we travel through fertile plains of the Fraser River Valley, then through the rugged Fraser Canyon before following Kamloops Lake into the city of Kamloops.

Wed 26: Kamloops to Banff - Rocky Mountaineer Railtour (B/L) - This morning we re-board the Rocky Mountaineer train and continue our journey into The Rocky Mountains.  Highlights today include; Yoho National Park, Kicking Horse Pass and the Spiral Tunnels.  We conclude our rail journey this evening in Banff.

Thu 27: Banff - We have all day to explore attractions around the town of Banff and Banff National Park.  Some popular places to visit include; Bow Falls, Banff Gondola and The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

Fri 28: Banff to Jasper - Today we tour along one of the most spectacular highways in North America, the Icefields Parkway.  With towering mountain peaks, tranquil lakes and cascading waterfalls, the scenery leaves us breathless.  We will stops at several sights including; Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefield Centre where you will enjoy an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.

Sat 29: Jasper - We have the day at our leisure to enjoy this picturesque alpine town.  With amazing views from every street, there are a number of nearby walking tracks, and attractions that we can explore.

Sun 30: Jasper to Prince George - Today we travel to Prince George, crossing the Yellowhead Pass; on clear days there are excellent views of Mt. Robson the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

Mon 31: Prince George to Prince Rupert - Continuing along the Yellowhead Route, today we travel to the port town of Prince Rupert.  Highlights of the journey include impressive views of the Coast Mountains and the mighty Skeena River.

June 2010

Tue 01: Prince Rupert to Inside Passage (B) - We have some time to explore Prince Rupert before boarding an Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) ferry for the start of our journey through the Inside Passage.  Local residents use the AMHS as means of transportation between towns along the Inside Passage.  The facilities onboard include observation decks, cafeteria, bar and gift shop.  National Park Rangers often provide free lectures on various topics including wildlife, local history and culture.  During this overnight journey aboard the ferry we will have private cabins with upper and lower berths and private toilet with shower.

Wed 02: Inside Passage to Wrangell - This morning we arrive in Wrangell, one of the most attractive towns along the Inside Passage.  We have most of the day to get acquainted with this genuine Alaskan town.  Local attractions include; Petroglyph Beach, Chief Shakes House and the local museum.

Thu 03: LeConte Glacier Tour (B) - Today we tour by jetboat and visit the southernmost active glacier in the northern hemisphere.   This glacier calves quite frequently and fills the bay with several miles of icebergs.  LeConte Bay also boasts a large population of harbor seals.  After visiting the glacier we will stop at the community of Petersburg ‘Alaska’s Little Norway.’  This quaint village with a proud Norwegian heritage is located on Mitkof Island.  On return journey we travel down the beautiful Wrangell Narrows.

Fri 04: Stikine River Cruise (B) - This morning we enjoy another jetboat ride, this time through the lower reaches of the Stikine River.  This pristine wilderness region features numerous glaciers and wildlife including; black and brown bears, moose and bald eagles.

Sat 05: Wrangell  to Inside Passage (B) - In the evening we board another AMHS ferry and continue sailing up the Inside Passage.  Once again we have the use of our private cabins onboard the ferry. 

Sun 06: Inside Passage to Haines - This morning we arrive into Juneau and enjoy a brief tour of Alaska’s capital city, stopping at the Mendenhall Glacier and the Salmon Hatchery.  In the afternoon, we board another AMHS ferry and sail up the Lynn Canal to Haines.

Mon 07: Haines - Originally a Russian and Native American trading post, this charming little town has beautiful views of the Chilkat Mountains and Lynn Canal, the deepest fjord in North America.  We have all day to experience this Alaska town and its’ scenery.

Tue 08: Haines to Whitehorse - White Pass & Yukon Railway Excursion - Early this morning we travel by water taxi to Skagway, and explore this well preserved frontier town.  This afternoon we board the famous White Pass & Yukon Railroad.  This is one of the most spectacular railway lines in the world.  We can view glaciers, mountains, gorges, waterfalls and historic sites.  From the end of the rail line a motorcoach will take us into Whitehorse.

Wed 09: Whitehorse to Dawson City - We travel north along the Klondike Highway through ranchlands, past vast lakes and the beautiful expanses of the Yukon River Valley.  Arriving this afternoon in the heart of the Klondike Goldrush.

Thu 10: Dawson City - This morning we visit Gold Dredge #4 and the Discovery Claim, home to the  richest placer gold strike in history.  The remainder of the day is free to explore the town.  The entire town has been declared a national historic site.

Fri 11: Dawson City to Fairbanks - Today we travel along the scenic ‘Top of the World’ and Alaska Highways to Fairbanks.  Along the way pass through towns such as Chicken, Tok and Delta Junction.

Sat 12: Fairbanks to Denali - This morning we board the riverboat ‘Discovery’ for a  cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers.  This tour provides an interesting insight into many aspects of rural life in Alaska including; reindeer herding, dog sledding, fishing and Alaskan native culture.  In the afternoon, we travel to Denali Park.

Sun 13: Denali (B/L) - This morning we join a tour of Denali National Park and Preserve.  This tour provides an opportunity to view the scenery which makes this wilderness region so famous.  The Preserve is also home to bear, moose, wolves, caribou and Dall Sheep.  To protect this wilderness, the access road is limited to tour busses only.

Mon 14: Denali to Anchorage (B) - Today we travel into Alaska’s largest city, where we are free to explore the city on our own.

Tue 15: Anchorage (B) - Today we are at our leisure to explore Anchorage.  Attractions include; The Alaska Native Heritage Center and Ship Creek.

Wed 16: Anchorage to Victoria (B) - Today we fly with Alaska Airlines to Seattle, and then to Victoria.

Thu 17: Butchart Gardens Excursion - This morning we visit the renowned Butchart Gardens.  After a stroll through this amazing floral display, we return to Victoria.

Fri 18: Victoria to Vancouver - Today we transfer from Victoria to Vancouver International Airport.

 

Tour Inclusions:

  • 26 nights accommodations 
  • Meals as indicated (B=breakfast / L=lunch / D=dinner)
  • Vancouver City Tour
  • Rocky Mountaineer Railtour - RedLeaf Service
  • Icefields Parkway Tour including Ice Explorer
  • Alaska Marine Highway fares and cabins
  • Petersburg & LeConte Glacier tour
  • Stikine River Cruise
  • White Pass & Yukon Railway Excursion
  • Dredge #4 & Discovery Claim - Dawson City
  • Riverboat 'Discovery' Cruise
  • Denali Wilderness Tour
  • Butchart Gardens Excursion

Hotel List:

We have carefully selected our preferred hotels in each location.  These are the hotels that are used for accommodations in this tour.

  • Pacific Palisades - Vancouver
  • Banff Park Lodge - Banff
  • Amethyst Lodge - Jasper
  • Ramada Inn - Prince George
  • Pacific Inn - Prince Rupert
  • Stikine Inn - Wrangell
  • Captains Choice Motel - Haines
  • High Country Inn - Whitehorse
  • Downtown Hotel - Dawson City
  • Bridgewater Hotel - Fairbanks
  • Denali Grizzly Resort - Denali
  • Clarion Suites - Anchorage
  • Executive House - Victoria

Tour Notes & Options:

  • Prices based on twin share, contact us for single pricing
  • Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Upgrade - AU$ 950 
  • Optional Grizzly Bear Wilderness tour to the Khutzemayteen Valley in Prince Rupert - AU$ 250

Connecting with the Group:

Group flights have been booked between Australia and Vancouver aboard Air New Zealand:

  • Adelaide - AU$ 2,330 per person
  • Brisbane - AU$ 2,230 per person
  • Melbourne - AU$ 2,230 per person
  • Perth* - AU$ 2,330 per person
  • Sydney - AU$ 2,230 per person

You are welcome to make your own flight arrangements and meet us in Vancouver.

* Perth connections require overnights in Auckland (not included).

Extending your trip:

Vancouver offers plenty of options for extending your trip.  VIA Rail makes connections with Central and Eastern Canada.  Amtrak makes connections with the United States. 

International and Continental air service from Vancouver is excellent.

We are happy to help plan, and to make recommendations for further adventures in North America.