Tours » Alaska Holiday & West Canada Holiday Tours » Group Tours » July Inside Passage & Canada Group

Inside Passage & Canada - Group Tour departing 21 JUL 2010

19 Days / 18 Nights

The height of summer when the weather is generally fair is a wonderful time to enjoy a relaxing tour through the Rocky Mountains and the Inside Passage.

This tour is a shorter segment of our; Alaska & Canada Group Tour.  Some transport services will be shared during the times which these groups are in the same locations.

Indicative Price: AU$ 6,740 per person (twin share)

Brochure

Inclusions
Vancouver City Tour
Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour
Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tour (RedLeaf Service)
Icefields Parkway Tour
Ice Explorer Ride
Alaska Marine Highway Fares
AnAn Bear Sanctuary Excursion
Stikine River Cruise
White Pass & Yukon Railway
Air North Flight & Taxes

Highlights
Vancouver: 3 Nights
Banff: 2 Nights
Jasper: 2 Nights
Prince Rupert: 2 Nights
Wrangell: 4 Nights
Skagway: 1 Night
Whitehorse: 1 Night

Style
Escorted Group Tour
Rail Tour
Ferryliner Tour
Coach Tour

Map & Itinerary

July 2010

Wed 21: Vancouver - We arrive in Vancouver.

Tue 22: 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.

Fri 23: 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.

Sat 24: 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.

Sun 25: 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.

Mon 26: 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 we take an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.

Tue 27: Jasper - Today we are 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.

Wed 28: 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.

Thu 29: 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 views of the Coast Mountains and the Skeena River.

Fri 30: Prince Rupert - Day at leisure

Sat 31: Prince Rupert to Wrangell (B) - Today we board an Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) ferry for journey through to Wrangell.  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 you will have a private cabin with upper and lower berths and a private toilet with shower.

August 2010

Sun 01: AnAn Bear Viewing Tour (B) - Today we tour to AnAn where we will have the opportunity to safely photograph black and brown bears in the wild.  We start with a jetboat ride to the sanctuary, and then have a short walk to the viewing platforms.  Experienced local guides accompany us during the entire tour.

Mon 02: 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.

Tue 03: Wrangell - Day at leisure to explore this genuine Alaskan town.  Local attractions include; Petroglyph Beach, Chief Shakes House and the local museum.

Wed 04: Wrangell to Inside Passage (B) - Today we board another AMHS ferry and continue sailing up the Inside Passage.

Thu 05: Inside Passage to Skagway- This morning we sail up the Lynne Canal to Skagway. The rest of the day is free to explore this historic town.

Fri 06: Skagway to Whitehorse - White Pass & Yukon Railway Excursion - Early this morning 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.

Sat 07: Whitehorse to Vancouver - Today we fly back to Vancouver.

Sun 08: Departure from Vancouver

 

Tour Inclusions:

  • 18 nights accommodations 
  • Meals as indicated (B=breakfast / L=lunch / D=dinner)
  • Vancouver City Tour
  • Victoria & Butchart Gardens Excursion
  • Rocky Mountaineer Railtour - RedLeaf Service
  • Icefields Parkway Tour including Ice Explorer
  • Alaska Marine Highway fares and cabins
  • AnAn Bear Viewing Tour
  • Stikine River Cruise
  • White Pass & Yukon Railway Excursion
  • Air North Flight & Taxes

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
  • Sgt Prestons Lodge - Skagway
  • High Country Inn - Whitehorse
  • Sandman Signature Airport - Vancouver

Tour Notes & Options:

  • Prices based on twin sharing accommodations, please contact us for single pricing
  • Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Upgrade - AU$ 950

Connecting with the Group:

Group flights have been booked between Australia and Vancouver aboard Air New Zealand, connecting in Auckland:

  • 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 rail connections throughout 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.