Fly from London Heathrow with Air Canada via Vancouver. Regional UK departure airports available from £95 per person. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions over a ‘Welcome to Canada’ dinner.
Two Night Special Stay: Exclusive Fairmont Empress, located on Victoria’s Inner Harbour
Wander at your leisure through the world famous Butchart Gardens. Enjoy 22 hectares of gorgeously manicured floral displays influenced by the Butchart’s world travels. Today choose from one of the following SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) Whale Watching - cruise in either a comfortable covered boat or by high speed Zodiac inflatable boat (2) Scenic Floatplane Flight marvelling at the views over Vancouver Island (3) A horse and carriage tour to experience this Victorian tradition (4) Afternoon tea at The Fairmont Empress Tea Lobby (5) A historic walking tour through Victoria followed by the B.C. Museum at your leisure (6) Fishing for British Columbia’s wild salmon (7) Learn and taste the art of cooking with a culinary instructor.
Travel to Nanaimo and cross to the mainland by ferry. Drive north along Howe Sound, stopping to view the awesome Shannon Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in British Columbia. Continue to the charming resort of Whistler Village, home to the 2010 Olympic Nordic and Alpine events. Today’s SCENIC ENRICH presentation involves stepping into the world of the Black Bear with Michael Allen, a world leader in Black Bear research, exclusive to Scenic Tours.This evening choose one of the following SCENIC FREE CHOICE Dining options: (1) The Wine Room at the Wildflower (2) The Wildflower at the Château (3) The Clubhouse (4) The Keg Steakhouse and Bar (5) Whistler Village Progressive Dinner
Overnight Special Stay: The Fairmont Château Whistler
Today, visit Hat Creek Ranch to learn about the local culture as members of the Shuswap Nation share their fascinating history and culture. Continue to the alpine ski village of Sun Peaks, located in British Columbia’s interior, where you will spend one night at Delta Sun Peaks Resort. After dinner enjoy this evening’s SCENIC ENRICH highlight - a historic insight into the fur trading industry and life as a pioneer, exclusive to Scenic Tours.
Overnight Stay: Delta Sun Peaks Resort
Cross the provincial border and journey to Banff where you will enjoy a brief sightseeing tour. This evening choose one of the following SCENIC FREE CHOICE Dining options: (1) Bow Valley Grill (2) Waldhaus Restaurant (3) Castello Ristorante (4) Sushi Bar and Restaurant (5) Banffshire Club
Two Night Special Stay: The Fairmont Banff Springs (early bookers enjoy a free upgrade to Valley or Mountain View rooms)
Today, choose from one of the following SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) Helicopter ride over Spray Valley and the spine of the Goat Range (2) Lake Minnewanka Interpretive Cruise (3) Relaxing oar powered Bow River Float Trip (4) Tour and Afternoon Tea at your ‘Castle in the Rockies’ (5) Golf at the Championship Banff Springs Golf Course (6) Guided Nature Walk with an expert naturalist (7) Husky Kennel Tour. This afternoon is yours to explore the alpine township of Banff, located inside Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park and the world’s third. SCENIC ENRICH Rocky Mountain Round Up, exclusive to Scenic Tours. Celebrate this event with fellow travellers as you enjoy authentic cuisine, local entertainment and western hospitality.
This morning you will travel 698m on the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Later visit nature’s craftwork of Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge. Enjoy a nature walk along the shoreline of the beautiful Lake Louise before a relaxing day at leisure in Canada’s ‘Diamond in the Wilderness’. This evening choose one of the following SCENIC FREE CHOICE Dining options: (1) Poppy Brasserie (2) Glacier Saloon (3) Fairview Dining Room (4) Walliser Stube
Overnight Special Stay: The Fairmont Château Lake Louise - and early bookers can enjoy a free upgrade to Lake View rooms.
Travel north along the incredible Icefields Parkway, acclaimed as ‘one of the most spectacular journeys in the world’. Stop at the Columbia Icefield, where you’ll take the ‘Ice Explorer’ onto the mighty Athabasca Glacier, a 6km long and 1km wide expanse of ice. Upon arrival in Jasper enjoy a nature walk through Maligne Canyon. This evening choose one of the following SCENIC FREE CHOICE Dining options: (1) Cavell’s (2) Moose’s Nook Northern Grill (3) Emerald Lounge
Overnight Stay: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Enjoy a two day rail experience on ‘The Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World’. If you take advantage of our early booking offers, you can enjoy an upgrade to a GoldLeaf carriage and experience incredible views from the dome car. View glaciers and spectacular mountains before arriving into Kamloops, where we stay overnight (mid-range hotel assigned by Rocky Mountaineer)
Continue to Vancouver following the Thompson and Fraser River Valleys.
Two Night Stay: The Exclusive Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
SCENIC ENRICH Be the first to see the sunlight warm the dewed foliage and timbers of the forest with a Guided Nature Walk through the rainforest and the new Cliffwalk as the Capilano Suspension Bridge opens early, exclusively for Scenic Tours. Later enjoy a sightseeing tour of Vancouver’s highlights including the historical hub of Gastown and the local’s playground Stanley Park, which features many cultural and natural attractions. The afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure. Tonight enjoy dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
This morning board your flight to Anchorage, Alaska. Anchorage is Alaska’s most modern city as it has mostly been rebuilt since the devastating Good Friday earthquake of 1964. Discover the vastness of Anchorage which is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and situated on the banks of Cook Inlet.
Overnight Stay: Anchorage Hilton (or similar)
This morning board a full dome railcar on the ‘McKinley Explorer’ train. Weather permitting, you’ll catch glimpses of spectacular Mt McKinley, North America’s highest peak. Tonight’s SCENIC ENRICH enjoy dinner and the musical comedy ‘Cabin Nite’
Two Night Stay: McKinley Chalet Resort (or similar)
Today choose from one of the following SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) A comprehensive Tundra Wilderness Tour discovering the incredible wildlife of Denali National Park (2) Tundra Mountain Golf (3) Meet Jeff King’s champion sled dogs at the kennel of this three time Iditarod champion (4) Raft down the Nenana River with an experienced guide The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy your natural surroundings of Denali National Park. Perhaps take a walk to Horseshoe Lake trail looking out for beavers and their ingenuitive dams.
Continue your journey into the heart of the last frontier to Fairbanks. Alaska’s midnight sun allows plenty of opportunity to enjoy your afternoon at leisure.
Overnight Stay: The Westmark Hotel, Fairbanks (or similar)
SCENIC ENRICH Board an authentic sternwheeler, ‘Discovery III’ for a cruise down the Chena and Tenana Rivers. Enjoy a lively narration as you cruise past local homes. Be entertained by a bush pilot performance. This afternoon travel through North Pole, Alaska, where the spirit of Christmas lives all year round. The Santa Claus house, the “official” home of Santa Claus, greets all visitors who pass through. Continue to the small village of Tok.
Overnight Stay: The Westmark Inn (or similar)
Pass through the three dwelling town of Chicken as you travel by Deluxe Explorer coach between Tok and Dawson City over the wild and scenic Top of the World Highway.
Two Night Stay: The Westmark Inn, Dawson City
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE select from: (1) discovering the history of Dawson City as your Parks Canada guide interprets Dawson’s colourful past; or (2) a gentle float trip on the Klondike River enjoying the surrounding landscape; or (3) get behind the wheel of a Jeep 4x4 for a tour of the Klondike Goldfields; or (4) Toast of the Dome.This afternoon, enjoy an unforgettable round trip Yukon River cruise adventure aboard a nostalgic paddle-wheeler, the Klondike Spirit.
Travel the Klondike Highway south to the Yukon Territory’s capital, Whitehorse.
Overnight: The Westmark Hotel
Board the historic White Pass and Yukon Railroad to travel down one of the world’s most scenic mountain railways. Skagway is the gateway to the Klondike and a featured setting of Jack London’s book, ‘Call of the Wild’. Stroll along the weathered boardwalks admiring the shop front facades, reminiscent of the gold rush era. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park boasts restored buildings inviting you to take a stroll back in time. Scenic Enrich enjoy Steve Hites ‘North to Alaska’ show highlighting the history of Alaska in song and story.
Overnight Stay: The Skagway Westmark Inn (or similar)
This morning transfer to Skagway’s Pier for your luxurious four night Alaskan Voyage. Early bookers will be able to check into their upgraded Verandah Stateroom (subject to availability) on Holland America’s ms Zuiderdam and settle in for an unforgettable cruise. Familiarise yourself with the multitude of services, facilities and activities on offer at your convenience and contained all on one lavish vessel. Tonight, like every other night on board your magnificent ship, enjoy a dinner of mouth-watering delights. Evenings on board your cruise ship glitter with choices - catch a musical production starring performers from Broadway productions in the show lounge or visit one of the many lounges featuring live music. For a quiet night perhaps catch the feature movie at the theatre or in the privacy of your own cabin.
Next Four Nights: Cruise
Early this morning, enter the iceberg strewn waters of Glacier Bay National Park. Marvel at the glacial ice wall carved by nature in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. This breath-taking scenery will be brought to life by a National Park Service Ranger as they help you spot wildlife and interpret the glacier activity and surrounding environment. Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anywhere else in the world.
Arrive into picturesque Ketchikan, salmon capital of the world. Stroll along the elevated boardwalk by the historic Creek Street buildings; take a self-guided tour of the town; cast a line at the fishing camp; or experience a bear adventure by float plane (shore excursions are at own expense).
Relish in the bow to stern luxury of your cruise ship as you journey south through the spectacular waterways.
Disembark early this morning and transfer to Vancouver Airport with your Scenic Tours Representative, to board your homebound flight.
Welcome home!
Brochure: IS/WW/GBP1213
Tour code: RARI.101