Rockies by Rail and Alaska by Sea
About the Trip
August 16–31, 2024 & August 30−September 14, 2024 | 16 Days
The best way to explore the world’s natural wonders? Up close and personal, by rail and sea, like on this 16-day journey. Start on land in Alberta, with stops in Banff – home of Canada’s historic first national park – to see the stunning blue-green waters of Lake Louise and on to Jasper’s Dark Sky Preserve for unforgettable stargazing. Then, board Rocky Mountaineer® for a three-day trip Rainforest to Gold Rush train journey through the scenic Canadian Rockies, stopping in charming Quesnel, idyllic Whistler and bustling Vancouver. From there, board the Koningsdam for a seven-night Alaskan cruise that will take you through the glacier-dotted Inside Passage, to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. You won’t want to miss a thing.
Member-exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- $25 CAD Beverage card†
- $250 USD Shipboard credit‡
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience is listed below:
Covered-wagon Ride and Western-style Cookout
Enjoy a covered-wagon ride along the scenic Bow River before indulging in a Western-style barbecue steak cookout dinner at 3 Mile Cabin on the stunning Sundance Canyon Trail.
Package Includes:
- Airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Calgary, and return from Vancouver to Toronto or Winnipeg
- Pre-cruise tour:
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Banff
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Jasper
- 1-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Quesnel
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Whistler
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Vancouver
- 3 days onboard Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper to Vancouver in GoldLeaf Service®
- 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners and 1 snack
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Local English-speaking guide
- Hotel portage of 1 suitcase per person
- Prepaid gratuities on Rocky Mountaineer
- 7-night Alaska cruise on-board the Koningsdam
- Onboard meals and entertainment as per cruise itinerary
- Have it All Package:
- Hotel portage of 1 suitcase per person
- Surf WiFi
- Signature beverage package
- Shore excursion discount
- 1-night specialty dining
- Destination transfers
Rockies by Rail and Alaska by Sea
Activity Level: Moderate. Experience the breathtaking natural wonders of the Rockies and Alaska on this unforgettable journey by train and sea.
Day 1
Banff – Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg to Calgary. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your local guide and transferred to Banff to check in to your hotel. The balance of the day is at your leisure.
Day 2
Banff – This morning, embark on a tour of the Banff region. See landmarks like Tunnel Mountain, the Hoodoos and more. This evening, enjoy your Extraordinary Experience: A covered-wagon ride along the scenic Bow River followed by a BBQ cookout. (B/D)
Day 3
Jasper – Continue along the Bow Valley Parkway with a visit to Lake Louise, followed by the Columbia Icefield for lunch and the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Jasper – Enjoy a full day at your leisure before meeting for dinner and stargazing this evening. (B/D)
Day 5
Quesnel – Transfer to the Rocky Mountaineer train station and depart for a 3-day Rainforest to Gold Rush train journey. (B/L)
Day 6
Whistler – Enjoy breathtaking scenery, from the rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau to the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley. Your rail journey ends on arrival in the resort town of Whistler. (B/L)
Day 7
Vancouver – Explore Whistler Village at your leisure. This afternoon, return to Vancouver onboard Rocky Mountaineer. On arrival, be transferred to your accommodation in downtown Vancouver. (S)
Day 8
Vancouver – Enjoy the day to explore Vancouver at your leisure. (B)
Day 9
Vancouver – Board Holland America Line’s Koningsdam for a 7-night Alaska Cruise. (B)
Day 10
The Inside Passage – scenic cruising
Day 11
Tracy Arm Inlet – scenic cruising/Juneau
Day 12
Skagway
Day 13
Glacier Bay – scenic cruising
Day 14
Ketchikan
Day 15
The Inside Passage – scenic cruising
Day 16
After returning to Vancouver, disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg.
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch |D - Dinner | S - Snack
Terms & Conditions
*$13,739 is a Verandah cabin based on Cat. VB for August 30, 2024 departure, $14,349 is a Vista Suite cabin based on Cat. A. for August 16, 2024 departure **$13,669 is a Verandah cabin for Cat. VB, for August 30, 2024 departure $14,279 is a Vista Suite cabin based on Cat. A. for August 16, 2024 departure. Ship’s Registry: Netherlands. All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Beverage card is one per person, in Canadian funds and has no cash value.
‡CAA Member-exclusive benefits are per stateroom and are based on double occupancy.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance Company, a CAA Company. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2024. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to the promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Banff
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg to Calgary. Upon arrival at Calgary airport, you'll be met by your local guide and transferred to Banff. Check in to your hotel for a 2-night stay. The balance of the day is at your leisure.
Day 2
Banff
This morning, embark on a tour of the Banff region. The area became Canada's first national park in 1885 to protect its natural hot springs. See landmarks like the iconic Banff Springs Hotel, Tunnel Mountain, Bow Falls, the Hoodoos and more. This evening, enjoy your Extraordinary Experience: A covered-wagon ride along the scenic Bow River followed by a BBQ steak cookout dinner at 3 Mile Cabin by the Sundance Canyon Trail. After dinner, return to Banff. (B/D)
Day 3
Jasper
Continue along the Bow Valley Parkway – with stops at the Johnston Canyon and Moraine Lake – for a visit to Lake Louise. With its crystalline turquoise waters set against the stark backdrop of Victoria Glacier, Lake Louise is the most-photographed landscape scene in the Canadian Rockies. Continue to the Columbia Icefield for lunch and the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Jasper
The full day is at your leisure. Jasper is designated as a dark sky preserve – an area where almost no artificial lighting is visible at night – by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Enjoy a full evening of cosmic discovery. (B/D)
Day 5
Quesnel
Transfer to the Rocky Mountaineer train station and depart for a 3-day Rainforest to Gold Rush train journey. Travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain resort of Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to the charming rural town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo. Pass through the Rocky Mountain Trench, with the Rocky and Cariboo Mountains on either side, and on to the rolling hills and vast forests of British Columbia’s Northern Interior. Highlights include Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and Yellowhead Pass and Moose Lake. Your day concludes as Rocky Mountaineer passes through the town of Prince George and follows the Fraser River into Quesnel. (B/L)
Day 6
Whistler
Your journey continues south today to the all-season resort town of Whistler. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, through the rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau to the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley. Highlights include sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon, the crossing of Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world and the shorelines of glacial-fed Seton Lake and Anderson Lake. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Whistler, host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games alpine events. (B/L)
Day 7
Whistler
Your journey continues south today to the all-season resort town of Whistler. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, through the rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau to the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley. Highlights include sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon, the crossing of Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world and the shorelines of glacial-fed Seton Lake and Anderson Lake. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Whistler, host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games alpine events. (B/L)
Day 8
Vancouver
Enjoy the day to explore Vancouver at your leisure. (B)
Day 9
Vancouver
Meet your local guide in the hotel lobby for your departure transfer to the cruise terminal. Then board Holland America Line’s Koningsdam, for a 7-night Alaska Cruise. (B)
Day 10
The Inside Passage – scenic cruising
Day 11
Tracy Arm Inlet – scenic cruising / Juneau
Day 12
Skagway
Day 13
Glacier Bay – scenic cruising
Day 14
Ketchikan
Day 15
The Inside Passage – scenic cruising
Day 16
After returning to Vancouver, disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg.
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | S - Snack