Is train travel included?

Yes. The Rocky Mountaineer from Lake Louise to Vancouver via Kamloops is included, in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf class depending on the comfort tier.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

The land portion in the Canadian Rockies is independent travel with no fixed group schedule. The small ship cruise from Sitka to Juneau is led by expert guides, hosts, and activity coordinators.

The Rocky Mountaineer, traveling from Lake Louise to Vancouver via Kamloops.

What is included on the cruise?

A private cabin, all meals onboard the cruise and the train, and a choice of guided activities such as whale watching, glacier viewing, kayaking, and hiking.

What hotels are included?

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and in Banff the Rimrock Resort Hotel or Elk + Avenue Hotel, with standard rising from 3 to 3.5 star at Comfort Level to 5 star at Deluxe Level.

What is not included?

Optional Banff activities such as the Three Sisters Peaks Helicopter Tour and the Sundance Canyon E-Bike and Hike, plus extensions such as a Victoria, BC visit, cost extra.

Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) · Tailor-made rail vacation with small-ship cruise

Essential Rockies with Alaska Cruise

Canadian Rockies rail journey paired with a small ship Alaska cruise

Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) runs this 14-day trip combining an independent Canadian Rockies rail journey with a small ship Alaska cruise. The first days are independent, with no fixed group schedule: two nights in Banff, a night at Lake Louise beneath glacier-clad mountains, then two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Lake Louise to Vancouver via Kamloops. From Vancouver, the trip flies to Sitka, Alaska, to board a small ship for seven nights led by expert guides, hosts, and activity coordinators, sailing through the Neva Strait and Sergius Narrows, past Chichagof Island's coastal brown bears, into Glacier Bay National Park, and through Lynn Canal or Chatham Strait before disembarking in Juneau. Named hotels include the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff. The trip suits travelers who want to pair a scenic rail crossing of the Rockies with a fully guided small ship expedition into Alaska's fjords and wildlife.

What to know before you look closer

Hotel standard, Rocky Mountaineer class, and cruise cabin category all depend on the comfort tier chosen: Comfort Level uses 3 to 3.5 star hotels, SilverLeaf train service, and a Navigator cabin, while Deluxe Level uses 5-star hotels, GoldLeaf service, and a Pathfinder cabin.
The Day 13 destination, Lynn Canal or Chatham Strait, is described as the captain's choice, so the exact route is not fixed in advance.
Optional Banff activities such as the Three Sisters Peaks Helicopter Tour and the Sundance Canyon E-Bike and Hike cost extra.
The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm availability and exact pricing with the operator before booking.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Banff
Your adventure begins - Calgary to Banff
Travel from Calgary to the Canadian Rocky Mountain town of Banff, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner in Banff.
Day 2overnight: Banff
Explore Banff
Fill your lungs with cool, fresh Rockies air and head out for a day of exploration. Options: Three Sisters Peaks Helicopter Tour, Banff Sightseeing Tour, Lake Cruise and Gondola, Sundance Canyon E-Bike and Hike.
Day 3overnight: Lake Louise
Travel from Banff to Lake Louise
Gaze at the turquoise-blue lake, surrounded by glacier-clad mountains, the picture-perfect overnight stop in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Day 4railovernight: Kamloops
Board the Rocky Mountaineer train
This morning you'll begin the first day of your Rockies train adventure onboard the Rocky Mountaineer.
Day 5railovernight: Vancouver
Onboard Rocky Mountaineer
Re-board the Rocky Mountaineer this morning for the second part of your train journey towards Vancouver.
Day 6overnight: Sitka
Vancouver to Sitka
Fly to Sitka, Alaska, to begin your cruise adventure. Sitka is Alaska's most charming seaside town, surrounded by misty islands and soaring, snow-capped mountain peaks.
Day 7overnight: Onboard ship
Cruise embarkation from Sitka, Alaska
Feel the excitement build as you are led to your small ship vessel. Step onboard for a champagne welcome.
Day 8overnight: Onboard ship
Discover Alaskan wildlife
Your first day of adventure, drop anchor and venture off the beaten path in the Krestof and Nakwasina Sounds.
Day 9overnight: Onboard ship
Neva Strait and Sergius Narrows
Navigate through Neva Strait and Sergius Narrows, the Narrows squeeze to just 300 feet wide at some points, near Baranof Island and Peril Strait.
Day 10overnight: Onboard ship
Deeper into Alaskan wilderness
Explore the coastline of Chichagof Island, home to one of the world's highest concentrations of coastal brown bears.
Day 11overnight: Onboard ship
Venture into whale territory
Keep alert for tell-tale fin slaps or spouts as today's adventure has you searching for whales in the Icy Strait.
Day 12overnight: Onboard ship
Discover Glacier Bay
Today you sail into the vast, icy wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Day 13overnight: Onboard ship
Explore North America's deepest fjord
Your captain picks the prime spot for adventure as you explore the rugged natural beauty of Lynn Canal or Chatham Strait (Captain's Choice).
Day 14
Depart with fond memories
Savour your last breakfast onboard the ship before disembarking in Juneau.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Arriving at Lake Louise, its turquoise-blue lake surrounded by glacier-clad mountains.
Day 4Boarding the Rocky Mountaineer for the journey from the Rockies toward Vancouver via Kamloops.
Day 10Exploring the coastline of Chichagof Island, home to one of the world's highest concentrations of coastal brown bears.
Day 12Sailing into Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Day 13Exploring Lynn Canal or Chatham Strait, among North America's deepest fjords, at the captain's choice.

Included

Hotel accommodation
Rocky Mountaineer daylight train journey
Private cabin on small ship cruise
Choice of unique guided activities
All meals onboard your cruise and on the train
Transportation to and from airports, timed with your flights
Train station transfers
Feature dining experience at one of our favorite local restaurants
Electronic travel documentation package
Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Fresh Tracks Canadafrom $11,097

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. The Rocky Mountaineer from Lake Louise to Vancouver via Kamloops is included, in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf class depending on the comfort tier.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: The land portion in the Canadian Rockies is independent travel with no fixed group schedule. The small ship cruise from Sitka to Juneau is led by expert guides, hosts, and activity coordinators.
Which train is used?: The Rocky Mountaineer, traveling from Lake Louise to Vancouver via Kamloops.
What is included on the cruise?: A private cabin, all meals onboard the cruise and the train, and a choice of guided activities such as whale watching, glacier viewing, kayaking, and hiking.
What hotels are included?: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and in Banff the Rimrock Resort Hotel or Elk + Avenue Hotel, with standard rising from 3 to 3.5 star at Comfort Level to 5 star at Deluxe Level.
What is not included?: Optional Banff activities such as the Three Sisters Peaks Helicopter Tour and the Sundance Canyon E-Bike and Hike, plus extensions such as a Victoria, BC visit, cost extra.