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Travelsphere · Escorted tour

Rockies, Rail & Alaskan Cruise

Rocky Mountaineer train and Alaska cruise from Calgary to Ketchikan

Illustration of Rockies, Rail & Alaskan Cruise

Travelsphere's 15-day Rockies, Rail and Alaskan Cruise combines two distinct rail and cruise experiences. The journey starts in Calgary with a guided coach and sightseeing tour into Banff National Park, where you visit Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon. Days 4 and 5 place you aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train in SilverLeaf service, departing Banff and following the Thompson River and Fraser River canyons to Vancouver. After a day of leisure in Vancouver, you join Holland America's MS Zaandam for a seven-night cruise through Alaska's Inside Passage, with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan. The operator includes all flights from the UK, six nights in mid-range hotels, all meals on the train and cruise, and a Holiday Director to guide the pre-cruise portion. The pace mixes guided exploration with free time in major cities and Alaska ports. This is suited to couples and repeat rail travellers who want the comfort of escorted travel combined with a scenic train highlight and a formal cruise experience.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is not a pure rail journey. Only two of the 15 days involve the Rocky Mountaineer; the remainder combine hotels, coach transfers and a seven-night cruise.
  • Hotels in Kamloops and Vancouver are listed only generically in the itinerary (as 'Rocky Mountaineer hotel' and 'Century Plaza Hotel'); confirm exact properties with Travelsphere.
  • The tour includes multiple optional paid excursions: helicopter flights, the Banff Gondola, and a Victoria and Butchart Gardens day trip.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Calgary

    UK - Calgary

    Your exciting holiday begins with a flight to Calgary. When we arrive, we'll drive to our hotel, and then the rest of the day is yours to explore Calgary and relax after the journey, perhaps heading up to the observation deck of the Calgary Tower.

  2. Day 2overnight: Banff

    Calgary - Banff

    This morning we will make our way to the town of Banff, passing through the spectacular scenery of the Rocky Mountains and touring Banff National Park. When we arrive in Banff, you'll have free time to explore, with an optional cable car ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain available.

  3. Day 3overnight: Banff

    Lake Louise

    Our first stop today is at Johnston Canyon to see the waterfalls, then on to the breathtaking, glacial Lake Louise. There is time here plus easy walking trails, and an optional helicopter flight over the Rockies is available.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer

    The journey of a lifetime begins as you step aboard the iconic Rocky Mountaineer train, travelling through the Canadian Rockies to Kamloops in SilverLeaf service (GoldLeaf upgrade available). You'll disembark the train in Kamloops and stay in a hotel overnight.

    Meals: B, L

  5. Day 5railovernight: Vancouver

    Rocky Mountaineer

    Another exciting day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, following the Thompson River and then the dramatic canyons of the Fraser River. Your rail journey ends in the beautiful city of Vancouver.

    Meals: B, L

  6. Day 6overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver - at Leisure

    A free day to relax and make your own discoveries in Vancouver, with an optional tour to Victoria on Vancouver Island (including Butchart Gardens) available.

  7. Day 7overnight: Aboard Holland America Zaandam

    Vancouver

    Your tour takes a new twist today as we take you to Vancouver Harbour to join your cruise ship. Once you've settled into your stateroom, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy the ship's facilities.

    Meals: L, D

  8. Day 8overnight: Aboard Holland America Zaandam

    The Inside Passage

    A day cruising Alaska's Inside Passage, a network of waterways amid fjords and temperate rainforests, with opportunities to spot whales, seals, eagles and bears.

    Meals: B, L, D

  9. Day 9overnight: Aboard Holland America Zaandam

    Juneau

    We dock in the Alaskan capital, Juneau, surrounded by wilderness, with optional shore excursions such as whale-watching, dog-sledding or a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier.

    Meals: B, L, D

  10. Day 10overnight: Aboard Holland America Zaandam

    Skagway

    We arrive in Skagway, a relic of the Klondike Gold Rush, and explore the frontier town's preserved 19th-century buildings at leisure.

    Meals: B, L, D

  11. Day 11overnight: Aboard Holland America Zaandam

    Glacier Bay

    A scenic highlight of the cruise: Glacier Bay's wilderness of mountains, forests and glaciers, with a chance to see icebergs, whales, sea otters and bears.

    Meals: B, L, D

  12. Day 12overnight: Aboard Holland America Zaandam

    Ketchikan

    A visit to Ketchikan, a town clinging to a mountainside and an important hub for the salmon industry, with optional fishing and totem pole sightseeing.

    Meals: B, L, D

  13. Day 13overnight: Aboard Holland America Zaandam

    The Inside Passage

    Your final day on board, cruising the Inside Passage back towards Vancouver, taking in the fjords and islands.

    Meals: B, L, D

  14. Day 14

    Vancouver - UK

    Your cruise ends as you disembark in Vancouver. You'll take a guided sightseeing tour of the city (Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park) before free time for lunch and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

    Meals: B

  15. Day 15

    UK

    You'll arrive back in the UK today.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise in Banff National Park, with easy walking trails and views of glacial waters.
  • Day 4Boarding the Rocky Mountaineer train and travelling through the Canadian Rockies in SilverLeaf service, with meals served on board.
  • Day 5Following the Thompson River and the Fraser River canyons aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, arriving in Vancouver.
  • Day 11Cruising Glacier Bay, a wilderness of mountains, forests and glaciers, with chances to see icebergs, whales, sea otters and bears.

Included

  • Return flights from your chosen airport
  • 6 nights in great quality hotels plus 1 night in flight
  • 7 nights sailing on Holland America Line's MS Zaandam
  • 25 meals: 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 7 dinners and welcome drink
  • Scenic Train: 2-day half-board rail journey in SilverLeaf Service on board the Rocky Mountaineer (Crew gratuities included)
  • Travelsphere Holiday Director (pre-cruise)
  • Overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes a two-day journey on the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf service (with meals on board), plus all flights, hotels, transfers and a seven-night Alaska cruise.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Travelsphere provides a Holiday Director for the pre-cruise portion (days 1-7). Once you board the cruise ship, you travel independently.
Which train is used?
The Rocky Mountaineer, travelling from the Banff area through Kamloops to Vancouver. Days 4 and 5 are on the train in SilverLeaf service. A GoldLeaf upgrade is available.
How many nights are in hotels versus the ship?
Six nights in hotels (Calgary, Banff, Kamloops, Vancouver) and seven nights on Holland America's MS Zaandam.
How much walking is involved?
Days include guided sightseeing tours in Banff and Vancouver, and easy walking trails at Lake Louise. Optional activities add cable car rides and helicopter flights. Most days offer free time to explore at your own pace.
When does the tour run?
Specific departure dates are not listed in the available information. Contact Travelsphere to confirm scheduled departures.

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