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Travelsphere · Escorted tour

Rockies, Rail and Alaskan Cruise with Vancouver add-on

Rocky Mountaineer train, Alaskan cruise, and Vancouver with guided escorted tour

Illustration of Rockies, Rail and Alaskan Cruise with Vancouver add-on

Travelsphere's 17-day escorted journey combines the Canadian Rockies by rail and Alaska by sea, beginning in Calgary and ending in Ketchikan. The tour opens with two nights exploring Banff National Park and Lake Louise, where you'll walk among snow-capped peaks and glacial waters. Days 4 and 5 centre on the Rocky Mountaineer, a two-day rail journey through mountain passes and river canyons in SilverLeaf Service, descending into Vancouver. After three leisure days in Vancouver, you board Holland America's MS Zaandam for a seven-night cruise through Alaska's Inside Passage, docking in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan while passing through Glacier Bay. Wildlife viewing, guided city sightseeing, and optional shore excursions such as whale-watching and dog-sledding punctuate the itinerary. A Holiday Director guides the pre-cruise portion; the cruise itself offers independent exploration balanced with structured shipboard experiences. Return flights, most meals, train fare, and transfers are included. This pace suits couples and experienced rail travellers seeking comfort without constant coach movement.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price starts at GBP 6,299 (approximately USD 8,412); this covers accommodation, rail, cruise, flights, and most meals, but optional shore excursions (whale-watching, dog-sledding, helicopter flights, gondola rides) cost extra
  • The itinerary spans three countries and four modes of transport (air, rail, coach, cruise), making it a complex multi-leg journey; confirm all connections and transfer timing with Travelsphere before departure
  • GoldLeaf Service upgrade on the Rocky Mountaineer is available but the price difference is not stated in the operator's materials

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 14overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Your cruise ends as you disembark in Vancouver. You'll take a guided sightseeing tour of the city, including the historic Gastown district, Chinatown and Stanley Park.

    Meals: B

  15. Day 15overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver - at leisure

    Make the most of your extra time in Vancouver, exploring at your own pace; a hop-on-hop-off bus stops at all the main attractions.

  16. Day 16

    Vancouver - UK

    After time at leisure in Vancouver this morning, we will transfer you to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

  17. Day 17

    UK

    You'll arrive back in the UK today.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Johnston Canyon waterfalls and Lake Louise, a glacial lake in the Rockies with optional easy walking trails
  • Day 4Day 4: Rocky Mountaineer departs Banff in SilverLeaf Service, climbing through Kicking Horse Pass and following the Thompson River
  • Day 5Day 5: Rocky Mountaineer continues down the dramatic canyons of the Fraser River, arriving in Vancouver
  • Day 11Day 11: Glacier Bay wilderness cruise with views of mountains, forests, glaciers, and opportunities to see icebergs, whales, sea otters, and bears
  • Day 10Day 10: Skagway visit, a gold rush-era town with preserved 19th-century frontier buildings

Included

  • Return flights from your chosen airport
  • 8 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?
Yes. The package includes a two-day journey on the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service, with meals and crew gratuities included. An upgrade to GoldLeaf Service is available at additional cost (price not specified).
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Travelsphere provides a Holiday Director through the pre-cruise portion (days 1-7). Once aboard the Holland America cruise (days 7-13), you travel as an independent passenger; optional shore excursions are available in ports.
What is included in the price?
Return flights from your chosen UK airport, 8 nights in hotels plus 1 night in flight, 7 nights on Holland America's MS Zaandam, 25 meals (9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 7 dinners, plus a welcome drink), the Rocky Mountaineer rail journey, a guided Vancouver city tour, transfers, and porterage.
What are the optional extras?
Banff Gondola, a 3 Sisters Peak helicopter flight, and a Victoria day trip to Vancouver Island including Butchart Gardens. Shore excursions in Alaska (whale-watching, dog-sledding, Mendenhall Glacier visit) and a hop-on-hop-off bus pass in Vancouver are also available.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes guided sightseeing in Banff, Lake Louise (with easy walking trails), Juneau, and Vancouver. Physical demands are moderate; optional cable car rides, helicopter flights, and other excursions allow you to opt in or out as you prefer.
When does this tour run?
Travelsphere does not publish specific departure dates in their materials. Contact the operator to confirm available dates.

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