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Canada and the Rockies with Alaska Cruise

7 Day Escorted Tour With 7 Day Extension

Canada, North America
20 Meals Included
4 Excursions
Intermediate Pace

Taking you into the great outdoors of Canada, our 8-day adventure showcases bewitching spectacles: from the grizzly bears inspecting Lake Louise's shores to the breath-taking mountain pass through Glacier National Park and the ice gouged chasm of Johnston Canyon. Along the way encounter utopias of the Great White North including the small town charm of Banff and one of the world's great scenic cities, Vancouver.

Discover the last frontier of snow-dusted peaks, teal waterways inhabited by salmon hunting grizzlies, an endless blanket of spruce forests and a wealth of small town hill dwellings on our sensational 8-day cruise.

Highlights

  • Ride a gondola to Sulphur Mountain and a snow coach along Columbia Icefield
  • Marvel at awe-inspiring Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
  • Stroll across the world's highest suspended footbridge over the Capilano River
  • Visit the 1,000-acre Stanley Park, one of the largest city parks in North America
  • Tour Calgary and Vancouver and explore Banff, Yoho and Glacier National Parks
  • Wander along the walkway through Johnston Canyon
  • See wildlife along the Inside Passage
  • Marvel at the Sawyer Glacier
  • Explore Alaska's capital city Juneau
  • Enjoy relics of the Klondike Gold Rush

Map Key

Train
Coach
Boat
Airplane
Walking
1
Number of nights

Itinerary

Day 1
UK to Calgary

Depart on your scheduled flight to Calgary where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of today will be at leisure.

Day 2
Calgary

This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Calgary. Set in the rolling foothills of the majestic Canadian Rockies, view the city's key sights including Scotsman's Hill, Stampede Park, Calgary Tower and Fort Calgary.

Day 3
Calgary to Banff

Breakfast

Travel from Calgary to Banff National Park and embark on a day tour of the to discover some of Canada's best-kept wilderness secrets. Taking the scenic Tunnel Mountain Drive route, admire the magnificent spires of layered rock carved by the elements within Bow Valley. Later, climb a short distance to view Bow Falls, a dramatic backdrop of many classic Hollywood films. A gondola-ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain has also been included, allowing you to marvel at the enormity of the six surrounding mountain ranges. Optional excursions - Bow River Safari or Helicopter Experience. Prices will be confirmed with your guide.

Day 4
Banff

Breakfast

Continue along the Bow Valley Parkway for more unforgettable scenery including Johnston Canyon, a deep limestone ravine which can be explored upon a walkway. Visit Moraine Lake, a glacially fed lake that turns turquoise blue as it begins to thaw in the summer months, before finally arriving at Lake Louise, one of Canada's most beautiful freshwater lakes and home to a thriving population of grizzly bears, moose and timber wolves. Later embark on a journey on board a snow coach to navigate the rugged Columbia Icefield, formed from an ancient glacier.

Day 5
Banff to Kamloops

Breakfast

Board your coach and embark on a breath-taking journey abound for cinematic vistas as you travel west through Yoho and Glacier National Parks. Later today arrive at the city of Kamloops in British Columbia for an evening at leisure. Optional excursion - Silver Leaf or Gold Leaf Rocky Mountaineer Rail Experience (available on request and confirmed 60 days before departure). Please call our Customer Experience Team for any additional details such as prices and availability.

Day 6
Kamloops to Vancouver

Breakfast

Your journey continues along the picturesque Duffy Lake Road, a winding route affording visitors a superb vantage point to admire Duffy Lake's shimmering reflection of the surrounding mountain range. A stop will be made in the skier's paradise of Whistler to stretch your legs before continuing along the Sea to Sky Highway, arriving at Vancouver.

Day 7
Vancouver

Framed by a rippling ocean scarred by ferry trails, vast forests of mighty Cedars and snow-dusted pinnacles, Vancouver boasts one of the most spectacular settings of any city on the planet. During your tour visit the 1,000 acre Stanley Park, one of the largest city parks in North America. Later stop at Granville Island, whose indoor market offers a colourful assortment of gastronomic delights. Today concludes upon the world's longest and highest suspended footbridge, which will take you over the towering tops of evergreens allowing you to peak down onto the roaring Capilano River below. Optional Whale Watching Excursion. Prices will be confirmed with your guide.

Day 8
Alaskan Cruise - The Inside Passage

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Leaving Vancouver behind your ship will trace the outline of North America's most scenic coastal landscape, weaving through islands of the Pacific Coast known as the Inside Passage. Boasting wildlife filled fjords and evergreen-coated scenery, position yourself on the upper deck for the best chance to observe soaring eagles, grizzly bears, breaching wales and bathing seals.

Day 9
Alaskan Cruise - Tracy Arm Inlet & Juneau

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Weather permitting, the ship will navigate the 30-mile long Tracy Arm Fjord to view the mammoth Sawyer Glacier which oversees a slow-moving river of ice. After lunch you'll arrive in Juneau, Alaska's state capital, in which there are a number of optional excursions on offer including dog sledging with huskies, whale watching and a helicopter ride over the glacier.

Day 10
Alaskan Cruise - Skagway

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The ship arrives in Skagway this morning where it remains all day, leaving plenty of time to explore this charming relic of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. Wooden sidewalks and turn-of-the-century buildings will take you back to the lawless living of pioneer days. Shore excursions are also aplenty; we recommend you take a fascinating ride on the restored carriages along the old White Pass and Yukon railroad through the Alaskan wilderness.

Day 11
Alaskan Cruise - Glacier Bay

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today enjoy a tour highlight as your cruise ship slowly enters Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that protects a unique ecosystem of majestic humpback whales, black bears and Yukon wolves. A national park ranger will come on board to provide a detailed commentary of your wild surroundings and answer any questions you have. You may also have the chance to witness a monumental chunk of ice splitting off one of the eight gargantuan glaciers.

Day 12
Alaskan Cruise - Ketchikan

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a morning of cruising, the ship will arrive at the city of Ketchikan, a small metropolis that clutches the shores of the Tongrass Narrow. Explore this charming area in your own time, wandering along Creek Street, through the Totem Pole Park or pick one of the optional wildlife excursions such as a bear adventure by floatplane or an Alaskan fishing experience.

Day 13
Alaskan Cruise - The Inside Passage

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Your final full day on board will be spent returning through the Inside Passage allowing you more time to appreciate the area's distinct beauty, observe its natural inhabitants or simply relax.

Day 14
Cruise Disembark to UK

Breakfast

This morning arrive back at Vancouver's port where you will disembark and be transferred to the airport for your return flight back to the UK.

View Full Itinerary

This tour can be booked by calling 1800 804 006

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Accommodation

The hotels listed below are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent to you approximately 10 days before you travel
Delta Downtown
1 nights
Calgary, Canada
More details
Red Carpet Inn
3 nights
Banff, Canada
More details
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Tour Reviews

Patricia Pearce

09 Jul 19

The Red Carpet Inn in Banff was not of the same standard as the other three hotels, with no dining facilities -breakfast was taken at the next door establishment. However, the position of the hotel in the centre of Banff made up for this.

Graham Yates

15 Jun 17

The guide Barb, was truly excellent as was the driver Russell.

Excellent hotels & ideally positioned in the centre of most of the locations.

Important Information

The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Some road construction &/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.

If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of €550.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

British Citizens will need an eTA to visit Canada. Applying for an eTA is a simple online process that takes just a few minutes. You will need your passport, a credit card, and an email address. It costs $7 CAD to get an eTA and it will be valid for up to five years. You must also make sure that you carry the correct travel documents and identification. Please visit www.cic.gc.ca. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries.

USA visa requirements

An American ESTA will be required for this extension. This must be applied for at least 7 days before you are due to land in the USA. Please advise if you would like us to arrange this for you. All UK passport holders must have a bio-metric epassport and your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you are expected to arrive back in the UK. Important note: if you do not have a bio-metric epassport, you will be refused entry into the USA.

The US Government enforces a restriction on people who have travelled to Cuba since 2011. These travellers are no longer eligible to apply for the ESTA Visa Waiver program and need to apply for a US visitor's visa (B1/B2) via their nearest US Embassy. This ban includes transit, where you’re flying on to another country.

Your flight to Canada is with British Airways, departing from London Heathrow, Terminal 5. Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage (40cm/30cm/15cm) plus 1 item of hand luggage not exceeding in size and 1 personal item such as a handbag, briefcase, or laptop case. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-In should be at least 3 hours before departure. IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves moderate days of walking on uneven paths and small hills, and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

The currency in Canada is the Canadian Dollar. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK.

USA: The currency in Alaska is the American Dollar ($).

As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.

You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any meals and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £500-£600 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour. Please also bear in mind that there will be several shopping opportunities throughout your tour. Tipping is at your discretion, however we would recommend approximately $7 per person per day. Tips are accepted in the local currency, however it is asked that if you do not tip in the local currency that you only pay with notes, as coins cannot be exchanged.

The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 20, and the maximum will be 40. If in the unlikely event there are less than 20 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

This is an escorted tour, meaning the you will have the services of an English speaking guide during each excursion ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.

Private Tour: If you have booked a private tour then you will be accompanied by a Driver Guide or a Driver and Local Guides. These will be available to you during all scheduled sightseeing. Private Tours can depart on any day of the week depending on flight and train schedules and the opening days of the attractions. They will follow the itinerary as described in the brochure unless you have been advised otherwise and you will still have all of the same meals, sightseeing and local excursions included.

Excursions during your cruise are in shared services, meaning that these excursions are not exclusive to Mercury Holidays customers, you will have an English-speaking local guide present during these excursions ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. This guide will only be available during excursions.

Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.

Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.

On your arrival in Calgary you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Go West Tours, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/ Go West Tours representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.

If you need to contact Go West Tours during your stay the details are:

Go West Tours head office: Telephone: 001 415 837 0154

Emergency contact information: Please find below the emergency contact details for Go West Tours 24hr Telephone: 001 415 837 0154 (business hours 08:30-17:30 USA Pacific Time) Out of hours West Coast Groups: 001 415 710 1913 Out of hours East Coast Groups: 001 415 793 6458

Text & WhatsApp Line 24/7 001 415 484 7201