Canada and Alaska - Global Expedition - Air Adventure Australia

Global Expedition - Canada and Alaska

Melbourne/Vancouver

We fly to Vancouver with Canadian Airlines. Morning arrival in Vancouver where we will be met and transferred to the Westin Bayshore Hotel (2 nights)

Vancouver

Our morning sightseeing tour includes Stanley Park with its impressive collection of totem poles, Chinatown, restored Gastown and the busy waterfront. ). Evening cruise across Vancouver Harbour to join the Pacific Starlight Dinner Train. Journey back in time to an era of elegant dining with linen tablecloths, silver cutlery in elaborate dining cars. Spectacular scenery adds a colourful backdrop to fine Canadian cuisine.

Vancouver/Victoria

Morning departure by coach and BC ferry to Victoria, British Columbia’s delightful provincial capital. Our hotel is the elegant Empress Hotel located right on the inner harbour. Free time but “must sees” are the excellent museum just across the street, housing dioramas of Canadian history, and Miniatureworld just around the corner from the hotel. This afternoon we take High Tea at the Empress - a tradition.

Victoria, Butchart Gardens and Vancouver

We tour Victoria by double deck bus then visit the lovely world-famous Butchart Gardens with their brilliant displays of plants from around the world. Springtime floral displays should be lavish. We return to Vancouver by Twin Otter floatplane taking off from right in front of the hotel then 12 minutes later land on Vancouver Harbour and transfer to the Bayshore Inn.

Rocky Mountaineer

Transfer to Pacific Rail Station then depart on the fabulous “Rocky Mountaineer” excursion train. We travel in Gold Leaf service with panoramic glass top cars, personalised service and fine dining in the restaurant on the lower level (meals included in cost). Travel through the mighty Fraser River Canyon for overnight in the cattle town of Kamloops. Tonight, good fun, food and music await us at the Two River Junction Dinner and Music Revue. Sing along to old favourites and laugh at the tall tales.

Canadian Rockies

Continue today on the Rocky Mountaineer climbing up into the Rockies - Kicking Horse Pass, Spiral Tunnels, arriving late this afternoon at our accommodation, the Jasper Inn (2 nights).

Jasper

Full day tour through Lake Louise then along the Icefields Parkway stopping at the Columbia Icefield for a Snocoach ride on Athabasca Glacier. Continue on past lofty peaks, spectacular waterfalls and rushing streams.

Jasper/Prince George

Join Via Rails’ new excursion train the “Skeena” - faithfully restored 1940s streamliner - “Totem” class features vista dome and observation car. Meals are included. Pass mighty fir and spruce forests, remote lumber camps and rich farmlands. Watch for wildlife along the track. Overnight in Prince George staying at the Coast Prince George Hotel.

Prince George/Prince Rupert

The “Skeena” hurries again towards the coast following mighty rivers, through dense woodlands and rich farmland. At Smithers watch for the hanging glacier looming over the town. Arrive at the port city of Prince Rupert tonight and transfer to the Coast Prince Rupert Hotel (2 nights).

Khutzeymateen - Valley of the Grizzly Bear

Today fly over the beautiful Khutzeymateen Valley, ancestral home of the grizzly bear and one of the largest concentrations of this mighty beast. Eagles, harbour seals and whales may also be seen. Visit the remote village of Port Simpson and fascinating town of Port Edward.

Inside Passage

Join one of Alaska Marines’ fine ferries today. These ferries, similar to the “ Spirit of Tasmania”, provide transportation between the many isolated communities along the sheltered waters of the Inside Passage. Fellow passengers include locals - lumberjacks, fishermen, villagers each with a fascinating story to tell. Onboard rangers of the US Forestry Service conduct lectures on the wildlife and ecosystems and help spot bear and marine wildlife. These vessels navigate the narrow waterways impassable to the large cruise liners. Comfortable 2-berth cabins have private facilities; a bar, large panorama lounges, shop and restaurant complete the facilities.

Inside Passage/Sitka

Ports of call are scheduled at Petersburg and its Creek Street shophouses built over a rushing creek, remote Wrangell - the only town to have flown both Russian and British flags before becoming a US Territory, and Petersburg settled by Norwegians. Arrive in Sitka and transfer to the Sitka Hotel.

Sitka/Juneau

Sitka was the former capital of the Russian colony of Alaska that the US purchased from Russia in 1867 for just US$7.2 million. Russian fur traders rushed to Sitka to hunt the gentle sea-otter with its prized fur. Today Sitka retains its Russian heritage with onion-dome St Michael’s Cathedral, dances, crafts and restored homes of the Russian bishop. We tour the town with our Native American guide learning about the culture of the proud Athabscan people and of the many clashes with the Russian army and traders. We fly to Juneau, Alaska’s capital, late this afternoon. On arrival transfer to the Westmark Baranoff (1 night).

Juneau/Skagway

Cruise the spectacular Lynne Canal on board Alaska Marine’s “Malaspina”, calling at the delightful hamlet of Haines enroute to Skagway. We check into the meticulously-restored Victorian era Golden North Hotel with its period furniture, elegant oak walls with mirrors and candelabra and prize-winning micro-brewery. Skagway was the sea terminal during the 1890s gold rush and much of the boomtown has been retained with boardwalks, shop-houses. We tour Skagway in a 1920s limobus learning of its history and, more important, the latest gossip. Tonight we see the infamous Soapy Smith scoundrel in action at his very own show.

Skagway/Whitehorse

We ride the narrow gauge Whitepass and Yukon Railroad up over the Klondike Pass into the Yukon and Whitehorse. Westmark Inn. Tonight we enjoy a Gaslight Follies vaudeville revue.

Whitehorse/Anchorage

Morning visit to the Wildlife Preserve then fly to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Westmark Hotel .

Anchorage/Denali National Park

Join Alaska Railroad’s express train offering large panorama windows and glass topped vista dome for unsurpassed views. Weather permitting, Mt McKinlay may be seen, soaring 25,400 feet, tallest peak in North America. Afternoon arrival at Denali Park and transfer to Denali Bluffs Hotel (2 nights). Tonight we laugh and sing at a traditional Alaskan Cabin Night Theatre Restaurant.

Denali National Park

Morning 7 hour game-spotting guided tour. With luck, bear, moose, elk, doll sheep, bald eagles and other wildlife may be seen.

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