Canadian Rockies, Alaska & Arctic Circle

Your journey into wonder begins in Victoria, nestled on Vancouver Island. The city’s rich British colonial heritage is evident in its Victorian architecture and vibrant gardens. Delight in a two-night Special Stay at the iconic Fairmont Empress, where tonight you’ll celebrate with a welcome dinner alongside your travel companions and Scenic Tour Director. Toast to the beginning of an unforgettable journey.

Inclusions: Dinner

Explore the enchanting Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, renowned for its stunning floral displays and serene landscapes. Wander through vibrant flowerbeds, tranquil ponds, and winding pathways, discovering the beauty of this botanical paradise.

Choose from a selection of immersive Scenic Freechoice excursions to explore this region today.

Freechoice Sightseeing – choose from:
Whale Watching: Join a cruise on a boat or Zodiac and search for a variety of whales, including the orca, plus seals and bald eagles.
Scenic Floatplane Flight: Soar above for a bird’s eye view of Victoria and a literal ‘overview’ of all that Vancouver Island has to offer.
“Eat Like a Canadian” Walking Tour: Discover Victoria’s culinary delights on a guided walking tour, delving into the stories and history behind Canada’s iconic dishes like poutine and maple syrup.

Inclusions: Breakfast

Before arriving in Whistler, we’ll stop at the Malahat Skywalk. Ascend the spiral 31-metre wooden ramp for breathtaking panoramic views, offering a unique perspective of the surrounding natural beauty. Later cross the Georgia Strait by ferry and continue to Whistler, where you’ll unwind in luxury with a two-night stay at the iconic Fairmont Château Whistler.

Scenic Enrich: Join renowned black bear expert researcher Michael Allen for an enlightening session about these extraordinary creatures.

Scenic Enrich: Tonight, visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre where two nations come together to celebrate and share their cultures. Feast on an Indigenous-inspired cuisine while cultural ambassadors in regalia from the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations share songs and stories throughout.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner

Nestled in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Whistler is a world-renowned destination for outdoor enthusiasts. With its stunning alpine scenery, world-class ski slopes, and vibrant village atmosphere, Whistler offers a perfect blend of excitement and relaxation in every season. Today, choose from a range of activities to explore this captivating town.

Freechoice sightseeing – choose from:
Whistler Helicopter Flightseeing: Soar above Whistler on a 12-minute helicopter flight for awe-inspiring views of this mountain region.
Zip Lining over Whistler Valley: Combine the feeling of soaring through the air with the beauty of Cougar Mountain and Whistler Valley.
Peak 2 Peak Gondola: Travel by gondola or chairlift on Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains, transferring between both on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola.
Whistler Tasting Tour: Explore the eclectic culinary scene. Enjoy a delicious multi-course lunch whilst visiting some of the best local lunch spots. Indulge your sweet tooth at a chocolate shop.
Mountain Adventure Tour; Enjoy a mountain sightseeing adventure of Whistler Blackcomb and the surrounding valley.

Inclusions: Breakfast

Today we’ll drive from Whistler to Kelowna along the scenic Duffey Lake Road, featuring sublime lake and river views. Visit the historic town of Lillooet, steeped in Gold Rush history, before reaching Kelowna in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. Here, amidst vineyards, orchards, and farms, enjoy a two-night stay at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort.

Inclusions: Breakfast

Nestled in British Columbia’s picturesque landscape, the Okanagan Valley is renowned for its stunning scenery, award-winning wineries, and abundant outdoor experiences. You’ll be in awe of the scenery of rolling vineyards, crystal-clear lakes, and majestic mountains.

Scenic Enrich: Experience Okanagan’s vibrant culinary scene as you explore Kelowna’s agricultural family owned and operated businesses, sampling local delights from artisans and producers. Then, visit some of the region’s most innovative farms and wineries and sample their produce.

Guests will have the choice of ending the day at the hotel or joining their guide for a short walk around Kelowna’s Cultural District. The guide will showcase today’s Kelowna while also sauntering down memory lane highlighting landmarks, public art and connections to the storied history of the past. To end this walking tour, there is a quick stop for a refreshment or cold treat along the lakefront promenade.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch

Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff is a picturesque mountain town renowned for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and year-round outdoor excursions. Settle in for a two-night Special Stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs.

Freechoice Dining: From a hidden Bavarian Alpine delight nestled in the woods to celebrating the simple pleasures of rustic Italian food and the flavours and aromas of a French brasserie, enjoy outstanding cuisine with a selection of Scenic Freechoice dining options.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, choose from a range of activities to explore the magnificent Banff National Park. Be as relaxed or as active as you wish.

Freechoice Sightseeing – choose from:
Helicopter Flightseeing: Embark on a 25-minute helicopter flight over the Three Sisters Peaks for breathtaking views of the Rockies.
Bow River Float Trip: Join your oar-powered raft for a relaxing cruise along Bow River. Observe the superb scenery and local wildlife.
Fairmont Spa Banff Springs: Rejuvenate in the mineral pools of the Willow Stream Spa, drawing energy from the mountains around you as you relax in this quiet sanctuary.
Banff Gondola: Reach the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience a stunning bird’s-eye view of Banff township and six mountain ranges.

Scenic Enrich: Explore one of the Canadian Rockies’ busiest wildlife corridors at dusk via a golf cart. Encounter local wildlife, Bow Falls, and breathtaking views.

Inclusions: Breakfast

Arrive at the renowned “Diamond in the Wilderness”, the breathtaking Fairmont Château Lake Louise, where you’ll experience an overnight Special Stay in lakeview rooms, amidst unparalleled natural beauty.

Scenic Enrich: Meet a retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for an insight into the importance of the Mounties, past and present.

Freechoice Dining: With a selection ranging from French-Canadian Brasserie-style overlooking the spectacular Lake Louise to the very best in contemporary Canadian cuisine, enjoy dining in stylish décor and surroundings where attentive service creates the perfect atmosphere for a memorable dining experience.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner

Embark on the legendary Rocky Mountaineer, a journey through the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Canadian Rockies, where you’ll traverse mountain passes and dramatic canyons in luxurious comfort on board your GoldLeaf Service glass-dome carriage. Tonight, unwind in a Kamloops hotel selected by Rocky Mountaineer, adding to your unforgettable experience through the heart of the Rockies.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch

Indulge in the renowned culinary delights of Rocky Mountaineer as you savour delicious cuisine paired with local wine or beer, all while soaking in the breathtaking scenery. Later today, arrive in cosmopolitan Vancouver, where you’ll enjoy a two-night stay at the iconic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this dynamic city.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning enjoy the serenity of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, exclusively for Scenic guests. Wander across the swaying suspension bridge, high above the lush forest canopy, and marvel at the breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness. Later, join a city sightseeing tour to discover the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods, iconic landmarks, and rich cultural attractions.

Inclusions: Breakfast

Today you’ll board your elegant seven-night Alaskan Princess Cruise. Check into your comfortable Balcony Stateroom and settle in for an unforgettable voyage through the famed Inside Passage.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner

Settle back and relax with a book or explore the restaurants and lounges on board the ship as we cruise northwards.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ketchikan is known as Alaska’s “First City” because it’s the first major community travellers come to as they journey north. Located on an island, Ketchikan began life as an Indian fishing camp. The name Ketchikan comes from a Tlingit phrase that means “eagle with spread-out wings,” a reference to a waterfall near town.

In the early 1900s, when gold was Alaska’s claim to fame, fishing and timber industries were established in Ketchikan. The growth of these industries helped make this Inside Passage port Alaska’s fourth-largest city.

Visitors to Ketchikan will be intrigued by its rich Native heritage, which includes the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at Totem Heritage Center. The Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian are all a part of the city’s colourful history. Ketchikan, with its abundance of salmon, is also a sportfishing paradise. Sightseers will be impressed with both the scenic town and its surroundings, especially Misty Fjords National Monument.

In 1880, it was slow going for Joe Juneau and Richard Harris as they searched for gold with the help of Native guides. After climbing mountains, forging streams and facing countless difficulties, they found nuggets “as large as beans.”

From their discovery came three of the largest gold mines in the world. By the end of World War II, more than $150 million in gold had been mined. Eventually the mines closed, but the town Joe Juneau founded became the capital of Alaska and the business of gold was replaced by the business of government.

Some 30,000 people live in Juneau. Its total area makes it one of the biggest towns, in size, in the world. Only Kiruna, Sweden, and Sitka, Alaska, exceed Juneau’s 3,248 square miles.

Today Juneau is famous not only for gold and government but also for its breathtakingly beautiful glaciers and stunning views of both water and mountains.

Skagway was the gateway to the gold fields for the thousands who flocked to Alaska and the Yukon with the hope of striking it rich. Skagway may have boasted the shortest route to the Klondike, but it wasn’t the easiest.

Over 100 years ago, the White Pass route through the Coast Mountains and the shorter but steeper Chilkoot Trail were used by countless stampeders. Many a would-be miner perished on the treacherous Chilkoot Trail.

The gold rush was a boon and by 1898, Skagway was Alaska’s largest town with a population of about 20,000. Hotels, saloons, dance halls and gambling houses prospered. But when the gold yield dwindled in 1900, so did the population as miners quickly shifted to new finds in Nome.

Today, Skagway has less than 1,000 residents. It still retains the flavour of the gold rush era.

Discovered in the northwest corner of Prince William Sound during an 1899 research expedition, spectacular College Fjord and its glaciers were named after prestigious east coast schools by the college professors who first laid eyes upon their majesty. Stretching for miles, these massive rivers of ice tumble down from mountains and through valleys, dipping into the pristine waters of the fjord. There you’ll have a chance to watch the awe-inspiring process of glaciers calving, or dropping enormous pillars of ice into the sea, as they crack and land with a thunderous splash – a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed!

College Fjord not only boasts the world’s largest collection of tidewater glaciers, but it features magnificent snowcapped mountains as far as the eyes can see. Plus, during the summer, it’s not unheard of to catch a glimpse of one of the area’s 40-ton humpback whales feeding in the waters of the fjord.

It’s a magical wonderland of epic proportions, so breathtaking you won’t want to blink!

Experience the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre, where you’ll encounter native wildlife up close. Then, enjoy a thrilling jet boat ride before retreating to the scenic Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge for a stay surrounded by breathtaking views of Denali National Park.

Optional flightseeing over Denali with glacier landing (at additional cost, subject to seasonal operation).

Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner

Embark on a scenic journey from Talkeetna to Denali National Park on board the Princess Rail. Arrive at the luxurious McKinley Chalet Resort, where you’ll enjoy a two-night Special Stay surrounded by the stunning wilderness of Alaska.

Scenic Enrich: Visit Joanne Porterfield’s homestead and learn about early Alaskan life.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner

Denali National Park is a rugged wilderness sanctuary, home to North America’s tallest peak, Mt. McKinley. Its sprawling landscapes encompass diverse ecosystems, teeming with wildlife such as grizzly bears, wolves, and moose. Explore its pristine wilderness today choosing from a selection of activities.

Freechoice Sightseeing – choose from:
Tundra Wilderness Tour: Enjoy a fully guided tour through Denali National Park and Preserve, viewing the wildlife from your Tundra tour bus.
Rafting down the Nenana River: Discover Alaska’s beauty rafting with an experienced guide down the Nenana River.
Wilderness Adventure Tour: Awaken your wild side on this exciting all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tour that puts you in the driver’s seat to zip through gorgeous Alaskan backcountry.

Inclusions: Breakfast

Cruise into Alaska’s heart on the ‘Discovery III’ Sternwheeler. Experience the thrill of witnessing a bush floatplane take off, meet champion sled dogs, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of Alaska’s villages. Unwind in comfort at the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge for two nights, where you’ll enjoy riverside views and warm hospitality.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner

Embark on an exhilarating journey as you cross the Arctic Circle by air. It’s an extraordinary experience that promises unforgettable memories of the Arctic’s awe-inspiring landscapes and culture.

Scenic Enrich: Experience the thrill of crossing the Arctic Circle by air and receive a certificate to prove it. Stop at a wilderness community for a fascinating insight into the history of the region and life today.

Inclusions: Breakfast

Your unforgettable journey comes to an end today in Fairbanks. Farewell your new friends, taking with you wonderful memories.

Inclusions: Breakfast