The Canadian Rockies are known for their rugged mountains, glaciers, mighty rivers, and beautiful national parks. On this Heart of the Canadian Rockies tour, you’ll experience all of this plus a 7-night Alaska cruise through the Inside Passage, one of the world’s most scenic coastal routes. Enjoy two nights in Banff National Park, gateway to the Canadian Rockies, with free time to hike, stroll along the river, visit the hot springs, or perhaps take an optional helicopter excursion to see the spectacular scenery from above. You’ll also have two nights in Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, where you can hike, explore the townsite, or join an optional excursion to see Maligne Lake and iconic Spirit Island. Between Banff and Jasper, two tour highlights await—a stop at stunning Lake Louise, whose turquoise waters reflect the surrounding mountains, and a ride aboard an Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle onto the Athabasca Glacier. Sail across the Strait of Georgia to charming Victoria, where sightseeing includes Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of showcase floral displays. You’ll also have free time to perhaps enjoy high tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, visit the Parliament Buildings, or take the optional Marine Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition. Ferry across the picturesque Gulf Islands to Vancouver, where sightseeing includes Stanley Park and other city highlights.Then board your Alaska cruise ship and sail the Inside Passage to Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, passing forested islands, glacier-carved fjords, and coastal scenery along the way. Cruise Glacier Bay, where you may spot whales, porpoises, orcas, eagles, and other wildlife.Create memories to last a lifetime on this Canadian Rockies and Alaska adventure designed for savvy, value-minded travelers.
The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available). Your Tour Includes:• Guided city sightseeing in Calgary and Vancouver, featuring the highlights of two of western Canada’s gateway cities• Entrance fee to Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, home to glacier-fed lakes, mountain peaks, and abundant wildlife• Orientation tours of Banff, Jasper, and Victoria• Ride on the Ice Explorer across the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefields • Ferry to and from Vancouver Island, crossing the scenic Strait of Georgia• Admission to Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, featuring 55 acres of spectacular floral displays• Cruise on Holland America’s MS Koningsdam or MS Zaandam with Holland America’s ‘Have It All Premium Cruise Package,’ featuring a signature beverage package, dinner in a specialty restaurant, $100 shore excursion credit, and Wi-Fi package.
Meals
Meals & Itinerary
This Cosmos travel package does not include meals. Most of our hotels offer anything from coffee to a full breakfast, so you can start the day the way you like best. At most lunch stops, your Tour Director will have information on local restaurants. Dinnertime is your chance to sample local cuisine. Sometimes your Tour Director will offer an optional dinner outing.
Notes:
• Visting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions and dates of operation. • Early departures may not be able to visit Columbia Icefield (opens in early May), Maligne Lake & Spirit Island optional excursion (opens late May to early June), or Moraine Lake optional excursion (opens in early June).• At least one member of the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older.• Cruise itineraries are provided by Holland America Line and are up to date at time of printing. Your travel documents will contain the most current information.• Maximum elevation on tour: 7,500 ft.
Itinerary
Day 1 CALGARY
Welcome to Calgary! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.CALGARY-SADDLEDOME.jpg
Day 2 CALGARY–BANFF NATIONAL PARK
The discovery of oil transformed Calgary from a ranching town into a modern city. Sightseeing includes downtown Calgary, The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary), Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Motor west through the foothills into Banff National Park, gateway to the Canadian Rockies. An orientation tour introduces Banff's townsite and surrounding scenery.BANFF-BOW-RIVER-SCENIC.jpg
Day 3 BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Banff is one of Canada’s favorite year-round resorts, with summer activities such as hiking, biking, and fishing. With a free day in Banff National Park, your Tour Director will have many suggestions, including an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies for incredible aerial views. Or if you prefer keeping your feet on the ground, join the Panoramas & Peaks* optional excursion to see gorgeous Moraine Lake in the famed Valley of the Ten Peaks.*This optional excursion begins operating in early June.BANFF-ELK.jpg
Day 4 BANFF NATIONAL PARK–LAKE LOUISE–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–JASPER NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy a day of spectacular mountain scenery. First stop is Lake Louise, whose turquoise waters reflect the surrounding peaks. Next, stop at the Columbia Icefield to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels onto the Athabasca Glacier, where the ice measures 750 feet/228 meters thick! Then, drive north into Jasper National Park, where mountain passes reveal deep gorges, snowcapped peaks, and glacier-fed lakes. Later, consider an optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Enjoy an orientation tour of the town of Jasper upon arrival. LAKE-LOUISE-KAYAK.jpg
Day 5 JASPER NATIONAL PARK
Today, experience the beauty of Jasper National Park on an optional narrated cruise on the glacial waters of Maligne Lake and legendary Spirit Island* where you'll learn about the area’s history, geology, flora, and fauna. The balance of the day is free to enjoy Jasper, from guided hikes and local shops to opportunities to spot wildlife.*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June.JASPER-NATIONAL-PARK-SPIRIT-ISLAND.jpg
Day 6 JASPER NATIONAL PARK–MOUNT ROBSON–KAMLOOPS
Depart Jasper and follow the Fraser River to the base of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Continue along the Yellowhead Highway, following the Thompson River with views of the Monashee Mountains before arriving in Kamloops for the night.MOUNT-ROBSON.jpg
Day 7 KAMLOOPS–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA
As you travel through British Columbia’s Cascade Mountains and the fertile Fraser Valley to the Pacific coast, the landscape changes from dry grasslands to a coastal temperate rainforest. Board your ferry for the scenic crossing to Vancouver Island. Before arriving in Victoria, visit Butchart Gardens and explore its 55 acres of beautiful floral displays. Continue downtown to see the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. This evening, consider a relaxing stroll along the lively waterfront promenade.VICTORIA-BUTCHART-GARDENS.jpg
Day 8 VICTORIA
Today is free to explore Victoria. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for enjoying this charming city. Perhaps enjoy High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, visit the Parliament Buildings or the Royal BC Museum, or choose an optional Wildlife and Whale-Watching Expedition in search of whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles.VICTORIA.jpg
Day 9 VICTORIA–FERRY CROSSING–VANCOUVER
This morning, set sail across the Strait of Georgia, an arm of the Salish Sea, and through the scenic Gulf Islands. In Vancouver, city sightseeing includes Stanley Park and other famous landmarks. The remainder of the day is free to explore Vancouver, known for its waterfront setting, diverse neighborhoods, and cultural attractions. Perhaps visit Robson Street, one of British Columbia’s premier shopping and entertainment districts.VANCOUVER-SKYLINE.jpg
Day 10 VANCOUVER (EMBARKATION)
Say goodbye to your Tour Director and embark on your Holland America cruise ship. Your package price includes Holland America’s ‘Have It All Premium Cruise Package. VANCOUVER-HARBOR.jpg
Dinner
Day 11 SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE
Spend the day cruising the Inside Passage, one of the world’s most scenic coastal waterways. Stretching along the coast of British Columbia, the Inside Passage is the longest sheltered inland waterway in the world. Keep watch for marine life in the water, including orcas and humpback whales. INSIDE-PASSAGE-WHALE.jpg
Day 12 JUNEAU
Located at the foot of mountain peaks on Gastineau Channel, Alaska’s capital city of Juneau has Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefield nearby. Visit the shops in town—or get out and kayak, raft, hike, whale watch, flightsee, or fish. Long daylight hours mean more time to enjoy Juneau’s outdoor adventures. JUNEAU-CITY-VIEW.jpg
Day 13 SKAGWAY
Skagway is known as the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898 when thousands of prospectors passed through town on their way to the Yukon Territory. Visit the Trail of ’98 Museum or the historic Red Onion Saloon to learn more about Skagway’s Gold Rush past, including stories of Klondike Kate, Peahull Annie, and other colorful characters. Or simply stroll the wooden boardwalks, browse the shops, and soak in the atmosphere of this historic frontier town. SKAGWAY-TOWN.jpg
Day 14 SCENIC CRUISING: GLACIER BAY
Glacier Bay is home to more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anywhere else in the world. Watch as massive chunks of ice break away from the glaciers and crash into the sea with a thunderous roar, sending water high into the air. Have your camera ready to capture this unforgettable natural spectacle! GLACIER-BAY-NATIONAL-PARK-MARGERIE-GLACIER.jpg
Day 15 KETCHIKAN
Alaska’s “First City,” Ketchikan is the first major port of call for most cruises sailing the Inside Passage. Set along the Tongass Narrows and surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan is known for salmon fishing and Native Alaska heritage. Choose an optional sport-fishing excursion, savor fresh local seafood, or explore the traditions of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples. KETCHIKAN.jpg
Day 16 SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE
Arguably one of the greatest cruising routes in the world, the Inside Passage stretches through stunning landscapes, from Misty Fjords National Monument to famed Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. Sailing the Inside Passage offers opportunities to spot some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, with humpback whales and orca plying the bountiful waters,bald eagles soaring overhead and brown bears lumbering on the shoreline. INSIDE-PASSAGE-XGTY.jpg
Day 17 VANCOUVER (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends this morning. Please schedule flights after noon. VANCOUVER-SKYLINE.jpg
Breakfast
Tour Director
With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.
ANDREW MORAN
Escorting tours for more than 20 years
Escorting tours for more than 20 years
“Born in Salisbury, England, I left England at the age of nine and ended up in Los Angeles. Some of my hobbies include travel, flying (I have my license to fly small, single-engine planes), gardening (growing my own fruits and veggies is awesome), and landscaping (it gives me a chance to learn about different trees and plants). My advice to travelers is to come with an open mind and look forward to learning new things. What makes other places so special is that they're not home!”
Optional Excursions
No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else,
we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.
When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination,
so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities.
Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value.
Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences.
We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.
The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.
Price Ranges
$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)
No Excursions are available at this time.
The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.