Day 1 - Arrive Calgary / Wine & Cheese Reception
When you have cleared the customs and immigration services at the Calgary International, a chauffeur will pick you up and transfer you by limousine to the landmark Fairmont Palliser Hotel where you will check-in to your exclusive Gold Level room. This evening join the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train Management Team for a private wine and cheese reception at the Canadian Pacific Railway Pavilion.
A reception at the Pavilion is the perfect place to begin your Royal Canadian Pacific train vacation. With late 19th-century/early 20th-century railway stations of the British Commonwealth and Europe being the inspiration for the architectural design, the centrepiece of the Pavilion is the 12-metre-high glass rotunda, the Grande Atrium, on the railway overpass. At the west side of the Grande Atrium is the Great Hall, a 152-metre-long wing that houses the Royal Canadian Pacific fleet of eight vintage rail cars and up to three 1959s-era passenger locomotives. The Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train Management Team will be on had to answer all of your questions. After the reception, return to the Fairmont Palliser Hotel for a welcome dinner in the Rimrock Dining Room.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Day 2 - Depart on the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Banff Tour
After breakfast in the hotel, step aboard the historic Royal Canadian Pacific in the stately Canadian Pacific Railway Pavilion and journey into a bygone era where luxury rail travel meets the untamed wilderness. Enjoy the privacy of your own room, complete with private ensuite. Each room affords a comfortable night's sleep, a wonderful scenic view, closet, luggage storage and a safe for personal belongings. From the exceptional comfort of sleeping compartments that have cradled kings and queens to the sophisticated elegance of beautifully restored vintage carriages, you will discover what luxury rail travel was always meant to be.
Throughout your vacation you will enjoy an unparalleled level of personal service. Savour the extraordinary delights and delicate creations prepared by talented chefs served to you amidst the most beautiful natural landscape in the world. Afterwards relax in the 'Churchill Cubby', the private office of Sir Winston Churchill, to watch the constellations slowly reveal themselves as the twilight of a golden sunset fades over the Rocky Mountains. The Royal Canada Pacific Train is recognized as Canada's "Orient Express".
The journey begins as you travel west through the Canadian Rockies, stopping in Banff for a guided tour of local historic sites. Next, travel to Lake Louise for an interpretive hike with a resident naturalist. The train continues west across the Continental Divide, through the famous Spiral Tunnels to Field, then along the Kicking Horse River Valley. At Golden, the train stop for the day and pull into a private siding alongside the mighty Columbia River for a tranquil and motionless overnight stay.
Luxury: Overnight Royal Canadian Pacific Train - State room
Day 3 - Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Private tour of Canadian Museum of Rail Travel
This morning a luxury motorcoach whisks you to Kicking Horse Gondola for breakfast in the Eagle Eye's Restaurant and a 360-degree view of the stunning Rocky Mountains. Take a gondola to the top of the mountain and discover Canada's most elevated dining experience. At 7,700 feet, Eagle's Eye restaurant is a feast for all your senses. Jaw-dropping panoramic views set the stage at Canada's most elevated dining experience. After breakfast, you will re-board the train and head south through the Columbia River Valley to Cranbrook, for a private tour of the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel - the only national rail museum of its kind!
The Canadian Museum of Rail Travel features complete train sets representing various eras of travel including the prestigious million-dollar 1929 ?Trans Canada Limited'. The whole train including dining, sleeping and solarium-lounge cars are on view - much as a deluxe hotel-on-wheels. Also on display is the 'Soo-Spokane Train Deluxe' of 1907, royal cars, cars-of-state and interpretive cars, totalling 28. All of the museum cars are famous for their stained glass, exotic inlaid woods, plush upholstery, wood carpets and brass fixtures. The largest public display of Canadian Pacific Railway china and silverware in Canada is on view in the dining car. Your guide will take you on first class tours through the sumptuous interiors or the restored car and buildings to admire the interior design and appointments, and hear about the extensive restoration program. After your tour, you will re-board the train. This evening, enjoy a gourmet dinner and overnight stay at Summit Lake on the Continental Divide.
Luxury: Overnight Royal Canadian Pacific Train - State room
Day 4 - Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Today your journey continues with a gentle descent to the Alberta prairies. You will visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is known around the world as a remarkable testimony of prehistoric life. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump bears witness to a custom practiced by native people of the North American plains for nearly 6000 years. Thanks to their excellent understanding of topography and of bison behaviour, they killed bison by chasing them over a precipice and subsequently carving up the carcasses in the camp below. You will have an opportunity to tour the Interpretive Centre which depicts the ecology, mythology, lifestyle and technology of Blackfoot peoples.
After your visit, return to the train at Lethbridge for a breathtaking crossing of the High Level Bridge. Tonight the train pulls into a remote siding near the serene town of Eltham located in the heart of the Alberta prairies.
Luxury: Overnight Royal Canadian Pacific Train - State room
Day 5 - Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Ranch Tour & Steak Pit Lunch
Today, a leisurely train journey takes you to Okotoks where a luxury motorcoach transfers you to Homeplace Ranch. Long ago Stoney and Sarcee Indian lodges were the only dwellings in the western foothills. This area was called Paradise by the Indians and remained undisturbed until the mid 1800's. Then, wagons crossed the prairies bringing families to this untamed land. Around 1890, large cattle ranches were created, a few of which survived and flourished. Because Alberta was promoted as the "Last Best West," people continued to migrate across the country. And as homesteads were built around 1905, settlers learned to respect and live with the land. Homeplace Ranch is a year round working and guest ranch, family-operated since 1912 and located in the high cattle country. You will enjoy a guided tour of the ranch and a steak pit lunch.
After lunch return to the train for the final leg of the excursion, reaching Calgary by mid-afternoon. You will transfer to the Fairmont Palliser Hotel for your final night stay. In the evening, join your traveling companions and the crew of the Royal Canadian Pacific to reflect and enjoy a grand farewell dinner.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Day 6 - Flight Calgary to Vancouver / Private Vancouver Tour / Chef's Table Dinner
After breakfast and check-out, a chauffeur returns you to the Calgary International Airport for your short flight to Vancouver. When you arrive at Vancouver Airport, you will be met by your driver and begin your private Vancouver tour by luxury SUV. Surrounded by mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is a nature lover's paradise. A multicultural heritage makes the city one of world's most liveable urban centers. Discover Vancouver's many flavours and the rain forest around it on this private sightseeing tour. Highlights will include Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, Robson Street, English Bay, Queen Elizabeth Park and Granville Island. After your tour, you will be dropped off at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel where you will check into your exclusive Gold Level room.
This evening enjoy dinner at Diva at the Met, located a couple of blocks from your hotel. This is one of Vancouver's favourite gourmet restaurants. Tonight you will experience a 6 course Chef's Table dining experience. The Chef will personally present each dish with a brief presentation & wine pairing for every course.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront - One Bedroom Fairmont Gold Suite (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 7 - Vancouver at Leisure / Depart Vancouver aboard Holland America's ms Ryndam
You have the morning at leisure to explore Vancouver. This afternoon, the Fairmont Waterfront Bell Services department will transfer your luggage to Canada Place Pier, located just steps from the hotel. Here you will set sail for new adventures on board the exciting ms Ryndam. The ms Ryndam offers its guests a unique shipboard atmosphere. The ms Ryndam features spacious public rooms as well as spacious and tastefully decorated staterooms. This spectacular cruise ship delights guests with unforgettable onboard experiences.
Your Deluxe Veranda Suite (Category S) comprises of 2 lower beds convertible to 1 king-size bed, whirlpool bath & shower, large sitting area, dressing room, private veranda, 1 sofa bed, mini-bar, refrigerator and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Luxury: Overnight ms Ryndam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 8 - Scenic Cruising Inside Passage
Today is at sea, journey deep into one of nature's most isolated monuments accessible only by sea and air and encounter the magnificence of the Ice Age as you slowly glide through the Inside Passage. Expect the unexpected on your Alaska cruise - a massive glacier calves, a bald eagle soars above, a humpback whale clears the water and the night sky awakens to waves of color. With guaranteed views of sky-splitting peaks, glaciers and vast wilderness.
Luxury: Overnight ms Ryndam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 9 - Tracy Arm & Juneau, Alaska
In the morning you will cruise through this narrow, 26-mile long fjord is another of Alaska's most dramatic glacier settings. Stand on deck as the lush forest recedes and you enter a stunning canyon of bare rock. The panorama of 7,000 foot mountain peaks and nearly vertical rock cliffs is astounding. Waterfalls appear at every turn. Icebergs make their way to the sea in all sorts of wondrous shapes. And tucked away at the end of this remarkable waterway are two very active reminders of the Ice Age - the twin Sawyer Glaciers. The face of the South Sawyer Glacier stretches one-third of a mile and calves icebergs big and small. Harbour seals dot the floating platforms. Kittiwakes and mountain goats are a common sight. Whales and bears may even make an appearance in this magical place where closeness and intimacy make visitors a part of the scene.
In the afternoon, arrive Juneau. For years Juneau's livelihood, like that of many cities in Alaska, was tied to mining. The city itself is built on tailings from the A-J mine whose shafts perforate the hillside above town. Because it is Alaska's capital, Juneau prospers through government work and tourism. This is a great place to sample salmon baked over an alderwood fire, pan for gold, and hike the massive Juneau Icefield. If you feel the need for speed, hop on a sled and let a dog team pull you across the surface of a glacier. Sample Shore Excursions (not included): Alaska-style Salmon Bake, Glacier View Sea Kayaking, Gold Panning at Gold Creek.
Luxury: Overnight ms Ryndam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 10 - Skagway, Alaska
The sidewalks are all but rolled up in Skagway come winter, so you can only imagine the frightful conditions endured by the gold prospectors who passed through en route to the Yukon, with a mandatory ton of supplies to be hauled with them over the steep and treacherous Trail of '98. 21st-century summertime visits to Skagway require nothing of the sort, but you can still ride the antique White Pass & Yukon narrow-gauge railway up through silvery-purple rock faces, past Deadhorse Gulch, to see what it was like back then. Sample Shore Excursions (not included): White Pass Summit Scenic Railway, Biking, rock- climbing and flightseeing adventures.
Luxury: Overnight ms Ryndam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 11 - Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising
Cloistered in the rocky recesses of Alaska, Glacier Bay is a world still emerging from the Ice Age. Sixteen dazzling tidewater glaciers creep back and forth by millimeters, chiseling great masses of moraine onto their pristine surfaces.
Luxury: Overnight ms Ryndam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 12 - Ketchikan, Alaska
In the heart of the Tongass National Forest, immerse yourself in Tlingit Indian culture and view the world's largest collection of totem poles kayak the colorful waterfront and stroll the boardwalk that once led to Ketchikan's red light district. Sample Shore Excursions (not included): Adventure Kart & Jet Boat Expedition, Misty Fjords by Floatplane, snorkeling adventure, Totems & Town Tour.
Luxury: Overnight ms Ryndam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 13 - Scenic Cruising Inside Passage
Today is at sea as you continue your cruise back to Vancouver. You set the pace and choose your pleasure: Start your day early with a brisk walk around the teak deck or enjoy a long, lazy morning with breakfast served in your stateroom. Relax away the afternoon by the pool or participate in one of many classes or speaker presentations. Dress for another stylish dinner or enjoy an excellent meal at one of our more casual restaurants. In the evening, watch a great show, try your luck in the casino or dance into a moonlit night at sea.
Luxury: Overnight ms Ryndam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 14 - Arrive Vancouver / Depart
Arrive back into Vancouver in the early morning. Upon arrival back in Vancouver, you will be met by your driver and private limousine and be transferred to the Vancouver Airport in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 3 nights hotel accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 3 nights on the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train in a state room with private shower, sink, and toilet
- 7 night Alaska Glacier Bay Holland America cruise aboard the ms Ryndam including onboard meals & entertainment, taxes and port charges
- All meals during the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train trip. (Table d'hote meals, including wine, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages)
- Interpretive hike in Lake Louise
- Kicking Horse Gondola
- Canadian Museum of Rail Tour
- Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
- Homeplace Ranch Tour with Steak Pit Lunch
- Gratuities during the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train Tour
- Airport transfers by private sedan between Calgary Airport & hotel
- Rail station transfers in Calgary
- Vancouver City Tour by private Luxury SUV including gratuities
- Airport transfer by private limousine from Cruise Ship Terminal to Vancouver Airport including gratuities
- 6 course dinner & wine pairing Chef's Table at Diva at the Met including gratuities
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Optional Tours
- Meals not listed as included
- Gratuities not listed as included (including meals & cabin attendants onboard the ms Zaandam)
- Activities not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Gratuities not listed as included
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)
- $50 US per person Alaska State Cruise Tax