Compare Discover the Canadian Rockies - Eastbound by G Adventures vs Exploring the Arctic Land of the Caribou by Hurtigruten
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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3.5 | Average
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Duration | 12 days | 15 days |
Price From | $ 4,504 | $ 8,667 |
Price Per Day | $ 375 | $ 578 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small group tour | Small ship cruise |
Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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N/A |
Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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Meals Included | 11 breakfasts, 1 dinner | N/A |
Description |
Discover the awe-inspiring scenery and legendary wildlife of western Canada on a voyage across the craggy Rocky Mountains. Explore historic Banff and Whistler, marvel at the astonishing natural beauty of Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier, take the ferry to Vancouver Island, and breathe in fresh mountain air while soaking in hot mineral springs and hiking in Jasper National Park. Along the way, gain fascinating insights from knowledgeable local experts and First Nations people. |
Explore the coastline of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada on this amazing adventure. This expedition includes the chance to visit two national parks, several different settlements and some intriguing cities. While the vastness of this immense region can easily prove unsettling for visitors, the cheerful and friendly manner of the region’s inhabitants, the Inuit, will quickly put you at ease. Enjoy learning more about the fascinating history of the people that have lived here for thousands of years, and the people living here today. |
Day 1 Vancouver
Arrive at any time.
Please make your own way to the joining hotel.
If you are interested in exploring the city and its nearby attractions, it is recommended you book additional pre-trip accommodation nights.
Day 2 Vancouver/Victoria
Head downtown to explore the lush gardens, beaches, woodlands, and miles of trails around Stanley Park, considered one of the world’s greatest city parks. Venture to historic Gastown, and stroll cobblestone streets past Victorian buildings that now house lively restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. Then board the scenic ferry to Victoria.
Take a stroll around the city with your CEO to get familiar with your surroundings before you can enjoy the evening on your own.
Day 3 Victoria
Today is free to explore the charming city of Victoria. Wander along the waterfront and choose among an array of optional activities. Discover the stunning floral displays at the famous Butchart Gardens, peruse the Royal British Columbia Museum, or enjoy high tea at a historic hotel. Or opt to cruise the sea in a Zodiac boat in search of gray whales, sea lions, seals, orcas, and other marine creatures.
Day 4 Victoria/Whistler
Catch the ferry back to the mainland and drive the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway to the village of Whistler, host of some of the events of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Enjoy a G for Good experience at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, a showcase for First Nations customs, art, and music. Join an indigenous guide on an interpretive walk through the forest, hear how First Nations people lived off this land, and learn about local flora used for food and medicine. Then take part in a traditional tea ceremony to sample teas and bannock while listening to ancestral stories and legends. Continue to the mountain resort of Whistler, co-host to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Day 5 Whistler
Spend today exploring Whistler and the surrounding parks on your own. Stroll through the village, and opt to ride the gondola up the mountain for 360-degree views. Or choose to hike one of the many beautiful trails in the area, go ziplining through the rain forest, or set out on an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip.
Whistler and its surrounding provincial parks are places you must discover. It is also a great place to try one of the many optional mountain activities.
Day 6 Whistler/Blue River
Pass through the Coastal Mountains into the Caribou Mountains on a route once marked by gold prospectors. Sit back and enjoy dramatic changes in your surroundings, the mountains to sweeping grasslands. Enjoy stops at Kamloops Lake, an oasis amid an arid landscape, and the turquoise Seton Lake, a freshwater fjord ringed by towering peaks. Arrive in the small community of Blue River.
Following this extraordinary route, once marked by the gold prospectors, we leave the Coastal Mountain Range and set foot into the arid and dry land of the Thompson Okanagan region. Aboriginal peoples led a semi-nomadic life moving between hunting and fishing grounds in the summer and settling into pit houses for the winter. Europeans came at first for fur trading and later on to establish cattle ranches, farms, and mining operations. The scenery changes dramatically and could even make you feel as if you were in a western movie.
Day 7 Blue River/Jasper National Park
Cross the Rockies into Jasper National Park and follow in the historic path of fur traders on a scenic float trip down the tranquil Athabasca River, encountering a few gentle rapids along the way. Look out for wildlife, which can include bears, moose, eagles, ospreys, and mountain sheep. Later, gaze up at the highest peak, Mount Robson, during a stop at the visitor centre.
Day 8 Jasper National Park
Spend the day at leisure enjoying Jasper’s friendly mountain hospitality. Choose your own adventure among an array of optional activities: Hike to Maligne Canyon, cruise glacially fed Maligne Lake, or rent a bike or canoe to explore on your own. This evening, rejoin your fellow travelers for an unforgettable soak in Miette Hot Springs, where spacious pools of hot mineral springs offer panoramic views of the spectacular Fiddle River Valley.
Jasper's friendly mountain hospitality, peaceful atmosphere, and the promise of real adventure make any visit unforgettable.
Day 9 Jasper National Park/Lake Louise
Pass lush coniferous forests, soaring mountains, turquoise lakes, and epic glaciers as we travel the winding Icefields Parkway—considered one of the world’s most scenic drives—to Bow Lake, stopping along the way to enjoy photo opportunities and wildlife encounters. At the Columbia Icefield, step foot on the lower Athabasca Glacier with an expert guide for a firsthand experience of this active glacial landscape. Continue to magnificent Lake Louise, an alpine lake legendary for its emerald-blue waters.
Along the 300km (186.4 mi) ride, a spectacle unfolds before our eyes: lush coniferous forests, immense mountains, turquoise lakes, high-falling cascades, and humbling glaciers. Numerous stops will be planned along the way for photos, observation, and wildlife encounters.
Day 10 Lake Louise/Banff
Enjoy the morning at Lake Louise, taking in the scenery of the Victoria Glacier. Opt to join a hike to the historic Lake Agnes Tea House, following a forested trail past Mirror Lake and cascading waterfalls to the shores of Lake Agnes, where a remote tea house built in 1901 serves loose-leaf teas and other refreshments. Continue to Banff. Go on a walk back in time through this historic resort town alongside an expert from the Whyte Museum, dedicated to the history and culture of the Canadian Rockies. As you explore local landmarks on foot, discover how the construction of the Canadian Pacific railroad served as a stepping stone towards opening up western Canada.
Day 11 Banff/Calgary
Spend the morning in Banff, then drive to Calgary for a day at leisure. Experience the city’s Western spirit at lively honky-tonk bars, go museum-hopping, or opt to visit the Olympic Park, site of the 1988 Winter Olympics, where you can luge down the bobsledding track in a wheeled cart or soar through the sky on a zipline.
Famed for its entrepreneurial spirit and youthful population, Calgary prides itself on being the heart of the new west while honouring its cowboy heritage.
Day 12 Calgary
Depart at any time.
If you are interested in exploring the city and its nearby attractions, it is recommended you book additional pre-trip accommodation nights.
Day 1: St. Johns, Newfoundland
St. John's is the oldest and most easterly city in North America, and it is said that this is where heritage lives. With its narrow streets and hidden alleyways, the city is full of character. We recommend that you explore this historic town, with its striking twin clock towers of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, before you embark on your adventure.
Day 2: St. Pierre and Miquelon
Even though Paris is around 2,500 miles away, the people living in St Pierre and Miquelon are very proud to be French. The islands are part of the French Republic and are, in fact, the country's oldest overseas territory. Today, you can enjoy a taste of the typical French way of life with nice bistros, cafés, wine, cheese, baguettes, chocolates and pastries.
Day 3: At sea
Enjoy a day at sea. There will be lectures on various topics or you can spend some time on deck enjoying the wildlife we'll see on our journey.
Day 4: Gros Morne National Park
The Gros Morne National Park is one of the highlights of a trip to Newfoundland. The landscape, with its deep valleys, steep cliffs, sandy beaches and spectacular fjord system, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moose, caribou, foxes, black bears, ptarmigans and eagles are all a very common sight here. A visit to the higher regions of this ancient landscape will be unforgettable.
Day 5: Red Bay
Between 1550 and the early 17th century, Red Bay was a centre for Basque whaling operations. During the whaling heyday up to 2,500 whalers came on 50 ships from France and Spain for the whale-hunting season. The discovery of the wrecks of whale-hunting galleons and chalupas has made Red Bay one of the most exquisite underwater archaeological sites in America. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you feel like going treasure hunting while we are here, local legend has it that the infamous pirate Captain Kidd hid some of his treasure in the 'Pond on the Hill'.
Day 6: L'anse Aux Meadows, Newfoundland
In L'Anse aux Meadows, you'll find the first known evidence of European presence in America. It is here that a Norse expedition built a small camp around 1,000 years ago. In 1960, two Norwegian archaeologists started excavating in this area and discovered the fascinating remains of this Viking camp. In 1979, L´Anse aux Meadows became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the recreated camp, you can see original artefacts from this internationally renowned archaeological find.
Day 7: Battle Harbour
Located on the edge of the Labrador Sea, Battle Harbour is a nature lover's paradise. For two centuries, it was the economic and social centre of the southeast Labrador coast. Today, it is a wilderness adventure destination, where you can encounter whales, dolphins, seabirds, Arctic foxes, icebergs and the spectacular island scenery on one of our hikes or boat tours.
Day 8: Cruising the Coast of Labrador
We will spend three days sailing along the coast of Labrador and exploring this area. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking along the trails and the countless miles of wilderness to explore, while others will appreciate learning more about the history, cultures and traditions of the area at the numerous historic sites we will visit.
Day 9: Cruising the Coast of Labrador
One of the places we may visit is Red Bay. The discovery of the wrecks of whale-hunting galleons and chalupas has made Red Bay one of the most exquisite underwater archaeological sites in America. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 10: Cruising the Coast of Labrador
We may also visit the picturesque town of Rigolet, the southernmost Inuit community in the world. This small, isolated town has a population of just 300 and cannot be accessed by road. However, it is accessible by ship all year around, and in wintertime also via snowmobile. We offer several outings here: You can explore the beautiful waters in a speedboat or go fishing, riding or whale watching. We may also visit Hopedale, originally the Inuit settlement of Agvituk, meaning 'the place of the whales', and Hebron, a former Moravian mission and the northernmost settlement in Labrador.
Day 11: Torngat Mountains National Park
The spectacular wilderness of Torngat Mountains National Park comprises 3,700 square miles in Northern Labrador Mountains.
Day 12: Torngat Mountains National Park
The peaks of the Torngat Mountains National Park are dotted with remnant glaciers. The landscape was formed during the last ice age and features steep fjord systems rising up to 900 metres directly out of the sea. It is truly rough and wild.
Day 13: Torngat Mountains National Park
Today, the Inuit people continue to use this area for hunting, fishing and travelling throughout the year. Torngait, means 'place of spirits', and the Torngat Mountains have been home to the Inuit and their predecessors for 7,000 years, as we can see from archaeological sites in the area.
Day 14: Torngat Mountains National Park
You might get to see polar bears hunting seals along the coast, the Torngat Mountain and George River caribou herds crossing paths as they migrate to and from their calving grounds or any number of moose, foxes, wolves and black bears that are native to the park.
Day 15: Kuujjuaq/Montreal
Your adventure ends in Quebec's Arctic region – an immense, pristine territory lying north of the 55th parallel. Experience the Nunavik Inuit’s corner of the world, and maybe see the distinctive characteristics of their cultural and linguistic heritage, art and history, as well as traditional clothing and tools before you fly to Montreal.