Compare Vancouver, Canada to Seward (Anchorage) by Silversea vs Canadian Rockies by Train by Tours of Distinction
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
Price From | $ 5,400 | $ 3,700 |
Price Per Day | $ 771 | $ 529 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small ship cruise | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Luxury | Premium |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners |
Description |
It is one of the most striking natural settings in the United States and, for that matter, the world: Alaska. There are plenty of ways for you to enjoy this wilderness—salmon fishing, kayaking, trekking on glacier and much more—yet much of the Last Frontier’s appeal lies in its distinctive personality. As you explore towns like Sitka, Skagway and Ketchikan, get to know the native culture and pioneering history here. |
A leisurely journey that traverses the dramatic beauty of the Canadian Rockies – tour snow covered mountain peaks glisten amid glacier blue lakes where ever present wildlife roams free. Ride a “snow coach” to a glacier, cruise on a crystal clear lake, and take a quiet water raft trip to watch the pristine landscape glide by. Alpine villages, ice-fields, pounding waterfalls, and the great outdoors… await. |
Day 1: Vancouver, Canada
Consistently ranked as one of the world's most livable cities, Vancouver lures visitors with its abundance of natural beauty, multicultural vitality, and cosmopolitan flair. The attraction is as much in the range of food choices—the fresh seafood and local produce are some of North America's best—as it is in the museums, shopping opportunities, and beaches, parks, and gardens. Indeed, the Vancouver package is a delicious juxtaposition of urban sophistication and on-your-doorstep wilderness adventure.
Day 2: Cruise Inside Passage, U.S.A, United States of America
Day 3: Ketchikan, Alaska, United States of America
Ketchikan is famous for its colorful totem poles, rainy skies, steep-as-San Francisco streets, and lush island setting. Some 13,500 people call the town home, and, in the summer, cruise ships crowd the shoreline, floatplanes depart noisily for Misty Fiords National Monument, and salmon-laden commercial fishing boats motor through Tongass Narrows. In the last decade Ketchikan's rowdy, blue-collar heritage of logging and fishing has been softened by the loss of many timber-industry jobs and the dramatic rise of cruise-ship tourism. With some effort, though, visitors can still glimpse the rugged frontier spirit that once permeated this hardscrabble cannery town.
Day 4: Juneau, Alaska, United States of America
Juneau, Alaska's capital and third-largest city, is on the North American mainland but can't be reached by road. The city owes its origins to two colorful sourdoughs (Alaskan pioneers)—Joe Juneau and Richard Harris—and to a Tlingit chief named Kowee, who led the two men to rich reserves of gold at Snow Slide Gulch, the drainage of Gold Creek around which the town was eventually built. That was in 1880, and shortly thereafter a modest stampede resulted in the formation of a mining camp, which quickly grew to become the Alaska district government capital in 1906.
Day 5: Skagway, Alaska, United States of America
Located at the northern terminus of the Inside Passage, Skagway is a one-hour ferry ride from Haines. By road, however, the distance is 359 miles, as you have to take the Haines Highway up to Haines Junction, Yukon, then take the Alaska Highway 100 miles south to Whitehorse, and then drive a final 100 miles south on the Klondike Highway to Skagway. North-country folk call this sightseeing route the Golden Horseshoe or Golden Circle tour, because it passes a lot of gold-rush country in addition to spectacular lake, forest, and mountain scenery. The town is an amazingly preserved artifact from North America's biggest, most-storied gold rush.
Day 6: Sitka, Alaska, United States of America
It's hard not to like Sitka, with its eclectic blend of Alaska Native, Russian, and American history and its dramatic and beautiful open-ocean setting. This is one of the best Inside Passage towns to explore on foot, with such sights as St. Michael's Cathedral, Sheldon Jackson Museum, Castle Hill, Sitka National Historical Park, and the Alaska Raptor Center topping the town's must-see list. Sitka was home to the Kiksádi clan of the Tlingit people for centuries prior to the 18th-century arrival of the Russians under the direction of territorial governor Alexander Baranof, who believed the region was ideal for the fur trade.
Day 7: Cruise Hubbard Glacier, U.S.A., United States of America
Day 8: Seward (Anchorage), AK, United States of America
It is hard to believe that a place as beautiful as Seward exists. Surrounded on all sides by Kenai Fjords National Park, Chugach National Forest, and Resurrection Bay, Seward offers all the quaint realities of a small railroad town with the bonus of jaw-dropping scenery. This little town of fewer than 3,000 citizens was founded in 1903, when survey crews arrived at the ice-free port and began planning a railroad to the Interior. Since its inception, Seward has relied heavily on tourism and commercial fishing. It is also the launching point for excursions into Kenai Fjords National Park, where it is quite common to see marine life and calving glaciers.
Day 1 - Arrive Vancouver, Canada
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel for an overnight stay, then enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
Day 2 - Vancouver - Kamloops, BC
We begin our day with a city tour of Vancouver which includes the beautiful Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown including the world famous steam-powered clock, the 2010 Olympic torch and village. In the Afternoon we journey to Kamloops, BC and check into our hotel for the night. (B, D)
Day 3 - Rocky Mountains
This morning its all-aboard VIA Rail Canada as we depart Kamloops bound for Jasper. Our relaxing daytime journey will take us past snowcapped mountains, glacial lakes, rushing rivers, and perfectly pristine Canadian wilderness, “oh what a journey!” Our train arrives in Jasper late afternoon, we check in our hotel for a two night stay. (B, D)
Day 4 - Jasper
Oh! What a day we have today! To start- we begin with a very mild float/rafting tour on the Athabasca River, the same route once used by “Fur Traders” years ago. Our adventure continues, this afternoon as we take a walk into Maligne Canyon to enjoy its natural beauty. Then it’s on to Maligne Lake for a relaxing cruise and a brief stop at “Sprite Island”. This evening after dinner we embark on a wildlife safari in search of Moose, Bear and Caribou. (B,D)
Day 5 - Jasper - Banff, AB
Our journey today will take us south on the Columbia Icefields Parkway…with snowcapped mountains and rushing rivers, impressive cliffs – this is truly one of Canada’s most scenic motorways. We stop at Athabasca Falls to wonder at the sheer beauty and power. Then we to board our special “snowcoach” for a ride onto the glacier where you will be able to get out and walk around atop a glacier. After our snow coach ride we continue on the Icefields Parkway always being on the lookout for wildlife as we make our way to visit Bow Falls and Peyto Lake. Today’s journey ends as we check into our hotel for a 2-night stay. (B)
Day 6 - Banff
Banff and the best of Yoho National Park . Today we will visit Moraine and Emerald Lakes both beautiful and different. We take a walk to the Lower Johnson Canyon Waterfall - what a sight! No visit would be complete without a stop at Lake Louise where we will have the opportunity to walk the paved path along the edge of the lake, relax on one of the many benches and savior the peaceful beauty. Return to Banff by mid-afternoon remainder of the day to explore on your own. This evening we gather for our farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 7 - Depart Banff
Our adventure comes to a close this morning as we transfer to Calgary Airport for our homebound flight. The tour is over but the memories are yours to keep! (B)