The Canadian Rockies with Alaska Cruise (8904)

20 days from Vancouver to Vancouver

2027 Tour Details

Spectacular national parks, scenic drives, and an exciting Alaskan cruise highlight this Canadian Rockies tour. Begin in vibrant Vancouver, where city sightseeing includes Stanley Park and other famous landmarks. Continue to Banff National Park with free time to hike, bike, soak in the natural hot springs, or take in breathtaking mountain views on an optional helicopter excursion. Stop to admire the turquoise waters of Lake Louise before traveling the Icefields Parkway to ride the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield. Continue to Jasper National Park, where you may spot elk, bighorn sheep, bears, and other wildlife. Enjoy free time to explore or choose optional excursions, including a float trip on the Athabasca River and a visit to Maligne Lake and iconic Spirit Island. a visit to Maligne Lake and Spirit Island.

Travel past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, en route to the resort town of Sun Peaks, then continue to Whistler with time to explore the village, hike, or choose an optional Ziptrek adventure through an old-growth rainforest. Sail across the Strait of Georgia to Victoria on Vancouver Island, where guided sightseeing includes world-renowned Butchart Gardens. Enjoy free time for afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress or an optional wildlife and whale-watching cruise.

Return to Vancouver by ferry through the Gulf Islands before boarding your 7-night Alaska cruise. Sail the scenic Inside Passage, cruise past glaciers, and visit ports such as Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan for an unforgettable land-and-sea adventure designed for 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 Vancouver, including Stanley Park and other key landmarks
• Scenic drive through Yoho National Park and Glacier National Park
• Entrance fees to Banff National Park and Jasper National Park
• Orientation tours of Banff, Jasper, Whistler, and Victoria
• Ride on the Ice Explorer across the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefields
• Admission to Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island, home to spectacular floral displays
• Ferry crossings to and from Vancouver Island
• Alaskan 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.

Freedom to Travel: Save $200 per couple on select 2027 Cosmos vacations worldwide*
The Canadian Rockies with Alaska Cruise map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners


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 publishing. Your travel documents will contain the most current information.

• Maximum elevation on tour: 7,500 ft.

 Itinerary

Day 1 VANCOUVER

Welcome to Vancouver! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.

Once settled, perhaps head out and start exploring this vibrant, culturally diverse city between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains. Take a walk along the waterfront or explore the city’s thriving culinary scene, with a wide variety of cuisines to choose from.

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Day 2 VANCOUVER

This morning, enjoy an included city tour highlighting Stanley Park, the harbour, beaches, and more. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring this exciting city. Perhaps take a water taxi to Granville Island to browse the bustling Public Market and relax at one of its waterfront cafés, or spend time in historic Gastown, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood, known for its cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture, and the iconic Gastown Steam Clock.

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Day 3 VANCOUVER–KELOWNA

Depart Vancouver and journey through British Columbia’s fertile valleys and mountain forests to Okanagan Lake. Travel along the lake to the resort city of Kelowna, situated on the lakeshore and surrounded by orchards and vineyards.

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Day 4 KELOWNA–BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Head north through the Okanagan Valley, famous for its peaches and vineyards, and climb 4,364-foot-high Rogers Pass, a National Historic Site in Glacier National Park. Make a photo stop at the pass to capture the views of rugged mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Enter Yoho National Park and ascend Kicking Horse Pass at 5,332 feet. Reach Banff National Park, nestled in the heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies, for a two-night stay.

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Day 5 BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Take an orientation tour this morning, then enjoy the day exploring Banff, Canada’s first national park and home to 53 species of mammals. Deer, elk, and big horn sheep are among the wildlife most commonly seen. Hike, shop in town, or relax at the hot springs. Perhaps treat yourself to an optional helicopter flight for spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies. Or if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, join the Panoramas & Peaks* optional excursion to visit stunning Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

*This optional excursion begins operating in early June.

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Day 6 BANFF NATIONAL PARK–LAKE LOUISE–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–JASPER NATIONAL PARK

First, travel to Lake Louise, where turquoise waters reflect the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Then continue north to see steep gorges, snowcapped peaks, and brilliant blue and green lakes along the Icefields Parkway. Stop at the Columbia Icefield for a ride on the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels across ice measuring up to 750 feet/228 meters thick, and walk on Athabasca Glacier. Upon arrival in Jasper, enjoy an orientation tour of the town.

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Day 7 JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Today is free to enjoy everything Jasper has to offer, from quaint shops to opportunities for wildlife viewing. Perhaps join an optional narrated cruise on the glacial-blue waters of Maligne Lake to legendary Spirit Island*, where you’ll learn about the history, geology, flora, and fauna of the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. Later, enjoy an optional scenic float trip down the Athabasca River.

*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June.

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Day 8 JASPER NATIONAL PARK–MOUNT ROBSON–SUN PEAKS

Depart Jasper and follow the Fraser River to the base of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 12,972 feet. Continue along the Yellowhead Highway, following the North Thompson River on a route once used by fur trappers. Overnight in the mountain resort village of Sun Peaks.

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Day 9 SUN PEAKS–LILLOOET–WHISTLER

Head south, following the once treacherous Cariboo Wagon Trail. Via Lillooet, “Mile 0 of the Gold Rush Route,” your motorcoach follows the shores of Seton and Duffey Lakes before a late-afternoon arrival in Whistler for a two-night stay. Enjoy an evening at leisure to start exploring this resort town, surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery.

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Day 10 WHISTLER

Spend the day in Whistler, located at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Have free time to explore the many sites of the 2010 Winter Olympics, or choose your own adventure from a variety of optional excursions, including a Ziptrek Adventure through an old-growth temperate rainforest, a guided Tree-Trek Canopy Walk along suspension bridges and boardwalks high in the forest canopy, or a ride on the Guinness World Record holding PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola* between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains!

*Operation of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola is seasonal and may not be available on all departure dates.

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Day 11 WHISTLER–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA

Set sail across the Strait of Georgia to Victoria, British Columbia’s capital city, on scenic Vancouver Island. Afternoon sightseeing includes world-famous Butchart Gardens, home to 55 acres of spectacular floral displays, followed by a tour of the picturesque city featuring Legislative Buildings, Bastion Square, Inner Harbour, and Thunderbird Park, known for its impressive collection of First Nations totem poles.

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Day 12 VICTORIA

A day at leisure offers the chance to discover this charming city. Consider a visit to the Royal British Columbia Museum, shop along Government Street, or take a leisurely stroll around the harbour. Or choose an optional wildlife and whale-watching expedition through the waters of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, with the chance to spot whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles.

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Day 13 VICTORIA–FERRY CROSSING–VANCOUVER (EMBARKATION)

Board a scenic ferry to the mainland. Upon arrival, say goodbye to your Tour Director and transfer to Canada Place to board Holland America’s MS Koningsdam or MS Zaandam for your Inside Passage cruise. Your package includes Holland America’s ‘Have It All Premium Cruise Package.'

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Day 14 SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE

Spend the day cruising the Inside Passage, one of the world’s longest sheltered inland waterways. Located along the coast of British Columbia, this scenic route is known for forested islands, quiet channels, and opportunities to see orcas and humpback whales.

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Day 15 JUNEAU

Located at the foot of mountain peaks along Gastineau Channel, Alaska’s capital city of Juneau is the gateway to Mendenhall Glacier and the Juneau Icefield. Visit the rustic shops in town or choose from outdoor adventures including kayaking, rafting, hiking, whale watching, flightseeing, or fishing. With long daylight hours, opportunities for adventure seem endless.

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Day 16 SKAGWAY

Skagway is considered the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, when thousands of prospectors passed through town on their way to the Yukon Territory, enduring treacherous winter conditions in search of fortune.

Explore gold rush lore at the Trail of ’98 Museum or visit the Red Onion Saloon, home to memorabilia featuring Klondike Kate, Peahull Annie, and other colorful characters from the era. Or simply walk on the boardwalks along the dirt streets and browse the shops.

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Day 17 SCENIC CRUISING: GLACIER BAY

Cruise through Glacier Bay National Park, where snow-capped, forested mountains line the shoreline. Keep your binoculars and camera ready as you sail to the mile-wide Margerie Glacier, where you may witness the dramatic spectacle of ice calving. Glacier Bay is also home to abundant wildlife, so watch for humpback whales, grizzly bears, seals, sea otters, and bald eagles along the way.

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Day 18 KETCHIKAN

Named Alaska’s “First City,” Ketchikan is often the first major port of call for cruisers entering the fjords of the Inside Passage. Here, the town lines the shores of the Tongass Narrows, surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. An important hub for the salmon fishing and seafood processing industries, Ketchikan offers the opportunity to try your luck on a sportfishing excursion, savor fresh seafood at a local restaurant, or explore the rich cultural heritage of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples.

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Day 19 SCENIC CRUISING: INSIDE PASSAGE

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 and 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.

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Day 20 VANCOUVER (DISEMBARKATION)

Your vacation ends this morning. Please schedule homebound flights after noon.

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 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.

WADE GRUHL

Escorting tours for more than 10 years

Hi, I am Wade Gruhl. After growing up in Iowa, I have lived in Alaska since 2000. What attracted and keeps me here are the mountains, animals, lakes, rivers and the wide open spaces. I enjoy hiking, camping, skiing, dog walks, travelling and exploring Alaska. I started as a wilderness hiking guide in Skagway in 1998, and have been sharing this amazing place with people ever since. I began Tour Directing in 2015 and am excited for the opportunity to enhance your visit to Alaska and the Yukon which is my favorite region on this planet.

Tour Director - WADE GRUHL

 Accommodations

 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 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Banff National Park
Jasper National Park
Whistler
Victoria

Banff National Park

Helicopter Tours

Helicopter Tours

Discover unparalleled views of the Canadian Rockies and the Banff National Park region by helicopter. There are several options to choose from, but all deliver spectacular opportunities for a once in a lifetime experience in the Rockies.

Price Range: $$$$

Canyons & Peaks of the Canadian Rockies with Moraine Lake

Canyons & Peaks of the Canadian Rockies with Moraine Lake

Visit the world-famous Moraine Lake, nestled in the breathtaking Valley of the Ten Peaks - a truly iconic and exclusive destination in the Canadian Rockies. With personal vehicle access no longer permitted, reaching Moraine Lake is now a privilege reserved for the select few, making our visit all the more special! Often called the Crown Jewel of the Canadian Rockies, Moraine Lake's striking turquoise waters and dramatic mountain setting make for an unforgettable alpine adventure.

Price Range: $

Jasper National Park

Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island

Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island

Immerse yourself in the very essence of the Canadian Rockies on this exceptional cruise across the glacial waters of Maligne Lake to legendary Spirit Island!

Price Range: $$

Athabasca River Float Trip

Athabasca River Float Trip

Enjoy some of Jasper National Park's very best scenery from water level on this exciting rafting float trip along the Athabasca River!

Price Range: $$

Ultimate Jasper Nature Walk

Ultimate Jasper Nature Walk

Experience the majestic scenery of Jasper National Park on foot. This guided nature walk will feature a spectacular array of rolling hills, jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams and stunning glacial lakes. Your licensed interpreter will lead this leisurely walk as you explore the abundant flora and fauna along these routes that often offer incredible opportunities to spot wildlife. Marvel at snow-capped peaks during the months of May and early June, in mid-summer the forest and alpine meadows are ablaze in glorious wildflower shades of red, blue, yellow and white. By late August and through the month of September, the mountain landscapes glow with the red, orange, and gold of the Larch and Aspen trees.

Price Range: $$

Whistler

Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

The Squamish and Lil'wat people, proudly invite you to learn about the BC First Nations cultures at this award winning cultural center.

Price Range: $

Floatplane Tour

Floatplane Tour

There's no place quite like Whistler, and there's simply no better way to explore it than from the air during an exciting flightseeing tour!

Price Range: $$$$

Ziptrek Adventure

Ziptrek Adventure

Operating in a true old-growth temperate rainforest, your Whistler zipline journey takes you through the forest via suspension bridges, treetop observation platforms, ground based trails and ziplines. Choose from two different zipline excursions.

Price Range: $$$$

Victoria

Marine Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition

Marine Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition

Discover the wildlife wonders of Vancouver Island during this inspiring cruise in search of the area's abundant marine animals and pods of orca whales!

Price Range: $$$$



The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).