Day 1 – Arrival in Vancouver
Depart Sydney at 10:00 on Air Canada, with your flight arriving in Vancouver at 07:00 on the same day. After completing customs and collecting your baggage, take a short trip to the B&B where you can refresh with a shower and a change of clothes.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure, giving you the perfect opportunity to explore Vancouver, a city frequently recognised as one of the world’s most liveable. Consider discovering English Bay or Stanley Park by bicycle, where you can admire the intricately carved totem poles and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.
Day 2 – Vancouver
Join our local tour guide for a three-hour walking / bus tour of Vancouver. Including Granville Island and the markets. Afternoon free to further explore – think about the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Evening meal at any of many Gastown restaurants and bars.
Day 3 – Vancouver to Anchorage
Mid-morning transfer to the airport for a 12:05 direct flight to Anchorage, arriving at 14:25. Afternoon free to explore Anchorage. A 2-hourTrolley Tour as an orientation of the city is provided. Accommodation at the Lakefront.
Day 4 – Anchorage exploring
Collect Avis vehicles. A free day to explore Anchorage and surrounds -perhaps the Alaska Native Heritage Centre, one of the many micro-breweries or a half day trip to the Turnagain Arm along the Seward Parkway.
Day 5 – Anchorage to Talkeetna
Depart Anchorage by car after breakfast for a two-hour drive to Talkeetna stopping at Wassalis for lunch along the way. Talkeetna is a one street old fashioned hippy heritage town that will entertain you for a few hours with many interesting dining opportunities. Overnight Talkeetna.
Day 6 – Denali National Park
Short drive to Denali National Park entrance to join Traverse Alaska for day long park walking excursion with North America’s highest mountain Mt. McKinley overlooking us. Much of the walk on the tundra above the tree line with 360 degree stunning wilderness views. With any luck you might come across a bear or some caribou. Accommodation at Denali Cabins.
Day 7 – Denali National Park
Second day to hike and explore the park. Many options including a half day bus/ walking trip with more Grizzly and caribou and other wildlife and wildflower sightings. Overnight Denali Cabins.
Day 8 – Denali to Tok
A reasonable full day – post breakfast drive to Fairbanks (2 hours), with a short visit to downtown Fairbanks followed by a 3.5-hour drive to Tok via the township of North Pole where the streetlights are in the shape of candy canes. Good photo opportunity. Dinner time arrival. Nothing to see in Tok which is a hunting and fishing town. Accommodation Tok RV Village.
Day 9 – Tok to Dawson City
Big drive to-day so an early start. 300km on famous “Top of the World Highway”. A fabulous drive along the top of mountain ranges, interspersed with Birch and Spruce forests. Cross border into Canada -Yukon and cross the Yukon River into Dawson City. Accommodation at Aurora Inn Dawson City which is an historic Gold Rush town with loads of character. In the evening visit Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall for some can-can dancing or try the famous Sourtoe Cocktail bar.
Day 10 – Dawson City to Whitehorse
A couple of hours wandering around this fabulous old gold rush town with odd -shaped buildings because of the shifting permafrost. A late morning start to arrive in Whitehorse at dinner time. Both towns Dawson City and Whitehorse have lots of gold rush history. Depending on our time of arrival the night before, will determine our departure time. Will have a couple of hours the following morning to explore Whitehorse. Accommodation Edgewater Hotel.
Day 11 – Whitehorse to Skagway
A relaxing day. Morning wander around Whitehorse before 10 am departure for border crossing back into USA and onto Skagway, passing through a little village named Chicken along the way. Then onto Carcross for lunch. Carcross is a First Nations town with interesting places to explore. Mid-afternoon arrival in Skagway and drop off the cars. Skagway is another gold rush town with lots of history –unfortunately discovered by the Cruise Ships. Evenings are pleasant after the ships have left. Accommodation -Historic Skagway Inn built in 1897 initially as a Brothel for the prospectors.
Day 12 – Skagway to Gustavus/Glacier Bay
Mid-morning sea plane or Cesna ½ hour flight into Gustavus. Some of the most spectacular scenery you will ever experience- extensive waterways dotted with islands, huge glaciers and high lakes. Transfer to Glacier Bay lodge. Afternoon free for kayaking, walking etc. Accommodation Glacier Bay Lodge.
Day 13 – Glacier Bay Exploring
Join Glacier Bay small boat cruise 7:30. A Day of Fjords, inlets, otters floating by on their backs, humpback whales, and a range of birdlife. Guided by a very knowledgeable local, with the highlight being sailing up close to the Johns Hopkins Glacier and hearing the ice calvings. The big cruise ships must stay 5 miles away.
Day 14 – Juneau and Inside Passage Cruising
A mid-morning Cessna flight over the Mendenhall Glacier to Juneau. Some free time in Juneau before early evening departure on the Alaska Marine highway ferry. Bring your own wine as it’s a dry ship. Outside Cabin accommodation included.
Day 15 – Inside Passage cruising to Prince Rupert
Relaxing day cruising the Inside Passage with an early afternoon stop at Ketchikan for a couple of hours. Head to Creek Street to see the salmon swimming upstream to the hatchery. A quick visit in an historical town. Back onto the ferry arriving in Prince Rupert at 10pm.
Day 16 – Prince Rupert Exploring
Relaxing day in Prince Rupert. Visit the First Nations Museum and Cow Bay for lunch or dinner.
Day 17 – Inside Passage Cruising
Early morning departure on BC Ferries at 07:30 for next stage of Inside Passage cruise across to Port Hardy arriving at 11:30 pm. Outside cabin included. Transfer to Telegraph Point Lodge from ferry port.
Day 18 – Telegraph Cove Exploring
A relaxing day around Telegraph Cove. Afternoon hike through the woods up to a peak to look over the tree tops towards Queen Charlotte Strait.
Day 19 – Telegraph Cove small boat trip to view Grizzlies
An early start for a Tide Rip small boat trip to view Grizzlies up close. Leaving Telegraph point you might see some Orca killer whales. Finally getting to the bear homes where you can see them feeding on shoreline mussels or perhaps some salmon. The occasional sea lion on the way home.
Day 20 – Telegraph Point to Tofino
Collect the cars for the drive to Tofino. Highway 19 all the way, with a stop at the Goat on the Roof Café. Mid-afternoon arrival.
Day 21 – Tofino and Ucluelet exploring
Rain forest walks, whale watching and indigenous culture understanding opportunities. Canada’s best surfing beach – boards can be rented.
Day 22 – Half Day drive to Victoria
Afternoon exploring downtown Victoria, parliament buildings, museum of natural history, plenty of interesting pubs.– accommodation at historic Beaconsfield Inn.
Day 23 – 'Victoria Exploring and Butchart Gardens Visit
Morning guided tour of Victoria 1.5 hours in large mini-van – Parliament house, floating homes and Beacon Hill Park, etc. Then a late morning drive to the Butchart Gardens. Need 2 to 3 hours to explore the famous gardens.
Day 24 – Victoria to Whistler
After breakfast drive cars to airport – drop off before checking in for short flight to Vancouver. Collect cars and make way over the Lions Gate Bridge up the beautiful/scenic Sea to Sky highway to Whistler. About 2.5 hours from the airport. Accommodation Chateau Whistler or equivalent.
Day 25 – Whistler Exploring
Whistler has something for everyone. Great golf courses, a Gondola ride to the top for some hiking or trail bike riding or mountain bike riding. Great day walks around some glacier lakes nearby, and lots of retail and dining adventures in the village.
Day 26 – Free day in Whistler
Day 27 – Whistler to Revelstoke
Early start after breakfast for drive to Revelstoke. Outstanding scenery of lakes, mountains and rivers along the way – Revelstoke overnight home of Canada’s premier heli-skiing and Canadian railway heritage.
Day 28 – Revelstoke to Lake Moraine
More spectacular scenery – equal to or better than the Rocky Mountaineer train offering. Many photo opportunities along the way. Three-hour drive to Moraine Lake. Afternoon for hiking or canoeing on the lake.
Day 29 – Rest Day Lake Moraine
Relaxing around Lake Moraine. Depending on the weather, more hiking in the morning followed by a short drive to Lake Louise for an afternoon tea at the Chateau finishing up with some time in Banff.
Day 30 – Lake Moraine to Jasper
Drive from Lake Moraine to Jasper via Icefields Parkway. Optional stops along the way including Athabasca Glacier. Early afternoon arrival in Jasper allowing time to explore village. Overnight Jasper.
Day 31 – Jasper to Edmonton Airport
Drive from Jasper to Edmonton (about 4 hours) airport. Drop car off and join Air Canada flight to Vancouver for late evening connection back to Sydney.