British Columbia and Alaska Grand Tour – short 17 days
Day 1 – Arrival in Vancouver
Upon your arrival at Vancouver International Airport, you will be welcomed by a member of our team, who will transfer you to your hotel. At this time, you will be able to take a small introductory tour of the city along the route to your hotel, which will be the Westin Bayshore, Sheraton or Century Plaza. You will stay here for the next two nights to acclimatize. Our ROAD BOOK will be delivered to you upon arrival, and will indicate several dinner options for you to choose from.
Day 2– Beautiful Vancouver…and let’s go… to Tofino !!!
Today, you will meet your guide again for a Vancouver city tour – starting in the green heart of the city, Stanley Park, which boasts a beautiful seawall and aquarium. Main attractions of the city also include the Lions Gate Bridge as well as the Capilano Suspension Bridge and salmon hatchery. In the early afternoon, you will head to Horseshoe Bay and board the ferry for Vancouver Island. You will arrive in Nanaimo after 1 hour and 35 minutes of crossing, and then continue on to Tofino, which will be reached after approximately 2.5 hours of driving. Here, you will stay for two days in a magnificent lodge facing one of the most spectacular beaches along the Pacific Rim.
From Nanaimo to Tofino, 130 miles
Day 3 – The Pacific Rim and its fauna
Today you will set out on an ocean excursion where you’ll spot the orca whales and large sea lions that inhabit the Pacific arm. In the afternoon, you have the option to go kayaking in beautiful Tofino bay amongst thousands of gloomy islands, or go for a walk towards the sunset along the gorgeous West Coast Trail. In the evening, return to your lodge and enjoy dinner out in the town, in front of the stunning bay.
Day 4 – Campbell River and April Point
Make your way to the eastern point of the island for an incredible eco-adventure in the Great Bear Rainforest. You will arrive at Campbell River and check in for an overnight stay at the beautiful April Point on Quadra Island. This will only be a stopover before tomorrow’s tour, and an opportunity to relax, spending a wonderful day out on Discovery Bay and romantic dinner at sunset.
Tofino – Campbell River: 170 miles
Days 5, 6 & 7 – Great Bear Rainforest, Johnston Strait orcas and Bute Inlet grizzlies
Departing from Campbell River, you will drive north to Telegraph Cove where two spectacular days of observation await you. Upon arrival, check in to the beautiful lodge – a cabin restored on the boardwalk of Telegraph Cove that will be your starting point for two exciting exploration excursions to the Great Bear Rainforest. This area lies between the Bute Inlet and the Broughton Archipelago along the Queen Charlotte Strait and the Johnston Strait, with observation sites that you will reach via boats. The magnificent Great Bear Rainforest is described in a recent issue of National Geographic as the jewel of Canadian nature. On the morning of the sixth day, you will depart from Telegraph Cove harbour on a whale-watching tour, where you’ll view legendary orca whales. Once you’ve completed this magnificent experience, you will head back to Telegraph Cove – and if you have not already done so, can visit the village of Port McNeill along with Cape Scott, the last park on the northernmost part of Vancouver Island. The next day, you will go to Knight Inlet, where you will find the dense community of grizzlies of the Great Bear Rainforest. These three days are equivalent to a safari in one of the most ecologically rich areas on our planet. You will spend the last day in Port Hardy in a hotel, where you will return your rental car.
Campbell River – Telegraph Cove: 170 miles
Day 8 – Inside Passage
At 7.30am – you will have to be at the docks two hours before check-in – you will set sail for the spectacular Inside Passage. During this crossing, you will take in the endless observation opportunities and incredible views from the deck of the ship. A landscape of fjords and gigantic canyons, along with majestic orcas and dolphins alongside the vessel, will accompany you on this wonderful first day of sailing. You will arrive in Prince Rupert at 10.30pm for an overnight stay at the Crest or Coast Hotel.
From Canada to Alaska
Days 9 & 10 – the Inside Passage of Alaska – Juneau
From Prince Rupert, you will embark on a new adventure at sea on the ferry following the route of the beautiful Inside Passage of Alaska, leading to Juneau. You will have one comfortable and spacious room with a view, and will spend a day and a half on the ship, gazing out at one of the most spectacular sea sections in the world. The modern and comfortable boat will provide meals served in the on-board restaurants. You will arrive the following day in Juneau, where you will stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 11 – Juneau and Mendenhall Glacier
Juneau, Alaska’s capital, is considered by locals to be the most beautiful city in the country: it’s also known by its nickname “little San Francisco”. Feel free to stroll through the central streets populated by old pubs, art galleries, cozy bars and sophisticated restaurants. Juneau is the departure point for various Alaskan excursions, with today’s activity being kayaking in the bay of the Mendenhall Glacier. You will be picked up from the hotel for the 2.5 hour spectacular event, and after the tour will be escorted back to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Possible excursion by seaplane to the Observatory of grizzlies of Admiralty Island
Day 12 – Gustavus and Glacier Bay
With today’s approximately one-hour flight, you will reach Gustavus: the gateway to Glacier Bay, known as the most important Alaskan glacier. Then, you will embark on a beautiful cruise ship for your icy adventure. On board you will enjoy a tasty lunch while you sail under the famous glacier fronts and observe the spectacular fauna, including orcas, dolphins and sea lions. Big blue whales and humpback whales feed in the bay, and during this time of year they come from the southern seas to begin the breeding and nursing period of newborns. At the end of the tour, you will return to Gustavus and board your flight back to Juneau. From here, you will fly directly to Anchorage, where you will arrive in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay at the Crown Hotel or the Western Baranoff.
Day 13 – Kenai Fjords National Park
At 7am, you will take the bus to Seward, which will be the starting point for your tour of the Kenai Fjords National Park. Here, you will fly for almost 87 miles to partake in one of the most exciting eco-tourism experiences in North America. The abundance of scenery between the glaciers, and the incredible land and marine wildlife, make for an unforgettable day. Experts of the region, who will explain the ethology and geology of the park, will guide you through the tour. During the cruise, a lunch will be served on board. Upon your return in the afternoon, you will settle back at Seward in your lodge.
Day 14– Transfer to Denali Park
This morning, you will spend a few hours visiting the cool Northern town of Seward, and then go to the bus depot to depart for Denali. You will travel by coach bus, a convenient and spectacular way to reach the park. Relax and enjoy the beautiful views while sitting in the comfortable armchairs. You will arrive at Denali Park in the evening and check in to your beautiful lodge, where you can rest up for tomorrow’s excursion.
Day 15 – Denali National Park visit
Your lodge is the perfect starting point for today’s exploration of Denali National Park, the huge park that surrounds Mount McKinley and is home to 39 species of mammals, including grizzlies, black bears, moose, bighorn sheep, wolves and wolverines. Here, there are 167 species of birds, 10 species of fish as well as approximately 650 species of flowering plants and about as many species of moss, lichen, mushrooms and seaweed. Filled with majestic nature, you can experience it all on your 12-13 hour guided hike along the Kantishna Wilderness Trails, considered the best route for viewing the many beauties of the park. During the hike, you will be served a snack, while lunch will be included at the Kantishna Roadhouse, where you will also have an opportunity to see a sled dog demonstration. Upon your return in the late afternoon, you will have free time on your own before dinner at the lodge (not included).
Day 16 – Denali – Anchorage on GoldStar Dome
Today at about 11am you will set out to the Denali Depot to begin your spectacular journey on the Gold Star Dome Rail Road Train. You will be seated on a special carriage specially built with large glass windows that will allow you to comfortably observe the wonderful nature of Alaska. Just like in the movies, the magnificent scenes of Mount McKinley will be on display. Pay attention to the numerous animals that you can spot throughout the journey, including bears, elk, deer, wolves, swans and storks in flight. You will arrive at Anchorage at 8pm and will check in to the Crown Plaza, the newest hotel in the city equipped with the utmost comforts.
Day 17 – Return Flight
Today, you will be transferred to Anchorage Airport via hotel shuttle for your return flight.