Business Class + First Class Airfares – Luxury Travel Tours + Cruises – Your Holidays.com.au

Accommodation:  Luxury Cruise Ship and Hotels

Tour Code:  UHA23

Tour Duration: 23

Style: Ocean Cruises and Tours

Itinerary Valid: Apr 2012 – Dec 2012

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Itinerary

Day 1. Spectacular Vancouver

Upon arrival at Vancouver International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, join your Tour Director and fellow travellers for an informal and friendly Welcome Dinner.

Vancouver, The Fairmont Waterfront with spectacular views

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Day 2. Vancouver Sights, Victoria

Take a tour of Vancouver this morning and see the Waterfront, the cobblestone streets of Gastown, and Stanley Park. Later, board the ferry for a scenic cruise through Georgia Strait, a premier site for whale-watching. Arriving on Vancouver Island, journey to Victoria, British Columbia’s capital. Located on the sunny southern tip of the island, Victoria is famous for its distinct British feel. It has twice been voted the Best City in the Americas – and now it’s your chance to find out why.

Two Nights: Victoria, Delta Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa

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Day 3. Vancouver Island, Butchart Gardens, Freedom of Choice Touring

This morning visit the world-renowned Butchart Gardens for breakfast and enjoy time to explore the floral displays. Enjoy seeing the work of Jennie Butchart, whose gardens have delighted visitors for over 100 years. In the afternoon, choose from a selection of Freedom of Choice Touring activities unique to Victoria. These include whale watching, a horse-drawn carriage tour, a historic walking tour, a seaplane flight, a historic garden tour, or a traditional afternoon tea at The Fairmont Empress.

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Day 4. Georgia Strait, Coast Mountains, Whistler

You may wish to take our optional one-hour floatplane flight across stunning Georgia Strait to Whistler this morning (own expense). Alternatively, board the ferry and return on a scenic cruise to the mainland. Journey into the Coast Mountains, stopping at stunning Shannon Falls. Arrive at the alpine resort of Whistler, set in a spectacular location and considered an adventure playground throughout the year. After dinner, you’ll have the chance to explore to your heart’s content.

Whistler, Westin Resort and Spa

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Day 5. Cariboo Region, Sun Peaks

Follow the tracks of the early gold rush pioneers through the rugged Cariboo region, stretching across from the Pacific Ocean to the Cariboo Mountains. The region was discovered during the gold rush over 150 years ago, and is considered one of British Columbia’s most untouched areas. Many of the towns that developed during the gold rush have been preserved as heritage sites and tourist attractions.

Delta Sun Peaks Resort

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Day 6. Banff National Park, Dine Around Dinner

Follow the meandering South Thompson River to Shuswap Lake. Continue alongside Kicking Horse River, which leads you to Kicking Horse Pass and over the Continental Divide. Your trail leads you into Banff National Park, in the province of Alberta. After arriving at The Fairmont Banff Springs, settle in and choose which of the four restaurants you wish to dine in with our Dine Around Dinner.

Two Nights: The Fairmont Banff Springs, the Castle in the Rockies

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Day 7. Banff Sights, Freedom of Choice Touring

Today begins with a sightseeing tour of Banff and the surrounding area. Afterwards, join your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Your options include the Banff Experience, a round of golf at The Fairmont Banff Springs, a helicopter tour over the region, a float trip down the Bow River, a cruise along stunning Lake Minnewanka and more. It’s your choice and it’s all included as part of your tour.

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Day 8. Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Dine Around Dinner

This morning, arrive at the Banff Gondola and take a ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain, enjoying the incredible views of the Rockies. Then visit the blue-green Moraine Lake at the base of a valley hemmed in by ten lofty mountain peaks. Later, arrive at Lake Louise, a stunning lake set against the stark backdrop of Victoria Glacier. This afternoon, join a Mountain Heritage Guide for a walking tour along the lake’s shores, with expert commentary throughout. Tonight enjoy your Dine Around Dinner.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

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Day 9. Icefields Parkway, Athabasca Glacier, Jasper, Dine Around Dinner

Journey along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s great scenic drives, over massive icefields straddling the Continental Divide. Stop at many stunning lakes and rivers to admire the incredible views before arriving at the giant Columbia Icefield for a ride in a specially-designed Ice Explorer on the Athabasca Glacier. When the Ice Explorer stops, take the opportunity to get out onto the glacier and stand on ice that once fell as snow some 400 years ago. Arrive this afternoon in the fairytale Jasper National Park. Tonight you can choose where you’d like to dine with our Dine Around Dinner at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge’s four outstanding restaurants.

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

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Day 10. Rocky Mountaineer, Mt Robson

Board the world-renowned Rocky Mountaineer train. You’ll be travelling in GoldLeaf Service, meaning you can sit back, relax and be pampered in true comfort. Pass by Mt Robson, which at 3,954 metres is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. View the expansive glaciers of the Alberta Icefields and the two-tiered Pyramid Falls. See the snow-capped Monashee Mountains, which vary from glaciated peaks in the north, to low tree-covered hills further south. Then follow the Thompson River through rolling plateaus arriving in Kamloops late this afternoon. Tonight you may wish to take in an optional dinner show ‘Rhythms on the Rails’ in Kamloops (own expense).

Kamloops, hotel assigned by Rocky Mountaineer. Kamloops has limited accommodation (two or three-star hotels)

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Day 11. Kamloops, Vancouver

Rejoining the Rocky Mountaineer, continue the westward journey towards the Pacific Ocean. See the thundering waters of Hell’s Gate before entering the spectacular Fraser Canyon. The canyon overlooks a stretch of the Fraser River that descends rapidly through narrow rock gorges, and has become a highlight of your Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. You’ll view the towering peaks of the Coast Mountains and pass through the fertile fields of the Fraser Valley before arriving late this afternoon in Vancouver.

Vancouver, The Fairmont Waterfront with spectacular views

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Day 12. Alaska Princess Cruises Cruise

After a leisurely breakfast, make your way to the waterfront and board your ship for your cruise of the magnificent Inside Passage.

Seven Night Cruise: Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess or Sapphire Princess in a premium Verandah Stateroom

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Day 13. Cruise the Inside Passage

Spend the day cruising the Inside Passage, watching the scenery slip by and enjoying the ship’s amenities. Enjoy the views as your ship sails past rocky headlands and glides over the still blue waters of the Inside Passage. Take the time to explore your cruise ship and its facilities – perhaps stroll the teak decks, work out in the ship’s fitness centre or be pampered in the spa. Or simply sit back, relax and watch the stunning landscapes drift past.

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Day 14. Ketchikan

Widely regarded as the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan is the place to indulge in all things salmon. Perhaps join a tour of the town, visiting the busy fishing harbour and totem park, or immerse yourself in the Tlingit Indian culture at Saxman Native Village (own expense).

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Day 15. Juneau

Today visit Juneau, Alaska’s capital. Settled by gold miners in 1880, Juneau is a trade centre of the Panhandle area. You can experience a dog sled ride over a glacier, sample salmon baked over a fire, or pan for gold. You might also like to visit the Alaskan State Museum, featuring Tlingit and Athabascan Indian and Eskimo exhibits (own expense).

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Day 16. Skagway

Located at the northernmost point of the Inside Passage, Skagway’s history as a frontier town and gold rush gateway remains evident today. Possessing one of the oldest narrow-gauge railroads in the world, Skagway retains the flavour of days gone by and remains an important link to Alaska’s rich history. Choose to take in the breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges and waterfalls from the comfort of vintage passenger coaches as you traverse cliff-hanging turns, bridges and trestles.

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Day 17. Glacier Bay

Wake to Glacier Bay National Park with its rivers of ice and sky-scraping peaks. Rangers come aboard to explain the geological wonders and point out some of the wildlife and marine mammals that call this place home.

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Day 18. College Fjord

Cruise College Fjord, with its five tidewater glaciers, five large valley glaciers and dozens of smaller glaciers – most of which were named after Ivy League schools by the Harriman Expedition of 1899.

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Day 19. Whittier, Anchorage, Mt McKinley

Disembark today in Whittier and board the Princess Rail Service for a memorable rail journey to Talkeetna, at the base of Mt McKinley. Travel on to your splendid wilderness lodge that borders the south side of Denali National Park near the Chulitna River.

Two Nights: Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, with stunning views of Mt McKinley and Denali National Park

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Day 20. Mt McKinley

Enjoy a full day at leisure today, exploring the surrounds of North America’s highest peak, Mt McKinley, a high pyramid of glacial rock. Choose from a selection of optional excursions (own expense) or just relax at the lodge.

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Day 21. Princess Rail Service to Denali

Board the Princess Rail Service dome car through the Alaskan tundras to Denali National Park. (Guests cruising aboard the Diamond Princess will travel from Mt McKinley to Denali by luxury coach.) Tonight, enjoy the Music of the Denali Dinner Show.

Two Nights: Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, basecamp for your Denali adventure

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Day 22. Denali

Today, enjoy a Natural History Tour, delving deep into Denali’s 400,000 hectare expanse. The park abounds with wildlife, including caribou and grizzly bears. Tonight, dine at the King Salmon Restaurant.

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Day 23. Denali, Fairbanks

This morning transfer from Denali to Fairbanks for your flight home. (Own expense when booking land and cruise only).

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Finest Dining

* 22 Full Breakfasts, 10 Lunches and 18 Dinners

* Dine Around Dinners – Enjoy a choice of delicious cuisine at restaurants in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper

Tour Notes

* Prices include port charges and taxes

* Departure transfer – onward flight to depart no earlier than 1 pm * Conditions apply

* 13 Day land only tour, refer to tour code UHA13

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2012 Rates

All prices are displayed in Australian Dollars (AUD)

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