ROCKIES EXPLORER & ALASKA CRUISE

20 Days Vancouver Return

Touring

Your Included Signature Experiences

Meet a Mountie in Banff and hear tales of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Explore The Butchart Gardens before the crowds arrive and enjoy breakfast in the original Butchart family residence

Day 01. Depart London, Arrive Vancouver

Fly from London Heathrow to Vancouver. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Meet your fellow travellers and APT Tour Director at a welcome dinner this evening.

Two Night Stay: Vancouver, Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. D

Day 02. Vancouver

Visit Stanley Park, a 400-hectare evergreen oasis, or head to Granville Island, heart of Vancouver’s cultural scene. Then, enjoy views of English Bay. With free time this afternoon, and evening, you may wish to immerse yourself in this harbourside city at your leisure. Perhaps wander the old cobblestone streets of Gastown, the birthplace of Vancouver, or visit the shopping mecca of Robson Street. B

Day 03. Vancouver, Rocky Mountaineer, Kamloops

Board the Rocky Mountaineer and relax in your GoldLeaf carriage as you head into the mountains aboard one of the only passenger trains covering this historic route. Glide past incredible scenery as your train follows the Thompson River on the way to Kamloops. Stay: Kamloops, hotel as assigned by Rocky Mountaineer (Kamloops has limited three-star accommodation). BL

Day 04. Kamloops, Rocky Mountaineer, Banff

Your rail journey continues towards the Canadian Rockies today. Journey through vast ranch lands, past Shuswap Lake and along the South Thompson River. See the engineering marvel of the Spiral Tunnels and traverse Kicking Horse Pass. On arrival in Banff National Park, head to your hotel. Two Night Stay: Banff National Park, Fairmont Banff Springs, in a Mountain View Room. BL

Day 05. Banff

Enjoy a Freedom of Choice Sightseeing activity this morning. You may wish to join the Banff Experience tour, which includes sightseeing with a local guide and a visit to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Alternatively, ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for views of the park or take to the skies on a heli-sightseeing trip. You may also choose to enjoy a float trip along the Bow River. Perhaps you would prefer to take a tour of the Canmore Eagles’ dressing room. Try on the team’s gear and step onto the ice to experience a day in the life of a Canadian ice hockey player. Last, but not least, why not simply relax at the Willow Stream Spa. For dinner, choose from one of your hotel’s many restaurants. BD

Day 06. Banff, Lake Louise

Meet a Mountie and hear tales of the iconic Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Travel via the stunning alpine scenery of Moraine Lake to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, overlooking the lake’s impossibly blue waters. For dinner, choose from one of your hotel’s exceptional restaurants.

Stay: Banff National Park, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. BD

Day 07. Lake Louise, Athabasca Glacier, Jasper

Join Highway 93, otherwise known as the Icefields Parkway, and wind along one of the world’s most scenic stretches of road, past glaciers, vast icefields, sweeping valleys and brilliant blue lakes. After pausing to take in Peyto Lake, make a stop at the giant Columbia Icefield. Here, you’ll board a specially designed Ice Explorer vehicle and journey right onto the Athabasca Glacier. Continue on via Athabasca Falls to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, located on the shores of pristine Lac Beauvert. For dinner, choose from one of your hotel’s many restaurants.

Stay: Jasper National Park, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. BD

Day 08. Jasper, Mt Robson, Sun Peaks

This morning, join the Yellowhead Highway with a stop to take in views of Mt Robson, then continue your journey to the alpine resort of Sun Peaks.

Stay: Sun Peaks Grand Hotel. BD

Day 09. Sun Peaks, Whistler

Travel through the historic Cariboo region, where gold pioneers once roamed, via the rural town of Lillooet. Stop at the picturesque Seton and Duffey lakes, before re-entering the Coast Mountains on your way to the famous alpine resort village of Whistler, one of Canada’s premium adventure destinations.

Stay: The Westin Whistler Resort and Spa. B

Day 10. Whistler, Georgia Strait, Victoria Today, travel south from Whistler, along the Sea to Sky Highway, to stunning Horseshoe Bay. From here, you will take a ferry across the bay to Vancouver Island and the small city of Nanaimo. Then, continue by coach via Chemainus, arriving later in the beautiful city of Victoria.

Two Night Stay: Victoria, Hotel Grand Pacific. B

Day 11. Victoria, The Butchart Gardens

Visit The Butchart Gardens before the crowds and enjoy breakfast in the original Butchart family residence. There is time to meander through the beautiful floral displays here. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. On the final evening of your land journey, join a special dinner with your fellow travellers. BD

Day 12. Victoria, Vancouver, Embark Ship

After breakfast this morning, return by ferry to the mainland, where 13-day (UT13BEVF) guests depart the tour. Remaining guests will board their ship.

Seven Night Cruise: Holland America Line in a verandah stateroom. BD

Day 13. Inside Passage

Enjoy a full day at sea as your ship cruises along coastal British Columbia and the

Alaska Panhandle. Glide past rocky headlands and over the icy waters of one of the most picturesque sea lanes in the world, and one of the few places where deep-draft vessels can sail close to steep mountain walls. BLD

Day 14. Juneau

Continue your journey to Juneau, set at the foot of the majestic Coast Mountains on the Gastineau Channel. Here, you may explore at leisure, or set off on an exciting excursion (own expense). BLD

Day 15. Skagway

Arrive in Skagway at the northernmost point of the Inside Passage. There is a variety of unique excursions on offer (own expense), or set out on your own discovery. BLD

Day 16. Glacier Bay National Park

Today you will draw back your curtains to the sight of World Heritage-listed Glacier Bay National Park. As you cruise through rivers of ice and between sky-scraping peaks, you’ll enjoy commentary from local rangers who have come aboard the vessel. They will explain the geological wonders of the passage and hopefully point out some of the diverse wildlife and marine mammals found here, such as sea lions and orcas. BLD

Day 17. Ketchikan

Arrive at the city of Ketchikan, set on the shores of the Tongass Narrows. Ketchikan acts as a gateway to a wide variety of attractions, including Misty Fjords National Monument – one of America’s largest wilderness areas. The town itself is a colourful place to wander through and revels in its frontier town status. Creek Street recalls the days when timber loggers, miners and fisherman would hit town to spend their hard-earned money with gusto. The city also lays claim to the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles. BLD

Day 18. Inside Passage

Head south today, back through the Inside Passage. Marvel once more at its majesty, as you head toward your final port of call. BLD

Day 19. Disembark Ship, Depart Vancouver

On arrival in Vancouver this morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B

Day 20. Arrive London

Arrive back in London today.

Your Luxury Holiday Includes

Return scheduled flights from London Heathrow

Maximum of 40 guests on your land journey

Enriching Signature Experiences and Freedom of Choice Inclusions

Two-day Rocky Mountaineer rail journey in GoldLeaf Service

Seven-night Inside Passage cruise with a guaranteed verandah

18 breakfasts (B), 8 lunches (L) and 13 dinners (D)

APT Tour Director and dedicated Cruise Liaison, plus local guides in select locations

Overseas transfers, port charges and tipping

2024 DATES & PRICES

20 Day Luxury Land Tour & Cruise (UT20BEVVF) from £8,895 per person, twin share†

Make the most of your days at sea with Holland America Line’s ‘Have it all’ offer including a Signature Beverage Package, wi-fi internet, a shore excursion and dinner at the ship’s Pinnacle Grill. Price: £280 per person.

Rockies Explorer

Explore charming alpine towns nestled within the Canadian Rockies, and enjoy in-depth discoveries of the spectacular cities of Vancouver and Victoria. Delight in a two-day rail adventure aboard the famous Rocky Mountaineer, and savour an overnight stay at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. You’ll also enjoy Signature Experiences in two destinations, and Freedom of Choice experiences in four. 13 days from £6,745 pp, twin share. Tour code: UT13BEVF.

13 Day Luxury Land Tour (UT13BEVF) from £6,745 per person, twin share†

2024 Departure Dates

Apr. 20*; May 4*, 11*, 25*; Jun. 15, 22; Jul. 27; Aug. 10, 24, 31; Sep. 11.

†Prices shown are per person, twin share, based on the 20 April 2024 departure. *Indicates itinerary varies slightly. Please enquire for cruise upgrade details and solo traveller prices.

For a detailed day-by-day itinerary, up-to-date prices, savings and departure dates, scan this QR code with your phone or device. –OR–

Search UT20BEVVF on aptouring.co.uk call 0800 012 6686 or consult your travel agent

PLEASE NOTE: For further information, as well as all terms and conditions, see pages 68-70.