Alaska and Canada Trip 2015
Fri Jun 12
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Fly to Vancouver Flight NZ24 departs 8.00 pm arrives same day at 2.15 pm
House exchange at White Rock for 5 nights 16.13911-16 Avenue, Surrey, BCV4A 1P8
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Wed Jun 17
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Travel to Victoria for 3 nights
Staying at Helms Inn, 600 Douglas St. (1 (250) 385 5767)
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Sat Jun 20
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Fly to Anchorage
Alaska Airlines 2383 departs 8.00 am to Seattle arrives 8.38 am
Alaska Airlines 147 departs 11.35am arrives Anchorage 2.06 pm
Day 1
Starts Spectacular Alaska tour Day 1
Stay at Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and Spa 401 East 6th Avenue
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Sun Jun 21
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Day 2
Meet your fellow travelling companions at this morning's welcome orientation. Travel through Palmer in the Matanuska Valley, where cabbages can grow to an amazing 70 pounds in the 24-hour daylight, up over Tahneta Pass for wonderful vistas of Matanuska and Worthington Glaciers. Stop at Bridal Veil Falls before arriving in the seaside port of Valdez, often referred to as the "Switzerland of Alaska." (Breakfast, Dinner)
Stay at Valdez Mountain Sky Hotel 100 Meals Avenue Valdez.
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Mon Jun 22
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Day 3
Board your boat for a CRUISE on Prince William Sound and along the 3-mile face of Columbia Glacier, keeping a watchful eye out for wildlife, including seals, sea otters, birds, and even whales! Before returning to Valdez, see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal, where supertankers are loaded with crude oil from Prudhoe Bay. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Stay at Valdez Mountain Sky Hotel 100 Meals Avenue Valdez
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Tue Jun 23
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Day 4
Great scenery all the way as you travel along Richardson Highway. Stop at DELTA JUNCTION, a living history homestead with a museum, original roadhouse, and farm animals. Then, head west on the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks, the state's second-largest city. (Breakfast)
Stay at Wedgewood Hotel 212 Wedgewood Drive Fairbanks
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Wed Jun 24
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Day 5
Visit GOLD DREDGE #8 and ride the narrow-gauge railroad. Then, try your luck as you pan for gold. Later today, board the sternwheeler DISCOVERY for a cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers, with a stop at the Chena Indian Village to learn about Athabascan Native culture. You will also have the chance to meet Iditarod mushers and their famed dog teams to learn about breeding, training, and the big race! This evening, enjoy a special Alaska salmon bake. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Stay at Wedgewood Hotel 212 Wedgewood Drive Fairbanks
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Thu Jun 25
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Day 6
Board the world-famous ALASKA RAILROAD for a journey through untamed wilderness. Today's ride ends at DENALI NATIONAL PARK, where North America's highest peak, 20,320-foot Mount McKinley (Denali), majestically dominates the park's 6 million acres. The afternoon is free. This evening, enjoy dinner at the Murie Science & Learning Center followed by an exclusive PRESENTATION on Denali National Park by a local Naturalist. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Stay at Denali Bluffs Hotel Mile Post 238, 4 Parks Highway, Denali National Park
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Fri Jun 26
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Day 7
Morning at leisure. Optional activities include a float trip down the Nenana River and a helicopter ride over the park. Then, dress comfortably for a WILDERNESS EXPEDITION into Denali National Park to seek out grizzly bear, caribou, moose, and other wildlife. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Stay at Denali Bluffs Hotel Mile Post 238, 4 Parks Highway, Denali National Park
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Sat Jun 27
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Day 8
Continue your exploration of Denali National Park as you head south toward Anchorage. Stop along the way at HAPPY TRAILS KENNELS, home of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser and his dogs. Meet an Iditarod competitor and learn how they race and care for their dogs. You will also see a demo on mushing, complete with a mock Iditarod checkpoint, and get a chance to play with the sled dogs! Upon arrival in Anchorage, enjoy a tour of the ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER. Afterward, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. Over desert, enjoy a special STORYTELLING presentation. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Stay at Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and Spa 401 East 6th Avenue Anchorage
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Sun Jun 28
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Day 9
Witness one of the world's most scenic drives as you follow the south shore of lovely Turnagain Arm. Upon arrival in Seward, board your vessel for a cruise of KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK and the opportunity to see glaciers calving into the sea, orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, and more! After your cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park, transfer to the pier to embark on your Holland America cruise ship, the MS Oosterdam . (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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Mon Jun 29
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Day 10 Cruising: Gulf of Alaska
Enjoy breathtaking scenery as we travel the route of Alaska's Marine Highway. The entire shoreline of the Gulf of Alaska is a rugged combination of forests, mountains, and tidewater glaciers. Be on the lookout for Alaska's wildlife including whales, seals, otters, puffins and more. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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Tue Jun 30
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Day 11 Scenic Cruising: Glacier Bay
Enjoy breathtaking scenery as we travel the route of Alaska's Marine Highway. The entire shoreline of the Gulf of Alaska is a rugged combination of forests, mountains, and tidewater glaciers. Be on the lookout for Alaska's wildlife including whales, seals, otters, puffins and more. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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Wed Jul 1
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Day 12 Haines
Nestled on the shores of America's longest fjord, Haines enjoys a spectacular setting. You may choose to take a float trip through Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, home to the largest annual gathering of bald eagles, or maybe visit the Sheldon Museum, art galleries, or local shops in town. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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Thu Jul 2
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Day13 Juneau
Visit one of the most remote capital cities—Juneau. Accessible only by air and water, Juneau is located at the base of two towering mountains in the heart of Alaska's Inside Passage, and is home to a rich Gold Rush history, Native culture, wildlife, and a wealth of natural wonders. Shop for gold nuggets, visit the stately Governor's Mansion, saunter through the swinging doors of the historic Red Dog Saloon, or visit mighty Mendenhall Glacier, an impressive river of ice that is 12 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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Fri Jul 3
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Day 14 Ketchikan
Experience Native Alaska firsthand. Meet the spirits of the raven, whale, and eagle as you view the largest collection of totems in the world at Saxman Totem Park or Totem Bight State Historic Park. Or, explore Creek Street, now home to contemporary art galleries and quaint boutiques. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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Sat Jul 4
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Day 15 Scenic Cruising: Inside Passage
Sit back and relax as you cruise through the beautiful and awe-inspiring scenery of the Inside Passage. Keep your cameras ready for spouting whales, soaring eagles, barking seals, and other wildlife. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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Sun Jul 5
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Day 16 Vancouver
The tour ends this morning. Guests depart on individual schedules; airport transfers are provided. (Breakfast)
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Sun Jul 5th
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Stay in Vancouver overnight
Century Plaza Hotel & Spa Vancouver 1015 Burrard Street V6Z 1Y5 Vancouver
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Mon Jul 6th
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Leave Vancouver on Rocky Mountaineer
Overnight in Kamloops
Next day continue on to Calgary
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Tue Jul 7th
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Stay at Grey Eagle Resort
For 4 nights
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Wed Jul 8th
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Day one of Calgary Stampede Afternoon Rodeo 1.15 pm
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Thu Jul 9th
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Day two of Calgary stampede Evening Show 7.45 pm
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Fri Jul 10th
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Free
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Sat July 11th
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Day 1 of Glacier National Park and the Rockies with Globus
Welcome to Calgary! At 6 pm, meet your travelling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
DELTA BOW VALLEY. 209-4TH AVENUE S.E., CALGARY. CANADA
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Sun Jul 12th
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Day 2
CALGARY-HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP-WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK.
Before departing Calgary, enjoy an orientation tour of the city's highlights. Travel south along the Macleod Trail. Just outside the town of Fort Macleod, visit HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, on to scenic WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK with a photo stop at Cameron Falls. (B)
BAYSHORE INN. 111 WATERTON AVENUE, WATERTON LAKES PARK. UNITED STATES
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Mon Jul 13th
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Day 3
WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK-GLACIER NATIONAL PARK-GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD-WHITEFISH.
Enter Montana through Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and behold the awesome snowcapped peaks of GLACIER NATIONAL PARK. A highlight awaits you as you board the famous vintage red 'JAMMER BUSES' that will take you along one of North America's most spectacular highways: Going-to-the-Sun Road. After crossing 2,031 metre (6,664 foot) high Logan Pass, enter a geographical wonderland of alpine scenery where jagged mountain peaks, deep-green forests, pristine lakes, and meadows dominate the landscape. Before arriving at your resort, enjoy a made-from-scratch piece of HUCKLEBERRY PIE or ICE CREAM - a delicious treat to end your day. (B,D)
GROUSE MOUNTAIN LODGE. 2 FAIRWAY DRIVE, WHITEFISH. UNITED STATES
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Tue Jul 14th
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Day 4
WHITEFISH-FORT STEELE-RADIUM HOT SPRINGS-KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK-BANFF.
Re-enter Canada today, with two stops in British Columbia before crossing into Alberta. First, visit the restored town of FORT STEELE, where fortunes were made during the Kootenay Gold Rush; then, stop at RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, a famous health spa. Drive through the steep red cliffs of Sinclair Canyon and KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK before entering BANFF NATIONAL PARK, the heart of the Canadian Rockies. (B)
DELTA ROYAL CANADIAN LODGE BANFF. 459 BANFF AVE., Banff. CANADA
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Wed Jul 15th
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Day 5
BANFF.
This morning, take a scenic ride on the BANFF GONDOLA to the top of Sulphur Mountain and enjoy the spectacular views of the valley below. Additional morning sightseeing includes stops at Bow Falls and the Hoodoos. The balance of the day is at leisure. (B)
Country and Western Night extra
DELTA ROYAL CANADIAN LODGE BANFF. 459 BANFF AVE., Banff. CANADA
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Thu Jul 16th
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Day 6
BANFF-COLUMBIA ICEFIELD-JASPER.
Follow breathtaking Icefields Parkway today and head for JASPER NATIONAL PARK. Scale Bow Pass for splendid views of Peyto Lake. Then, climb to Sunwapta Pass to savour stunning vistas of alpine meadows, waterfalls, and glacier masses. Next is the highlight of the day: stop at the 305 metre (1,000ft) thick Columbia Icefield for a memorable ride aboard an ICE EXPLORER. (B)
Still time this afternoon for a float trip down the historic Athabasca River. extra
SAWRIDGE HOTEL. 82 CANNAUGHT DRIVE, JASPER. CANADA
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Fri Jul 17th
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Day 7
JASPER. EXCURSION TO MALIGNE LAKE.
The morning is at leisure. Optional activities include hiking, canoeing, and strolling the streets of Jasper. Hike to learn about glacier formations found in the area extra This afternoon, journey to Maligne Lake for a fully narrated CRUISE of the glacial lake and Spirit Island. Afterward, enjoy a lakeside dinner with incredible views and local fare including famous Alberta beef. (B,D)
SAWRIDGE HOTEL. 82 CANNAUGHT DRIVE, JASPER. CANADA
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Sat Jul 18th
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Day 8
JASPER-LAKE LOUISE-CALGARY.
This morning, visit Athabasca Falls and then retrace the route south along Icefields Parkway. One more highlight saved for the last day of your tour: a visit to famous LAKE LOUISE. Continue to Calgary, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. Over dessert, be entertained by a local COWBOY POET who will bring the region's Western heritage to life through stories and songs, a perfect ending to your holiday. (B,D)
DELTA BOW VALLEY. 209-4TH AVENUE S.E., CALGARY. CANADA
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Sun Jul 19th
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Day 9 Tour finishes after breakfast.
Transfer to Calgary International
Fly to LA Westjet 2.05 pm arrive LA at 4.17 and then that night fly to Auckland on NZ1 departing 9.45 pm arrives Tuesday 21st at 5.45am
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Tue July 21
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Arrive Auckland 5.45 am
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