The best way to see the famously scenic Canada and Alaska is from both sea and land. You could make multiple bookings, wrangle luggage from train to hotel to ship and work out transfer logistics yourself, or you could leave the stressful and boring bits to the experts and just sit back and watch the scenery unfold, between dining at the finest restaurants and enjoying the most authentic and thrilling experiences each region has to offer.
Australian luxury travel brand APT has had a partnership of over 30 years with the iconic Rocky Mountaineer train service and has a range of itineraries which combine a two-day trip on the famous line with an Alaskan cruise and other incredible attractions.
The long-standing relationship between APT and the Rocky Mountaineer means APT clients get guaranteed GoldLeaf service on the train journey. APT also guarantees their clients a verandah on their Alaskan cruise.
And with all transfers, gratuities, porterage and port fees included, it’s the perfect way to make your holiday stress-free.
Here’s what to expect from an APT Canada and Alaska itinerary:
On board the Rocky Mountaineer
GoldLeaf passengers sit in bi-level glass dome carriages with reclining seats from which to enjoy the panoramic views. A host will serve drinks and information about the landscape, while pointing out wildlife. An outdoor viewing platform allows guests to enjoy the fresh air. There are two 900km routes to choose from.
The “First Passage to the West” route travels east and west between Vancouver and Lake Louise or Banff via the Canadian Rocky Mountains, alongside the Kicking Horse River, through the Spiral Tunnels and over the Continental Great Divide.
If you choose an itinerary that includes Lake Louise, you’ll stay in one of the most photographed hotels in the world, the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The “Journey Through the Clouds” route travels east and west between Vancouver and Jasper, passing some of the Canadian Rockies’ highest peaks, including Mt Robson, going through the Fraser Canyon and past the Albreda Glacier and Pyramid Falls. Each two-day route is done entirely in daylight, with overnight accommodation in Kamloops, where your luggage will be delivered by porter service.
On board the Alaskan cruise
You’ll embark in Vancouver and check in to your guaranteed verandah stateroom, before setting sail through the infamous Inside Passage, heading for Alaska’s capital, Juneau then onwards to goldrush gateway town Skagway, where there’s time to explore before reboarding and waking up in the waters of Glacier Bay National Park and docking in Ketchikan on the tranquil shores of the Tongrass Narrows.
There’s time to explore here before either cruising back to Vancouver via the Inside Passage, or, depending on your itinerary, continuing north. The extended 27-day Natural Wonders of the Rockies and Alaska itinerary continues from Glacier Bay all the way to Anchorage, sailing through the magnificent College Fjord, and finishing with three nights in Denali National Park and a night in Anchorage for a farewell dinner.
Signature experiences
As special as each APT trip already is, the addition of the company’s Signature Experiences on each trip makes it even more special. In Whistler enjoy breakfast at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and discover your First Nations’ ‘animal spirit’ with the help of your guide. In Banff meet a Mountie and hear tales of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
In Victoria, on Vancouver Island, visit the famous Butchart Gardens before the general public is allowed in, and enjoy breakfast in the gardens’ historic residence. There’s also plenty of Freedom of Choice sightseeing options included in each itinerary, such as visiting the home and kennel of an Ititarod musher in Denali or doing a heli-flightseeing trip around Banff.
Explore all of APT’s Canada and Alaska itineraries
