Canada Motorhome & Cruise Tour (Short Version)

Your journey begins in Calgary, a warm and welcoming city set against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Here you can enjoy wide-open prairie views, vibrant neighbourhoods, and a lively downtown full of cafés, restaurants, and riverside walks. It’s the perfect place to settle in and prepare for your Western Canada adventure.

Before leaving the city, guests can take a gentle stroll along the Bow River, visit the Calgary Tower for panoramic views, or explore the historic sites and shops of Stephen Avenue. Calgary offers everything you need to start your trip feeling relaxed and ready.

Tonight you’ll be at the Hampton Inn in Calgary, before collecting your motorhome tomorrow to start your journey.

Today you collect your motorhome and start your journey. We start with a short drive, giving you more time to explore Calgary if you’d like, before the drive north to Banff.

Banff is the heart of the Rockies, a mountain town surrounded by towering peaks, glacial rivers, and postcard-perfect scenery. The town centre is full of inviting shops and cafés, making it an ideal place to wander at your own pace. Take in the views from the Bow River, visit the iconic Banff Springs Hotel, or enjoy a peaceful walk beside Vermilion Lakes.

For something even more relaxing, take the gondola up Sulphur Mountain for spectacular views without the climb, or unwind in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Banff is the perfect blend of scenery and comfort, offering world-class nature with easy access for all abilities.

Lake Louise is famous for its dazzling turquoise waters framed by dramatic mountain peaks. Enjoy the lakeside boardwalk, explore the charming village, or simply soak in the views from one of the scenic lookouts. Nearby, Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks offer even more breathtaking scenery, accessible via shuttles to keep the experience smooth and stress-free.

Just over the border, Yoho National Park adds waterfalls, deep river canyons, and emerald-coloured lakes to the journey. Highlights include Emerald Lake, the Natural Bridge, and the towering Takakkaw Falls. This area is a paradise for gentle walking, short scenic drives, and peaceful nature experiences.

Icefields Parkway
Often described as one of the world’s most beautiful drives, the Icefields Parkway offers a full day of relaxed sightseeing. Glaciers drape over mountain ridges, turquoise rivers weave through valleys, and wildlife sightings are common along the roadside. You can stop at Peyto Lake, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls, each offering spectacular views with minimal walking required.

The Columbia Icefield area provides opportunities to learn about glacier geology, enjoy scenic viewpoints, or simply marvel at some of Canada’s largest ice formations. It’s a day designed for slow travel, breathtaking scenery, and plenty of photo opportunities.

Jasper
Jasper is quieter and more laid-back than its southern neighbour, making it the perfect spot for easy-going exploration. The town sits among forests, lakes, and gentle trails, with wildlife often seen just minutes from the centre. Highlights include Maligne Canyon, with its dramatic narrow gorge, and Pyramid Lake, ideal for a peaceful stroll or picnic.

You may also enjoy a scenic drive to Maligne Lake, take a relaxing boat cruise, or explore the lakes and viewpoints surrounding the town. Whether you’re looking for a gentle wander or simply a place to breathe in that mountain air, Jasper offers a slower, calmer pace amidst stunning alpine scenery.

As the largest city in Northern British Columbia, Prince George blends nature with friendly urban comforts. Here you can enjoy pleasant riverside paths, local artisan shops, and peaceful green spaces throughout the city. It’s a great place to unwind after the mountain stretch of the journey.

For those wanting to explore, options include the historic railway museum, the scenic Cottonwood Island Nature Park with its carved tree art, and easy nature walks along the Nechako and Fraser Rivers. Prince George offers a gentle transition from the dramatic Rockies into the northern landscapes of BC.

Smithers is a delightful alpine-inspired town surrounded by rugged peaks and lush valleys. Its charming main street features boutique shops, cafés, and beautiful mountain views at every turn. The community is known for its relaxed atmosphere and its immediate access to nature without requiring long hikes or strenuous activity.

You can enjoy riverside strolls, visit the Bulkley Valley Museum, or explore local viewpoints. A short drive takes you to the dramatic canyon at Witset, where rushing waters cut through the rocks. Smithers offers a calm, scenic environment that feels both cosy and adventurous.

Terrace sits along the scenic Skeena River, one of the most beautiful river valleys in Canada. The town is surrounded by forested hills, salmon-rich waterways, and dramatic mountain backdrops. For something gentle, the Ferry Island walking trails offer carvings hidden in the trees and peaceful riverside views.

Here you can also take relaxing drives along the Skeena River, explore local galleries, or simply enjoy the slower pace of Northern BC life. Terrace brings together nature, culture, and tranquillity in one friendly community.

Burns Lake and its surrounding communities are known for their countless lakes, peaceful forests, and laid-back small-town charm. It’s an ideal place to unwind between the northern and southern portions of the journey. Enjoy calm lakeside walks, bird-watching, or simply taking in the tranquil scenery.

The region’s many lakes offer opportunities for fishing, paddling, or just enjoying the quiet beauty of central BC. It’s a restful stop that helps balance the tour with time to relax.

Quesnel sits at the meeting point of the Fraser and Quesnel Rivers and offers a charming blend of small-town warmth and Gold Rush history. Its compact town centre is perfect for gentle exploring, with cafés, museums, and peaceful parks all close at hand. It’s a lovely stop that eases you back into the southern landscapes of British Columbia.

Enjoy riverside walks, browse local art, or visit the Quesnel Museum for a glimpse into the region’s past. The nearby Riverfront Trail offers easy, scenic strolling along the water, and the town’s welcoming atmosphere makes it a comfortable, relaxed stop on the journey south.

Known for its rolling ranch-lands, lakes, and forests, 100 Mile House is a restful destination in the heart of the Cariboo region. The area is dotted with calm lakes and wide-open spaces, providing beautiful scenery without the need for strenuous activity. It’s an excellent place to pause, recharge, and enjoy the slower rhythms of rural British Columbia.

Here you can explore the town’s Heritage Site, wander the easy trails around local lakes, or browse the shops and cafés in the town centre. The nearby bird sanctuary at Centennial Park offers gentle walking paths and a peaceful natural setting, perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

Lillooet offers a striking change in scenery, mountains meet desert landscapes, turquoise lakes sit beneath rugged cliffs, and the Fraser River cuts through the valley. This historic town was once part of the Gold Rush trail and still holds that frontier charm.

Enjoy short walks to Seton Lake viewpoints, explore local museums, or stroll through the small but fascinating town centre. The dramatic scenery here feels wild and untouched, yet the attractions are easy to access, making it a unique and rewarding stop.

Whistler is best known for its ski slopes, but in summer it becomes a relaxed mountain resort town filled with lakes, flat trails, gondola-accessed viewpoints, and excellent dining. The pedestrian-friendly village is perfect for slow strolling, browsing shops, or enjoying outdoor cafés.

Nature lovers can explore the valley trails, visit Lost Lake, or take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for spectacular mountaintop views without the need for strenuous hiking. Whistler offers the perfect combination of comfort, beauty, and gentle adventure as you near the end of your tour.

Your journey concludes in Vancouver, one of the world’s most beautiful coastal cities. Surrounded by mountains and ocean, Vancouver combines natural beauty with vibrant urban life. The city is easy to explore at a relaxed pace, with gentle waterfront walks, markets, gardens, and scenic viewpoints all within a short distance.

Highlights include the famous Stanley Park, where the seawall path offers spectacular views with minimal walking effort, and Granville Island, home to artisan shops, galleries, and its bustling public market. You’ll also enjoy the cafés and shops of Gastown, the beaches of English Bay, or a peaceful wander through the VanDusen Botanical Garden. Vancouver provides a refreshing and enriching finish to your motorhome adventure.

HOLLAND AMERICA ZAANDAM NSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE
The Inside passage cruise is included in the Canada & Alaska tour and Grand Tour. The cruise package is a 7-day inside passage cruise in an Ocean View Stateroom with private bathroom. Upgrades are available. All meals, port charges and taxes are included, while drinks, shore excursions and gratuities are additional. The Holland America Zaandam is our home away from home on this 7 day inside passage cruise to Glacier Bay and back to Vancouver. At 781 ft it is a small vessel in cruise ship terms which allows better close-up viewing than larger cruise ships.

THE INSIDE PASSAGE
The Inside Passage is a coastal route for ships and boats along a network of passages which weave through the islands on the Pacific NW coast of North America. It features endless miles of untouched wilderness. Marvel at the countless islets, soaring cliff walls and cascading waterfalls of the Great Land, you’ll be treated to astounding glacier viewing as you journey through one of the world’s most spectacular waterways.

TRACY ARM INLET AK
On this cruise you get to visit both Tracy Arm and Glacier bay. They are quite different. Tracy Arm is not so weather dependent to enjoy it, whereas in Glacier Bay you really need good weather to see things. Tracy Arm is a narrow fjord with green water and towering cliffs that end up at the Sawyer Glaciers which in recent years have been calving a lot. Usually lots of seals are on the ice and bears have been seen in the arm…a spectacular trip.

JUNEAU AK
Juneau is unusual among U.S. capitals in that there are no roads connecting the city to the rest of Alaska or to the rest of North America (although ferry service is available for cars). The absence of a road network is due to the extremely rugged terrain surrounding the city. A long list of day tours and excursions are available at Juneau. The main attractions are the Mendenhall Glacier and the Mount Roberts Aerial Tramway. For many a drink or lunch at the Red Dog Saloon with sawdust floors and great atmosphere is a must. For seafood lovers Tracy’s King Crab Shack is hard to beat.

SKAGWAY AK
Situated at the end of the Lynn Canal, Skagway provides road access to the Yukon Territories and Northern Canada. The town is situated close to the cruise ship terminal and has a variety of shops and restaurants. A range of day tours are available the most popular being the Whitehorse Pass vintage railway. This forty-mile round trip excursion climbs from tidewater at Skagway to the Summit of the White Pass - a 2,885 foot elevation. The fully narrated tour passes through two tunnels, over sky-high trestles and cascading waterfalls.

GLACIER BAY AK
The spectacular scenery and wildlife of Glacier Bay make it a highlight of any Alaska cruise. The ship travels into the heart of the Fairweather Mountains for a trip into the ice ages. Watch for icebergs and calving glaciers. Scan the shorelines for wildlife…brown bears, mountain goats, sea otters, sea lions, harbour seals, bald eagles, and a variety of seabirds are regularly seen.

KETCHIKAN AK
Ketchikan, Alaska is truly the beginning of the last frontier. Set at the southernmost entrance to Alaska’s famed Inside Passage - a network of waterways that snake through some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful wilderness in the world - Ketchikan is best known for three things: feisty salmon, idyllic scenery, and an incredibly rich Alaska Native culture.

Time to return home - or start your next adventure!