39 Day Ultimate USA & Canada Tour with Alaska Cruise and Flights

New York

Free day to explore New York at leisure.

Accommodation: The Dylan Hotel or similar, New York

Meals: none

New York

You will enjoy a day tour of New York City.  We will visit the tallest building in New York City, the Empire State Building. The Art Deco styled building spans 102 floors, and offers breathtaking 360 views of New York. From its observation deck, you can relive scenes from popular movies such as Sleepless in Seattle. We will have the opportunity to board the Circle Line on the Hudson River, a fun and relaxing way to sightsee and capture the beautiful New York skyline. From there, we will board another type of vessel, the USS Intrepid. Commissioned in August 1943, the aircraft carrier participated in numerous naval battles during WWII. It is now docked on the side of Manhattan, and serves as the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum. On the deck of the Intrepid, visitors can view powerful example of military aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, and even a submarine. The tour then continues to Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museum has a permanent collection containing more than two million works of art, with works of art from classical antiquity and Ancient Egypt, paintings and sculptures from nearly all the European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art. It also maintains notable holdings of African, Asian, Oceanic, Byzantine and Islamic art. We will have an opportunity to tour luxurious Fifth Avenue. This "most expensive street in the world" features the world's most expensive retail spaces. Shops like Bergdorf-Goodman, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Emanuel Ungaro, Gucci, Ferragamo, and Versace line the avenue. Kids can visit FAO Schwarz, the world' s largest toy store. We will also tour the United Nations headquarters, the meeting site for international affairs. The area, home to delegates and representatives around the world is considered international territory. Our tour may view other notable sites such as Wall Street and Ground Zero in the Financial District.

Accommodation: The Dylan Hotel or similar, New York

Meals: none

New York to Boston

Depart New York for historic New England. Travel along the Long Island Sound and Hartford to Boston, Massachusetts, where an early afternoon arrival at the historic Quincy Market will be followed by a sightseeing tour. Begin with a walking tour along the Freedom Trail to view such sights as the Boston Common, the Granary Burial Grounds,  the Old State House, Faneuil Hall and the State House. Walk the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, one of Boston’s oldest neighbourhoods. The evening is at leisure.

Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott Brookline or similar, Boston

Meals: none

Boston to New England to Quebec City

This morning travel through the New England states of New Hampshire and Vermont on your way to Canada. You will pass small villages and drive through the picturesque White Mountains, particularly beautiful during the fall foliage. In the late afternoon, cross the U.S./Canadian border to enter the province of Québec. This evening, take the opportunity to sample some of the celebrated French cuisine (at own cost).

Accommodation: Hotel Universal or similar, Quebec City

Meals: none

Quebec City to Montreal

Begin the day with  a tour of Québec City, the French capital of the province and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Québec Provincial Parliament Building and the Citadelle. Then enjoy a walking tour of the walled city, where you will see the Chateau de Frontenac, as well as unparalleled views of the Saint Lawrence River. Take in some shopping and lunch before leaving for Montréal Upon arrival, go on a tour of Old Montréal, the area known as the “Vieux Port,” with stops at Place Jacques Cartier and Notre Dame Basilica. The evening is at leisure.

Accommodation: Des Gouverneur Place Dupuis, 4 or similar, Montreal

Meals: none

Montreal to Ottawa to Toronto

Depart Montréal for the capital of Canada, Ottawa. This vibrant city of parks and flowers boasts one of the most impressive parliament buildings in the world. In the afternoon, continue along  the Thousand Islands Parkway to the largest English speaking city in Canada, Toronto, located on the shore of Lake Ontario. This evening is at leisure to enjoy dinner and perhaps do some shopping in the well-known Eaton Centre.

Accommodation: Bond Place Hotel or similar, Toronto

Meals: none

Toronto to Niagara Falls

Begin the day with a drive through Toronto’s business district to see its impressive collection of modern skyscrapers, most notably, the CN Tower, the world’s tallest free-standing structure (1,815 ft./553 m). Continue along Lake Ontario, crossing the Welland Canal, before arriving at Niagara Falls, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy this natural wonder. Stroll along Table Rock and view the thundering water of the Horseshoe Falls. This afternoon enjoy a tour on the renowned Maid of the Mist boat ride at the base of the Falls.

Accommodation: Best Western Cairn Croft Inn or similar, Niagara Falls

Meals: none

Niagara Falls to Gettysburg to Amish Country

Today ride through the rolling farmland of upstate New York, known as the Finger Lakes Region, and enter the Keystone State of Pennsylvania. This afternoon, visit the historic Gettysburg Civil War National Battleground, site of the largest battle ever fought on American soil, and the place where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous address in 1863. Travel along the Susquehanna River to South Pennsylvania for overnight.

Accommodation: Wyndham Garden York or similar, Amish Country

Meals: none

Amish Country to Washington DC

Travel through rural countryside to Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visit an Amish Museum and see their 300-year-old tradition of simple living (admission included). The Amish people live in a world that stopped in the mid-1850s. They use no electricity, mechanical devices, or modern equipment. In the afternoon, continue to the nation’s capital.

Accommodation: Washington Hilton or similar, Washington DC

Meals: none

Washington DC to Seattle

After you check out of your hotel today, transfer to Washington DC airport for your flight to Seattle.  Upon arrival in Seattle, you will be transferred to the Seattle cruise terminal to check in for your Alaska Inside Passage Cruise. The ship will depart at around 4pm.

Accommodation: Emerald Princess ship in an Inside Cabin^ on twin share basis with private bathroom facilities

Meals: Dinner

Alaska Inside Passage Cruise (at sea)

Enjoy the ship’s facilities as your cruise towards Alaska.

Relax and enjoy the street performers in the Italian-inspired Piazza or lose yourself in a lounger at Movies Under the Stars.® The 24-hour International Café and award-winning Vines Wine Bar fulfill your cravings for fresh desserts, toasted paninis, and more. Discover cuisine and activities that bring the colors, cultures and flavors on board, and come back with new perspectives, new friends, and incredible memories.

Accommodation: Emerald Princess ship in an Inside Cabin^ on twin share basis with private bathroom facilities

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Alaska Inside Passage Cruise (Ketchikan)

Arrive into port at about 6.30am and depart at around 3pm.

A traveler's first view of this Inside Passage port town may be of a boat-filled harbor enveloped in snow capped mountains. The rustic city of Ketchikan has been called the totem pole capital of the world. Tours show off the city's streets, restored from the pioneer days; the harbor's salmon canneries; and the world's oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center. Sportfishing, kayaking, hiking, bear watching and Misty Fjords seaplane excursions are also popular.

Accommodation: Emerald Princess ship in an Inside Cabin^ on twin share basis with private bathroom facilities

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Alaska Inside Passage Cruise (Tracy Arm and Juneau)

Cruise through Tracy Arm. Secluded in the Tongass National Forest, Tracy Arm boasts some of the most spectacular views in North America. At the head of the fjord, you will observe dramatic views of the twin Sawyer Glaciers, which are surrounded by towering mountains that rise over 7,000 feet over the blue water. You will also see waterfalls and tidewater glaciers along the way and you may even catch a glimpse of the wildlife that call this area home: the great bald eagle, seals relaxing on the icebergs and if you are lucky, a bear or mountain goat.

Arrive into Juneau port at about 12.30pm and depart at around 10pm. Alaska's capital city of Juneau is a dramatic sight with a backdrop of lush green mountains. Visitors here can drive, float, paddle or take a helicopter to the monumental Mendenhall Glacier. Other popular excursions include cruising along the straits and sounds of the Tongass National Forest, prospecting for gold at the original site of gold discovery or visiting the Alaska State Museum and the Alaska Brewing Company.

Accommodation: Emerald Princess ship in an Inside Cabin^ on twin share basis with private bathroom facilities

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Alaska Inside Passage Cruise (Skagway)

Arrive into port at about 6am and depart at around 5pm. Skagway is the northernmost point of the Inside Passage, the town reflects its mining past in the false-front buildings and gold rush relics. Tourists can experience the majesty of White Pass summit and the Yukon territory aboard the railway, paddle to Glacier Bay and Chilkoot Bald Eagle Preserve, get a close-up view of the natural beauty on a wilderness safari, soar over glaciers on a helicopter tour or, for those who catch the fever, pan for gold.

Accommodation: Emerald Princess ship in an Inside Cabin^ on twin share basis with private bathroom facilities

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Alaska Inside Passage Cruise (at sea)

Enjoy the ship’s facilities as your cruise back towards Canada.

Accommodation: Emerald Princess ship in an Inside Cabin^ on twin share basis with private bathroom facilities

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Alaska Inside Passage Cruise (Victoria)

Arrive into port at about 7pm and depart at around 11.59pm. Victoria revels in its English essence at the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island. Afternoon teas, double-decker buses and English inns, gardens and pubs are common in this capital city. The most popular attraction is the world-famous Butchart Gardens, flaunting 50 acres of floral magnificence. Other must-sees include the historic Empress Hotel, the Scottish-style Craigdarroch Castle and the Royal British Columbia Museum, where tourists will find a reconstruction of a turn-of-the-century street.

Accommodation: Emerald Princess ship in an Inside Cabin^ on twin share basis with private bathroom facilities

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Seattle

Your Alaska cruise arrives back in Seattle and then you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Seattle at leisure.

The bustling Washington port known as the "The Star City" is both a culturally rich metropolis and a gateway to beautiful natural attractions. In the shadows of the widely recognized Space Needle, the Seattle Center is home to the city's sports arena and many museums and theaters. The lively Pike Place Market and the mammoth "Hammering Man" sculpture are downtown must-sees. Visitors also flock to the waterfront for fresh seafood, the Harbor Steps park or to board a ferry bound for Puget Sound. Seattle is served by both the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal and Terminal 91.

Accommodation: Executive Pacific Hotel or similar, Seattle

Meals: Breakfast

Seattle to Vancouver

Today you will be transferred by bus to Vancouver in Canada.  Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at the Landmark Empire Hotel in downtown Vancouver, then transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Vancouver at leisure. Blessed with a spectacular Pacific Rim location, Vancouver is a study in contrasts and cohesion

Accommodation: Rosedale Hotel or similar, Vancouver

Meals: none

Vancouver

Today is a free day to explore Vancouver at leisure. Set between the mountains and the sea, the city blends cultures and landscapes, allowing visitors to enjoy a modern, cosmopolitan city alongside the great outdoors.

Accommodation: Rosedale Hotel or similar, Vancouver

Meals: Breakfast

Vancouver to Jasper

Depart from Vancouver and drive through the farming communities of the Fraser Valley. Ascend into the Coastal Mountains and follow the Coquihalla Highway to Kamloops, in the arid interior of British Columbia. After lunch, retrace the route of the famous Overlanders along the North Thompson River to reach your hotel in Jasper.

Accommodation: Lobstick Lodge or similar, Jasper

Meals: Breakfast

Jasper to Banff

Your day starts with a scenic hike through Maligne Canyon before heading South. Then, travel along the world-famous Icefields Parkway to take in some of nature’s most spectacular mountain scenery. Have your camera ready for possible wildlife sightings! Highlights include Athabasca Falls, Peyto Lake, and the Columbia Icefield. Optional activities include a ride on the “Ice Explorer”* on Athabasca Glacier or visit the Glacier Skywalk* (at additional cost).

Accommodation: Banff Inns or similar, Banff

Meals: Breakfast

Banff National Park

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Banff National Park. Start your morning with a leisurely hike in Johnston Canyon and stroll along the shores of picturesque Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. In the afternoon, visit the world famous Banff Springs Hotel and Bow Falls. With your free time in Banff, you may also choose from optional activities such as soaking in the natural spa at the Upper Hot Springs* or taking a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain* (at additional cost). 

Accommodation: Lake Louise Inn or similar, Banff National Park

Meals: Breakfast

Banff to Vancouver

This morning, enjoy a drive through Rogers Pass, the highest part of the route to the Rockies. On your scenic return journey through Yoho National Park, catch a glimpse of an engineering marvel: the Spiral Tunnels. Arrive in downtown Vancouver in the evening.

Accommodation: Rosedale Hotel or similar, Vancouver

Meals: Breakfast

Vancouver

Own arrangements in Vancouver.  Blessed with a spectacular Pacific Rim location, Vancouver is a study in contrasts and cohesion. Set between the mountains and the sea, the city blends cultures and landscapes, allowing visitors to enjoy a modern, cosmopolitan city alongside the great outdoors. You could spend all weekend exploring Stanley Park, but you don't want to miss the panoramic vistas from the Capilano Bridge or the Sea to Sky Highway, or the opportunity to ski or explore a mountain trail. A temperate year-round climate makes Vancouver enjoyable in any season, though the winter months do bring a string of rainy days.

Accommodation: Rosedale Hotel or similar, Vancouver

Meals: Breakfast

Vancouver to Las Vegas

After you check out of your hotel today, transfer to Vancouver airport for your flight to Las Vegas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and the rest of the day is yours at leisure.

Accommodation: Luxor Hotel, Las Vegas

Meals: Breakfast

Las Vegas

Free to explore the “Entertainment Capital of the World”.

During one of your free days in Las Vegas, there is Grand Canyon tour. The most popular guided and narrated luxury bus tour to the Grand Canyon's South Rim National Park. Your journey will begin with pick up from the hotel before traveling thru Las Vegas and Boulder City, Nevada! Drive over the newly built Hoover Dam bypass bridge before traveling through the Southwest Desert and stop in Kingman, Arizona for a short break. View rugged desert wilderness and enjoy a complimentary lunch en route to America's most spectacular natural wonder, the Grand Canyon, where you will spend the next 3 hours. You will be taken into the National Park to the South Rim's scenic viewpoints and many other attractions in the Historic Village District and also stop at the new state-of-the-art National Geographic Visitor Center. Your guide will make multiple stops along the "Rim" of the Canyon for a variety of viewing, photo opportunities, and souvenir shopping. View the cliffs and slopes of this tremendous natural wonder, a classic example of erosion unequaled on earth! See the Canyon at its deepest and widest, 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep at Bright Angel and Mather Points. Visit the Indian Hopi House Art Museum, the historic Train Station, Look-Out Studio and Kolb Studio. Upon your return you will again make a brief stop in Kingman, Arizona for a short break before returning to fabulous Las Vegas.

Accommodation: Luxor Hotel, Las Vegas

Meals: none

Las Vegas

Free to explore the “Entertainment Capital of the World”.

Accommodation: Luxor Hotel, Las Vegas

Meals: none

Las Vegas

Free to explore the “Entertainment Capital of the World”.

Accommodation: Luxor Hotel, Las Vegas

Meals: none

Death Valley and Mammoth Lakes

Wake up early to meet your tour in the lobby at 7:30 am. Having enjoyed the fast pace of glamorous Las Vegas, it will be sharp contrast this afternoon to enter the quiet and extreme environment of Death Valley. Situated in between some high and distant mountain ranges, this is by far the hottest spot on your journey! Stop at Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek Ranch before continuing across the valley and ascending the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the alpine resort town of Mammoth Lakes. Mammoth Mountain was formed over 200,000 years ago as a series of volcanic eruptions. The area gained prominence as a gold mining town in the 19th century, but today it’s the skiing terrain and beautiful mountain vistas that attract visitors from near and far.

Accommodation: Mammoth Mountain Inn or similar, Mammoth Lakes

Meals: none

Yosemite National Park

A short drive brings you over the Tioga Pass** high in the Sierras into the scenic wonderland of Yosemite National Park. The park is home to a truly spectacular collection of waterfalls – most famously Bridalveil Falls – as well as groves of giant sequoias, the planet’s largest living things. Within the park, you will see the majestic, glacial-shaped granite formations of El Capitan (called “Shooting Star” by the Native Americans) and Half Dome, which rise from the valley floor.

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Heritage Inn or similar, Yosemite National Park

Meals: none

San Francisco

Depart early this morning, crossing the Oakland Bay Bridge to arrive in San Francisco, one of the most beloved cities in America. Commence a sightseeing tour of the "City by the Bay", which includes such landmarks as Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge and Park, and The Castro District. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Hilton San Francisco Union Square or similar, San Francisco

Meals: none

San Francisco

The whole day is at leisure in San Francisco. Standing on a hilltop, watching the fog swirl through the Golden Gate, it is easy to understand why many consider San Francisco the most beautiful city in America. The crests of many of the city’s hills, particularly Twin Peaks, afford matchless views of downtown San Francisco and the East Bay. Your tour guide is on hand to assist with making your plans for the day - perhaps a cable car ride to Fisherman’s Wharf, or a stroll and some shopping around Union Square. Other must-see attractions include Alcatraz, the San Francisco Zoo, Haight-Ashbury and the Mission District.

Accommodation: Hilton San Francisco Union Square or similar, San Francisco

Meals: none

Monterey and Carmel

Depart San Francisco this morning for the drive to the Monterey Peninsula, known for its enclave of magnificent homes and lovely beaches. In Monterey, visit Fisherman’s Wharf and famous Cannery Row. Then tour charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, noted for its quaint houses, upscale art galleries and unique stores. In the afternoon continue the drive south past Paso Robles to end your day in one of the quaint Central Coast towns for overnight.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express or similar, Pismo Beach

Meals: none

Santa Barbara and Los Angeles

Journey south through the Santa Ynez Valley into Santa Barbara, where palm-lined walkways border white sandy beaches. Stop for lunch here, and enjoy the Spanish heritage and architecture. Upon arrival in Los Angeles this afternoon, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour through the “City of Angels,” including such famous sites as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, the Sunset Strip, and Santa Monica, before reaching your hotel.

Accommodation: Hilton Los Angeles Airport or similar, Los Angeles

Meals: none

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a sprawling Southern California city famed as the center of the nation’s film and television industry. Not far from its iconic Hollywood sign, studios such as Paramount Pictures, Universal and Warner Brothers offer behind-the-scenes tours. On Hollywood Boulevard, TCL Chinese Theater displays celebrities’ hand- and footprints, the Walk of Fame honors thousands of luminaries and vendors sell maps to stars’ homes.

Accommodation: Hilton Los Angeles Airport or similar, Los Angeles

Meals: none

Depart Los Angeles

Transfer to Los Angeles airport for your flight home to Australia.

Meals: Inflight menu

In transit due to dateline

Meals: Inflight menu

Australia

Arrive home.

Meals: inflight only