Alaska and the Canadian Rockies
by rail and expedition ship
Seamlessly combine two iconic experiences into one unforgettable adventure; the Canadian Rockies by rail and Alaska’s Inside Passage by expedition ship.
From AUD$16495
17 May 2027
14 nights
Mixed company
Trip Inclusions
Trip Options
Inclusions on the rail journey.
Inclusions on the cruise.
Travelling solo?
You’ve got a few great options:
- Come to a Ladies Who Travel Meet Up and find a travel partner
- Pay the AUD$5,995 single supplement for your own private Polar Outside cabin, or $9,644 for the Arctic Superior (balcony) cabin
- Share a cabin; we’ll match you with another Ladies Who Travel member
- Or bring your partner, friend, or family member – this trip is open to everyone!
Experience the very best of Western Canada and Alaska on this extraordinary journey hosted by Melissa Delaware, the founder of Ladies Who Travel.
We begin with the iconic Rocky Mountaineer, travelling through the dramatic landscapes of the Canadian Rockies by rail — think soaring peaks, turquoise lakes and unforgettable scenery from the comfort of your seat.
From there, we continue north for an Alaska expedition cruise with HX, designed for those who want to experience Alaska in a more immersive, expedition-style way. This is not a traditional large-ship cruise. It’s about getting closer to nature — glaciers, wildlife, fjords and remote coastal landscapes — with expert guides and a spirit of discovery.
This trip is perfect for those who want to cruise Alaska differently: more exploration, more depth, and a genuine sense of adventure, while still enjoying comfort and support.
While Ladies Who Travel trips are designed for our community of women, male partners are very welcome to join this particular journey.
As always, this is a curated Ladies Who Travel experience, thoughtfully hosted and fully supported throughout.
Fly into Calgary and transfer to your 4-star hotel in Banff to rest before your adventure begins.
Springtime in the Canadian Rockies brings glimpses of summertime temperatures on sunny days, while a good amount of snow lingers both in the valley and the mountains. The park begins to awaken after winter, with bears emerging from hibernation.
If you feel like some exercise after your trip, Tunnel Mountain offers an accessible way to reach a summit in under an hour. While the trail gains 266 meters (872 feet) in elevation, the effort is rewarded with breathtaking, close-up views of Mount Rundle and sweeping panoramas across the Bow and Spray Valleys.
- Activities Included: Airport to hotel transfer
- Meals Included: Welcome Group Dinner
- Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel in Banff
Enjoy a free day in Banff to relax and recharge after the flight, or see the city at your own pace.
Take in the breathtaking scenery of the Bow Valley with a ride on the Banff Gondola. As the snow begins to retreat, the ascent reveals a striking transition from the budding green of the valley to the lingering winter white of the surrounding jagged peaks.
Consider taking a day trip to scenic Lake Louise, about 75 mins from Banff by bus.
- Activities Included: Banff Gondola
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel in Banff
Board the iconic Rocky Mountaineer in the mountain town of Banff and begin your journey west through the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Travel alongside the Bow River, past Castle Mountain and soaring alpine peaks, before continuing toward Kamloops in British Columbia’s interior.
As the landscape shifts from towering mountains to arid desert terrain, enjoy standout highlights including the Spiral Tunnels, Stoney Creek Bridge, and Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven.
The day concludes in Kamloops, with time to explore the city or relax at your hotel.
- Activities Included: Gold Leaf train experience
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and snacks on the train
- Accommodation: Hotel in Kamloops
Board the Rocky Mountaineer train at the Kamloops Station to continue your journey west to the coastal city of Vancouver.
Travel through desert landscapes, steep canyons and the farmlands of the Fraser Valley.
Highlights include the stunning and vast Kamloops Lake, historic Cisco Crossing railroad bridges, and Hell’s Gate.
- Activities Included: Gold Leaf train experience
- Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and snacks on the train
- Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel in Vancouver
Enjoy the day with free time to relax or book your own activities at your leisure.
Vancouver has activities for all interests, including visiting historic Gastown, dining in lively Yaletown, or enjoying a walk on the Stanley Park Seawall. No matter what you choose to do, the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean surround you.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodation: 4 Star Hotel in Vancouver
Enjoy a slow morning in Vancouver before boarding your ship to Alaska.
Your expedition ship, MS Roald Amundsen, awaits you at the pier.
Settle in and take your time to get to know the ship before listening to the safety briefing.
- Meals Included: Breakfast at the hotel – all meals onboard the ship
- Accommodation: MS Roald Amundsen
The Inside Passage coastal route takes us through the great North American Pacific Fjordland, a protected stretch of water over 930 miles long.
We’ll be sailing outside of the protected fjords into open waters, up Queen Charlotte Sound and Hecate Strait. This is a day at sea, and our passage is somewhat protected from the open ocean by the island of Haida Gwaii.
As we sail, look out for wildlife including humpback whales, orcas, fin whales, minke whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins.
- Meals Included: All meals onboard the ship
- Accommodation: MS Roald Amundsen
Part of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreen trees, roaring waterfalls and snowcapped peaks. The revered naturalist John Muir described the area as one of the most beautiful places he’d ever seen.
Weather permitting, you’ll join the Expedition Team to tour Misty Fjords in our small expedition boats or explore in a kayak.
Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. As we explore, scan the shores and forests for black and brown bears and moose. These waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, Steller sea lions, harbour seals, orcas and Dall’s porpoises. Skywards, you might spot herons and Bald Eagles.
- Meals Included: All meals onboard the ship
- Accommodation: MS Roald Amundsen
Today, we visit Klawock, beautifully situated on the western shore of Prince of Wales Island. The small town has a population of around 700 and is known for its array of totem poles.
A centre for Łingít culture, the island’s original name was ‘Taan’, meaning sea lion. At the Totem Park, you’ll see 21 exquisitely carved examples, some of them replicas of the originals that stood in the winter village of Tuxecan.
- Meals Included: All meals onboard the ship
- Accommodation: MS Roald Amundsen
Start your day looking out for whales in the pristine waters of Frederick Sound.
We might take to the water in our expedition boats and investigate the secluded coves and forested shorelines of the 150-mile-long Chatham Strait, or perhaps opportunities for kayaking will present themselves if the conditions are right.
Wherever we explore, keep a lookout for wildlife as Bald Eagles, bears and humpback whales can be spotted in this region.
- Meals Included: All meals onboard the ship
- Accommodation: MS Roald Amundsen
Today is another day of exploration as we sail into Icy Strait and take a closer look at some of the islands and islets. As usual, we will assess the weather conditions and wildlife-spotting opportunities to decide on the best location.
Using our expedition boats, we may get close to some of the rocky shores here, with the possibility of a landing and nature walk. The coast in this region grows more rugged the closer we get to the open sea, with rocky pinnacles and sea caves galore.
Keep an eye out for whales, as well as sea lions, orcas and Bald Eagles.
- Meals Included: All meals onboard the ship
- Accommodation: MS Roald Amundsen
Three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse, and Tyndall – each feed ice into the bay’s waters to give it its name. If conditions allow, you’ll explore this icy landscape in our small expedition boats or by kayak, immersing yourself in its remarkable beauty.
From Icy Bay, you can admire striking, jagged Mt. St Elias. Known for its steep vertical relief, it is the second-tallest peak in the US and third-tallest in the US and Canada at over 18,000 ft.
In the Gulf of Alaska, we’ll scout for humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, and harbour seals, which are often seen in these waters.
- Meals Included: All meals onboard the ship
- Accommodation: MS Roald Amundsen
Today, you’ll see a region that was in the news for all the wrong reasons when the Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in 1989, but which today has made a remarkable recovery. After significant clean-up efforts, the coastline has largely recovered – a testament to what can be done to heal damaged ecosystems.
On a visit to the Valdez Museum, you’ll see exhibits of Native Alaskan art and culture as well as artifacts from the Gold Rush era, and learn about the history of Alaska’s Bush Pilots. As we travel around this region, look out for wildlife such as beavers, moose and bears.
- Meals Included: All meals onboard the ship
- Accommodation: MS Roald Amundsen
Today is a day all about glaciers. Prince William Sound is home to 150 of these amazing rivers of ice, including 17 incredible tidewater glaciers. Your Captain will choose the best location for the day based on the conditions.
We’ll get as close to the glaciers as we safely can, taking our small expedition boats into the fjord or even exploring by kayak if conditions permit. From the water, you might catch sight of humpback whales, Bald Eagles, otters and harbour seals, all of which inhabit this icy wilderness.
- Meals Included: All meals onboard the ship
- Accommodation: MS Roald Amundsen
Your expedition cruise ends in Whittier, a small, picturesque fishing town of just a few hundred residents, nestled between towering mountains and the deep blue waters of Prince William Sound.
Surrounded by dramatic glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and lush temperate rainforests, it serves as a gateway to the sound – a haven for kayakers, photographers, and adventurers drawn to its pristine fjords and abundant wildlife. From here, you will be transferred to the Anchorage airport.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
