The Rocky Mountaineer and Alaska

Arrive in Vancouver and settle into one of Canada’s most beautifully positioned cities, framed by forested mountains and the Pacific coastline. Spend the afternoon exploring the waterfront districts, cycling through Stanley Park or enjoying fresh seafood along Coal Harbour. The city’s balance of urban elegance and natural scenery creates the perfect introduction to a journey shaped by rail, wilderness and ocean exploration.

Board the iconic Rocky Mountaineer and begin a spectacular rail journey through British Columbia’s dramatic wilderness. Travelling in glass-domed carriages, the experience combines panoramic mountain scenery with attentive onboard service and gourmet regional cuisine. As Vancouver fades behind you, forests, rivers and towering peaks gradually transform the landscape into the rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies.

Continue deeper into the Canadian Rockies as the train winds through dramatic canyons, glacier-fed rivers and towering mountain passes. Highlights along the route include steep rock walls, rushing waterfalls and remote wilderness landscapes only accessible by rail. Every stretch of track reveals another cinematic view across one of North America’s most spectacular mountain regions.

Arrive in the heart of the Rockies and continue toward Banff and Lake Louise, where turquoise lakes and snow-capped peaks define the landscape. Spend the day exploring alpine trails, scenic viewpoints and the charming mountain atmosphere of Banff National Park. Whether relaxing beside Lake Louise or enjoying the elegance of a historic mountain lodge, the region delivers some of Canada’s most iconic scenery.

Travel onward toward Alaska before boarding your Silversea expedition cruise in Seward. As the journey transitions from rail to sea, landscapes shift from towering mountain ranges to glacial coastlines and deep fjords. Once onboard, settle into your suite and prepare for an expedition through some of the most remote and wildlife-rich waters in North America.

Today brings one of the highlights of the voyage as the ship navigates toward Hubbard Glacier, North America’s largest tidewater glacier. Massive blue ice walls rise directly from the sea while chunks of ice break away with thunderous echoes across the water. Surrounded by snow-covered mountains and icy wilderness, the scale of Alaska’s glacial landscapes feels almost surreal.

Cruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage, where forested islands, mist-covered fjords and wildlife-rich waters create one of the world’s great expedition cruising routes. Keep watch for humpback whales, bald eagles, sea otters and bears along the shoreline while Zodiac excursions and guided landings offer closer access to Alaska’s remote wilderness.

Spend the day within Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape known for its immense glaciers, towering mountains and pristine marine ecosystems. The silence and scale of the region create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else on the voyage. Expedition guides and naturalists onboard provide insight into the wildlife, geology and history that shape this remarkable part of Alaska.

Continue through Alaska’s coastal frontier towns, where colourful harbours and wooden boardwalks reflect the region’s gold rush history. Destinations such as Juneau, Ketchikan or Skagway offer opportunities to explore Indigenous heritage, wildlife excursions and rugged mountain scenery beyond the ports. Each stop reveals another layer of Alaska’s identity shaped by isolation, exploration and the natural world.

Return to Vancouver where the journey concludes. From the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the glaciers and fjords of Alaska, this rail-and-sail experience combines two of North America’s most extraordinary wilderness regions through luxury train travel and expedition cruising.