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Vancouver, Canada
Start your journey in Vancouver, a stunning gateway city between mountains and ocean. Explore Stanley Park, Granville Island Market, and the Gastown district. This is your embarkation point for the Rocky Mountaineer train heading east.
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Whistler, Canada
An optional scenic stopover north of Vancouver along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. The village is charming year-round with alpine meadows, gondola rides, and great après-ski dining. A great warm-up before the Rockies proper.
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Kamloops, Canada
A midway overnight stop on the Rocky Mountaineer First Passage to the West route. The train travels through dramatic river canyons and high desert plateau landscapes here. Relax and prepare for the mountain scenery ahead.
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Banff, Canada
The jewel of the Canadian Rockies, Banff sits inside Canada's oldest national park. Visit Lake Louise, the turquoise Moraine Lake, and soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Don't miss Banff Avenue's cozy restaurants and the stunning Icefields Parkway drive north.
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Jasper, Canada
Drive or take the scenic Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper, stopping at the Columbia Icefield. Jasper National Park is wilder and less crowded than Banff, with excellent wildlife viewing for elk, bears, and mountain goats. The Athabasca Falls and Maligne Lake are must-sees.
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Vancouver, Canada
Return to Vancouver to board your Alaska cruise ship at Canada Place cruise terminal. Use this day to rest, repack for the ship, and enjoy a final meal in Yaletown or Chinatown. Most Alaska cruises depart late afternoon or evening.
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Ketchikan, United States
Alaska's first port of call is known as the Salmon Capital of the World and for its vibrant totem pole culture. Walk Creek Street, visit Totem Bight State Historical Park, and watch salmon run under the boardwalks. Rainforest hikes and floatplane tours are popular excursions.
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Juneau, United States
Alaska's capital city is only accessible by sea or air, making it uniquely remote and charming. Ride the Mount Roberts Tramway for panoramic views or visit the Mendenhall Glacier just 12 miles from downtown. Whale watching tours in Stephens Passage are excellent from here.
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Skagway, United States
A living Gold Rush boomtown preserved as a National Historic Park with wooden boardwalks and false-front buildings. Ride the historic White Pass & Yukon Route narrow-gauge railway for breathtaking mountain scenery. The town fills up fast with cruise visitors so explore early in the day.
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Glacier Bay, United States
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most spectacular glacier cruising destinations on earth. Your ship will spend a full day sailing through the bay while a park ranger narrates on board. Watch and listen for massive chunks of ice calving from the Margerie and Grand Pacific glaciers.
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Sitka, United States
Sitka blends Russian colonial heritage with Tlingit culture in a spectacular island setting on the Pacific coast. Visit the onion-domed St. Michael's Cathedral and Sitka National Historical Park with its totem poles in the rainforest. Sea otters are frequently spotted right from the harbor.
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Anchorage, United States
Most Inside Passage cruises end in Seward or Whittier, with a transfer to Anchorage for your flight home. Spend extra days exploring the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Chugach State Park, and the excellent Anchorage Museum. A day trip to Denali National Park or Kenai Fjords is highly recommended if time allows.