ALASKA CRUISE & THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
Itinerary
Day 1, Thursday Tel Aviv – Vancouver
From Ben Gurion Airport we’ll fly to Vancouver via an intermediate stop en route. Upon arrival to Vancouver International Airport we’ll transfer to our hotel.
Day 2, Friday Vancouver
Today’s excursion will start at the base of Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver from where we’ll ride the Skytram to the top for a magnificent panoramic view of this city, rated the best city in the world in which to live. At the top we’ll pay a visit to the Theatre in the Sky.
Upon returning to the base of Grouse Mountain, we’ll continue to visit the famous historic Capilano Suspension Bridge, one of the world's longest suspension bridges - 450 feet across and 230 feet above the Capilano Canyon! While enjoying our visit, time may be allowed to explore the surrounding Nature Park, which offers meandering trails through an old-growth forest.
From North Vancouver we’ll head back to our hotel to prepare for Shabbat, Shabbat services and dinner.
Day 3, Shabbat Vancouver
After Shabbat services and lunch, we’ll take a walking tour of the area near the hotel.
Day 4, Sunday Vancouver – Cruise
We'll start the day with a half-day tour of Vancouver during which we'll try to cover some of 
Vancouver's main attractions: Gastown, Chinatown, and the City Centre, including Robson Street, the new city library, the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and the old Expo 86 site. We'll drive through Stanley Park; pass by gardens, the Vancouver Aquarium and Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. The tour bus will stop at the Totem Poles, a tribute to British Columbia's West Coast Native heritage. From there we'll drive through English Bay, one of the trendier parts of town, and Shaughnessy Heights, one of the wealthier areas of Vancouver. Our tour of the city will end at Canada Place, where we'll embark on our Alaskan Cruise on the Celebrity cruise ship Mercury, ranked second in the "World's Best Ships" by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine.
We'll board a vessel shimmering in elegance and grandeur. Mercury will be our host for delightful dining and creative relaxation. She has ten decks, each featuring an exciting facet of Celebrity's signature staterooms, suites and clubs. Convenient Internet cafes allow guests to stay connected with family and friends. State-of-the-art theaters provide the perfect environment for lavish Broadway and Vegas production shows. The Michael's Club offers hand-rolled cigars, fine cognacs and port wine. The AquaSpa provides guests over 40 ways to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. In-stateroom dining is available to guests 24 hours a day.
Day 5, Monday At Sea
Today we spend the day sailing the Inside Passage between the British Columbia mainland and the vast expanse of Vancouver Island.
Day 6, Tuesday Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan, Alaska is the ancestral home of Alaska's Tlingit Indians. The largest collection of totem poles in the world is on display here. Nature buffs will appreciate the lush rain forests and the Misty Fjords National Monument.
Day 7, Wednesday Hubbard Glacier
Today we’ll cruise the vicinity Hubbard Glacier. Hubbard Glacier is a tidewater glacier in the U.S. state of Alaska and the Yukon Territory of Canada. From its source in the Yukon, the glacier stretches 122 km to the sea at Yakutat Bay and Disenchantment Bay. It is the longest tidewater glacier in Alaska, with an open calving face over ten kilometers wide. Before it reaches the sea, Hubbard is joined by the Valerie Glacier to the west, which, through forward surges of its own ice, has contributed to the advance of the ice flow that experts believe will eventually dam the Russell Fiord from Disenchantment Bay waters.
Day 8, Thursday Juneau, Alaska
We’ll get a taste of both cosmopolitan and frontier styles when we tour the capital of Alaska. Nature walks, 
sport fishing and scenic bike rides await us in this stunning city. We can meander through original shops or marvel at Mendenhall Glacier, just outside of town.
Day 9, Friday Sitka, Alaska
Whether we're sampling fresh salmon, studying the symbolic artistry of Tlingit totem poles or taking a picture in front of the onion-domed cathedral, we'll find that Sitka has its own special beauty and charm. Once the capital of Russian America, we'll see relics from a czarist past in historic parks and museums. Upon our return to the ship, we’ll prepare for Shabbat.
Day 10, Shabbat At Sea
A complete day of rest and relaxation, to recharge our batteries for the days ahead.
Day 11, Sunday Victoria, British Columbia
Upon disembarking, our coach will meet us this morning for our full day excursion to Victoria.
We’ll board the B.C. Ferry departing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay for the 90 minute cruise through the Gulf Islands and across the Strait of Georgia, to Victoria. Here we’ll visit the world famous Butchart Gardens. With over 50 acres of gardens including the fragrant Rose Garden, the relaxing Japanese Garden, the unique Sunken Garden, the Italian Garden, the Concert Lawn, and Ross Fountain - just to name a few, a visit to Butchart Gardens is a treat for all our senses!
Originally Fort Victoria, Victoria was the first European settlement on Vancouver Island and is the oldest city on 
Canada's west coast. It was chosen in 1843 by James Douglas to be the Hudson's Bay Company's westernmost outpost, and it became the capital of British Columbia in 1868. This city, 71 km (44 mi) south of Vancouver and 2½ hours away from Seattle by high-speed ferry, has since evolved into a walk able, livable seaside town of gardens, waterfront walks, and restored 19th-century architecture. It is often called the most British city in Canada. These days, though, except for the odd red phone box, good beer, and well-mannered drivers, this very Canadian town is working to shed its tea-cozy image, preferring to celebrate its combined native, Asian, and European heritage.
Another ferry ride across the Strait of Georgia takes us back to the mainland and a short transfer brings us back to our hotel in Vancouver.
Day 12, Monday Vancouver – Kamloops
Today we head out for a full day’s activities on the way to Kamloops. Following the Thompson and Fraser Rivers, we’ll will visit the world famous Hell's Gate, north of the town of Hope, BC. “Hell’s Gate is just beyond Hope,” say the locals. The rapids of the Fraser River are at their wildest in this location and we dare you to ride on the Hell's Gate Airtram, a cable car crossing the river gorge [admission not included]. From here we’ll continue northeast up the Fraser River Canyon, until we reach the city of Kamloops, where we’ll spend the night.
Day 13, Tuesday Kamloops – Jasper
.Today we’ll continue east to Wells Gray Provincial Park to view the grandeur of Spahats Falls which drop over a sheer volcanic precipice. We’ll proceed along the Yellowhead Highway to the Village of Blue River which developed as the major center during the turn of the century as pioneers blazed a passage through the rugged mountain. Then we’ll travel through Mount Robson Provincial Park, home to impressive Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies at 3954 meters. From Mount Robson, we’ll make our way to our hotel for our overnight stay in Jasper.
Day 14, Wednesday Jasper – Banff
This morning we’ll travel southward along one of the most spectacular highways in North America. The Icefield Parkway is highlighted by occasional wildlife sightings, towering mountain peaks, tranquil lakes and cascading waterfalls. Our travels include a stop at Athabasca Falls before arriving at the Columbia Icefield. An experience of a lifetime awaits us at the Columbia Icefield! Upon arrival at the Icefield Centre, we’ll shuttle to the Athabasca Glacier where we’ll board a unique, specially designed Ice Explorer for a guided tour onto the surface of the Glacier - a true Ice Age adventure!
After visiting what is considered to be one of the largest bodies of ice below the Arctic Circle, we’ll continue south to view Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and Crowfoot Glacier as we approach our destination of Banff.
Day 15, Thursday Banff – Lake Louise – Banff
Today we’ll travel the scenic Bow Valley Parkway to Lake Louise, passing Vermilion Lakes and Castle Mountain. We’ll take some time at Johnston Canyon to walk to the Lower Falls of the river before arriving at Lake Louise. If time is available, we’ll do some sightseeing at the world-renowned Chateau Lake Louise before returning to Banff via the Trans Canada Highway. On the way back to Banff we’ll visit Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Day 16, Friday Banff
We’ll set out to discover the charming town site of Banff, a thriving, four season resort of wood and stone, with
activities all year round. Today’s sightseeing will highlight many local delights including Bow Falls, the HooDoo Lookout, Lake Minnewanka, and Surprise Corner. We will take a ride up the Banff Gondola for a panoramic 360 degree view of the entire Banff area. Afterwards we’ll return to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat, Shabbat services and dinner.
Day 17, Shabbat Banff
After Shabbat services and lunch, we’ll stroll around the township to take in some of the local sites and sights.
Day 18, Sunday Banff – Calgary – Tel Aviv
This morning we’ll pack our things and set out by bus to Calgary, city of the famous rodeo, the “Calgary Stampede” and the center of Canada’s oil industry. We’ll make our way to the airport to check in for our flight home via an intermediary stop or two.
Day 19, Monday Tel Aviv
Home sweet home – with a whole load of memories of one of the most amazingly beautiful areas of our wonderful planet.
Price Includes
- International and Domestic Flights
- First tourist class hotels or the best available locally
- International Airport and security taxes
- Comfortable air-conditioned touring coach for travelling
- Breakfast and dinner daily, and supplies for making sandwiches for lunch
- Professional, experienced Israeli guide
- Local English-speaking Guide as required
- Entrance to all sites mentioned in the tour plan
Price Excludes
- USA Visa
- Tips for local service providers US$170 per person
- Travel and baggage Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Evening entertainment that are not included in the tour plan
- Changes in air fares due to increases in fuel, airport tax and security tax surcharges
- Tip for Israeli guide (Recommended: $3 per person per day)
Important To Know
There may be changes to the schedule and hotel reservations dependent upon international and domestic flights. We will make every effort to visit every place mentioned in the itinerary. In any event of fault relating to flights, cruises, sailings or other mode of transportation, the responsibility lies with the service provider alone.
Day of departure and arrival are included in the total days of the tour. Insurance is required for 18 days.
Insurance
We urge all passengers to purchase travel and cancellation insurance immediately upon registration for the tour. This ensures a refund of expenses in case of cancellation due to emergency, illness or bereavement.
Date And Prices
Start date |
End Date |
Days |
Price |
Single supplement |
Comments |
07/22/2010 |
08/09/2010 |
19 |
6990 $ |
3150 $ |
|
Terms
* More than 50 working days prior to departure: $47 per passenger registration fee only* 30-49 working days prior to departure: $700 + $47
* 8-29 working days prior to departure: $1,000+ $47
* 0-7 working days prior to departure: Passenger will be liable for full payment of all expenses connected to the tour (including visas, etc.)
Fridays, Shabbat and Holidays (including Chol Hamoed in Israel), and Sundays and Public Holidays abroad are not considered working days. If flight tickets have already been issued and/or any other services have already been purchased (visas, etc.) their costs will be added to the cancellation penalties mentioned above. We are obliged to purchase domestic flights ahead of time. These tickets are not refundable and therefore their cost will be added to all cancellation penalties. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations, flight tariffs and cost of land services. If Visas and/or tickets have been issued their costs will be added to the penalties mentioned above.