Spirit of the Rockies & Alaska Inside Passage — Self-Launched Adventure
19 days · Canada & Alaska
Globus charges £8,900
No-markup version: ~£4,070 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Globus's blockbuster Canada + Alaska cruise itinerary, done independently for a fraction of the price. Ride the iconic Rocky Mountaineer (or the budget-friendly VIA Rail/coach alternative), explore Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Whistler by public transport, ferry across to Victoria, then still enjoy the reward of a roundtrip Alaska Inside Passage cruise booked directly. Same jaw-dropping peaks, glaciers and wildlife — but you call the shots on budget, pace and comfort.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Vancouver
Vancouver
Fly into Vancouver and settle into a central hostel or budget hotel near the waterfront. Take an easy first evening stroll down Canada Place and around Gastown's steam clock to shake off jet lag.
🚌YVR SkyTrain Canada Line into downtown, ~£5
🛏HI Vancouver Central or Samesun Backpacker Lodge, ~£45/night shared en-suite
- →Self-guided walk of Gastown & the harbour
- →Canada Place waterfront sunset
Vancouver city highlights
Vancouver
Explore Vancouver at your own pace. Rent a bike to circle the Stanley Park seawall, wander through Chinatown and the historic Gastown district. Opt for a local dinner in a neighbourhood eatery instead of the group tour restaurant.
🚌Local buses & bike rental, ~£12
🛏HI Vancouver Central or Samesun Backpacker Lodge
- →Stanley Park seawall bike ride
- →Chinatown & Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden walk (£10)
- →Gastown and waterfront sightseeing
Vancouver to Kamloops by rail
Kamloops
Board the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf service for the scenic daytime journey to Kamloops, passing the Fraser Canyon and following the Thompson River. If on a budget, VIA Rail's Canadian also traces spectacular sections. Overnight in Kamloops.
🚌Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf Vancouver–Kamloops, ~£340
🛏Budget hotel/motel in Kamloops, ~£70
- →Scenic rail journey through Fraser Canyon & Thompson River
Kamloops to Banff
Banff
Continue aboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Kamloops to Banff, skirting Shuswap Lake, the Kicking Horse River and crossing the Continental Divide into spectacular Banff National Park. Evening arrival in the mountain town of Banff.
🚌Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf Kamloops–Banff, ~£360
🛏Banff International Hostel or Samesun Banff, ~£50/night
- →Rail journey past Shuswap Lake & Continental Divide
- →First evening stroll along Banff Avenue
Explore Banff highlights
Banff
Tackle the classic Banff sights independently. Walk to Bow Falls and Surprise Corner, then ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for panoramic Rockies views (book online in advance). Take a short hike on Tunnel Mountain for a sunset viewpoint.
🚌Local Roam transit & walking, ~£8
🛏Banff International Hostel or Samesun Banff
- →Bow Falls & Surprise Corner viewpoint
- →Banff Gondola (£45, book ahead)
- →Tunnel Mountain sunset hike
Banff to Lake Louise
Lake Louise
Take the Roam public bus from Banff up to Lake Louise (~1 hour). Do the classic lakeshore heritage walk with views of Victoria Glacier. Skip the expensive Fairmont dinner and pack a picnic or eat in the village instead.
🚌Roam Regional Transit Banff–Lake Louise, ~£15
🛏HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre, ~£45
- →Lake Louise lakeshore walk
- →Fairview Lookout hike
- →Tea House hike (Lake Agnes) if energy allows
Icefields Parkway to Jasper
Jasper
Travel the iconic Icefields Parkway by public shuttle or tour van toward Jasper. Stop at the Columbia Icefield for the Ice Explorer ride onto Athabasca Glacier, and photograph thundering Athabasca Falls en route. Arrive in laid-back Jasper in the evening.
🚌Sundog/Icefields shuttle Lake Louise–Jasper via Icefields, ~£90
🛏HI Jasper or Jasper Hostel, ~£45
- →Columbia Icefield & Athabasca Glacier Ice Explorer (£70)
- →Athabasca Falls viewpoint
Jasper to Sun Peaks
Sun Peaks
Depart Jasper heading west via the scenic Yellowhead Highway past mighty Mount Robson (highest peak in the Canadian Rockies) and along the Fraser and Thompson rivers. An all-day coach or rental-car drive brings you to the ski resort village of Sun Peaks.
🚌Greyhound/Ebus coach Jasper–Sun Peaks, ~£75
🛏Budget condo-hotel at Sun Peaks, ~£70
- →Yellowhead Highway & Mount Robson views
- →Relax in Sun Peaks village
Sun Peaks to Whistler
Whistler
Travel from Sun Peaks over to the world-famous ski resort of Whistler, dominated by Blackcomb and Whistler mountains. Once settled, take an afternoon ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, linking both peaks with staggering views.
🚌Coach Sun Peaks–Whistler via Kamloops, ~£65
🛏HI Whistler or Pangea Pod Hostel, ~£55
- →Peak 2 Peak Gondola & Whistler Village (£70)
Whistler to Victoria via Squamish
Victoria
Head south to Squamish and visit the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre for an Indigenous cultural experience. Join the BC Ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Vancouver Island to reach the provincial capital, Victoria.
🚌Coach Whistler–Squamish–Horseshoe Bay + BC Ferry, ~£60
🛏Ocean Island Inn or HI Victoria, ~£50
- →Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre (£20)
- →BC Ferry crossing Gulf Islands
- →Evening walk around Victoria's Inner Harbour
Butchart Gardens & Victoria
Victoria
Spend the day in elegant Victoria. Take a public bus to the stunning Butchart Gardens for a full self-guided wander among the sunken, rose and Japanese gardens. In the afternoon visit the Royal BC Museum and Thunderbird Park with its First Nations totem poles.
🚌BC Transit bus to Butchart Gardens, ~£8 return
🛏Ocean Island Inn or HI Victoria
- →Butchart Gardens entry (£30)
- →Royal BC Museum (£20)
- →Thunderbird Park totem poles
Victoria back to Vancouver
Vancouver
Take the scenic BC Ferry back from Victoria's Swartz Bay through the Gulf Islands to Tsawwassen and return to downtown Vancouver. Enjoy a relaxed final mainland evening for one night before the cruise leg begins.
🚌BC Ferry Victoria–Vancouver ~£45 + local transit
🛏Budget hotel/airport hotel Vancouver, ~£70
- →Gulf Islands ferry cruise
- →Packing & cruise embarkation prep
Embark Alaska Inside Passage cruise
Inside Passage
Disembark land portion and board a roundtrip Alaska Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver (book an interior cabin directly with a line like Holland America or Princess). Settle in and start spotting whales and eagles from the deck as you cruise north through scenic fjords.
🚌Cruise fare from Vancouver (all-inclusive meals)
🛏Inside cabin on cruise ship
- →Waterside wildlife spotting
- →Onboard entertainment & entry into Inside Passage
Juneau, Alaska
Juneau
Arrive in Alaska's state capital. The gateway to the Tongass National Forest is famed for the stunning Mendenhall Glacier, just 13 miles from town — reachable by local bus. Book a self-guided visit to walk the photo points and forest trails.
🚌Local blue bus to Mendenhall Glacier, ~£12
🛏Onboard ship
- →Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls
- →Juneau waterfront stroll
Skagway & White Pass Railroad
Skagway
Dock in historic Skagway, the Klondike gold-rush town. The big draw here is the White Pass & Yukon Route narrow-gauge railroad, snaking up into the mountains — book the scenic ride. Afterwards wander the boardwalk past the famed Red Onion Saloon.
🚌On foot / shore
🛏Onboard ship
- →White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad (~£120)
- →Skagway historic boardwalk & Red Onion Saloon
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay
A spectacular day of scenic cruising into Glacier Bay National Park, where colossal tidewater glaciers like Margerie Glacier calve into the sea. Park rangers board the ship to narrate; keep your camera ready on deck for seals, sea lions and breaching whales.
🚌Ship scenic cruising
🛏Onboard ship
- →Glacier Bay National Park & Margerie Glacier viewing
- →Ranger-led narration (onboard)
Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan
Reach Ketchikan, the 'Salmon Capital of the World', famed for its totem poles. Take a local bus or walk to Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Village to see master Tlingit carvers up close, then treat yourself to fresh local seafood dinner on the Tongass Narrows.
🚌Local transit in port, ~£10
🛏Onboard ship
- →Totem Bight State Park
- →Saxman Village Tlingit carving & totem poles
- →Seafood dinner in Ketchikan
Scenic cruising the Inside Passage
Inside Passage
A final full day of scenic cruising south through the calm and misty Inside Passage. Linger on deck scanning for humpback whales, orcas and bald eagles as the forested coastline slides by — the perfect wind-down to the whole adventure.
🚌Ship cruising
🛏Onboard ship
- →Inside Passage wildlife watching
- →Photography & reflection on the voyage
Return to Vancouver
Vancouver
The ship returns to Vancouver harbour this morning. Enjoy one last breakfast on board, disembark and head to the airport for your onward flight home, taking with you memories of mountain rail journeys, epic glaciers and whale-lined Alaskan fjords.
🚌Airport SkyTrain, ~£5
🛏None — disembark & fly out
- →Ship disembarkation
- →Departure from Vancouver
Self-launched vs. Globus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Globus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£4,070 | £8,900 |
| Duration | 19 days | 19 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £4,830 per person (54%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Globus-style trips? Check them out here.~£4,070
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Spirit of the Rockies & Alaska Inside Passage — Self-Launched Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £4,070 per person for 19 days in Canada & Alaska. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Globus?+
Yes — Globus charges around £8,900 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £4,070 — a saving of roughly £4,830 (54%) per person.
How long is the Canada & Alaska trip?+
This itinerary runs 19 days, covering 19 day-by-day stops through Canada & Alaska.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, wildlife, nature trip through Canada & Alaska, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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