Alberta/British Columbia
Western Canada by Train & Ferry: Grizzlies, Orcas & Totems
Program No. 21439RJ
Breathtaking vistas, unique wildlife, ancient cultures and traditional ways of life — discover this and more as you explore Western Canada from Alberta to the Inside Passage.
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13 days
12 nights
28 meals
11B 9L 8D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Calgary, Alberta
3
Sharing Land with the Grizzlies, Lake Louise, High Tea
Banff, Alberta
4
Icefields Parkway
Jasper, Alberta
5
Maligne Canyon, Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park
Jasper, Alberta
6
Skeena Train: Jasper to Prince George
Prince George, British Columbia
7
Skeena Train: Prince George to Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
8
Museum of Northern B.C., Pacific Northwest Cannery
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
9
Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary Full-Day Field Trip
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
10
B.C. Ferry to Port Hardy, Canada’s Inside Passage
Port Hardy, British Columbia
11
Telegraph Cove: Whale Museum, Orca Whale Watching
Port Hardy, British Columbia
12
Ferry to Vancouver, Motorcoach Exploration
Vancouver, British Columbia
13
Program Concludes
Vancouver, British Columbia
At a Glance
Discover the breathtaking range of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta and the magnificent natural beauty of British Columbia. The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks are richly adorned with mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, limestone caves and fossils. In British Columbia, the Inside Passage teems with marine life, while on shore the ancient coastal rainforest provides habitat for grizzlies and many other mammals. Join naturalists for an exploration of the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Coast Mountains and the waterways of the West on this wildlife and wilderness adventure.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walk up to two miles daily over varied terrain. Embarking/disembarking motorcoaches, ferries, trains and vessels. Some long days with travel times of up to 16 hours due to ferry and train schedules (subject to change), with late-night arrivals followed by early morning departures.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Explore Banff and Yoho National Parks with experts and learn about their rich ecology and geology.
- Experience British Columbia’s diversity of landscapes aboard Via Rail's Skeena train and on a BC Ferry ride.
- Learn about the bioregion of the grizzly bear and observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
General Notes
Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or less.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Colleen Campbell
Colleen is a Victoria, British Columbia native who has lived all over Canada and in many parts of the world. She holds three degrees in visual arts, has studied in the sciences and has worked as a wildlife field researcher, concentrating on coyotes and grizzly bears. She believes that studying wildlife means learning about all their interactions — plants and other animals — and about how and where they travel. Colleen was also full-time faculty at Mount Royal in Calgary for more than 30 years.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Kirsten Schmitten
View biography
Kirsten Schmitten has spent over 30 years exploring, researching, writing and working in the Canadian Rockies. From her career as a park naturalist to her adventures with her warden husband, Kirsten’s love and knowledge of the natural and cultural history of Jasper makes her a captivating and sought after speaker. She is the owner of All Things Wild, a company specializing in connecting people to the natural and cultural history of Jasper National Park.
Brent MacDonald
View biography
Brent Macdonald has been a resident of the Canadian Rockies for almost 30 years. As a geology expert, he provides a wealth of knowledge about geography and geomorphology. Brent has had a diverse career as a freelance natural history interpreter, also working as a consultant for a geotechnical engineering company. He has shared his knowledge of geology and natural history as an interpreter and guest lecturer. Brent is also a certified mountain leader and ski instructor.
Colleen Campbell
View biography
Colleen is a Victoria, British Columbia native who has lived all over Canada and in many parts of the world. She holds three degrees in visual arts, has studied in the sciences and has worked as a wildlife field researcher, concentrating on coyotes and grizzly bears. She believes that studying wildlife means learning about all their interactions — plants and other animals — and about how and where they travel. Colleen was also full-time faculty at Mount Royal in Calgary for more than 30 years.
Andrea McPherson
View biography
Originally from Ontario, Andrea has settled into Calgary. Her love of travel has taken her around Canada and around the world. Andrea loves introducing visitors to the wonders of her home country of Canada and the vast range of experiences it has to offer. She is just as happy in the heart of a downtown metropolis as she is in the middle of the wild. From whale-watching to dog-sledding, from walks in downtown metropolises to the Rockies, Andreas has done it all.
Sonya Pollock
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Sonya Pollock grew up in Calgary, Alberta and loved taking trips out to the Rocky Mountains as a child. These trips with her family solidified her love of nature and wildlife. Her passion for helping animals resulted in her pursuit of an MSc in animal behavior and welfare where she studied thermoregulation in the Indian rhinoceros. She’s currently a Ph.D. candidate in wildlife ecology at the University of Alberta where she studies grizzly bear habitat selection in Banff National Park.
Patricia Thomson
View biography
Patricia Thomson not only loves nature, she’s made it her life’s calling. Having had a broad environmental education career including working for Parks Canada, B.C. Parks, and the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Patricia enjoys passing her passion on to others. Since 2004, she has been the executive director of Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES), leading a team of twelve conservation biologists and educators. Patricia is excited to take others with her and show to them the reasons she loves her home.
Lynne Brookes
View biography
Lynne Brookes has taught courses in biology, ecology, and environmental studies as well as teachers’ workshops in the U.S., Latin America, and Canada. A former president of an Audubon Society chapter, she served as president of the Arrowsmith Naturalists from 2014-17. “Retired” on mid-Vancouver Island, Lynne is a volunteer teacher focusing on native plants, ecology, and wildlife-friendly gardening for the Vancouver Island University ElderCollege program. She also conducts programs and workshops at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington, British Columbia.
Suggested Reading List
(5 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Western Canada by Train & Ferry: Grizzlies, Orcas & Totems
Program Number: 21439
Stone by Stone: Exploring Ancient Sites on the Canadian Plains
Author Liz Bryan explores archaeological sites that are accessible to today’s inquisitive travellers and provides enough detailed information, striking photographs, maps, and illustrations to satisfy any armchair archaeologist.
Epic Wanderer: David Thompson and the Mapping of the Canadian West
This full-length biography of David Thompson, is set in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries against a broad canvas of dramatic rivalries—between the United States and British North America, between the Hudson’s Bay Company and its Montreal-based rival, the North West Co., and between the various First Nations thrown into disarray by the advent of guns, horses and alcohol. Thompson spent nearly three decades (1784–1812) surveying and mapping over 1.2 million square miles of largely uncharted Indian territory.
Banff A History of the Park and Town
From the regions first Aboriginal visitors through the coming of the railway and the discovery of hot springs to modern times, Banff: A History of the Park and Town represents a synthesis of E.J. (Ted) Hart's 40-year career as a Canadian Rockies historian.
The Place of Bows
The Place of Bows is a story rich in character and often dramatic in events, and helps to shed light on how Banff National Park became such a focus of world attention. For those seeking to understand the contemporary debate over conservation versus development in Canada's first national park, many of the answers lie within this book.
Once They Were Hats: In Search of the Mighty Beaver
Examines humanity’s fifteen-thousand-year relationship with Castor canadensis, and the beaver’s even older relationship with North American landscapes and ecosystems. It’s a journey of discovery to find out what happened after we nearly wiped this essential animal off the map, and how we can learn to live with beavers now that they’re returning.
Year
- 2025
Date and Direction
- Jun 13 - Jun 25 (Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Jun 15 - Jun 27 (Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Jun 27 - Jul 09 (Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Aug 02 - Aug 14 (Vancouver, British Columbia to Banff, Alberta)
- Aug 04 - Aug 16 (Vancouver, British Columbia to Banff, Alberta)
- Aug 14 - Aug 26 (Vancouver, British Columbia to Banff, Alberta)
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Jun 13 - Jun 25, 2025 Itinerary Differences: This departure travels Westbound, starting in Calgary, Alberta and ending in Vancouver, B.C.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
- 2025
- Jun 13 - Jun 25 (Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Jun 15 - Jun 27 (Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Jun 27 - Jul 09 (Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Aug 02 - Aug 14 (Vancouver, British Columbia to Banff, Alberta)
- Aug 04 - Aug 16 (Vancouver, British Columbia to Banff, Alberta)
- Aug 14 - Aug 26 (Vancouver, British Columbia to Banff, Alberta)
Jun 13 - Jun 25, 2025 Itinerary Differences: This departure travels Westbound, starting in Calgary, Alberta and ending in Vancouver, B.C.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
13 days
12 nights
What's Included
28 meals (
11B, 9L, 8D
)
5 expert-led lectures
14 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
12 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Calgary, Alberta
Meals:
D
Stay:
Best Western Plus Port O'Call Calgary Airport Hotel
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our knowledgeable Group Leader will provide expert commentary on certain field trips, and a series of local experts will conduct field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Meals will feature local cuisine in a variety of settings. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Day
2
Yoho: Cave & Basin Site & Great Divide, Banff: Emerald Lake
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Rundlestone Lodge
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles on pavement and well-maintained trails. Some stairs and uneven terrain at the historic site. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 140 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will travel to explore Yoho National Park, including Emerald Lake. We’ll learn about the interesting local plant species at the Burgess Shale quarries along Fossil Ridge with a local expert. We’ll then visit the Burgess Shale itself; rich in fossils, it has preserved marine ecosystems dating back 500 million years. We’ll also observe the diverse landscape at the Great Divide in Yoho National Park, offering a view of huge avalanche paths, the interior rainforest, and lakeside riparian zones.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy a boxed lunch in a scenic area.
Afternoon:
We’ll head to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff National Park for a lecture focusing on the history and geology of the Canadian Rockies. We’ll then explore Cave and Basin with an expert, gaining insight into the origin and development of Canada’s national parks and historic sites during a visit to the hot spring which became the centerpiece of Canada’s first (and the world’s third) national park.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Sharing Land with the Grizzlies, Lake Louise, High Tea
Location:
Banff, Alberta
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
The Rundlestone Lodge
Activity Note
Walking up to 1.5 miles for approximately 2 hours on well-maintained trails. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 80 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Getting on/off a gondola; top elevation 8650 ft.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll take the motorcoach to Lake Louise, where a wildlife expert and conservationist will explain how to share the land with grizzly bears and how Parks Canada is conducting land use and management for conservation areas. We’ll then board the Lake Louise Gondola and enjoy views of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake within the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Lunch:
We’ll be served afternoon tea at Château Lake Louise.
Afternoon:
We’ll stop for a visit to Moraine Lake while returning to Banff. Moraine Lake’s turquoise waters increase in intensity during the summer while the glaciers melt. Nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, the lake is surrounded by waterfalls, mountains, and rock piles.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
4
Icefields Parkway
Location:
Jasper, Alberta
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Tonquin Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 160 miles, approximately 5 hours riding time with stops along the way.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the hotel and board the motorcoach to travel along the famed scenic Icefields Parkway, one of the most impressive stretches of scenic driving in Canada. The highway follows a lake-lined valley between the Eastern Main Ranges which make up the Continental Divide. The Group Leader will divulge interesting facts about the geological history and glaciology of the Athabasca Glacier as we move along.
Lunch:
A boxed lunch will be enjoyed at a scenic spot along the parkway.
Afternoon:
Continuing our motorcoarch exploration of the Icefields Parkway, we’ll make our way to Jasper National Park traveling past beautiful mountain lakes and more than 100 glaciers. En route we will stop at scenic overlooks to enjoy the turquoise lakes, mountain-framed valleys and raging waterfalls.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Maligne Canyon, Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park
Location:
Jasper, Alberta
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Tonquin Inn
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day on paved or maintained trails. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving for about 60 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time with stops along the way.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our local expert naturalist will meet us at the hotel and accompany us in our explorations of Jasper National Park, Maligne Canyon and Pyramid Lake by motorcoach. We’ll make a stop for a walk along the Maligne Canyon Trail, which is rich in natural history, impressive geologic features and wildlife. On our walk, we’ll search for fossils and find out how this deep canyon formed during glacial ages. The forests of these wilderness areas are home to mountain goats, elk, moose, and bears as well as a variety of birds, including bald eagles. These scenic trails will allow us to explore the spectacular vantage points, flower meadows, and sapphire blue mountain lakes.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy a boxed lunch at a scenic spot along our journey.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our expert-led exploration in Jasper National Park by motorcoach, making some stops for expert interpretation. Canada's largest and most northerly Rocky Mountain park, Jasper encompasses over 4,200 square miles and boasts healthy wildlife populations, including grizzly bears and wolves, which live among its grand peaks and emerald-green lakes. The combination of these startling blue-green mountain lakes, soaring peaks and broad, forested valleys makes this one of the world's premiere national parks.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy local fare.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer to Prince George tomorrow.
Day
6
Skeena Train: Jasper to Prince George
Location:
Prince George, British Columbia
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Ramada Prince George
Activity Note
Getting on/off a train; riding 235 miles, approximately 6.5 hours or more today, depending on rail conditions. Train schedules are subject to change and delays are possible due to rail traffic or other conditions. Bring only a carry-on bag, larger luggage will be delivered to the hotel in Prince Rupert. Walking up to 1 mile, approximately 30 minutes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning’s presentation at the hotel given by a local expert will examine Jasper from a historical perspective giving us the opportunity to learn about some of the early settlers and the First Nations. After some time to ourselves, we’ll meet at the hotel lobby at 11:45 a.m. for a motorcoach transfer to the Jasper Train Station before embarking on a two-day train journey aboard Via Rail’s Skeena Train from Jasper, A.B. to Prince Rupert, B.C., with an overnight stop in Prince George, B.C. We’ll enjoy the haunting splendor and the rugged beauty of the Canadian wilderness from the comfort of the train. We will travel past Jasper National Park, the Canadian Rockies, northern rural communities, and the gorgeous Pacific Coast.
Lunch:
Served aboard the train.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our journey through the Canadian Rocky Mountains towards Prince George, B.C. Prince George is situated at the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako Rivers. The origin of Prince George can be traced to the fur trading post of Fort George, established in 1807 by Simon Fraser.
Dinner:
Aboard the train.
Evening:
Arrival in Prince George will occur around 7:00 p.m. local time. Train schedules are subject to change and delays are possible due to rail traffic or other conditions. Your patience is appreciated. The hotel is a short distance from the train station and leisure time may be enjoyed for the remainder of the evening. Prepare for check-out and continued transfer in the morning.
Day
7
Skeena Train: Prince George to Prince Rupert
Location:
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Crest Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a train; riding 450 miles for approximately 13.5 hours or more. Train schedules are subject to change and delays are possible due to rail traffic or other conditions. Your patience is appreciated.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Back on the train, we’ll experience the magnificent scenery as we journey from Prince George to Prince Rupert along the Yellowhead Pass, and across British Columbia’s interior plateau astride the Skeena River. Glimpse northern rural communities where industries such as forestry, agriculture, mining, fishing, and travel are essential.
Lunch:
Aboard the train.
Afternoon:
The train ride continues as we pass the coastal mountains of northwestern B.C., at the edge of the Spacsizi Plateau, where the Skeena River begins its 354-mile trek to the Pacific Ocean. The Skeena is the second largest river in the province, and one of the longest undammed rivers in the world.
Dinner:
Aboard the train.
Evening:
We’ll arrive in Prince Rupert at approximately 8:25 p.m. local time (depending on rail conditions), and we’ll transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the evening may be enjoyed at leisure.
Day
8
Museum of Northern B.C., Pacific Northwest Cannery
Location:
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
The Crest Hotel
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles during field trips throughout the day. Getting on/off a motorcoach.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Arriving by motorcoach, we’ll ruminate over the splendor of the Museum of Northern British Columbia, housed in a magnificent Northwest Coast longhouse overlooking Prince Rupert Harbour. Here, we’ll discover the natural and cultural heritage of the Northwest Coast through exhibitions and interpretation, and learn a local expert about the history of the Tsimshian, Haida, Tlingit, and Kwakwakawakw peoples. Observe the beauty of this region, with its fjords, inlets, rainforests, lagoons, sandy beaches, and haunting abandoned villages.
Lunch:
At the North Pacific Cannery Historic Site.
Afternoon:
The Pacific Northwest Cannery Historic Site offers insight into life at remote salmon canneries and elucidates on how the industry shaped the economy and culture of the province. This field trip includes walking along historic boardwalks, and exploring the industrial buildings, residences, and wilderness surroundings of the salmon canning industry. We will hear about the people, living conditions, workspaces, and the functions of a remote cannery. We’ll witness live demonstrations of cannery machinery and meditate on what it must have been like for workers. This visit will explore canning practices from its earliest days to modern methods.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
9
Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary Full-Day Field Trip
Location:
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
The Crest Hotel
Activity Note
Walking about 1 mile throughout the day on paved streets. Getting on/off a 60- to 72-foot all-weather vessel with a maximum capacity of 100 passengers; approximately 6 hours riding time. Vessels are equipped with onboard washrooms, comfortable seating, viewing from the cabin and outside deck.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning’s field trip takes place aboard the Prince Rupert Adventure Tours boats, aboard which experts will discuss the diverse marine life within the Khutzeymateen Inlet. Keep an eye out for porpoises, seals, sea lions, bald eagles, and blue herons while basking in the inlet peaks which are over 6,500 feet high. Within the Khutzeymateen Valley lies an ancient spruce forest and the Grizzly Bear Sanctuary. Khutzeymateen Valley is home to one of the highest concentrations of grizzly bears in North America. We’ll wander the Khutzeymateen (K’tsim-a-deen) Grizzly Bear Sanctuary and glimpse these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Lunch:
Aboard the vessel.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue to enjoy the Khutzeymateen Provincial Park, the first area in Canada to be protected specifically for grizzly bears. This is the first undisturbed estuary of its size to be protected along the northern coast of B.C. An abundance of wildlife shares this area of rugged peaks towering up to 19,685 feet above a valley of wetlands, and old growth temperate rainforests.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy local fare in Prince Rupert.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for early check-out and transfer to the ferry in the morning.
Day
10
B.C. Ferry to Port Hardy, Canada’s Inside Passage
Location:
Port Hardy, British Columbia
Stay:
Kwa’lilas Hotel
Activity Note
Early hotel check-out at 5:45 a.m. for transfer to the ferry dock. Getting on/off a motorcoach. Getting on/off a ferry; riding about 274 nautical miles, approximately 16 hours riding time. Participants will have onboard cabins.
Breakfast:
On your own to enjoy on the ferry.
Morning:
The ferry ride will take us along the awe-inspiring Inside Passage route. This 16-hour journey will take us past spectacular coastal rainforests and majestic coastal mountains. We’ll learn about the ecological issues of this area while passing noted villages, first-contact sites, and possibly some friendly sea mammals.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy aboard the ferry.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue cruising through Canada’s Inside Passage, forged by glaciers millions of years ago, the fjords of the Inside Passage provide vistas of spectacular coastal rainforests, beaches, waterfalls, and mountains.
Dinner:
Enjoy dinner on the ferry.
Evening:
We’ll arrive in Port Hardy on Vancouver Island around 11:30 p.m. Port Hardy is the terminus for the Inside Passage Ferry and nestled on the edge of the Queen Charlotte Strait in Hardy Bay. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.
Day
11
Telegraph Cove: Whale Museum, Orca Whale Watching
Location:
Port Hardy, British Columbia
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Kwa’lilas Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 70 miles, round trip approximately 1 hour each way. Walking and standing at museum for approximately 1 hour. Getting on/off a whale watching boat; cruising for approximately 3 hours Vessels carry up to 74 passengers and include a heated indoor cabin, two open air decks, onboard washrooms, and a snack bar (available at participants’ expense). Jackets and rain gear are recommended. Hats, gloves, and jackets are available for passengers upon request.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll depart from the hotel by motorcoach to ruminate at the Whale Interpretive Centre with a docent from the museum. This facility was established in order to provide public awareness of the biology, habitat needs, and existing threats to local marine mammals. This area is home to a variety of marine wildlife, including humpback whales, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, bald eagles, and much more. We’ll explore collections of marine mammal skeletons housed at the museum.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After transferring to a whale watching vessel and embarking, we will discover one of the best locations to observe orca (killer) whales while whale watching. Hopefully, we’ll see orcas, humpback whales, Dall’s porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, harbor seals, and Stellar sea lions. Vessels are equipped with underwater microphones (hydrophones) enabling us to listen to the squeaks and whistles characteristic of echolocation used by orcas and dolphins to locate food. Upon our return and disembarkation, we’ll board the motorcoach to head back to Port Hardy.
Dinner:
We’ll enjoy a meal at a scenic waterside restaurant in Telegraph Cove, known for its yellow cedar post-and-beam style and beautiful copper tables, surrounded by stained-glass windows.
Evening:
Free evening to explore the area on your own.
Day
12
Ferry to Vancouver, Motorcoach Exploration
Location:
Vancouver, British Columbia
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Sylvia Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 260 miles, approximately 5 hours total riding time. Getting on/off a ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver; riding about 30 nautical miles, approximately 1.5 hours. There will be minimal walking.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After check-out, we’ll travel to the ferry terminal in Nanaimo for the journey to Vancouver. With stops along the way.
Lunch:
On your own. Lunch may be purchased aboard the ferry.
Afternoon:
We continue our travels on the ferry.
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At your leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
13
Program Concludes
Location:
Vancouver, British Columbia
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
28 Meals
11 Breakfasts
9 Lunches
8 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Jun 13, 2025 - Jun 25, 2025
- Jun 13, 2025 - Jun 25, 2025 (Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025 (Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Jun 27, 2025 - Jul 09, 2025 (Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Aug 02, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025 (Vancouver, British Columbia to Banff, Alberta)
- Aug 04, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025 (Vancouver, British Columbia to Banff, Alberta)
- Aug 14, 2025 - Aug 26, 2025 (Vancouver, British Columbia to Banff, Alberta)
Participant Reviews
Based on 36 Reviews
Sort By:
Visit amazing, scenic sites from different perspectives on the train, ferry boats, and by busy.
— Review left September 9, 2024
This is what I call the "hurry up and sit" trip, but with beautiful scenery and good company. There was a lot of time spent on the bus (at least 5 hours many days), a long ferry ride (18 hours), and a long train ride (11 hours), some of which involved getting up quite early and arriving quite late.
Those are the cons. The pros are: beautiful scenery, grizzlies, black bears, bald eagles, humpback whales and orcas, sea lions, and sea otters. Our group leader (Patricia) was knowledgeable and personable and worked hard to ensure that everyone and everything was well taken care of. She is a local of British Columbia and her pride in her home province is evident. Unfortunately, wildfires in Jasper prevented us from visiting there but Patricia and RS-behind -the -scenes seamlessly kept the trip going without disruption.
I would recommend this trip for anyone, of any ability. Very interesting!
— Review left August 14, 2024
First time group tripper, and was very pleased with how RS put the program together. It appears that RS participants are united in their interests, thus making group dynamics easier. The program itself was exceptional, and while the trip could have catered to a broader and more diverse group, the actual participants were much more in alignment, thus adding to the sense of value I received from the program.
— Review left August 12, 2024
This trip "had it all" in terms of beauty, transportation modes, experiences, and great accommodations. The wonderful leader and fellow travelers helped make the two-week journey a success.
— Review left August 12, 2024
Patricia is a wonderful leader, sharing her extensive knowledge with us. Her organization skills are impressive. She is a good communicator making our tour very enjoyable.
— Review left August 11, 2024
A wonderful trip overall.There were some early morning departures and late night arrivals, but overall it fulfilled all my expectationsl
— Review left July 26, 2024
Road Scholar introduced me to Canada in a warm and friendly way. And that is saying something since we visited glaciers and saw grizzlies and orcas. I would encourage everyone to travel with Road Scholar.
— Review left July 14, 2024
Toward the end of our trip someone asked us, "How did you get here? Did you fly or drive or take a train or boat?" And we replied, "YES!" This is a diverse opportunity to sample the culture and landscape of a truly remarkable area of Canada. Our guide, Patricia, is a treasure and to be commended.
— Review left July 8, 2024
Wonderful trip with an excellent leader. Our leader shared her deep knowledge and love of British Columbia, Jasper and Banff.
— Review left November 1, 2023
What a fantastic trip! We saw lots of wildlife throughout our two weeks and saw so much of western Canada and the Rockies that we would have never seen had we travelled by ourselves.
— Review left August 29, 2023
Excellent well put together trip.
— Review left August 29, 2023
A wonderful opportunity to experience the grandeur of the beautiful West Coast of British Columbia and the spectacular Canadian Rockies all in one trip!
— Review left August 25, 2023
This trip exceeded my expectations! The focus on nature, wilderness beauty and wildlife was wonderful. Our leader, Kristen was excellent. I enjoyed experiencing the different modes of transportation, ferries, trains, boats, skiffs etc.
— Review left August 23, 2023
Educational and fun trip.
— Review left August 16, 2023
Come explore Western Canada with wonderful Patricia and excellent local experts. All accommodations were comfortable and the food was very good. A couple of the included dinners were truly remarkable.
— Review left August 14, 2023
A program of great diversity of travel, locations and learning opportunities - extremely well organized with excellent leadership showing some of the remarkable geography and cultures of Western Canada.
— Review left August 13, 2023
The program Western Canada by Train and Ferry was fantastic. The group leader, Patricia, was the best ever. Experts Greg, Maria and Coleen were wonderfully interesting and knowledgeable. The accommodations were very comfortable, and the meals exceeded my expectations. But best of all was the scenery, and the up close viewing of grizzlies, orcas and humpback whales.
— Review left August 13, 2023
Just as advertised - this tour covers it all! Gorgeous scenery, grizzlies, whales, history, travel by both train and ferry. Our guide Andrea McPherson was top-notch - totally organized, very warm and personable, and eager to share her impressive knowledge of the area. The trip does cover a lot of ground, and you need to be prepared to be on the move quite a lot. Two full days are spent on a train, and another long day on a ferry however - so there is plenty of time to sit back and just enjoy the scenery. Weather in late June/early July turned out to be great for us - little rain, mostly sunny days, and luckily no wildfires nearby. The wildlife was definitely a highlight - we saw mountain goats, big horn sheep, bald eagles, humpbacks, dolphins, black bear, and a record number of grizzlies! This trip is highly recommended!
— Review left July 27, 2023
Great learning experience. Saw so much wildlife and beautiful countryside. The guide was very knowledgeable and upbeat. She made the trip special.
— Review left July 10, 2023
This was an adventure of a lifetime. Nothing I have done in traveling and working overseas has matched the experiences I had.
— Review left June 29, 2023
Please note that this program has many days your up at 5-5:30am. If your looking to sleep in till 7:30-8:00am this program is NOT for you !
— Review left September 26, 2022
This trip visits a stunningly beautiful part of Canada. The mountains, water, trees, and sky were breathtaking. We saw orcas, humpbacks, black bears, grizzles, elk, magpies, eagles, ground squirrels, and so much more. Only the moose and the sea otters escaped our eyes. Andrea, our leader, was knowledgeable, organized, accommodating, and flexible. Some days were long, but so filled with exciting things, we all found the energy to keep going.
— Review left September 2, 2022
Explore British Columbia. Grizzlies, black bears, orchas, humpbacks, elk, goats - all here. A rare natural treasure waiting for you.
— Review left August 31, 2022
If you enjoy exploring beautiful scenery, learning about First Nation peoples, the chance to see ocean and land-based wildlife, all while traveling by ferry, small boat, train, and coach, then this trip is for you.
— Review left August 31, 2022
This was a fantastic trip with so much to see and do. Guide Patricia Thomson was wonderful as she was from the area and was full of information. The orca trip, the bear search, the glacier walk--all with gorgeous scenery constantly. Breathtaking! We were worried about being able to accomplish everything, but we did it! Fast paced, yet time to enjoy. Highly recommend this trip.
— Review left August 29, 2022
This was a wonderful experience seeing about 10 bears, 20 whales and having High Tea at the gorgeous Lake Louise. Lots of breathtaking scenery. It was fun travelling by train & ferry. The First Nations Museum & performance was a highlight. Road Scholar always attracts interesting travel companions. This trip was exhilarating as well as exhausting. Lake Louise is as beautiful as all the pictures you've seen.
— Review left August 28, 2022
The website is well done and easy to use.
— Review left August 22, 2022
This is a fantastic trip. Take it if you can; you won’t be sorry!!
— Review left August 21, 2022
We just completed our trip in Western Canada by Train and Ferry: Grizzlies, Orcas and Totems. This trip filled all of our expectations and more. Each and every day there was a new wonder, Yoho, Banff and Jasper National Parks were amazing, as were enjoying High Tea at Lake Louise, watching grizzlies standing to pull leaves off the trees while grazing along the shore line and hiking in the Maligne canyon as the thunder of the water roared below us. We had high expectations, but this trip exceeded them! Linda & Chuck
— Review left July 13, 2022
Excellent tour!! Definitely got my steps in on most days. Well fed too. LOTS of wildlife seen!!
— Review left July 4, 2022
This is a wonderful trip, with components in the mountains, on trains, on boats, on snow tractors, and on the sea, with wonderful lectures and even an engaging, powerful indigenous dance. I could not have asked for more, for I came home exhausted, but entirely fulfilled and satisfied!
— Review left July 2, 2022
I can't imagine finding a more educational and enlightening group with whom to travel!!
— Review left September 16, 2019
Greg Allemang was an excellent guide and coordinator. The activities keep you busy and you will see a great amount of the wild areas of the British Columbia coast and the Canadian Rockies. Wildlife viewing was excellent for whales, but somewhat disappointing for grizzlies. Cultural presentations were excellent. There isn't much free time. There is a lot of time spent on getting from place to place including buses, ferry and train and not much time spent hiking. The quality of the transportation was excellent. Train delays were significant.
— Review left September 4, 2019
This trip was very enjoyable and we loved seeing such beautiful country. Anita was an excellent group leader!! The presenters and local experts were very informative and added to our enjoyment of the trip. Heidi Fengler was exceptional, very well versed in her field of study and eager to impart her knowledge, which was extensive. Our three modes of transportation, (bus, train and ferry) added to the enjoyment of the trip and all were clean and well maintained.
The accommodations were very good, except for our stay in Jasper. I think most of the participants felt like they would be willing to spend a little more if it meant a better hotel. Anita did explain to us the problems getting accommodations for groups during the summer so perhaps this was the only venue available. However, this would not prevent us from taking this trip again as we were only in Jasper for a limited time.
Overall, this trip was wonderful as we got to see and learn so very much .
— Review left August 5, 2019
This is the adventure of a lifetime! Perfect size group and wonderful group leader made the journey very satisfying. I was amazed at the quality and quantity of experiences we had on this trip. Also, it was an excellent value. We all loved the various modes of transportation and the awe-inspiring landscapes.
— Review left July 25, 2019
A worthy exploration of the scenic and animal wonders of Alberta and British Columbia. Be prepared for some early morning departures that mean getting up around 4 a.m. But the effort is worth it when you have such great experiences.
— Review left July 22, 2019
