Alberta/British Columbia
Wild Canada by Rail and Sea: The Inside Passage & The Rockies
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.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
13 days
Program Begins
Vancouver, British Columbia
Program Concludes
Banff, Alberta
Meals
29 (
11B, 9L, 9D
)
Activity Level
Discover the spectacular breadth of western Canada on a journey that explores legendary rail routes, coastal waterways, and wildlife-rich wilderness. Travel from the glacier-carved peaks of the Canadian Rockies through Alberta’s iconic mountain parks to the rainforest-lined fjords of British Columbia’s Inside Passage, where sheltered coastal passages teem with marine life and temperate rainforests shelter grizzly bears and other wildlife. Guided by expert naturalists, you’ll explore the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Coast Mountains, and the waterways of the West by rail, ferry, and small boat—an immersive adventure showcasing Canada at its wildest.
Best of all, you'll...
- Journey through British Columbia’s most dramatic landscapes by rail and sea, riding VIA Rail’s iconic Skeena train through remote wilderness and cruising the storied Inside Passage by day ferry along the Pacific coast.
- Encounter grizzly bears up close on a specially designed wildlife boat, exploring pristine estuaries where these powerful animals forage and roam in their natural habitat.
- Explore the wildlife-rich waters of Broughton Archipelago Marine Park, off northern Vancouver Island, in search of orca and humpback whales, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, and soaring bald eagles.
General Notes
This program operates in two directions, depending on the date, to optimize seasonal wildlife viewing opportunities. As a result, there are small variations in the British Columbia locations visited. •Early summer departures travel westbound from Calgary to Vancouver, including a visit to Khutzeymateen Provincial Park, renowned for its grizzly bear habitat. •Late summer departures travel eastbound from Vancouver to Calgary, featuring exploration of Knight Inlet in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. Please review your program date carefully prior to booking to confirm the direction of travel and included destinations.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Kirsten Schmitten
Kirsten Schmitten has more than 30 years under her belt as a researcher, writer, and guide in the Canadian Rockies. She has worked as a professional park interpreter and lived in remote wilderness stations with her warden husband. Kirsten was awarded a Master Level Interpretive certification by the guiding community. She is a co-owner of All Things Wild, a company dedicated to connecting people to the stories unfolding in Jasper National Park.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Kirsten Schmitten
Kirsten Schmitten has more than 30 years under her belt as a researcher, writer, and guide in the Canadian Rockies. She has worked as a professional park interpreter and lived in remote wilderness stations with her warden husband. Kirsten was awarded a Master Level Interpretive certification by the guiding community. She is a co-owner of All Things Wild, a company dedicated to connecting people to the stories unfolding in Jasper National Park.
Brent MacDonald
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
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.
Sonya Pollock
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
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
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.
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.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
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Call
800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
- Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
- Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
- Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.