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A colorful, carved wooden totem pole stands amongst lush green trees under a blue sky in Western Canada.

Alberta/British Columbia

Wild Canada by Rail and Sea: The Inside Passage & The Rockies

Program No. 21439RJ

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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.

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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

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Marie-Pierre Flipo-Bergeron

Marie-Pierre Flipo-Bergeron moved to Jasper from a French community in Quebec in 2007, and fully embraced the mountain lifestyle. She has worked as a boater, naturalist, hiking expert, and ski instructor for the last 17 years. Marie has an education in protection and exploitation of wildlife territories, as well as training in outdoor leadership. A talented musician, Marie performs at local venues as a singer and guitarist. Marie has two children who love nature as much as she does.

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

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.

Routes Adventures Mobile Phone

Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.

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.

Marie-Pierre Flipo-Bergeron

Ian McDonald

Ian McDonald was born in Santa Monica, California to English and Canadian parents, later settling in Vancouver. Before his career in travel, he worked in radio, community policing, higher education, casino surveillance, and as a museum interpreter and bus driver. He is a storyteller first, weaving tales of historical figures and the places visited. When not traveling, Ian can be found at home with his wife and sons at their home near Vancouver. He is an avid photographer, fishkeeper, nature lover, and podcaster.

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it

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.