September 13, 2008 - Saturday – Sydney to Seattle

Today we leave Australia and arrive in Vancouver for a quick transit and 45 minute flight to Seattle. Airport Shuttle transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon to explore this exciting city, with a harbour as beautiful as Sydney’s. Overnight Mayflower Hotel or similar

September 14, 2008 – Sunday – Cruise Inside Passage

Morning sightseeing tour before you make your way to the Pier to board Holland America’s Westerdam for your 7-night voyage through the famed Inside Passage. Boarding begins at 1PM for 4PM Disembark. (D)

September 15, 2008 – Monday – Cruise Inside Passage

Spend the day cruising one of the world’s most spectacular waterways. Located right along the coast of British Columbia, the Inside Passage is the longest sheltered inland waterway in the world. Watch the water for orcas and humpback whales as you cruise the passage to the historic Alaskan ports of Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan. (B, L, D)

September 16, 2008 – Tuesday – Cruising Glacier Bay

This protected national park is home to 15 active glaciers, numerous seabirds, otters and humpback whales. If you’re lucky, you may even witness enormous walls of ice crashing thunderously into the sea. (B, L, D)

September 17, 2008 – Wednesday – Juneau

See what many consider to be the most beautiful capital in the nation, Juneau, Alaska. The terrain is hilly and winding, and narrow streets present a small-town quaintness existing side-by-side with cosmopolitan sophistication. You’ll find great shopping, fine restaurants and superb museums. (B, L, D)

September 18, 2008 – Thursday – Sitka

Today we visit the old Russian Capital of Alaska, prior to the area being sold the US in 1867 for a mere $7.2Million Dollars (2cents an acre!!) While in port, visit the Old Russian Orthodox Church and the Raptor Center, where they look after wounded Birds of Prey. Maybe even take an optional Kayaking Tour to look for whales (B, L, D)

September 19, 2008 – Friday – Ketchikan

Ketchikan is teeming with Native American culture. Home of the largest concentration of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people in the state, this extraordinarily beautiful city on Revillagigedo Island boasts the world’s largest collection of totem poles, and an equally impressive selection of museums and cultural centres featuring Native dance, carvings and artifacts. (B, L, D)

September 20, 2008 – Saturday – Victoria

A relaxing day aboard ship as you travel through the Inside Passage, shaped by glaciers millions of years ago. Spend time with new found friends and recall the many awe inspiring sights and experiences of your Alaskan Adventure. Tonight enjoy a sumptuous dinner on your elegant ship. After dinner, disembark the ship in Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Overnight – Laurel Point Inn or similar
(B, L, D)

September 21, 2008 – Sunday – Vancouver

This morning you have some free time to explore Victoria before being picked up by coach to explore Butchart Gardens. Then it is off to Vancouver by coach & ferry through the Gulf Islands as we watch for Orca whales. Overnight Pacific Palisades or similar.

September 22, 2008 – Monday – Vancouver to Victoria

This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for your 5 ½ hour Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge Tour.
Experience Grouse Mountain Skyride, Capilano Canyon and Suspension Bridge with Treetop walk. Tour includes: Grouse Mountain Skyride, Theatre in the Sky, Grizzly Bear & Grey Wolf Refuge, Lumberjack Show, Capilano Salmon Fish Hatchery, Capilano Suspension Bridge. Afternoon free to explore. Overnight Pacific Palisades or similar

September 23, 2008 – Tuesday – Vancouver to Kamloops

Today board the Rocky Mountaineer and travel through the fertile Fraser River valley to Kamloops for our overnight stay. Tonight enjoy the Two River Junction Musical Revue.
Overnight in a Kamloops hotel. (B, L, D)

September 24, 2008 - Wednesday – Kamloops to Calgary

Board the train early this morning to travel into the heart of the Rockies. Pass through to Spiral Tunnels, an amazing engineering feat to allow the train to gain altitude passing over the Rogers Pass in three circular tunnels. After Yoho National Park, we pass Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies before Banff and then Calgary. Overnight at the official conference hotel the Hyatt Regency Calgary (B, L)

September 25, 2008 - Thursday - Calgary

Conference program. Accommodation at the Conference Hotel – Hyatt Regency Calgary

Conference Program Schedule

September 26, 2008 - Friday - Calgary

Conference program. Accommodation at the Conference Hotel – Hyatt Regency Calgary

September 27, 2008 - Saturday - Calgary

Conference program. Accommodation at the Conference Hotel – Hyatt Regency Calgary

September 28, 2008 - Sunday

Fly Calgary to Vancouver & Sydney

September 29, 2008 - Monday – In Air

September 30, 2008 –Tuesday – Arrive Sydney

Inclusions and pricing

COST INCLUDES:

Canada Section
• 5 nights accommodation in twin rooms at the hotels in the room categories listed, depending on availability at time of booking
• 4 nights accommodation at the conference hotel, the Hyatt Regency Calgary.
• 7 Day/6 Night Alaska Inside Passage Cruise in a D Category Outside Stateroom on ms Westerdam including all meals & entertainment.
• Transfers and transportation on 47 – 54 passenger highway coaches with drivers as listed including highway tolls, deadheads and drivers accommodation where needed
• Local English speaking driver/guide on all sightseeing tours.
• Transportation for coach and passengers on BC Ferries Vancouver to Victoria & return
• Airfares with Air Canada based on flying Sydney/Vancouver/Seattle – surface – Calgary/Vancouver/Sydney
• Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver to Banff in RedLeaf Class including 1 night accommodation in Kamloops in a moderate hotel and 2 breakfasts + 2 lunches on board as well as 1 dinner show in Kamloops
• Luggage handling in and out at the hotels – mandatory (1 bag per person)
• 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner inclusive gratuities as listed, no drinks included
• National Park fees, Vancouver Parks fee
• Admissions to attractions/activities as listed: Butchart Gardens
• Applicable local sales, hotel taxes and 3% GST(all taxes as per April 2007, GST rebate for Non-Canadians has been applied

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Cost of Conference fees for the 8th World Plumbing Conference from 24 – 28 September. Registration forms will be sent to you under separate cover.
• QBE Travel Insurance for 18 days $196 per person ($ 388 per couple)
• Excess luggage – 1 Suitcase (Max 23 Kg. allowed plus airline carry-on bag)
• Other meals than listed as included, drinks
• Other fees and admissions than listed as included
• Anything stated as optional
• All rates are based on 2008 rates
• Items of a personal nature
• Airline taxes, Port Taxes, cruise gratuities & Fuel Surcharges. These are listed separately.

Prices

The prices below are based on initial Earlybird 2008 prices. In discussions with the operators concerned, most feel these prices will hold for 2008. Prices are subject to currency fluctuation, and can be altered at any time up to the date of departure.

$ 6,995 per person on a twin share basis
$ 2,195 Single Supplement

Extras to be pre-paid:

Air tax - $490 per person
Fuel Surcharge - $190 per person
Port taxes - $515 per person
On-board gratuities on Alaska Cruise - (US$10 per day per person)
QBE Travel Insurance for 18 days $196 per person ($ 388 per couple)

Deposit Required:

• A deposit of $ 1,500 per person is required to secure a space on the tour.
• A further $3,000 per person is required by 30 April 2008.
• The balance of monies due for the tour is required by 01 June, 2008.

~ Download Itinerary PDF // Booking Form ~

Go to TOUR A // Go to TOUR B // Go to TOUR C //

// Go to TOUR B + Alaska