Meals Included:  Welcome BBQ

Welcome to the start of a wonderful journey as our first day takes us through the stunning Canadian Rockies! We begin our journey in St. Albert with pick-up stops along the way into Calgary. As we head west, we’ll be surrounded by amazing scenery that will take your breath away.

Our first stop is in the charming town of Canmore, where we’ll stop for lunch before continuing our journey. As we make our way past Banff and Lake Louise, you’ll be captivated by the majestic mountains and crystal-clear lakes.

Traveling through the Kicking Horse Pass,  you’ll witness the impressive 4-lane project on Highway 1 into Golden. After a short break, we’ll continue on over the Rogers Pass, a historic mountain pass that offers stunning views of the Rockies.

Our journey will come to an end at the Three Valley Lake Chateau, a luxurious resort nestled in the heart of the Rockies.

Take some time to settle into your accommodation before joining the group for a wonderful Welcome Dinner at the resort’s restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Wake up refreshed and enjoy an included breakfast and then we depart and make our way towards the charming town of Lynden, WA.

As we make our way towards Lynden, we’ll travel through picturesque towns such as Sicamous, along the stunning Shuswap Lake, and through the vibrant city of Kamloops where we will make a short stop to stretch our legs and have a coffee/snack break.

Next, we will be traveling along the scenic Coquihalla Highway, where you’ll be mesmerized by the majestic mountain views. We’ll make a stop for lunch in Chilliwack before crossing the US border at Sumas.

Finally, our day will come to an end in the charming Dutch village of Lynden, WA. We’ll check into The Inn at Lynden, located right on Main Street. After settling in, you can take a stroll down the quaint streets and choose from a variety of local restaurants for your dinner.

The Inn at Lynden makes its home in the historic Waples Mercantile Building, formerly the Lynden Department Store. For nearly a century, The Lynden Department Store was the marketplace of Lynden’s farming community and a destination where the locals gathered. National Park Service deemed the Waples Mercantile Building worthy of inclusion in the National Registry of Historic Places.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Rise and shine, adventurers! After breakfast on your own, it is time to get to our cruise. A short drive will bring us to Bellingham for our awaiting cruise that navigates the waters of the San Juan Islands and takes us to Friday Harbour where we will stay for the next 2 evenings.

After clearing Bellingham, we will likely work our way north to explore the northern side of the San Juan archipelago. We choose our route today based on current wildlife reports and weather so be on the lookout for marine mammals and birds, while our captain gives an interesting and entertaining narration about the history of the islands. We’ll quite possibly cruise past the historic Patos Island lighthouse, as well as points of interest with names like Sucia Island State Park, Orcas Island, and San Juan Channel. A hearty homemade lunch will be served as we go. Once we arrive in Friday Harbor you and your luggage will be transferred to the Friday Harbor Suites. Just six blocks away from the harbor and only two blocks from the heart of downtown, you’re not far away from anything.

Relax and unwind in your Friday Harbor Suites studios, with soothing décor, natural colors, and comfortable furnishings. This delightful harbor town is filled with good restaurants, interesting shops and galleries, pubs, and home to the only museum devoted to Orca whales. Dinner will be at Downriggers in Friday Harbor. It’s a short walk or take the hotel shuttle to Downriggers Restaurant, overlooking the Friday Harbor Marina, where you’ll experience the best in Pacific Northwest dining. After dinner take advantage of the beautiful evening and window shop your way back to your hotel or take the hotel shuttle if you prefer. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Crab Cracked Lunch

We have a full and exciting day ahead of us today. After breakfast at your hotel enjoy a morning stroll down to the dock for boarding. This morning sit back and enjoy a very scenic and interesting cruise through the narrow passages and small islands on our way east to the mouth of the Swinomish Channel. This interesting channel will lead us to the picturesque waterfront town of La Conner. We’ll arrive in La Conner late morning, at which point you’ll have nearly two hours to explore this unique historic town on the banks of the Swinomish Channel. Enjoy the new boardwalk that runs nearly the length of town and spend your time browsing unique shops, artist studios and galleries and bookstores, or stop in a local microbrewery for a cold one. A very popular Northwest destination, you’ll enjoy your time in this vibrant artist enclave. 

We’ll now get underway heading south as we make our way through Hole In The Wall, a natural opening through the rock cliffs leading us to the rest of the Swinomish Channel and on to and through Deception Pass, well-known for its swift tidal flow and stunning scenery. As we head for Deception Pass get ready for a San Juan Cruises tradition – you’ll enjoy a famous Old Fashioned Cracked Crab lunch. Feast on the Northwest’s finest Dungeness crab served with Tuscan herb-baked chicken, signature broccoli salad, harvest vegetable rice pilaf, locally baked French bread and dessert. While you’re enjoying lunch, we go in search of Orca whales, Humpback whales, Minke whales, bald eagles, harbor seals, harbor porpoise, sea birds and other magnificent wildlife. Viewed in their natural environment these magnificent animals are always a treat to behold!

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy another breakfast before we depart on an  Island tour. Meet up in the lobby of the hotel to board the motorcoach for a San Juan Island guided tour. With comprehensive knowledge of the island, the people and history of the islands your driver will take you to several of the most extraordinary spots on the island such as: Lime Kiln State Park / Whale Watch Park, the Alpaca Ranch, English Camp – San Juan Island National Historic Park, Roche Harbor Resort and Westcott Bay Sculpture Park.

This 2.5-hour tour will include opportunities to stretch your legs along the way before delivering you back to Friday Harbor around noon. With more than a dozen restaurants offering a variety of cuisine, ambiance and prices, you will easily find something satisfying for lunch on your own. Our crew is more than happy to make recommendations for you. 

After your most enjoyable time in Friday Harbor, we’ll once again board to continue on the final leg of our voyage, taking us through channels and past islands not yet explored before exchanging farewells in Bellingham. As always, we’ll be on the lookout for the wide variety of wildlife that inhabits the San Juan Island archipelago.

Back on the mainland, our motorcoach will be waiting for us for the short drive to check in at Silver Reef Casino Resort. Be greeted with $10.00 Silver Dollars to use in the casino and a $15.00 food voucher that you can use towards dinner or breakfast tomorrow. Plenty of dining options await you and you can try your luck in the casino if you wish or enjoy a soak in the pool.

Meals Included: Meal Voucher, Farewell Dinner

It’s time to head north across the border on the start of our journey home. Choose to use your meal voucher for breakfast on your own if you did not use it for dinner last night. We will make a short drive to Sumas border crossing and make our way up and over the Coquihalla to Kamloops where we will turn East making our way back to Three Valley Gap for the evening.

Be welcomed by a Ghost Town Tour and authentic open fire cooked steak or chicken dinner of your choice, accompanied by fresh salad, potatoes, baked beans and dessert. What a great farewell feast to such an amazing tour.

Plenty of time to take a stroll by the lake, a dip in the pool, enjoy a drink with friends or just relax in your room as our final evening comes to a close.

*Meals Included: Breakfast 

Our last day has arrived, enjoy an included breakfast before we head East up and over Rogers Pass and down into Golden where we will have a short break. From here it’s over the Kicking Horse Pass and on to Canmore where we will stop for lunch. After lunch, we will proceed to Calgary and begin our drop-offs, stopping at your Day 1 pick-up locations. 

You will have plenty of opportunities to say farewell to your fellow passengers, guide and driver.