This adventure has all of the ingredients of a grand journey!  Explore beneath the towering redwoods on the California coast to the behemoth mountains of British Columbia.  Hike to azure alpine lakes, spot wildlife along mountainous roads, soak in healing hot springs and gaze at magnificent glaciers!  This unforgettable trip to the Canadian Rockies and Alaska will leave you in awe of Earth’s artistry.

Day 0

Welcome to the Green Tortoise!

Meet at the bus loading zone at the intersection of Columbus and Montgomery Street in downtown San Francisco with your e-ticket. 

Plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to the departure time. 

Day 1

Enjoy getting to know your fellow travelers on a scenic ride up the northern California Coast.  This afternoon, spend time exploring in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.  Keep your eyes peeled for Roosevelt elk grazing in the meadows.  Stretch your legs on a hike among the coastal redwood trees.  This location is home to the fern-filled canyon where Jurassic Park was filmed!   

Camp Night

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2

The opportunity to visit one of Oregon’s “Crown Jewels” will be sure to delight the waterfall chasers!  At Silver Falls State Park, walk behind a curtain of water and hike to a number of enchanting spectacles!  This evening, we camp in this Pacific Northwest wonderland.  

Camp Night

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 3

After a hearty Green Tortoise breakfast, we’re off to pick up our few remaining companions in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington.  See the fish flying at the famous Pike’s Place Market, sip a latte from the original Starbucks and saunter along the waterfront.  Enjoy the brilliant night-life around Downtown Seattle this evening.

Hostel Night

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch

Showers Available

Day 4

Get your first glimpse of the behemoth mountains of British Columbia after we cross the border.  Watch as the scenery begins to change on our way to the relaxing Canyon Hot Springs.  This evening, ponder the magnificent nature of geothermal activity while soaking in an immaculate pool.  

Camp Night

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Showers Available / Optional Soak

Day 5

Glacier National Park of Canada reveals itself on our adventure today.  Hike to some magnificent waterfalls and watch the mountains rise higher as we roll through the Canadian Rockies.  This evening, we arrive in Banff National Park. Our campsite near Lake Louise allows ample time to explore the alluring nature surrounding the azure water. 

Camp Night

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Showers Available

Day 6

Rent a canoe for a scenic paddle or just enjoy the view from the luxurious Fairmont Chateau. Sip tea at high altitude after a hike through the dense subalpine forests to Lake Agnes – a hidden gem complete with a teahouse, lovely turquoise waters, a steep wooden staircase and a waterfall.  Hike another one of Banff National Park’s most beloved trails to views of spectacular ice hanging at the scenic Plain of Six Glaciers.  Or just enjoy the view and people watching at the luxurious Fairmont Chateau.

Camp Night

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Showers Available

Day 7

Start the day with a hike along the dramatic catwalks of Johnston Canyon to the cascading upper waterfalls.  Discover the natural beauty created by thousands of years of water erosion through the limestone bedrock.  Later, a short drive brings us to the historic town of Banff, where we’ll dine out on the town before we polish off the evening relaxing those sore hiking muscles in Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Camp Night

Meals Included: Breakfast

Optional Swim & Soak / Showers Available

Day 8

We’ll travel through the vast wilderness, alongside gigantic mountains, on the Icefields Parkway to the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks.  A stop to stretch our legs sends us on a journey through time on an interpretive walk up to the face of the Athabasca Glacier in the Columbia Icefields. Beautifully striped erratics, or pebbles and boulders carried by the glacier, decorate the trail along the way.  Tonight, we’ll spend an evening getting to know the quaint, riverfront town of Jasper, Alberta.  

Hostel Night

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch

Showers Available

Day 9

Explore the mountain wilderness of Jasper National Park.  Spectacular 165-foot sheer limestone walls of the impressive Maligne Canyon guide you on an unforgettable hike across six bridges suspended over the thundering Maligne River.  This afternoon, soak in the inviting Miette Hot Springs or keep moving on the Sulphur Skyline Trail for sweeping views of the endless wilderness.  Tonight, we’ll camp in the shadow of Mount Robson, known as North America’s “most prominent” peak. 

Camp Night

Meals Included: Lunch / Dinner

Optional Soak / Showers Available

Day 10

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife on a scenic ride through an unscathed wilderness.  Along the way, we’ll stop for a trek through a captivating ancient forest of impressive Douglas fir trees.  Tonight, our destination is Tyhee Lake Provincial Park, situated in the charming Bulkley River Valley framed by the Telkwa and Bulkley Ranges of the Hazelton Mountains.  Trade stories around the campfire as loons call from the lake.

Camp Night

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Showers Available

Day 11

Visit a First Nations village that dates back over 3,000 years.  The Gitksan people will take you on a journey through time with a cultural history tour of their 10,000 year old heritage.  Explore the long houses and museum of the K’San Village.  In Kispiox, we’ll visit magnificent totem poles, detailing native family histories.

Camp Night

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Showers Available

Day 12

Today, we forge on to the coast.  Our ferry awaits in Prince Rupert and we certainly don’t want to miss this epic voyage!

Ferry Night

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 13

Delight in a panoramic ferry ride. As we glide through the Inside Passage, consider the impressive force of the glaciers that formed it millions of years ago.   Keep an eye out as we wind our way around lush islands and magnificent fjords, as this is home to orcas, humpback whales, American bald eagles, Dall’s porpoises, and bears that prowl the nearby shore.  You’ll view the natural world as it existed a millennia ago. Without a doubt, this is one of the highlights of the trip! 

Ferry Night

Showers Available

Day 14 

Welcome to Juneau, the capital of Alaska!  Today, we’ll stretch our sea legs at the Mendenhall Glacier.  Take a hike for dramatic views from above or walk straight to a waterfall pounding into Mendenhall Lake at its base.  Juneau is enclosed by the largest temperate rainforest in the world, so we’ll take the road as far as we can!  On our way back into town, we may even take a break at the Alaskan Brewing Company. Tonight, seek out a souvenir at a local art shop or indulge in some local brews at a dive bar!

Hostel Night

Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch

Showers Available

*In Juneau, you will be staying at a hostel or hotel of your choice. We’ll recommend some of our favorite lodging options upon booking.

Day 15
You have lots of options!  Whether you choose to hike the mossy forests surrounding the city, spend the day touring Tracy Arm Fjord or Glacier Bay National Park, going sport fishing, or shopping for souvenirs, there’s something for everyone in Juneau!  Your guide and driver will help you find activities that fit best for you before you arrive on the ferry.  From Juneau, we say, “See you next time!”

Hostel Night

*Not ready for the fun to end?  Join us on the Alaska Expedition for an even bigger adventure!

• Travel By Custom Coach
• 70% of Meals
• National Park Entrance Fees
• Semi-Guided Exploration of Cities & Parks
• Sleeping Pad
• All Camping Fees

• Canada: 
  • Hot Springs Entrances
  • Lake Louise Canoe Rental
• Juneau area:
  • Mt. Roberts Tram
  • Tracy Arm Fjord Cruise
  • Flight-seeing Tour 

You’ll be traveling in a custom sleeper coach! 

A sleeping bag is required for this adventure.  If you don’t have one, rent one from us upon booking!  

A tent is required.  On most occasions you are welcome to sleep on the bus or sleep beneath the stars.  However, we strongly recommend bringing along a tent for privacy and comfort. You may rent a tent from us (subject to availability).

Our coaches are equipped with a camp kitchen.  No need to bring your own cookware or utensils.  Bring a reusable lunch container to store your packed lunch and a reusable water bottle.

Departure:  7:00 AM – San Francisco, CA, Columbus and Montgomery St. Bus Loading Zone

Departure Option 2 (Sunday, June 18): 10:30 AM – Union Station, 800 NW 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97209

Departure Option 3 (Monday, June 19): 7:30 AM – Green Tortoise Hostel, 105 Pike St., Seattle, WA 98101

*****

Arrival:  8:00 AM Foodland IGA – 615 West Willoughby Ave., Juneau, AK 99801