Canada & Alaska Tours

Yes, and it’s one of our most popular combinations. Canada and Alaska sit right next to each other geographically, with the Yukon acting as the natural bridge between them. Many of our travellers fly into Vancouver, explore Western Canada and the Rockies, then continue north through the Yukon before crossing into Alaska for glaciers, whales and grizzly country. Our team can build a Canada and Alaska itinerary that flows naturally between both, whether that’s a tailormade route or a mix of rail, cruise and lodge stays along the way. 

July is generally the sweet spot for both countries at once, with long daylight hours, accessible wildlife viewing and most departures in full swing. If you’re chasing something more specific, June suits early salmon runs and glacier calving, while August adds polar bear gathering near Churchill and the first hints of aurora season further north. There’s no single wrong month, it just depends on what you want to see. 

It depends on the experience you’re after. Small ship expedition cruises are unmatched for reaching remote coastlines and the Arctic. Rail journeys aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and the Alaska Railroad let you watch the landscape unfold without lifting a finger. Small group tours suit travellers who want expert guides and good company without the planning, whether that’s through Canada or across Alaska. Tailormade itineraries exist for those who want the whole trip built around exactly what they want to see, whether that means combining both countries or focusing on just one. Our team can help you find the right fit. 

Not as one continuous journey, no. The Rocky Mountaineer runs through the Canadian Rockies between Vancouver, Banff and Jasper, while the Alaska Railroad operates separately within Alaska, largely between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks. There’s no direct rail link connecting the two networks. What our travellers do instead is combine both experiences within one itinerary, riding the Rocky Mountaineer through Western Canada, then travelling north by road, ferry or flight to pick up the Alaska Railroad on the other side. It’s a fantastic way to experience the best rail journeys both countries have to offer, without expecting a single unbroken train line between them. 

There’s no single best way, it comes down to your pace and interests. Self-drive itineraries give you total freedom through places like Banff, Jasper and the Kenai Peninsula. Small ship expedition cruises are the only way to reach the truly remote coastlines of the Arctic and Alaska’s Inside Passage. Rail journeys aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and Alaska Railroad let the landscape come to you. And a tailormade itinerary combining several of these styles is often the best fit for travellers wanting to see both countries properly in one trip. 

Both offer world-class aurora viewing, so it really comes down to what else you want from the trip. The Yukon and Churchill in Canada sit under some of the darkest, most reliable skies anywhere, with wide open wilderness and minimal light pollution. Alaska’s Fairbanks sits directly beneath the auroral oval and offers similarly strong odds, with easy access to Denali and other Alaska experiences nearby. Neither country has a clear edge over the other for aurora strength, so most travellers choose based on what else they want to pair the Northern Lights with.