Cruising the San Juan Islands

Meals Included:  Welcome Dinner

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.

Day 2 – Sunday. May 25, 2025 – Three Valley Gap, BC to Abbotsford, BC

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today’s beautiful views of lakes, orchards, and mountains will take us through the Okanagan. We will traverse the Coquihalla Highway making our way to our destination of Abbotsford.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we cross the border at Sumas and take a short drive to Bellingham where we will embark on a scenic cruise through the San Juan Islands to Friday Harbor, where a two-night stay awaits. The journey offers wildlife sightings and historical insights, with a homemade lunch served en route. Settle into the cozy Friday Harbor Suites, conveniently located near downtown’s attractions. Enjoy a Pacific Northwest dinner at Downriggers, with options to explore the town’s evening charm on foot or by shuttle.

Day 4 – Tuesday, May 27, 2025 – San Juan Islands private cruising

Meals Included: Breakfast, Crab Cracked Lunch

We have a full and exciting day ahead of us today. 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!

Day 5 – Wednesday, May 28, 2025 – San Juan Island coach tour, cruise to Bellingham – Lynden, WA

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning 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. Back on the mainland, our motorcoach will be waiting for us for the short drive to the charming Dutch village of Lynden, where we will check in at the Lynden Inn, WA located right on main street. 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.

Day 6 – Thursday, May 29, 2025 – Lynden, WA to Three Valley Gap, BC

Meals Included: Farewell Dinner

Embarking on the homeward leg of our journey, we’ll cross the Sumas border and traverse the Coquihalla to Kamloops, then east to Three Valley Gap. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner featuring a Ghost Town Tour and a hearty meal of steak or salmon cooked over an open fire. The evening offers leisure time for lakeside walks, swimming, socializing, or relaxation before the trip concludes.

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.

Day 7- Friday, May 30, 2025 – Three Valley Gap,BC to Drop off locations

*Meals Included: Breakfast 

Our last day has arrived and we will 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.