Hiking at Bow Lake, Icefields Parkway
North America Travel Guide: Canadian Rockies, Canada & Alaska’s Inside Passage
Our North America travel guide follows two unforgettable adventures: exploring Alaska’s spectacular Inside Passage by ferry and discovering the magnificent Canadian Rockies on an independent road trip through British Columbia and Canada’s national parks.
Our journey through North America had been in the planning for a long time. We flew from Australia to Hawaii for a few relaxing days before continuing to Seattle. From there, we boarded the ferry in Bellingham for one of the most memorable journeys of our travels—a voyage through Alaska’s spectacular Inside Passage to Juneau.
Travelling on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry was a completely different experience from taking a large cruise ship. Instead of sailing far offshore, the ferry weaved through narrow channels, passed remote coastal communities, and stayed close to towering mountains, ancient forests, glaciers, and waterfalls. We spent hours on the observation deck watching humpback whales, dolphins, bald eagles, and the ever-changing scenery that makes the Inside Passage so famous.
Our original plan was to spend a week exploring Juneau, including Mendenhall Glacier, Glacier Bay, and several wildlife excursions. Unfortunately, we had to return home unexpectedly after only a few days. Even so, we were fortunate to visit Mendenhall Glacier and watch black bears catching salmon, leaving us with unforgettable memories of this remarkable corner of Alaska.
Two years later, we returned to continue the second part of our adventure, travelling independently through British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies in a motorhome. We explored the magnificent national parks of Banff, Jasper, and Yoho, drove the breathtaking Icefields Parkway, and hiked some of Canada’s most spectacular mountain trails.
Our journey also included Vancouver and Vancouver Island, where we discovered vibrant waterfronts, rugged coastlines, ancient forests, and incredible wildlife. An exhilarating Zodiac tour to watch orcas in the Salish Sea became another unforgettable highlight.
From Alaska’s Inside Passage to the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies, North America has provided some of our favourite independent travel experiences, combining spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, and unforgettable hiking adventures.
Looking for more independent travel inspiration? Return to our Senior Independent Travel Guide for practical travel tips, destination guides, and adventures from around the world.