Glacier to Glacier with the Queen Elizabeth | August 2026

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Overview

Glacier to Glacier with the Queen Elizabeth | August 2026
Glacier Park Montana
Aug 15 - 27, 2026
Uncommon Journeys image
Uncommon Journeys
$5,895
Deposit: $1,375

About this trip

Glacier National Park has long been one of our favorite places on Earth. Established as a National Park in 1910, it is a land sculpted by prehistoric ice rivers, where mountain ranges rise dramatically above alpine meadows, deep forests, shimmering waterfalls, some 25 glistening glaciers, and more than 200 sparkling lakes.

With its crystalline waters and the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road stretching across the Continental Divide, few places compare to Glacier National Park. And while a holiday devoted solely to Glacier would be extraordinary, in this journey, it is only the beginning. After our time in the park, we continue to a spectacular Alaska Inside Passage cruise aboard Cunard’s celebrated Queen Elizabeth, visiting the very best of the Inside Passage—including majestic Glacier Bay National Park. And since not all grandeur is outdoors, the Queen Elizabeth surrounds guests with Art Deco–inspired elegance, spacious staterooms and suites, refined service, and nearly two centuries of maritime tradition.

Our adventure begins with overnight train travel aboard the Empire Builder, departing from Portland, Seattle, or Midwest points and gliding toward Whitefish, Montana. Two full days of comprehensive sightseeing in Glacier National Park follow, featuring the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a scenic cruise on Lake McDonald, and visits to Many Glacier and Swiftcurrent Lake. A fine hotel, daily breakfast, and a casual welcome dinner are, of course, included.

After exploring Glacier, we journey west on a scenic drive to Spokane, Washington, with a visit to charming Coeur d’Alene, Idaho—a pretty lakeside town framed by forested hills. In Spokane, another excellent hotel awaits. The next morning, a pleasant four-hour drive brings us to Seattle, where the Queen Elizabeth is ready to welcome us aboard. Once at sea, guests enjoy the attentive service, superb dining, and timeless atmosphere that have made Cunard the most storied name in ocean travel.

Because 2026 will be the final year Queen Elizabeth sails in Alaska—and as we offer this holiday only once—we encourage prompt reservations to avoid disappointment.

All aboard!

What's included

A famous train ride

Begin your adventure aboard the Empire Builder train, traveling overnight from Portland/Seattle or the Midwest to Whitefish, Montana. Enjoy the dining car and sightseer lounge car..

For those with less time

Guests with limited time may instead fly to Kalispell with our low add-on fare of just $199–$299pp from over 200 U.S. cities. Details upon request.

Fine hotels throughout

Stay in fine hotels throughout, each selected for comfort, location, and classic Western hospitality—complete with daily breakfast and effortless luggage handling.

Glorious Glacier Park

Two full days in Glacier National Park including the famed red “jammer” buses over the Continental Divide over the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road and two lake cruises, perfect for beautiful vistas.

Ease & convenience

Relax with seamless transportation and transfers from the moment your holiday begins to the moment it ends.

Enticing extras

Celebrate your Montana arrival with a welcome dinner, enjoy a special lunch in Seattle on the day you board the ship, savor an elegant dinner in the specialty Verandah Restaurant aboard Queen Elizabet

Personalized attention

Travel worry-free with a professional tour manager at your side throughout, handling the details so you can enjoy the journey.

Day 1

Day 1 image

Ride the Empire Builder

All aboard for adventure! Depart Portland, Seattle, or Midwest points this afternoon on the storied Empire Builder, bound for Big Sky Country. Settle into the rhythm of the rails and head to the Sightseer Lounge, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame ever-changing panoramas as we roll across the West on the historic BNSF Railway.

Day 2

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Glacier National Park

Awaken to mountain silhouettes and wide Montana skies as we arrive in Whitefish. A short transfer brings us to our hotel. This evening, enjoy a relaxed welcome dinner—a perfect chance to meet your fellow adventurers and toast the journey ahead.

Day 3

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Glacier National Park

Today delivers classic Glacier grandeur. Explore the hidden valleys and towering peaks of the Many Glacier area, including a visit to the historic Many Glacier Hotel—one of the park’s most dramatic settings. Continue to Glacier Park Lodge, the largest log structure in the world, before embarking on an unforgettable afternoon cruise across the glassy waters of Two Medicine Lake.

Day 4

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Glacier National Park

A spellbinding day lies ahead. We travel the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road aboard iconic red jammer buses, climbing high along sheer cliffs and alpine vistas. Later, board a scenic cruise on shimmering Lake McDonald, framed by the rugged ramparts of the Continental Divide—one of the West’s most photogenic landscapes.

Day 5

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Spokane WA

This morning we set out on a scenic westward drive, passing mountain valleys and forested lakes on our way to charming Coeur d’Alene, Idaho—one of the prettiest small cities in the Rockies. Continue to Spokane, where the afternoon is yours to explore. Don’t miss the roaring Spokane Falls, just a short walk from our hotel and an impressive sight in any season.

Day 6

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Board Queen Elizabeth

A beautiful drive carries us across Washington to Seattle’s waterfront, where Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth awaits. Enjoy a special lunch en route before boarding your elegant ship. At 5:00 p.m., the whistle sounds—our grand adventure north begins as we sail for Alaska, the Great Land.

Day 6

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At sea

Relax into the rhythm of life at sea as we glide through the sheltered waters of the Inside Passage. Mountains rise on either side, marine wildlife may appear at any moment, and the Queen Elizabeth offers endless ways to indulge, unwind, or explore.

Day 8

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Ketchikan Alaska

Welcome to Ketchikan—Alaska’s “First City” and one of its most colorful. Cradled between mountains and sea, the town buzzes with floatplanes, fishing boats, and waterfront life. Explore its totem poles, heritage, rainforests, and lively docks where adventure is always close at hand.

Day 9

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Juneau Alaska

Guarded by mountains and fed by an icefield that never melts, Juneau is a breathtaking capital city with wilderness at its doorstep. The mighty Mendenhall Glacier is a highlight—an ever-shifting river of blue ice that inspires awe the moment it comes into view.

Day 10

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Cruising Glacier Bay National Park

Few places on Earth rival Glacier Bay for sheer scale and majesty. Sail past towering mountain ranges that soar to 15,000 feet, their massive snowfields feeding more than a thousand glaciers. Watch for calving ice walls, floating bergs, and wildlife along the rugged shores of this protected natural cathedral.

Day 11

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Alaska's Inside Passage

Another peaceful day of cruising allows time to soak in Alaska’s wilderness vistas—or the Queen Elizabeth’s many pleasures. Enjoy afternoon tea, stroll the decks, or simply settle into a chair and watch the mountains drift by.

Day 12

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Victoria British Columbia

Arrive in charming Victoria, a delightful blend of Old World elegance and Pacific Northwest beauty. Wander past Victorian architecture, stroll the lively Inner Harbour, or savor the city’s gardens, which bloom almost year-round thanks to Vancouver Island’s mild climate.

Day 13

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Seattle Washington

This morning, we return to Seattle, bidding farewell to newfound friends and a journey filled with unforgettable moments—mountains, glaciers, rail adventure, and the timeless charm of Cunard. What a spectacular way to explore the Northwest and Alaska.

About your organizer

Since 1990, Uncommon Journeys has offered distinctive and unique trips through North America by riverboat combined with brilliant programs on land, almost all with two-, three- or four hotel stays and exceptional dining. Examples include French & Atlantic Canada with Cunard's RMS Queen Mary 2, the great National Parks of the West with the Rocky Mountaineer train and Mexico's stunning Copper Canyon with the famed Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad. Some of our trips even include vintage private train travel.

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