Kiwi baby boomers are getting off the beaten track to discover the delights of Canada and Alaska independently with wholesalers reporting strong interest in self drive and wildlife itineraries.

“Self drives have never in the past sold for Kiwis,” said World Journeys director Kim Houston. “Driving on the other side of the road was never very appealing but recently we had a sudden surge in bookings for self drive Canada and Alaska. I think it’s about people wanting to do their own thing with the safety and security in knowing that the hotel is booked when they get there.”

Houston said clients have finally realised that driving in North America is not as difficult as they think.

“We provide comprehensive itineraries with maps and things to do when you’re there. Most people are booking the cars with GPS units now anyway so that makes it even easier to get around.”

Houston said World Journeys has seen a number of agents take advantage of their itineraries on self famils, which may be a large part of the reason that self drives are selling as well as they are.

“We’ve sent some agents up to Canada and Alaska on their own self famils and that’s really helped a lot,” said Houston. “They’ve come back and been very proactive in selling it.”

Cruising Canada and Alaska is also a big seller with this market. Houston said one of 2012’s summer cruise tours has sold out before the year has even started.

“One of our cruise journeys, Breathtaking Canada and Alaska, which is due to go next July 2012 has sold out now aside from one gentlemen share,” said Houston. “We’ve closed that tour off at 38 people so that sold extremely well. It included the Calgary Stampede, a Holland America cruise and touring through the Rockies. It’s fantastic that it sold out before the year ended.”

Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede, a celebration of cowboy and Indian culture with a rodeo, chuckwagon races, theatre shows, an Indian village and agricultural attractions. Make sure clients don’t miss the night-time show which consists of acrobatics, motorcycle tricks and stage performances with singing and dancing.

Bear necessities

Wildlife viewing has become a major highlight for Kiwi travellers over the years.

Accommodation like the Knight Inlet Lodge and the Great Bear Nature Lodge in Canada gets clients up and close and personal with the big furry brutes.

Houston said the bear viewing trips have become so popular that WJ is adding more bear options to their new brochure.

“We’re putting some more bear viewing packages in our brochure which comes out in January and we’ve got quite a selection,” said Houston. “Some of the bear viewing lodges can be expensive to stay at but they are an amazing experience.

“We have the basic bear lodgings where you’re not staying in luxury but for those who do want the frills, Knight Inlet Lodge is great. We’ve got options for everyone.”

Houston said it is not guaranteed that everyone will see the bears but it is highly likely they will come across them at some point during their trip.

“We’ve never had anyone come back not having seen a bear. Clients are with professionals who know where they’re going to be, they know how to approach them and to let them know you’re coming.”

Grizzly Bears of Knight Inlet costs from $3595 per person, twin share for four days, three nights departing daily from Vancouver from May 17 to October 13, 2012. Note the lodge is closed from July 25 to 31.

For Alaska, the wholesaler has a Bears, Whales and Glaciers six-day tour where clients travel by seaplane from Juneau to view the bears of Admiralty Island and experience the whales and glaciers of Glacier Bay National Park. It is priced from $2998 per person, twin share.

Peregrine joins the action

For clients who want to kick it up a notch, Peregrine recently introduced a new North America programme, which includes a 10-day Canadian Rockies adventure.

The trip is targeted at the more active and includes a day in Yoho National Park where activities consist of canoeing on Emerald Lake, rafting on Kicking Horse River or walking the trails overlooking Takakkaw Falls.

Travelling via Lake Louise to Banff, there are opportunities for canoeing, cycling, wildlife watching, hiking or relaxing in the hot springs. The itinerary includes a guided walk on the Athabasca Glacier, hiking in Jasper National Park and a final day exploring Vancouver before crossing the border, back to Seattle.

“We have considered entering the US market for a number of years,” said Peregrine destination manager Steve Wroe. “Peregrine clients have shown interest in the National Parks and diverse history that has shaped North American culture.”

The Canadian Rockies adventure begins and ends in Seattle and costs from $3139 per person, twin share, including accommodation, transport, services of a professional tour leader, sight-seeing and entrance fees to National Parks. There are six departures between June and September, 2012.

Only use it if you need to

Canadian winter fun

PIC: Waterfall2

Winter activities in Canada’s national parks

Poles fit for a prince

Cross-country skiing, Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta

Clients can check out tree-lined cross-country trails or fly downhill in waist-deep powder. And if they’re up for more rustic adventure, make sure they try the famous Skoki Lodge, where Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge visited in the summer.

Get seriously soaked

Radium Hot Springs, Kootenay National Park, Alberta

Surrounded by snow-covered trees and the icy Mount Rundle, clients can wade shoulder-deep into the soothing mineral-rich waters. Perfect after a long day’s skiing.

Mush ado about winter 

Dog sledding, Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon

Here’s one for the bucket list. A chance to mush a team of huskies through Kluane National Park and Reserve.

Go waterfall ice climbing 

Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks, Alberta and British Columbia

Some 1000 waterfalls exist through the Canadian Rockies, making it one of the world's premier waterfall ice climbing destinations.

Plan a below zero family boil-up

Winter picnicking, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

Clients can bundle up the family and head out for a picnic along the lake, stopping at one of the park’s enclosed camp kitchens. Cook lunch over a wood stove, seasoned with a dose of the stunning Rocky Mountains.