Day 1 – Edmonton to Jasper
This morning, transfer (on own) to the Edmonton train station and board VIA Rail for your rail journey to the mountain village of Jasper. Upon arrival at the Jasper Train station, transfer to your hotel.
Moderate: Overnight Lobstick Lodge
Superior: Overnight Sawridge Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – Deluxe room
Day 2 – Discover Jasper & Maligne Lake Tour
Your introduction to Jasper will encompass some outstanding scenery including Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon, with its narrow gorge and limestone walls reaching 50 metres below, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park. Continue on your way via the incredible disappearing Medicine Lake and then cruise Maligne Lake, one of the most photographed lakes in the world. Once onboard the tour boat, you will begin your 90-minute cruise heading towards the south end of this postcard setting. You will marvel at the magnificent shoreline with dense forests and glacial peaks rising abruptly from the water’s edge. Stopping at Spirit Island, you will have the opportunity to take your own version of the world-famous photograph of the lake. Return to Jasper where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Note: The Discover Jasper & Maligne Lake combination tour operates between June 1 – September 30. If travelling outside these dates, your tour will be substituted with the Discover Jasper Tour.
Moderate: Overnight Lobstick Lodge
Superior: Overnight Sawridge Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – Deluxe room
Day 3 - Jasper to Banff
Today’s journey takes you south along the famous Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular highways in North America. Your tour along the Icefields Parkway to Banff also takes you through Jasper and Banff National Parks with a stop at the Columbia Icefield allowing time for a Brewster “Ice Age Adventure,” a tour onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. You will travel in a specially designed Brewster Ice Explorer to the middle of the glacier while your driver/guide explains how the glaciers are formed and point out interesting geological features. At the icefall below the glacial headwall, you have the option of stepping out onto the ice formed from snow falling as many as 400 years ago. After your unique ice adventure, time is allowed at the Columbia Icefield Centre where you can relax over lunch (not included) and visit the new and expanded Parks Canada Interpretive Centre. In the afternoon continue driving south into Banff National Park. After a brief stop in Lake Louise, you will continue on to beautiful Banff for an early-evening arrival.
Moderate: Overnight Mount Royal Hotel
Superior: Overnight Rimrock Resort – Superior room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – Fairmont room
Day 4 – Discover Banff Tour
This morning’s tour takes you through the town of Banff and its environs. You’ll ascend Tunnel Mountain Drive to view Bow Falls and visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site where a natural hot springs led to the creation of Canada's first National Park in 1885. Enjoy a ride on a gondola car to the top of Sulphur Mountain and experience a 360-degree panorama of a sea of mountain ranges, valleys and lakes, and a bird’s eye view of the Banff townsite, 770 metres below. Also included is admission to the local Whyte Museum.
Moderate: Overnight Mount Royal Hotel
Superior: Overnight Rimrock Resort – Superior room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – Fairmont room
Day 5 – Banff to Calgary
Today your day is free until your transfer by scheduled motorcoach to Calgary. Upon arrival in Calgary, you will be dropped off at the Calgary International Airport to downtown.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 4 nights accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- VIA Rail from Edmonton to Jasper in Comfort Class
- Services of a Driver/Guide for the motorcoach portion of your tour
- Transfer from train station to hotel in Jasper
- Sightseeing excursions of Jasper & Banff
- Maligne Lake Cruise
- Jasper to Banff Tour
- Ice Explorer on the Athabasca Glacier
- Photograph on the Columbia Icefield
- Banff Gondola
- Admission to the Cave & Basin National Historic Site
- Admission to the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
- Transfer from Banff to Calgary
- Discount coupon for any additional Brewster Sightseeing Excursions
- Luggage handling at hotels
- National Park fees
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Gratuities to sightseeing drivers, rail personnel and taxi drivers
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)