Day 1 - Calgary to Banff
Upon arrival into Calgary, pick up your rental car. Depart the city and travel west through the foothills of the Rockies to the resort town of Banff. Travelling along Highway 1A offers a leisurely and scenic route to Banff. The area encompassed by Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks is not only vast, but very special too – this combined protected area is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. Upon arrival in Banff, check-in to your selected hotel where the remainder of your day is at leisure.
Moderate: Overnight Mount Royal Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – Fairmont room
Day 2 – Banff Exploring
Hot sulphur water bubbling from the side of Sulphur Mountain was well known by the local aboriginal peoples of the 1800’s. The hot spring was “discovered” by a pair of American hunters in 1875, and Canadian Pacific Railway surveyors who happened upon the location in 1883. The Canadian government declared the hot spring to be a “federal preserve” in 1885 and two years later, Rocky Mountain National Park, Canada’s first national park, was officially established. Be sure to visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the birthplace of Banff National Park and of Canada’s National Parks system (admission included), for interactive displays, exhibits, films, interpretive talks and presentations, interpretive trails, bird watching, hiking and cycling. Enjoy a ride on the Banff Gondola, which rises 700 metres (2,310 feet) to the summit of Sulphur Mountain (2,286 metres/7,544 feet) for panoramic views of the Bow Valley, Banff townsite and surrounding mountain peaks (gondola ride included). Take a dip in the famous hot mineral waters at the Upper Hot Springs pool (pool admission included). The facility also includes a spa, massage and aromatherapy treatments. Also included today is a lake cruise on the Lake Minnewanka. Enjoy a 90 minute ride and commentary.
Moderate: Overnight Mount Royal Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – Fairmont room
Day 3 - Banff to Jasper
Today travel the scenic Icefields Parkway. The Icefields Parkway is Canada’s second-highest paved highway, and among the country’s most scenic drives. A kaleidoscope of new experiences is yours to discover amidst the waterfalls, mountain lakes and awesome glaciers, which dominate the landscape. Be sure to visit the Columbia Icefield, featuring a Parks Canada Interpretive Centre and Brewster’s famous Ice Explorer excursion of the Athabasca Glacier. The Athabasca Glacier is part of the Columbia Icefield, the greatest mass of ice outside the Arctic Circle. The ice is 365 metres (1,200 feet) thick – about the height of the Empire State Building. Leaving the Athabasca Glacier, your camera should be ready to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls prior to your arrival into Jasper.
Moderate: Overnight Lobstick Lodge
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – Deluxe room
Day 4 - Banff to Kamloops (Lac Le Jeune)
Depart Jasper today and travel from the rugged mountains to the rolling ranch country of British Columbia’s interior. Pass Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and then make your way southward along the peaceful North Thompson River to the city of Kamloops. Kamloops is British Columbia’s fifth-largest city and is a major transportation hub, located where the North and South Thompson Rivers join. Your overnight stay this evening is at Lac Le Jeune Resort. Located in a stunning wilderness setting on the shores of Lac Le Jeune (one of the premier trout fishing lakes in the Pacific Northwest), Lac Le Jeune Resort will provide a taste of true Canadiana. Dinner at your hotel this evening is included.
Moderate: Overnight Lac Le Jeune Resort
Deluxe: Overnight Lac Le Jeune Resort
Day 5 - Kamloops to Vancouver
After breakfast (included), continue the journey westward today, through near-desert regions and steep canyons of brilliantly coloured rock and then turn southward to follow the mighty Fraser River through a spectacular narrow canyon. Stop at Hell’s Gate in the scenic Fraser Canyon for a tram ride over the foaming river (tram ride included). Descend smoothly from the highway level in one of two comfortable 25-passenger gondolas, and experience a breathtaking flight directly above the unique Hell’s Gate fishways, where two million sockeye salmon challenge the river each year on their epic journey to their inland spawning grounds. At the lower terminal, after a 152-metre descent across the canyon, there are observation points to view the mighty Fraser River, where at peak level, 200 million gallons of water per minute leap and surge through the 34-metre-wide gorge. At the town of Hope, the route leaves the Coast Mountains and travels across the rich farmland of the Fraser Valley to the coastal city of Vancouver. As you travel through the Fraser Valley this afternoon, stop at Minter Gardens and take a leisurely stroll around the world-class gardens before arriving into Vancouver (admission included). Upon arrival in Vancouver, check-in to your selected hotel.
Moderate: Overnight Pacific Palisades Hotel
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – Fairmont room
Day 6 - Vancouver
Your adventure ends today with the return of the rental vehicle either to the Vancouver International Airport or a downtown location.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 5 nights accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 6 day mid size car rental
- Lake Minnewanka Cruise
- Admission to the Cave & Basin National Historic Site
- Admission to Banff Gondola
- Admission to the Upper Hot Springs
- Ice Explorer on the Athabasca Glacier
- Photograph on the Columbia Icefield
- Maligne Lake Cruise
- Hell’s Gate Tram ride
- Admission to Minter Gardens
- National Park Fees
- Luggage handling at hotels
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Car Rental: vehicle insurance, drop charges, airport concession fee, provincial sales tax, refueling service charge, parking, gas, ferry & highway tolls, baby seats, additional driver taxes and credit card security deposit
- Meals not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Gratuities
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)