Day 1 - Calgary to Lake Louise
Welcome to Calgary and the Province of Alberta! Once you have cleared the airport customs and immigration you will be met by your driver and shown to your private luxury SUV. In no time you will be traveling west through the foothills towards the Canadian Rockies. Soon they appear on the horizon, a looming and magnificent presence. The gates of Banff National Park herald your entrance. You will pass by the alpine resort of Banff and journey along the Bow Valley River until you reach the resort village of Lake Louise. Four km (2.5 mi) above the village is the lake itself, dominated by the majestic Victoria Glacier and the world famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, your accommodation for the night.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Fairmont Gold Lakeview (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2 - Lake Louise to Jasper Private Tour / Helicopter Tour with Gourmet Picnic Lunch
This morning is at leisure to explore Lake Louise. In the late morning, your driver will take you for a personal tour along the Columbia Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Along the way take a break and enjoy the unique and exhilarating helicopter sightseeing flight over the Wilson Icefield. This spectacular flight will allow you to discover not only 6 glaciers but also the Wilson Icefield where you will be able to see down into the many crevasses of the deep blue crowfoot at its base. From above the Wilson Icefield, at 10,500 feet, you will view glaciers and icefields as far as the eye can see! Your pilot will make a landing and you will have time to go for a leisurely walk with your pilot in the high alpine. A walk never to be forgotten! Enjoy a mountaintop picnic in the high alpine. The picnic includes a deluxe sandwich (meat eater or vegetarian - let us know) along with an appetizer tray and dessert. After your flight, your journey through this spectacular valley will continue northward to the resort town of Jasper. Tonight your accommodation in is the luxurious Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lakefront Suite
Day 3 - Jasper & Area Private Tour including Maligne Lake Cruise
Your relaxing morning starts with some private touring of some of the most spectacular areas in Jasper National Park. Stop at Maligne Canyon where 10,000 years of erosion have created a 165-foot deep gorge. Here you will set off on a short walk to marvel at the Maligne River as it thunders through the canyon in a series of waterfalls. From the canyon, continue to the "mysteriously" disappearing Medicine Lake and then to spectacular Maligne Lake for a 90 minute interpretive boat cruise bound for the world renowned Spirit Island. Have your cameras ready as both areas are rich in wildlife and scenery.
OPTIONAL TOUR
Athabasca River Gentle Raft / River Float (May 15 - September 30, 2008) - Take a gentle raft/float trip on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park. The 16-kilometre, 2 ½ hour raft trip passes through many small sets of rapids and calm stretches, which allows your National Park licensed guide to point out the natural and human history of Jasper. The Athabasca River is the same route that was used by the fur traders many years ago. The specially designed rafts offer a safe, comfortable ride that any first time rafter will enjoy and each year safely carry thousands of rafters ranging in age from toddlers to senior citizens.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lakefront Suite
Day 4 - Jasper to Banff Private Tour / Columbia Icefields Ice Explorer
Another exhilarating day awaits! Your driver will return you to Banff via the Icefields Parkway, the heart of the Canadian Rockies. You will be inspired by rushing waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, emerald lakes, alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks that create an ever-changing montage of mountain wilderness. Travel along the Icefields Parkway takes you through Jasper and Banff National Parks. Included in your package is the Ice Age Adventure, a tour onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. You will travel in a specially designed Ice Explorer to the middle of the glacier, on a 5-kilometre round- trip journey. Your driver-guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out interesting geological features as you travel in comfort and safety. The trip affords many opportunities to see mountain wildlife and photograph the spectacular views. From the Columbia Icefields, your journey continues southward until you reach the Trans Canada Highway 1 and journey eastwards to the resort town on Banff. Tonight the castle-like Fairmont Banff Springs hotel beckons you to stay.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - One Bedroom Suite
Day 5 - Banff & Area Private Tour/ Wine & Cheese Reception
A personal tour of the Banff area awaits you this morning. Visit the natural attractions of the wind-shaped hoodoos, Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive and more. Visit the Banff Gondola, where you will take a spectacular 8-minute gondola ride (included) to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. From this vantage point at the summit, enjoy amazing panoramic views of Banff townsite and the surrounding peaks of the Bow Valley. For lunch, dine on Rocky Mountain cuisine at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge, a delicious departure from the ordinary. Later in the afternoon your journey eastward continues to the dynamic city of Calgary, home of the world famous Calgary Stampede. Your home for the night is the historic Fairmont Palliser Hotel. This evening join your fellow travelers and the staff of Royal Canadian Pacific for a private wine and cheese reception, followed by dinner in the Rimrock Dining Room.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Day 6 - Depart on the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Banff Tour
This is the beginning of a truly magnificent rail experience. The Royal Canadian Pacific carries a maximum of 32 pampered guests aboard a classic train set reminiscent of a past era when opulence, service and comfort were synonymous with rail travel. The train travels west through the Canadian Rockies where the first stop is in Banff for a guided tour of local historic sites. Next, travel to Lake Louise for an interpretive hike with a resident naturalist. The train continues west across the Continental Divide, through the famous Spiral Tunnels to Field, then along the Kicking Horse River Valley. To facilitate the skills of the talented chefs and maximize your comfort, the train will pull into a siding at along the rushing Columbia River at Golden for the night.
Luxury: Overnight Royal Canadian Pacific Train - State room
Day 7 - Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Private tour of Canadian Museum of Rail
Travel
In the morning a luxury motorcoach whisks you to Kicking Horse Gondola for breakfast high in the Eagle Eye's restaurant where a 360-degree vista offers a stunning view of the Rocky Mountains. After breakfast, the train heads south through the Columbia River Valley to Cranbrook, for a private tour of the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel. That evening, enjoy a gourmet dinner and overnight stay at Summit Lake on the Continental Divide.
Luxury: Overnight Royal Canadian Pacific Train - State room
Day 8 - Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
The journey continues with a gentle descent to the Alberta prairies. Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Return to the train at Lethbridge for a breathtaking crossing of the High Level Bridge. Overnight in the serene town of Eltham located in the heart of the Alberta prairies.
Luxury: Overnight Royal Canadian Pacific Train - State room
Day 9 - Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Ranch Tour & Steak Pit Lunch
A Leisurely train journey takes you to Okotoks where a luxury motorcoach transfers you to Homeplace Ranch, family-operated since 1912 and located in the high cattle country. Enjoy a guided tour of the ranch and a steak pit lunch. Return to the train for the final leg of the excursion, reaching Calgary by mid-afternoon. Your host for dinner and the night will be the Fairmont Palliser Hotel.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Day 10 - Depart Calgary
After breakfast and check-out, a chauffeur returns you to the Calgary International Airport.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 7 nights hotel accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 3 nights on the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train in a state room with private shower, sink, and toilet
- Wilson Icefield helicopter tour (25 minutes) including a landing and gourmet picnic lunch
- Maligne Lake Cruise
- Columbia Icefields 1 1/2 hour Ice Explorer ride
- Sulphur Mountain Gondola ride
- Lunch at Buffalo Mountain Lodge
- All meals during the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train trip. (Table d'hote meals, including wine, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages)
- Interpretive hike in Lake Louise
- Kicking Horse Gondola
- Canadian Museum of Rail Tour
- Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
- Homeplace Ranch Tour with Steak Pit Lunch
- Gratuities during the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train Tour
- Airport transfer by private sedan from hotel to Calgary Airport
- Rail station transfers in Calgary
- Private Luxury SUV transfer between Calgary Airport & Lake Louise and Banff to Calgary including gratuities
- Private Luxury SUV Tour from Lake Louise to Jasper; Jasper & Area; Jasper to Banff and Banff & Area including gratuities
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Optional Tours
- Meals not listed as included
- Activities not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Gratuities not listed as included
- Goods and Services tax (GST)
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)