Day 1 - Arrive Vancouver / Chef's Table Dinner
Once you have cleared customs and immigration at the Vancouver International Airport you will be transferred by private limousine to the elegant Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore the shops and attractions of Vancouver.
This evening enjoy a 6 course gourmet dinner at one of Vancouver's most prestigious restaurants, Diva at the Met. Located a few blocks from your hotel Diva's is considered one of the finest restaurants in Canada. Tonight you will enjoy the Chef's Table dining experience. Each course and wine pairing will be presented personally by the chef. Bon Appetite!
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront - One Bedroom Fairmont Gold Suite (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2 - Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service® - Vancouver to Kamloops
Early this morning a chauffeured Limousine will transport you to the Rocky Mountaineer® train station. For the next two days, you will be experience the "Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World"® aboard Rocky Mountaineer®. Travel in exceptional style in the GoldLeaf® dome coach that puts you in the middle of the awe-inspiring scenery of the Canadian Rockies. As you relax in your assigned seat, coffee or chilled orange juice is served, and the pampering does not stop. Comfort and luxury are found in the GoldLeaf® dining room on the lower level, where white linen, gleaming tableware and fresh flower bouquets await you. Your menu choices will include seasonal regional cuisine created by talented onboard GoldLeaf® chefs. Savour the ultimate dining experience, with stunning and constantly changing vistas outside your window. When the train arrives in Kamloops you will immediately be taken to your deluxe hotel for the night. You may choose to attend one of the dinner shows presented by Rocky Mountaineer® of strike out on your own and explore this thriving western town.
Luxury: GoldLeaf Service® Overnight Kamloops (Hotel to be advised)
Day 3 - Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service®- Kamloops to Jasper
Early this morning, depart for your second day aboard Rail Mountaineer. Soon after departing Kamloops, you will follow the Thompson River through rolling plateaus into the snowy peaks of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Pass by Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954 meters (12,972 ft), before entering Jasper National Park. You will arrive in the mountain resort town of Jasper by late afternoon. A driver and private sedan will transfer you to the 1,000 acre Fairmont Jasper Park Resort for a luxurious night in the Canadian Rockies.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lakefront Suite
Day 4 - Jasper & Area Private Tour including Maligne Lake Cruise
This morning your driver will meet you at the hotel and take you for a personal tour of one of the most spectacular areas of 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, 2007) - 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 5 - Jasper to Lake Louise Private Tour / Helicopter Tour with Gourmet Picnic Lunch
Get ready for one of the most spectacular days on the trip as you travel from Jasper to Lake Louise in your private and luxurious SUV. Travel from Jasper through the "heart" of the Canadian Rockies to Lake Louise along the Icefields Parkway. 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. The tour along the Icefields Parkway takes you through Jasper and Banff National Parks, stopping at the Columbia Icefield. 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, you will travel to the heliport for your 25-minute 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 continues south to Lake Louise and your romantic accommodation for the night, the world famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Fairmont Gold Lakeview (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 6 - Lake Louise to Calgary Private Tour / Wine & Cheese Reception
This morning your driver will pick you up at the Chateau for a special tour of Banff on your way to Calgary. Along the way, travel on scenic Highway 1A visiting Castle Mountain and Johnston Canyon. In Banff 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, you will 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. After lunch depart on the 90-minute trip to Calgary, the fastest growing city in Canada. Your accommodation for the night is the historic Fairmont Palliser Hotel. This evening join your fellow rail travelers and the Management Team of the Royal Canadian Pacific Management for a private wine and cheese reception, followed by dinner in the Rimrock Dining Room.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Day 7 - Depart on the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Banff Tour
Today is the beginning of a truly magical rail experience. The Royal Canadian Pacific carries a maximum of 32 pampered guests on a classic train reminiscent of a past era when opulence, service and romance were synonymous with rail travel. The journey begins by traveling west through the Canadian Rockies. Stop 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. At Golden, your train will pull off to a secluded siding for the night. Your chefs will create a gourmet dinner, your entertainment will be jovial and your sleep in the grand bedroom car will be extraordinary.
Luxury: Overnight Royal Canadian Pacific Train - State room
Day 8 - Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Private tour of Canadian Museum of Rail Travel
This morning a luxury motorcoach whisks you to Kicking Horse Gondola for breakfast in the Eagle Eye's Restaurant and a 360-degree view of the stunning Rocky Mountains. You will take a gondola to the top of the mountain and discover Canada's most elevated dining experience. At 7,700 feet, Eagle's Eye restaurant is a feast for all your senses. Jaw-dropping panoramic views set the stage at Canada's most elevated dining experience. After breakfast, you will re-board the train and head south through the Columbia River Valley to Cranbrook, for a private tour of the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel - the only national rail museum of its kind!
The Canadian Museum of Rail Travel features complete train sets representing various eras of travel including the prestigious million-dollar 1929 ?Trans Canada Limited'. The whole train including dining, sleeping and solarium-lounge cars are on view - much as a deluxe hotel-on-wheels. Also on display is the 'Soo-Spokane Train Deluxe' of 1907, royal cars, cars-of-state and interpretive cars, totalling 28. All of the museum cars are famous for their stained glass, exotic inlaid woods, plush upholstery, wood carpets and brass fixtures. The largest public display of Canadian Pacific Railway china and silverware in Canada is on view in the dining car. Your guide will take you on first class tours through the sumptuous interiors or the restored car and buildings to admire the interior design and appointments, and hear about the extensive restoration program. After your tour, you will re-board the train. This evening, enjoy a gourmet dinner and overnight stay at Summit Lake on the Continental Divide.
Luxury: Overnight Royal Canadian Pacific Train - State room
Day 9 - Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Today your journey continues with a gentle descent to the Alberta prairies. You will visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is known around the world as a remarkable testimony of prehistoric life. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump bears witness to a custom practiced by native people of the North American plains for nearly 6000 years. Thanks to their excellent understanding of topography and of bison behaviour, they killed bison by chasing them over a precipice and subsequently carving up the carcasses in the camp below. You will have an opportunity to tour the Interpretive Centre which depicts the ecology, mythology, lifestyle and technology of Blackfoot peoples.
After your visit, you will return to the train at Lethbridge for a breathtaking crossing of the High Level Bridge. You will overnight on-board the train in the serene town of Eltham located in the heart of the Alberta prairies.
Luxury: Overnight Royal Canadian Pacific Train - State room
Day 10 - 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. Once again you will check into the Fairmont Palliser Hotel. Tonight you will be the guests of the Royal Canadian Pacific for a final farewell dinner.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Day 11 - Depart Calgary
After breakfast a chauffeur and limousine will deliver you to the Calgary International Airport for your return flight home.
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
- Rocky Mountaineer® 2 day rail tour in GoldLeaf Service® including 2 breakfasts,2 lunches & snacks & 1 dinner at hotel in Kamloops
- 6 course dinner & wine pairing Chef's Table at Diva at the Met including gratuities
- Maligne Lake Cruise
- Columbia Icefields 1 1/2 hour Ice Explorer ride
- Sulphur Mountain Gondola ride
- Lunch at Buffalo Mountain Lodge
- Wilson Icefield helicopter tour (25 minutes) including a landing and gourmet picnic lunch
- 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 transfers by private sedan in Calgary
- Rail station transfers in Calgary
- Hotel transfers in Kamloops
- Private Limousine transfer between Vancouver Airport & hotel, hotel & Vancouver train station including gratuities
- Private Luxury SUV transfer between Jasper train station & hotel including gratuities
- Private Luxury SUV Tour of Jasper & area; Jasper to Lake Louise; and Lake Louise to Calgary 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
- Transfer not listed as included
- Gratuities not listed as included
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)