Day 1 -Arrive in Vancouver
Upon arrival at the Vancouver International Airport you will be transferred by private sedan to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Moderate: Overnight Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Vancouver (includes buffet breakfast)
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront Centre - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront Centre Hotel - Fairmont Gold Harbourview (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2 - Deluxe Vancouver Sightseeing Tour / VIA Rail - Vancouver to Jasper
This morning you will be taken on a 4 ½ hour city tour of Vancouver. You will see Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, Robson Street, English Bay, Queen Elizabeth Park and Granville Island. Admission to the Lookout Tower has been included on the tour, providing a bird's-eye view of Vancouver.
This evening transfer by private sedan to the Pacific Central train station. Tonight, you will travel aboard VIA Rail's 'Canadian', and experience a dream voyage in the intimacy of a private room. The train will take you through the Fraser Valley & Canyon areas. By nightfall you will be lulled to sleep by the peaceful movement of the train.
Moderate: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Superior: Overnight VIA Rail in a Private Bedroom
Deluxe: Overnight VIA Rail in a "Romance by Rail" Suite
Day 3 -Arrival in Jasper / Evening Miette Hot Springs & Wildlife Tour
By the time you awake you will see glaciers, mountain peaks and lush forests. You will also pass Mt. Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Mid-day the train will arrive in Jasper National Park. Upon arrival you will transfer (on own) to your hotel for check-in.
This combination of Hot Springs and Animal viewing has proven to be very popular! This 1.5 hour trip passes quickly while you relax and enjoy the many stops for wildlife and the commentary of the guide. Possible wildlife including bear, bull elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, deer, coyotes, beaver, moose and birds. The variety of topics discussed includes the habitat and habits of animals seen, fire controls in the Park, railroad history and more. At the Springs, go for a short walk to the Source of the Springs, enjoy a soak in the Hot Springs Pool (pool admittance fee included) and/or enjoy a meal (not included) at the quaint restaurant at the Springs to fill out the 1.5 hour visit.
Note: Evening Miette Hot Springs & Wildlife Tour operates from Early May to Mid October. When the tour is not running, it will be substituted with a Maligne Valley & Wildlife Tour.
Maligne Valley & Wildlife Tour - Embark on a tour of one of the most spectacular areas of Jasper National Park. Visit shimmering Patricia and Pyramid Lakes and take a stroll over a rustic footbridge to Pyramid Lake Island. From there travel through the Maligne Valley in search of Osprey, eagle, big horn sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, deer and bear. 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 disappearing Medicine Lake and then to spectacular Maligne Lake. Have your cameras ready as both areas are rich in wildlife and scenery.
Moderate: Overnight Lobstick Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lake view Junior Suite
Day 4 -Athabasca River Gentle Raft / Float Trip
Today take a gentle raft/float trip on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park. The 16-kilometre, 2 ½ hour round 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. Round trip transportation from your hotel to the river is included.
Note: Gentle Raft / Float Trip operates from May 15 to September 30. When the tour is not running, it will be removed from your package.
Moderate: Overnight Lobstick Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lake view Junior Suite
Day 5 - Jasper to Lake Louise Tour including Columbia Icefield
Enjoy a narrated tour 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 create an ever-changing montage of mountain wilderness. This 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. Late afternoon you will arrive in Lake Louise.
Note: Ice Age Adventure operates from April 15 - October 15, weather permitting. When the Snocoach is not running, the tour will be reduced by approximately 1 1/2 hours
Moderate: Overnight Lake Louise Inn - Pinnacle Queen
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Fairmont Lake view
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – Fairmont Gold Lake view (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 6 - Lake Louise to Banff
Today you will have a short motor coach transfer to the mountain resort town of Banff. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. In the summer enjoy golfing, trail riding, hiking, swimming or canoeing.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Junior Suite
Day 7 - Discover Banff Tour
Build a connection to this World Heritage Site on this trademark sightseeing tour as you visit Banff's landmarks and historic places and hear how the 11,000 year old human history of the Bow Valley changed when three railway workers rediscovered the Cave & Basin, now a National Historic Site. Your time will be spent enjoying the sights, taking photos, and participating in short walks to view points, on the many stops of the tour.
Remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the town site and visit the many museums, art galleries, & boutiques. 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 town site and the surrounding peaks of the Bow Valley.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Junior Suite
Day 8 -Banff to Calgary
Today you will depart Banff and transfer by regular scheduled airporter to the Calgary International Airport in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 6 nights hotel accommodation, room tax and any mandatory service charges
- 1 night bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail (Deluxe Package: overnight in a 'Romance by Rail' Suite)
- Transfer by private sedan between Vancouver Airport & hotel and Vancouver hotel & train station including all gratuities
- Deluxe Vancouver City Tour including admission to the Lookout Tower
- Evening Miette Hot Springs & Wildlife Tour including admission to hot springs (SUBSTITUTIONS: If not operating will be substituted with Watchable Wildlife Tour)
- Athabasca River Gentle Raft/Float Trip including round trip transfers from your hotel (SUBSTITUTIONS: If not operating will be removed from package)
- Jasper to Lake Louise Tour including a 1 1/2 hour Ice Explorer ride (SUBSTITUTIONS: If Ice Explorer not operating tour will be shortened by 1 1/2 hours)
- Discover Banff Tour including admission to Cave & Basin
- Sulphur Mountain Gondola ride
- Coach transfer from Lake Louise to Banff
- Coach transfer from Banff to Calgary Airport
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals 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)