Day 1 - Arrive in Vancouver / Sunset Dinner Cruise
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.
This evening enjoy a sunset dinner cruise, a truly Vancouver dining experience. Cruise past the magnificent Vancouver skyline, around Stanley Park, past the beaches of English Bay and into the lights, sights and sounds of False Creek. While onboard, enjoy live musical entertainment and a West Coast-themed buffet. It's like dining in all of Vancouver's finest waterfront restaurants in one evening! Transfer (on own) to the harbour 30 minutes prior to departure with boarding commencing at 6:30 PM.
Moderate: Overnight Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Vancouver (includes buffet breakfast)
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Hotel Vancouver - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Hotel Vancouver - Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2 - Rocky Mountaineer® - Vancouver to Kamloops
Early today, a private sedan will transfer you from your hotel to the train station. For the next two days, you will be experiencing the 'Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World !'® aboard Rocky Mountaineer®. You will depart the coastal city of Vancouver and travel through the fertile Fraser Valley. At Hell's Gate watch water torrent past the canyon walls at its narrowest point, a true highlight of the canyon. Continue your journey eastwards as the train journeys through the Fraser Canyon and along the Thompson River, until it reaches the town of Kamloops, gateway to British Columbia's interior.
Moderate: RedLeaf Service®
Superior: RedLeaf Service®
Deluxe: GoldLeaf Service®
Overnight Kamloops (Hotel to be advised)
Day 3 - Rocky Mountaineer® - Kamloops to Jasper
You will depart early this morning 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 Caribou 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 and transfer to your hotel for check-in (on own).
Moderate: Overnight Amethyst Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lake view Junior Suite
Day 4 - Jasper to Lake Louise Tour
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 - Executive 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 5 - Transfer to Banff / Sunset on the Mountain Evening Nature Walk
In the late morning, you will depart Lake Louise and transfer by regular scheduled motor coach to Banff. You will have the afternoon 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.
Sunset on the Mountain Evening Nature Walk
This is a perfect way to catch a great alpine sunset and a beautiful way to spend an evening. It is an experience with an intimate feel and once you're on the short trail up to Rock Isle Lake, you'll feel like you stepped away from the rest of the world. Sunset over the lake is magnificent! The trip from Banff and back is also a great opportunity to spot wildlife.
Note: Sunset on the Mountain Evening Nature Walk operates from late June to the end of September. When the Evening Nature Walk is not running, the tour will be substituted with an Evening Wildlife Safari Tour.
Evening Wildlife Safari - Discover the challenges of protecting animals and their habitat in Banff National Park. On this evening journey travel through a variety of landscapes and learn about wildlife, their needs, and their inter-relationships. Leave the Safari with a greater understanding of the land, and animals that you will see on the tour.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton's Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Junior Suite
Day 6 - 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.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton's Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Junior Suite
Day 7 - Rocky Mountaineer® - Banff to Kamloops
Early today, a private sedan will transfer you from your hotel to the Banff train station. For the next two days, you will be experiencing the Rocky Mountaineer® Canadian Pacific route as you return to Vancouver. Travel aboard the train that puts you in the middle of the awe-inspiring scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Upon arrival in Kamloops, transfer to your hotel. With service and interpretive commentary provided by your Onboard Attendants, you will realize that with Rocky Mountaineer®, you are experiencing one of the world's most unforgettable rail adventures.
Choice of Kamloops Evening Entertainment
A choice of evening entertainment will be offered in the new River Roundhouse venue featuring two dinner theatre. Select between two entertainment choices during your overnight stay in Kamloops:
Two River Junction Dinner and Musical Revue (Begins late April) - A classic dinner and musical revue offering a fun-filled look at Canadian rail history. Enjoy the historic tale of infamous bandit Billy Miner's botched train robbery. Watch the fun as local reporter Mary Spencer tries to capture this exciting story, only to find instead that Billy has captured her heart. The minute the show starts, you will sing along to old favourites and laugh at "Tales from the Rails" woven around the notorious train robber, Billy Miner.
The Great Canadian Lumberjack Show (Begins Early May)- A wild and entertaining evening show featuring an icon of Canada's West - the lumberjack. This comedic story features two world class lumberjacks competing to be the best in town. Recreating the historic world of a logging camp, the local lumberjacks will dazzle and amaze the audience with their skills, tricks and showmanship. Among the challenges are a 50-foot tree climb, an axe-throwing competition, and an entertaining log-rolling competition.
Moderate: RedLeaf Service®
Superior: RedLeaf Service®
Deluxe: GoldLeaf Service®
Overnight in Kamloops (Hotel to be advised)
Day 8 - Rocky Mountaineer® - Kamloops to Vancouver
You will depart early this morning for your second day aboard Rocky Mountaineer®. Continue your journey westwards from Kamloops and travel along the Thompson River to the Fraser Canyon. At Hell's Gate watch water torrent past the canyon walls at its narrowest point, a true highlight of the canyon. Upon leaving this region, the train will journey through the fertile Fraser Valley to the coastal city of Vancouver. Upon arrival at the Vancouver Train Station, you will be transferred by private sedan to your downtown hotel.
Moderate: Overnight Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Vancouver (includes buffet breakfast)
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Hotel Vancouver - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Hotel Vancouver - Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 9 - Depart Vancouver
Today you will transfer by private sedan from your hotel to the Vancouver International Airport in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 8 nights accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- Rocky Mountaineer® 4 day rail tour including 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches & snacks (Deluxe Package: GoldLeaf Service® includes dinner in Kamloops)
- Sunset Dinner Cruise
- Jasper to Lake Louise Tour including a 1 1/2 hour Ice Explorer ride (SUBSTITUTIONS: If the Snocoach is not running, the tour will be reduced by approximately 1 1/2 hours)
- Sulphur Mountain Gondola ride
- Sunset of the Mountain Evening Nature Walk (SUBSTITUTIONS: If the Nature Walk is not running, the tour will be substituted with an Evening Wildlife Safari)
- Discover Banff Tour including the Cave & Basin Historical Site
- Choice of Kamloops Evening Entertainment: Two River Junction Dinner & Musical Review OR Great Canadian Lumberjack Show (SUBSTITUTIONS: If not operating will be removed from package)
- Transfer by private sedan between Vancouver Airport & hotel, Vancouver hotel & train station, Banff hotel & train station, Vancouver train station & hotel and hotel & Vancouver Airport including gratuities
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Hotel transfers in Kamloops
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Rocky Mountaineer® Fuel Surcharge as of May 15, 2008 - $60 PP
- Meals not listed as included
- Gratuities not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Goods and Services tax (GST)
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)