Day 1 - Arrive Vancouver / Chef's Table Dinner
Welcome to Vancouver. When your arrive at the Vancouver International Airport you will be met by a driver with a private limousine who will transport you to the Four Seasons Vancouver Hotel, one of Vancouver's top luxury hotels, for check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Vancouver is a city renowned for its fine international dining. This evening you will get a chance to experience one of the finest gourmet presentations in the city when you dine at "Diva at the Met." Located across the street from your hotel the Diva is an experience of intimate luxury. The six-course epicurean experience will be personally presented by the Chef. He will explain the preparation and cooking process for each course and present appropriate wine parings of both local and imported wines.
Luxury: Overnight Four Seasons Vancouver Hotel - Deluxe Four Seasons Executive Suite
Day 2 - Whistler Mountaineer™ Glacier Dome - Vancouver to Whistler
This morning transfer from your hotel to the Whistler Mountain Train Station in North Vancouver aboard the Rocky Mountaineer® motorcoach shuttle. The Whistler Mountaineer™ takes you on a breathtaking rail journey through the stunning scenery of this "Sea to Sky" region. Enjoy unparalleled panoramic views from your seat in the Glacier Dome Coach making this the ultimate onboard experience. Today you will be travelling to the mountain resort town of Whistler, renowned for outstanding skiing and year-round outdoor activities. Highlights of the trip include spectacular views across Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains, Shannon Falls, Mount Garibaldi, and the impressive Cheakamus Canyon. Upon arrival at Whistler train station, you will be met by your driver and private limousine and be transferred to the Four Seasons Resort. The hotel evokes the spirit of a luxurious mountain residence with cozy wood interiors, stone fireplaces, and terraces or balconies in every room that provide unparalleled vistas. Enjoy a superb spa and mountainside dining, plus easy access to the awe-inspiring slopes of Whistler Blackcomb, site of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Luxury: Overnight Four Seasons Resort Whistler - Deluxe Four Seasons Executive Suite
Day 3 - Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service®- Whistler to Quesnel
This morning your driver and private limousine will transfer you to the Whistler Train Station for your early morning departure. Travel in exceptional style in the GoldLeaf® dome coach from the four-season mountain resort of Whistler to the charming rural town of Quesnel, the gateway to the North Cariboo. As you relax in your reserved 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. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley, to the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, and the Cariboo Plateau with its rolling hills and vast ranchlands. Highlights include the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacial fed Seton Lake, sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon and Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer® follows the banks of the Fraser River into Quesnel, your overnight destination.
Luxury: Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service®
Overnight in Quesnel (Hotel to be advised)
Day 4 - Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service®- Quesnel to Jasper
Your journey continues eastward today to the majestic Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park. From Quesnel the Rocky Mountaineer® follows the Fraser River north to the town of Prince George and then travels east through the forests of Northern British Columbia, home to plentiful wildlife including a large population of moose. Entering the Rocky Mountain Trench you are surrounded to the north by the steeply rising Rocky Mountains and to the south by the Cariboo Mountains. Continue climbing past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet), and through the Yellowhead Pass into the province of Alberta. You will arrive in the mountain resort town of Jasper in the evening. Upon arrival, you will be met by your driver and private luxury SUV and be transferred to the Jasper Park Lodge Hotel for check-in. You have a credit of CDN $250 per person towards Fairmont on-site facilities. Your hotel credit can be used towards any of the facilities at the Fairmont Rockies Hotels including restaurants, spa treatments and on-site activities.
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge nestles on 1000 acres of pristine wilderness. The beauty and majesty of this area, combined with elegant surroundings and impeccable service, creates this grand Canadian Lodge experience. Accommodation at this world class resort is both historic and contemporary, in rustic cedar chalets and heritage log cabins arranged in the style of an alpine village. With a plethora of wildlife awaiting you just outside your cabin door, exceptional regional cuisine and an overabundance of outdoor adventure opportunities, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge promises all guests an experience they won't soon forget.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lakefront Suite
Day 5 - Jasper & Area Private
Tour including Maligne Lake Cruise This morning you will be met by your driver 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 6 - Jasper to Lake Louise Private Tour / Columbia Icefields Ice Explorer
Today your driver will take you on one of the most spectacular roads in North America. 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. Arrive in Lake Louise in the late afternoon and check-in at the world famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Situated on the banks of a breathtaking lake with the majestic Rocky Mountains providing an astounding backdrop, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise combines beautiful scenery with unrivalled service to make your stay a moment to cherish. Tucked deep within the Banff National Park, the Chateau invites you to escape to a retreat of welcoming grandeur. Always aiming to raise your expectations, The Chateau's exclusive Fairmont Gold floor is intended to indulge you - from the instant of your arrival at your private 7th floor check-in. With a devoted concierge, all of your needs will be met and executed with the utmost speed and care. Lavish rooms, indulgent bath products, totally personalized service and the crowning touch - a private lounge that serves complimentary continental breakfast, cocktail hour canapés and an honour bar, all because you deserve the touch of Gold.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Fairmont Gold Lakeview (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 7 - Lake Louise to Banff / Banff & Area Private Tour / Mt. Assiniboine Helicopter Tour
In the late morning, you will be met by your driver for a personal tour from Lake Louise to Banff. Travel along the scenic Highway 1A visiting Castle Mountain and Johnston Canyon. Your driver will offer suggestions of places to visit, including Hole-in-the-Wall. In Banff, visit the natural attractions of the wind-shaped hoodoos, Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive and more. For lunch, dine on Rocky Mountain cuisine at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge, a delicious departure from the ordinary. 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. In the afternoon, depart for Canmore for a 30 minute Mt. Assiniboine Glacier helicopter tour.
This sensational flight will transport you to "The Matterhorn of the Canadian Rockies", which rises majestically to 3,611 meters (11,870 feet) along the Great Divide. The surrounding glaciers and icefalls will astound you and capture your imagination. This is photographers dream come true. An experience you will not forget!
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
After your tour, you will be transferred to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for check-in. Few hotels in the world can rival the majesty, hospitality and scenery of The Fairmont Banff Springs. Its unique blend of opulence and seclusion has been a symbol of Rocky Mountain magnificence for more than a century. Styled after a Scottish baronial castle, The Fairmont Banff Springs offers stunning vistas, championship golf courses, unparalleled skiing, classic cuisine and Willow Stream, a world class European-style spa. You will experience timeless beauty and luxurious comfort in a pristine wilderness.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - One Bedroom Suite
Day 8 - Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service®- Banff to Kamloops
Early today, a private limousine will transfer you from your hotel to the Rocky Mountaineer® train station. For the next two days, you will be experiencing 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 reserved 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 you arrive in Kamloops you will be transferred to your deluxe accommodation. This evening choose to attend one of the dinner shows presented by Rocky Mountaineer® or take some time to enjoy this bustling western town.
Luxury: GoldLeaf Service®
Overnight Kamloops (Hotel to be advised)
Day 9 - Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service ® - Kamloops to Vancouver
Early this morning, depart for your second day aboard Rail 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. When you arrive at the Vancouver Train Station, you will be met by your driver and be transferred by private limousine to the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel where you will check into your exclusive Gold Level room.
Luxury: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront - One Bedroom Fairmont Gold Suite (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 10 - Vancouver at Leisure / Depart Vancouver aboard Holland America's ms Statendam
You have the morning at leisure to explore Vancouver. This afternoon, the Fairmont Waterfront Bell Services will transfer your luggage to Canada Place Pier, located just steps from the hotel. Here you will set sail for new adventures on board the exciting ms Statendam. Guests can expect signature Holland America touches, such as a gracious and unobtrusive staff, gourmet meals, spacious accommodations and the very best in entertainment and activities. This spectacular cruise ship delights guests with unforgettable onboard experiences.
Your Deluxe Veranda Suite (Category S) comprises of 2 lower beds convertible to 1 king-size bed, bathroom with dual sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, large sitting area, dressing room, private veranda, 1 sofa bed for 2 persons, DVD player, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Luxury: Overnight ms Statendam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 11 - Scenic Cruising Inside Passage
Today is at sea. Journey deep into one of nature's most isolated monuments accessible only by sea and air and encounter the magnificence of the Ice Age as you slowly glide through the Inside Passage. Expect the unexpected on your Alaska cruise - a massive glacier calves, a bald eagle soars above, a humpback whale clears the water and the night sky awakens to waves of color. With guaranteed views of sky-splitting peaks, glaciers and vast wilderness.
Luxury: Overnight ms Statendam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 12 - Tracy Arm & Juneau, Alaska
In the morning you will cruise through this narrow, 26-mile long fjord is another of Alaska's most dramatic glacier settings. Stand on deck as the lush forest recedes and you enter a stunning canyon of bare rock. The panorama of 7,000 foot mountain peaks and nearly vertical rock cliffs is astounding. Waterfalls appear at every turn. Icebergs make their way to the sea in all sorts of wondrous shapes. And tucked away at the end of this remarkable waterway are two very active reminders of the Ice Age - the twin Sawyer Glaciers. The face of the South Sawyer Glacier stretches one-third of a mile and calves icebergs big and small. Harbour seals dot the floating platforms. Kittiwakes and mountain goats are a common sight. Whales and bears may even make an appearance in this magical place where closeness and intimacy make visitors a part of the scene.
In the afternoon, arrive Juneau. For years Juneau's livelihood, like that of many cities in Alaska, was tied to mining. The city itself is built on tailings from the A-J mine whose shafts perforate the hillside above town. Because it is Alaska's capital, Juneau prospers through government work and tourism. This is a great place to sample salmon baked over an alderwood fire, pan for gold, and hike the massive Juneau Icefield. If you feel the need for speed, hop on a sled and let a dog team pull you across the surface of a glacier. Sample Shore Excursions (not included): Alaska-style Salmon Bake, Glacier View Sea Kayaking, Gold Panning at Gold Creek.
Luxury: Overnight ms Statendam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 13 - Skagway, Alaska
The sidewalks are all but rolled up in Skagway come winter, so you can only imagine the frightful conditions endured by the gold prospectors who passed through en route to the Yukon, with a mandatory ton of supplies to be hauled with them over the steep and treacherous Trail of '98. 21st-century summertime visits to Skagway require nothing of the sort, but you can still ride the antique White Pass & Yukon narrow-gauge railway up through silvery-purple rock faces, past Deadhorse Gulch, to see what it was like back then. Sample Shore Excursions (not included): White Pass Summit Scenic Railway, Biking, rock- climbing and flightseeing adventures.
Luxury: Overnight ms Statendam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 14 - Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising
Cloistered in the rocky recesses of Alaska, Glacier Bay is a world still emerging from the Ice Age. Sixteen dazzling tidewater glaciers creep back and forth by millimeters, chiselling great masses of moraine onto their pristine surfaces.
Luxury: Overnight ms Statendam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 15 - Ketchikan, Alaska
In the heart of the Tongass National Forest, immerse yourself in Tlingit Indian culture and view the world's largest collection of totem poles kayak the colourful waterfront and stroll the boardwalk that once led to Ketchikan's red light district. Sample Shore Excursions (not included): Adventure Kart & Jet Boat Expedition, Misty Fjords by Floatplane, snorkeling adventure, Totems & Town Tour.
Luxury: Overnight ms Statendam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 16 - Scenic Cruising Inside Passage
Today is at sea as you continue your cruise back to Vancouver. You set the pace and choose your pleasure: Start your day early with a brisk walk around the teak deck or enjoy a long, lazy morning with breakfast served in your stateroom. Relax away the afternoon by the pool or participate in one of many classes or speaker presentations. Dress for another stylish dinner or enjoy an excellent meal at one of our more casual restaurants. In the evening, watch a great show, try your luck in the casino or dance into a moonlit night at sea.
Luxury: Overnight ms Statendam in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (S class)
Day 17 - Arrive Vancouver / Depart
Arrive back into Vancouver in the early morning. Upon arrival back in Vancouver, you will be met by your driver and private limousine and be transferred to the Vancouver Airport in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 9 nights accommodation, room tax and any mandatory service charges
- Whistler Mountaineer™ (Vancouver to Whistler) in Glacier Dome class including breakfast and motorcoach transfer in Vancouver
- Rocky Mountaineer® 2 day rail tour (Banff to Vancouver) in GoldLeaf Service® including 2 breakfasts,2 lunches & snacks & 1 dinner at hotel in Kamloops
- Rocky Mountaineer® 2 day rail tour (Whistler to Jasper) in GoldLeaf Service® including 2 breakfasts,2 lunches & snacks & 1 dinner at hotel in Quesnel
- 7 night Alaska Glacier Bay & Tracy Arm Holland America cruise aboard the ms Statendam including onboard meals & entertainment, taxes and port charges
- 6 course dinner & wine pairing Chef's Table at Diva at the Met including gratuities
- $250 in house credit for use at the Fairmont Rockies Hotels
- Maligne Lake Cruise
- Columbia Icefields 1 1/2 hour Ice Explorer ride
- Sulphur Mountain Gondola ride
- Lunch at Buffalo Mountain Lodge
- Mt. Assiniboine 30 minute Helicopter Tour
- Private Luxury SUV transfer from Jasper train station to hotel including gratuities
- Private Luxury SUV Tour of Jasper & area, Jasper to Lake Louise and Lake Louise to Banff & Banff Area Tour including gratuities
- Private limousine transfers between Vancouver Airport & hotel, Whistler train station & hotel, hotel & Whistler train station, hotel & Banff train station, Vancouver train station & hotel and Vancouver cruise ship terminal & Vancouver Airport including gratuities
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Rocky Mountaineer® Fuel Surcharge as of May 15, 2008 - $65 PP
- Optional activities
- Shore Excursions
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities not listed as included (including meals & cabin attendants onboard the ms Statendam)
- Meals not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Optional activities not listed as included
- Goods and Services tax (GST)
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)