Day 1 - Arrive Calgary & Drive to Emerald Lake Lodge
Upon arrival at the Calgary International Airport you will pick up your car rental and begin your journey to Emerald Lake Lodge, located approximately 200kms (125 miles) from Calgary. You will depart the Stampede City of Calgary and travel through the rolling foothills into the Rocky Mountains to Field, British Columbia. The lodge is approximately 10 kms (6 miles) from Field.
Emerald Lake Lodge is located in one of Canada's most wilderness settings. A respect for the past characterizes the accommodations at Emerald Lake Lodge. Dotting the 13-acre peninsula are 24 cabin-style buildings (accommodating up to 200 guests), newly built to reflect the traditional architecture of the Lodge. Rooms have private baths, balconies and fieldstone wood burning fireplaces, which are stocked daily with complimentary firewood. Room amenities include feather duvets and pillows, telephones, in-room coffee makers, hair dryers and alarm clocks. Built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces, the Lodge includes a formal dining room, quiet reading and sitting rooms and a games room. The lounge is enhanced by an oak bar salvaged from an 1890's Yukon saloon. From upper or lower large verandahs, the visions nature presents are as fresh and breath-taking as ever.
Moderate: Overnight Emerald Lake Lodge - Lodge Queen
Superior: Overnight Emerald Lake Lodge - Lake room
Deluxe: Overnight Emerald Lake Lodge - Emerald Suite
Day 2, 3 & 4 - Exploring at Leisure
The next 3 days are yours to explore the area at leisure. Visit the second highest waterfall in Canada - Takakkaw Falls, the beauty of Lake O'Hara, the Natural Bridge, the Burgess Shale or the Spiral Tunnels (the CPR train track inside a mountain). Go white water rafting down the Kicking Horse River, canoe Emerald Lake, or try your hand at horseback riding, fishing, or mountain biking. The surrounding mountains and wilderness offer something for every level of hiking/mountaineering experience and fitness.
Moderate: Overnight Emerald Lake Lodge - Lodge Queen
Superior: Overnight Emerald Lake Lodge - Lake room
Deluxe: Overnight Emerald Lake Lodge - Emerald Suite
Day 5 - Emerald Lake to Banff
Today you depart Emerald Lake Lodge and enjoy a leisurely drive to Banff. You may want to choose the Bow Valley Parkway and make a stop at Johnston Canyon, where you can walk along the paved footway to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to Banff. You will be staying at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge which lies on the gentle slopes of Tunnel Mountain, which native people called 'sleeping buffalo'. The Main Lodge complements its natural setting with square timber, post and beam construction, and high open ceilings. Simple, elegant design is a hallmark of the resort, and symbolizes the lifestyle at the Lodge. Premier rooms have pine ceilings, a wood burning fieldstone fireplace which is stocked daily with complimentary firewood, cable television with VCR. The over-sized bathrooms have a slate heated floor, a separate shower stall and an old-fashioned claw-footed bathtub.
Moderate: Overnight Buffalo Mountain Lodge - Lodge Queen
Superior: Overnight Buffalo Mountain Lodge - Lodge King
Deluxe: Overnight Buffalo Mountain Lodge - Buffalo Suite
Day 6 - Banff at Leisure
Enjoy a full day to explore Banff. Visit the Banff Gondola, where you can take a spectacular 8-minute gondola ride 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. You may wish to take a drive along Tunnel Mountain Drive to view the beautiful town of Banff and visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site where a natural hot springs led to the creation of Canada's first National Park in 1885. Or take a mid-morning stroll along Lake Minnewanka or explore the town site and visit the many museums, art galleries, & boutiques. At the end of the day, you will need to drop off your car rental.
Moderate: Overnight Buffalo Mountain Lodge - Lodge Queen
Superior: Overnight Buffalo Mountain Lodge - Lodge King
Deluxe: Overnight Buffalo Mountain Lodge - Buffalo 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 'Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World !'® aboard Rocky Mountaineer®. 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.
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 the train. 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 Rosedale on Robson - 1 Bedroom Suite
Superior: Overnight Hotel Le Soleil - 1 Bedroom Suite
Deluxe: Overnight Hotel Le Soleil - 1 Bedroom Corner Suite
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, including any mandatory service charges and room tax
- Rocky Mountaineer® 2 day rail tour including 2 breakfasts,2 lunches & snacks
- Dinner in Kamloops at hotel (with GoldLeaf Service® only)
- 6 Day full size car rental including unlimited mileage, LDW, PAI, PEC, Taxes, Airport surcharge, VLF, and Extra driver
- Hotel transfers in Kamloops
- Transfer by private sedan between Banff Hotel & Train station, Vancouver Train Station & hotel, Vancouver hotel & airport
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Transfer not listed as included
- Activities
- Gratuities
- Car Rental: Drop fee between Calgary & Jasper, refueling service charge, baby seats, toll highway charges, additional driver taxes, and credit card security deposit
- Goods and Services tax (GST)
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)