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 Hotel Vancouver - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Hotel Vancouver - Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2 - Vancouver's Winter Playground Tour / VIA Rail to Jasper
This morning you will check-out of your hotel and check your luggage with the bell desk before you depart on your tour of Vancouver's North Shore. From Stanley Park, you will travel across the Lions Gate Bridge to North Vancouver. You will continue to the Grouse Mountain, you will take a Sky Ride to the top of the mountain where you will enjoy the panoramic and spectacular views from the mountaintop. Winter comes alive on an enchanting sleigh ride (weather permitting) through Grouse Mountain's snowy paradise. This is a memorable journey around the mountaintop through snow-covered forests. This is what memories are made of. You will have approximately 2 hours play time on top where you can enjoy optional activities such as snowshoeing, ice skating, or skiing. In the afternoon, you will Swing 230 feet above the Capilano River as you cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You will also experience the new Tree Top Adventure, Treetops offers visitors a squirrel's eye view of a thriving coastal forest, as they venture from one magnificent Douglas fir tree to another via a series of elevated suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet above the forest floor. After your tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel. You will have some free time before you transfer from the hotel to the VIA Rail Train Station for your departure.
Tonight, you will travel aboard VIA Rail's 'Canadian'. This evening the train departs for Jasper and will take you through the Fraser Valley & Canyon areas. By nightfall you will be lulled to sleep by the peaceful movement of the train.
Note: Westbound Itineraries, the Vancouver’s Winter Playground Tour will be replaced with a Vancouver City & Capilano Suspension Bridge Tour.
Vancouver City & Capilano Suspension Bridge Tour - This morning depart on a city tour of Vancouver & the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You will see Stanley Park, Gastown, Robson Street, English Bay, Queen Elizabeth Park and Granville Island. From Stanley Park, you will travel across the Lions Gate Bridge to North Vancouver. Swing 230 feet above the Capilano River as you cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You will swing 230 feet above the Capilano River as you cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You will also experience the new Tree Top Adventure, Treetops offers visitors a squirrel's eye view of a thriving coastal forest, as they venture from one magnificent Douglas fir tree to another via a series of elevated suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet above the forest floor.
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 Moonlight Maligne Canyon Ice walk
This morning you will wake up on the train just as you are entering the snow covered majestic Rocky Mountains. As you are riding the rails, you will view frozen mountain lakes and glaciers. 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 evening you will embark on a tour of one of the most spectacular areas of Jasper National Park. Enjoy a guided hike during the night time, through the frozen ice falls and ice caves of Maligne Canyon. You actually walk on the frozen floor of the canyon, stopping for photos of the Queen of Maligne and Angel Icefalls. It's a whole different world down there, especially in the moonlight! Definitely a unique Jasper experience!
Note: The Maligne Canyon Ice walk operates from mid-December to the first week of April - weather permitting. If the ice walk is not operating, it will be removed from the package.
Moderate: Overnight Amethyst Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Junior Suite Fireplace room
Day 4 - Jasper to Lake Louise Winter Tour
The tour from Jasper will take you through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in North America. Following the spine of the Canadian Rockies, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged snow covered peaks and over 100 glaciers. The entire day is spent in the majesty of Canada's two most famous National Parks, Jasper and Banff. Departing Jasper you will head southwards on the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic stretches of highway in North America. Follow the Athabasca River to the frozen Athabasca Falls, where the waters of the river cascade to the valley floor. From here the Parkway ascends to Tangle Ridge and a stop is made at the Columbia Icefields to view the Athabasca Glacier. Next, descend the Big Hill and stop for the photos at the Weeping Wall, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and the Crowfoot Glacier before arriving at stunning Lake Louise. Upon arrival in Lake Louise, you will check into your hotel. Experience the magic of this spectacular winter wonderland setting.
Moderate: Overnight Lake Louise Inn - Executive Queen
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Fairmont Lake view room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – Fairmont Gold Lake view (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 5 - Transfer to Banff / Snowshoeing to Paint Pods
In the late morning, you will depart Lake Louise and transfer by regular scheduled motor coach to Banff. Upon arrival in Banff, you will store your luggage with the bell desk and depart on a 4 hour tour while you wait for your hotel check-in time.
Snowshoeing to Paint Pods
This is a great introduction to snowshoeing that provides a look at the fur trade and its impact on Western Canada. Along the way hear stories of Banff’s indigenous people, explorers and fur traders who lived and traveled through the Rockies. You will have a chance to see first hand some of the clothes, tools and techniques used by these hardy people to make a living in the mountains. Finally, near the Paint Pots you’ll be rewarded with hot chocolate and a unique Canadian Treat - Hot Maple Taffy! This is an easy walk through a tranquil valley. (Guests should dress in ski wear for this trip including hats, mitts and warm boots)
Note: Westbound Itineraries, the Snowshoeing to Paint Pods will be replaced with a Johnston Canyon Icewalk.
Johnston Canyon Ice walk - The trip to the canyon travels along the Bow Valley Parkway directly through wildlife corridors and prime wildlife habitat. Hike on steel walkways built into the canyon walls that give an airy view of the canyon below. Along the way you'll follow the path of the water that began carving the canyon 8000 years ago. The highlight of the tour, and turn around point, is the frozen upper falls of Johnston Canyon. The end of the trail is a great spot for a hot chocolate break including a Canadian favourite, Maple Cookies!
Moderate: Overnight Charlton's Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont Gold View (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 6 - Banff to Calgary Airport
Today you will depart Banff and transfer by regular scheduled air porter to the Calgary International Airport in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 4 nights accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 1 night bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail
- North Shore Winter Tour including Grouse Mountain sky ride, sleigh ride (weather permitting), Capilano Suspension Bridge & Tree Top Adventure (NOTE: Westbound Itinerary, the Vancouver’s Winter Playground Tour will be replaced with a Vancouver City & Capilano Suspension Bridge Tour. )
- Evening Moonlight Maligne Canyon Icewalk (NOTE: Icewalk operates from approximately mid December to the first week of April weather permitting. If not operating, it will be removed from your package)
- Jasper to Lake Louise Winter Tour
- Snowshoeing to the Paint Pods including hot chocolate & maple taffy treat(NOTE: Snowshoeing operates from approximately mid December to the first week of April weather permitting. If not operating, it will be removed from your package) (NOTE: Westbound Itinerary, the snowshoeing will be replaced with a Johnston Canyon Icewalk)
- Transfer by private sedan between Vancouver Airport & hotel and hotel & Vancouver train station including gratuities
- Motor coach transfers between Lake Louise & Banff and Banff & Calgary Airport
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Gratuities not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)