WESTBOUND
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrive
Toronto / Dinner at the CN Tower
After
arriving at Toronto International Airport you will transfer by
private sedan to your downtown hotel, which is accessible by
an underground walkway from the train station. The remainder
of the day is at leisure
for you to start exploring this world class destination.
Defining the Toronto skyline, the CN Tower is Canada's most
recognizable and celebrated icon. At a height of 553.33m
(1,815 ft., 5 inches), it is the World's Tallest Building.
This evening you will dine at the 360 Restaurant, acclaimed
for its exquisite cuisine, service and selection of over 400
International and Canadian wines. You will enjoy a
panoramic tour of the city as the restaurant completes one
revolution in 72-minutes. Your dinner consists of
a choice of appetizer
& main course, dessert of the day and tea/coffee.
After your meal, you can explore the Lookout & Glass Floor
levels.
Moderate:
Overnight Courtyard
by Marriott Downtown Toronto
Superior:
Overnight Fairmont Royal York Hotel
- Fairmont room
Deluxe:
Overnight
Fairmont Royal York Hotel - Fairmont Gold (includes
deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon
hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2
& 3 - VIA
Rail - Toronto to Jasper
Your train adventure across
Canada begins at Toronto Union station early in the morning as
VIA Rail's Canadian train rolls out of the Toronto
station. Your journey will take 2 nights as you cross
the lake country and prairies of central Canada. Enjoy
private bedroom accommodation, meals in the private dining car and relax in the
'Silver & Blue Lounge' or Dome car.
Optional Upgrade
For the ultimate in luxury, you
may decided to upgrade to a Romance by Rail suite aboard VIA Rail's
'Canadian'. Enjoy
a dream voyage in the intimacy of a private suite. You will be
spoiled by: fresh flowers, chocolates on the pillow,
top-quality sparkling wine as the train leaves! Your spacious
suite, comprising two converted regular bedrooms, will be the
envy of other passengers. Crisp bed linen and an inviting down
duvet await you. And if you have a quick word with your
attendant before retiring, he will bring you breakfast in bed!
Romance by Rails has been designed just for you and your
'significant other'.
Moderate:
Overnight VIA Rail in a private bedroom
Superior:
Overnight
VIA Rail in a private bedroom
Deluxe:
Overnight
VIA Rail in a private bedroom
Day 4 -
Arrive
Jasper / Evening Miette Hot Springs & Wildlife Tour
Your journey will reach the
Canadian Rockies by mid-afternoon today. You will leave
the train station in the quaint mountain village of Jasper,
the northern gateway to the Canadian Rockies. Upon
arrival in Jasper, transfer (on own) to your hotel for
check-in.
Evening Miette Hot Springs & Wildlife Tour
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 include 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 (on own) at the quaint restaurant at
the Springs to fill out the 1.5 hour visit.
Moderate:
Overnight Amethyst Lodge
- Superior room
Superior:
Overnight Fairmont
Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe:
Overnight
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
- Junior Suite Lakeview
Day 5 -
Jasper
to Banff Tour including Columbia Icefield
Enjoy
a narrated tour from Jasper through the 'heart' of the Canadian Rockies to
Banff along the Icefields Parkway. You
will be inspired byrushing 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 Banff.
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 Banff Caribou Lodge
Superior:
Overnight
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe:
Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Junior Suite
Day 6 - Day at
Leisure / Evening Wildlife Safari
You
have the full day available to explore Banff. Optional activities
available are a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain, shopping, trail
riding, fishing, rafting, tennis, golfing or hiking.
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 we see on 95% of our tours.
Moderate:
Overnight Banff Caribou Lodge
Superior:
Overnight
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe:
Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel -
Junior Suite
Day 7 - Banff
to Calgary / Wine & Cheese Reception
Today you will be chauffeured by
private sedan from your Banff hotel to the Fairmont Palliser
Hotel in Calgary, where you will check into the landmark
Fairmont Palliser Hotel. This evening join the Royal Canadian
Pacific Management Team for a private wine and cheese
reception, followed by dinner in the Rimrock Dining Room.
Moderate:
Overnight
Fairmont
Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Superior:
Overnight
Fairmont
Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Deluxe:
Overnight
Fairmont
Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold
Day 8 - Depart
on the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Banff Tour
After breakfast, the train
departs from the Canadian Pacific Railway Pavilion in downtown
Calgary and travels west through the Canadian Rockies en route
to Banff. A brief stop in Banff includes a guided tour
of the local historic sites. Next, travel
to Lake Louise for an interpretive hike with naturalist Bruce Bembridge. The train continues
west across the Continental Divide, through the famous Spiral Tunnels to Field,
then along the Kicking Horse River Valley to Golden. At Golden, overnight
alongside the Columbia River.
Moderate:
Overnight
Royal Canadian Pacific Train
Superior:
Overnight
Royal Canadian Pacific Train
Deluxe:
Overnight
Royal Canadian Pacific Train
Day 9 - Royal
Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Private tour of
Canadian Museum of Rail Travel
A luxury motorcoach whisks you to
the Kicking Horse Gondola for breakfast in the Eagle Eye's Restaurant, looking
over a 360-degree view of the Rocky Mountains. After breakfast, the train continues south
through the Columbia River Valley to Cranbrook. Enjoy a
private tour of the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel.
Travel by luxury motorcoach to the heritage town of Fort
Steele, with a chance to view the Dunrobin Locomotive (1895)
and Royal Coach, one of the finest privately owned sets in
Europe in the late 19th century. After the tour, the
train continues up the Elk Valley through the town of Fernie
en route to your overnight stop at Crowsnest Pass, AB.
Overnight on board beside
Summit Lake.
Moderate:
Overnight
Royal Canadian Pacific Train
Superior:
Overnight
Royal Canadian Pacific Train
Deluxe:
Overnight
Royal Canadian Pacific Train
Day 10 - Royal
Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Visit Head-Smashed-In
Buffalo Jump
Leaving the Rocky Mountain Trench
behind, visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Return to the train at Lethbridge
to cross the High Level Bridge before reaching our final
overnight stop on a discontinued CPR branchline in the heart
of the Alberta prairies.
Moderate:
Overnight
Royal Canadian Pacific Train
Superior:
Overnight
Royal Canadian Pacific Train
Deluxe:
Overnight
Royal Canadian Pacific Train
Day 11 - Royal
Canadian Pacific Luxury Train / Ranch Tour & Steak
Pit Lunch
A Leisurely train journey takes
you to Okotoks where a luxury motorcoach transfers you to
Homeplace Ranch, family-operated since 1912 and located in the
high cattle country. Enjoy a guided horseback tour or a
scenic walk of the ranch
and savour a western lunch. Return to the train for the final
leg of the excursion, reaching Calgary by mid-afternoon.
Check into the Fairmont Palliser Hotel and enjoy a farewell
dinner.
Moderate:
Overnight
Fairmont
Palliser Hotel
- Fairmont Gold
Superior:
Overnight
Fairmont
Palliser Hotel
- Fairmont Gold
Deluxe:
Overnight
Fairmont
Palliser Hotel
- Fairmont Gold
Day 12 -
Depart Calgary
After breakfast and check-out, a
chauffeur returns you to the Calgary International Airport.
PACKAGE
INCLUDES:
-
6
nights
hotel accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room
tax
-
2
nights accommodation aboard VIA Rail (Bedroom accommodation) including meals
in 'Silver & Blue' (Toronto - Jasper)
-
3 nights on the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train in a
state room with private shower, sink, and toilet
-
All meals
during the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train trip.
(Table
d'hote meals, including wine, all alcoholic and
non-alcoholic beverages)
-
Gratuities during the Royal Canadian Pacific Luxury Train
Tour
-
1 full course dinner at the revolving restaurant on top of
CN Tower, including tower admission & gratutities
-
Airport transfers by private sedan
in
Toronto & Calgary
-
Rail station transfers in
Toronto and Calgary
-
Private Sedan transfer
between Banff to Calgary
-
Miette Hot Springs Tour & Wildlife Viewing tour
-
Jasper to Banff tour including
Ice Explorer ride
-
Maligne Valley & Wildlife Safari
-
Banff Tour
-
Interpretive hike in Lake Louise
-
Kicking Horse Gondola
-
Canadian Museum of Rail
-
Tour of
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
-
Homeplace Ranch Tour
with Steak Pit Lunch
-
Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES
NOT INCLUDE:
-
Meals not listed as included
-
Activities not listed as included
-
Transfer not listed as included
-
Gratuities not listed as included
-
Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation
Specialist, ask for more details)