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.
OPTIONAL TOUR:
Sunset Dinner Cruise (May 1 – Oct 31) - 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 limousine or sedan 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®. The trip today will take you through the fertile fields of the Fraser Valley, then up the rugged Fraser Canyon. Once you reach Lytton, the train will follow the stark, arid beauty of the Thompson River where whitewater rafters challenge the rapids as they navigate the river. Your journey today ends in Kamloops. You will be transferred to a comfortable hotel. Hotel selection will be made by the train company.
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 - 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 - 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 Kamloops (Hotel to be advised)
Day 3 - Rocky Mountaineer® - Kamloops to Banff
You will depart early this morning for your second day aboard Rocky Mountaineer®. Soon after departing Kamloops, you will pass the Shuswap Lakes area, Revelstoke and then on to Rogers Pass and Glacier National Park. As you approach the Alberta border and the Canadian Rockies, the train will enter the unique Spiral Tunnels that climb through Cathedral Mountain and Mount Ogden. Upon arrival in Banff, you will be met by your private sedan and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton's Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Junior Suite
Day 4 - Banff & Lake Louise Private Tour / Helicopter Tour with Gourmet Picnic Lunch
This morning you will be met by your private sedan for a personal tour of the Banff & Lake Louise region. Your driver will offer suggestions of places to visit, including Hole-in-the-Wall, Johnston Canyon, and Castle Mountain. 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.
Helicopter Tour including Landing & Gourmet Picnic Lunch
Included in your tour is a 25-minute helicopter sightseeing flight over the Wilson Icefield. This spectacular flight will allow you to discover not only 6 glaciers but also the Wilson Icefield where you will be able to see down into the many crevasses of the deep blue crowfoot at its base. From above the Wilson Icefield, at 10,500 feet, you will view glaciers and icefields as far as the eye can see! Your pilot will make a landing and you will have time to go for a leisurely walk with your pilot in the high alpine. A walk never to be forgotten! Enjoy a mountaintop picnic in the high alpine. The picnic includes a deluxe sandwich (meat eater or vegetarian - let us know) along with an appetizer tray and dessert. On arrival at Lake Louise check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Moderate: Overnight Lake Louise Inn - Pinnacle Queen
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Fairmont Lake view room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Deluxe Lake view room
Day 5 - Lake Louise to Jasper Tour
Enjoy a narrated tour from Lake Louise through the 'heart' of the Canadian Rockies to Jasper 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 Jasper.
Moderate: Overnight Amethyst Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lake view Junior Suite
Day 6 - Rocky Mountaineer® - Jasper to Kamloops
This morning you will transfer (on own) to the Jasper Train Station where you will board the Rocky Mountaineer®. For the next two days, you will be experiencing the 'Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World!'® aboard Rocky Mountaineer®. Soon Leaving Jasper onboard the train you will pass by Mt Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954 meters (12,972 ft). Beyond Mount Robson Provincial Park, the train will follow the Thompson River through the snowy peaks of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains and along rolling plateaus until it reaches the town of Kamloops, gateway to British Columbia's interior.
Moderate: RedLeaf Service®
Superior: RedLeaf Service®
Deluxe: GoldLeaf Service®
Overnight in Kamloops (Hotel to be advised)
Day 7 - 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 8 - Vancouver to Victoria Tour with Butchart Gardens
This morning, your tour takes you across to Vancouver Island aboard a large & comfortable BC Ferry for a spectacular 90 minute cruise through the Gulf Islands 'marine wonderland'. Upon arrival Vancouver Island (Swartz Bay), the tour will continue on to the world-renown Butchart Gardens with their 50-acre display. You'll enjoy some free time in the Butchart Gardens, then it's off to Victoria, BC's Capital City for a city tour. Highlights include Beacon Hill Park, Chinatown, Empress Hotel and the Parliament Buildings. After your tour, you will transfer to your Victoria Hotel. Remainder of the afternoon & evening is at leisure.
Moderate: Overnight Chateau Victoria
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Empress Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Empress Hotel - Fairmont Gold Harbour view (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 9 - Whale Watching Tour
Whale and Marine Wildlife Watching expeditions have become one of Victoria's most popular activities. This afternoon you will enjoy a 3 hour tour in the waters around Southern Vancouver Island , which are home to three resident pods of Orcas (or Killer Whales). You can also see gray and humpback whales (in season) dozens of species of seabirds, playful Porpoises, Seals & Seal Pups, Sea Lions, the majestic Bald Eagles, Lighthouses and marine eco-systems. Choose to have your excursion on exhilarating 28' open Zodiacs or a beautiful 46' Motor Yacht (offering an enclosed cabin as well as outside viewing decks). Experienced skippers & naturalists, a perfect safety record, high whale sightings & free Marine Mammal Information Kit are included.
Moderate: Overnight Chateau Victoria
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Empress Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Empress Hotel - Fairmont Gold Harbour view (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 10 - Victoria to Vancouver Airport
Today you will depart Victoria and travel to the Vancouver International Airport. You will travel to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal where you will board BC Ferries to the Mainland. On your 95 minute cruise through the Gulf Islands and across the Georgia Strait, you will have the opportunity to enjoy awesome West Coast scenery. Food services and gift shop are available on the BC Ferry. Upon arrival at Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, your final leg of the journey will take you to the Vancouver Airport.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 9 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)
- Choice of Kamloops Evening Entertainment: Two River Junction Dinner & Musical Review OR Great Canadian Lumberjack Show
- Sulphur Mountain Gondola ride
- Full day private sedan tour of Banff & Lake Louise including gratuities
- Lake Louise to Jasper 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)
- Wilson Icefield helicopter tour (25 minutes) including a landing and gourmet picnic lunch
- Vancouver to Victoria Tour including Butchart Gardens and BC Ferries
- Whale Watching Tour in Victoria
- Motor coach transfer from Victoria to Vancouver Airport including BC Ferries passenger toll
- Transfer by private sedan between Vancouver Airport & hotel, Vancouver hotel & train station, Banff train station & hotel and Vancouver train station & hotel including gratuities
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Hotel transfers in Kamloops
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Optional Tours
- 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)