Day 1 - Arrive 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 Waterfront Centre Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront Centre Hotel - Fairmont Gold Harbourview (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 2 - Vancouver's Winter Playground Tour / VIA Rail to Jasper
This morning you will begin 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.
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 Icewalk
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 Icewalk operates from mid-December to the first week of April - weather permitting. If the icewalk 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 - Dog sledding Adventure Tour
Ever thought of driving your own team of Alaska sled dogs up a pristine mountain valley' Well, this is your chance! Today's adventure starts with a relaxing scenic drive through the Yellowhead pass en route to the ultimate method of back country travel. After a brief instruction period, you will have the opportunity to drive your own teams of 6-8 dogs past frozen waterfalls, snow-covered trees and through open meadows. The abundance of wildlife practically guarantees a sighting! Command your own sled or simply snuggle up in the blankets provided and soak up the incredible scenery. A campfire lunch at a rustic log cabin along side a mountain stream is included. (6.5 hours)
Note: The Dog sledding Adventure operates from Early-December to Mid-April - weather permitting. If the tour 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 5 - Snowmobile Day Tour
Your journey begins with a 1 1/4-hour scenic drive towards Canoe Mountain in British Columbia. After thorough instruction by experienced guides, you will depart the staging area en route to an alpine wonderland. Explore the pristine wilderness area surrounding the staging area in search of animal tracks before arriving at a heated cabin at 6400 ft. Here, you will enjoy a hearty lunch while marveling at the incredible views of three different mountain ranges including spectacular Mt. Robson. After lunch, you will continue your journey up to alpine snow bowls with plenty of flat trails for beginners and an abundance of hill climbing and powder riding for more aggressive riders. This is a once in a lifetime experience to explore some of the best snowmobile terrain in North America. (9.5 hours)
Note: The Snowmobile Tour operates from Early-December to Mid-April - weather permitting. If the tour 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 6 - Maligne Valley Wildlife Tour / VIA Rail - Jasper to Vancouver
This morning your tour will have you venturing into one of the most spectacular areas of Jasper National Park. First visit shimmering Patricia and Pyramid Lakes and take a stroll over a rustic footbridge to Pyramid Lake Island. From there traveling through the Maligne Valley in search of Osprey, big horn sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk and deer. 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 frozen Maligne River and several awe-inspiring frozen waterfalls. Continue on to the mysteriously disappearing Medicine Lake and then finally on to beautiful Maligne Lake. Have your cameras ready as both areas are rich in wildlife and scenery.
In the afternoon, you will transfer (on own) to the Jasper train station. Here you will board VIA Rail's 'Canadian' train. Enjoy private bedroom accommodation, meals in the private dining car and relax in the 'Silver & Blue Lounge' or Dome car. You will depart Jasper National Park. You will pass Mt. Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, and you will see glaciers, snow covered mountain peaks and forests.
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 7 - Arrive Vancouver
In the morning the train will arrive in Vancouver. Upon arrival in Vancouver, you will transfer by private sedan to the Vancouver Airport in time for your afternoon flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 4 nights hotel accommodation and any mandatory service charges & room tax
- 2 nights bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail - Round-trip between Vancouver and Jasper
- North Shore Winter Tour including Grouse Mountain sky ride, sleigh ride (weather permitting), Capilano Suspension Bridge & Tree Top Adventure
- 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)
- Dog sledding Adventure Tour including campfire lunch (NOTE: Dog sledding operates from approximately Early December to Mid-April weather permitting. If not operating, it will be removed from your package)
- Snowmobile Day Tour including hearty lunch (NOTE: Snowmobiling operates from approximately Early December to Mid-April weather permitting. If not operating, it will be removed from your package)
- Maligne Canyon Watchable Wildlife Tour
- Private Sedan transfers between Vancouver Airport & hotel, Vancouver hotel & Train Station and Vancouver Train Station & Vancouver Airport including gratuities
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Activities not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)