EASTBOUND ITINERARY
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 - North Shore - Vancouver's Winter Playground Tour
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. In the late afternoon, you will return to your 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 3 - Rocky Mountaineer® Winter Train - Vancouver to Kamloops
Early today, a private sedan will transfer you from your hotel to the train station. For the next two days, you will be experiencing the 'Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World !'® aboard Rocky Mountaineer®. Travel in exceptional style aboard the train that puts you in the middle of the awe-inspiring winter scenery of the Canadian Rockies. 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 winter rail adventures.
Moderate: RedLeaf Service®
Superior: RedLeaf Service®
Deluxe: GoldLeaf Service®
Overnight Kamloops (Hotel To Be Advised)
Day 4 - Rocky Mountaineer® Winter Train - Kamloops to Banff
You will depart early this morning for your second day aboard Rocky Mountaineer®. Continue your journey eastward onboard the Rocky Mountaineer® to the Canadian Rockies and the mountain resort of Banff. First, you will travel through vast ranch lands to Shuswap Lake before passing Craigellachie, where the 'last spike' was driven completing the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. Beyond Craigellachie is Rogers Pass with tunnels, glistening glaciers, and snow capped mountains. Before crossing over the Continental Divide into Banff National Park, you will travel through the unique Spiral Tunnels in Yoho National Park, a remarkable engineering achievement. As we travel through the five mountain regions...the magic of the Canadian winter abounds! Your journey ends in the town of Banff, in Banff National Park. Upon arrival, you will transfer by private sedan from the train station to your hotel.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton Cedar Court - Deluxe room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Junior Suite
Day 5 - Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour
This morning you will discover the natural heritage of Canada's oldest national park on this tour of the Banff region. Build a connection to this World Heritage Site as you visit Banff's landmarks and view wildlife in their natural winter habitat. Hear how the history of the Bow Valley changed when three railway workers rediscovered a hidden treasure, see and learn about wildlife behaviour, habitat, and their winter survival adaptations. This is Banff's best tour for viewing wildlife which is seen on 95% of the tours. The afternoon will be at leisure to enjoy the facilities at the hotel, go shopping, or just relax.
OPTION:
Evening Ice Walk & Campfire Tour (Departs Sunday, Tuesday & Friday only) Walk to historic Stewart Canyon Bridge under the night of the winter sky - Explore along the shoreline of Lake Minnewanka, listen to the crackling of the frozen lake's ice cap, and learn about the native history of the lake as your guide leads you to historic Stewart Canyon Bridge using headlamps - Finally warm up by the campfire, roast marshmallows, and savour a hot chocolate - Guests should dress in ski wear for this trip including hats, mitts, and warm boots.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton Cedar Court - Deluxe room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Junior Suite
Day 6 - Lake Louise & the Icefields Tour / Evening Sleigh Ride
Morning at leisure. This afternoon tour the unexplored mountain wilderness attracted the first tourists to Banff National Park. View the powerful landscape first hand on your way to Lake Louise and Bow Lake. Learn about our mountaineering history and how a tragic accident at Lake Louise shaped Canadian Mountain Culture. Finally, visit the source of the Bow River and Num Ti Jah, a historic hunting lodge built in the 1900's. Tour includes hot chocolate and light snack at Num Ti Jah Lodge.
Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride
'Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?' This evening take a short taxi ride (on own) to Martin Stables where you will embark on a romantic sleigh ride perfect for just the two of you. An authentic Belgian sleigh glides behind massive, but gentle horses, and arrives to greet you. Your ride includes Bernard Callebaut chocolates, liqueurs and an authentic buffalo robe for extra warmth to make your ride truly special.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton Cedar Court - Deluxe room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Junior Suite
Day 7 - Dog Sledding & Aprés Dinner Tour
Late this afternoon experience the thrill of dog mushing hands-on. Learn to harness and handle the dogs relax as a passenger or drive your dog sled team with the help of a guide. Enjoy many photo opportunities and the only traditional Canadian way to see the Rocky Mountains in the winter. Immerse yourself totally and become a dog musher! Spend time on a spectacular mountain trail and build a unique bond with your team of Alaskan Huskies. A delicious meal will follow at a local restaurant in Canmore or Banff Canadian menu items such as Buffalo, Rainbow Trout, Prime Rib, and more.(This tour runs from December to April, but is dependant upon snow/trail conditions)
Note: This tour does not accommodate single travelers. If you are a single traveler, you Apres Ski Dinner Tour will be substituted with a 2 hr Unleash the Musher Dogsled Tour and you will have a sled to yourself.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton Cedar Court - Deluxe room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Junior Suite
Day 8 -Banff to Calgary Airport
Today you will transfer by scheduled motorcoach to the Calgary International Airport, on a morning or early afternoon departure, in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 7 nights accommodation, room tax, and mandatory service charges
- Rocky Mountaineer® Winter Train from Vancouver to Banff including breakfast & lunch onboard train & dinner in Kamloops
- North Shore Winter Tour including Grouse Mountain skyride, sleigh ride (weather permitting), Capilano Suspension Bridge & Tree Top Adventure
- Discover Banff & Wildlife Tour
- Lake Louise & the Icefields Tour
- Horse-drawn Sleigh Ride for 2 on Private Cutter sleigh including Bernard Callebaut chocolates & liqueurs
- Dog Sledding & Dinner Tour
(SUBSTITUTION: This tour does not accommodate single travelers. If you are a single traveller, you Apres Ski Dinner Tour will be substituted with a 2 hr Unleash the Musher Dogsled Tour and you will have a sled to yourself - This tour runs from December to April, but is dependant upon snow/trail conditions - if not operating it will be removed from your package)
- Private sedan transfer between Vancouver Airport & hotel, hotel & Vancouver train station and Banff Train Station & hotel including gratuities
- Bus Transfers: Banff to Calgary Airport
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Optional activities not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Gratuities not listed as included
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)