Day 1 & 2 – VIA Rail – Toronto to Jasper
Today you will depart Toronto, Canada’s largest city and begin an adventure that covers over 3,000 miles and takes you back in time to relive the great history of the men who forged the future of Canada by Rail, Rivers and Trails. Traveling on VIA Rail’s deluxe Silver & Blue service enjoy the endless vistas of Canada as you journey across the vast wilderness of Ontario, the thousands of Manitoba lakes and rivers, the rolling prairies of Saskatchewan and the majestic Rocky Mountains of Alberta. (1 Breakfast, 2 Lunches & 2 Dinners)
Moderate: Overnight VIA Rail in a private bedroom
Day 3 – Arrive Jasper
The morning starts with the Canadian entering the province of Alberta. Crossing the vast rolling plains and passing by operating oil wells, the train eventually enters the Rocky Mountains and follows the majestic Athabasca River into Jasper National Park and the resort village of Jasper. (Breakfast & Lunch)
Moderate: Overnight Amethyst Lodge
Day 4 – 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 includes 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
Day 5 – Columbia Icefields Tour
A spectacular day awaits as you board a deluxe motorcoach for a full day trip to the Columbia Icefields. You will be traveling on the world-famous Icefield Highway. Traveling south along the Athabasca River stops will be made at the Athabasca Falls on the way to the summit and the Columbia Icefield. A trip on the Ice Explorer is included giving you the opportunity to walk on ice that is thousands of years old and over a mile deep. On your return trip to Jasper keep and eye open for bears, elk, moose and mountain sheep
Moderate: Overnight Amethyst Lodge
Day 6 – Jasper to Prince George aboard VIA Rail Skeena
This afternoon you will transfer to the VIA Rail station (on own) where you will board VIA Rail's Skeena. You will travel in Totem Deluxe Class, VIA Rail's new totally glass-domed Panorama Car. This is a fabulous 1,160 kilometre (725-mile) journey, lasting two days, between Jasper, lying in the heart of the superb Rocky Mountains, and Prince Rupert, on the Pacific coast. This is a wonderful way to discover the region's scenery, Native culture and other attractions. While the route has been established for years, its schedule has been changed to cover the entire route during daylight hours. You will enjoy this spectacular trip! Upon arrival in Prince George, you will transfer to your hotel (on own) for check-in. (Breakfast & Lunch)
Moderate: Overnight Coast Inn of the North (or similar)
Day 7 – Jetboating – Blackwater River
Today marks the first day of your river adventure as you ride your jetboat to the spectacular Blackwater River. A beautiful campsite on the bank of the river has been chosen for your first night of camping. All camping gear including tents, sleeping bags and air mattress, pillow, portable hot shower and towels are included. On the river you will he outfitted with a whitewater Class 3-5 life jacket. This afternoon try your hand at fly-fishing on the river. Tonight chow down to a hearty western-style dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Camping (camping equipment included)
Day 8 – Jetboating - Blackwater River
This morning leave the Blackwater River and Jet Boat to Quesnel, often referred to as Gold Pan City. Along the way, stop at the Cottonwood Canyon to explore Hard Rock Tunnels and gold mining excavations. This is a historic site where the Sternwheelers had to be pulled through the canyon with Steam winches in the 1860’s. Today the rapids provide an opportunity for your jetboat to provide you with some thrills and lots of spray in your faces. From Quesnel you will be transported to the beautiful Cariboo Rivers Lodge for dinner and overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Cariboo Rivers Lodge
Day 9 – Jetboating – Quesnel River
Today embark on an exciting Jet Boat trip 25 miles up the Quesnel River, following the real Gold Rush Trail to the preserved Historic gold rush town of Quesnel Forks. The town was established in the 1840’s and was the starting point as the miners made their way over the Snow show plateau in the dead of winter to stake claims in the newly found Golf Fields. View the largest shovel and wheel barrow tailing piles along the river where over 5000 miners lived and toiled in the hungry 30’s. The Sockeye salmon will be running and the eagles will be everywhere. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Cariboo Rivers Lodge
Day 10 – North Caribou Area / Blackwater River Float Trip
This morning you’ll be driven 80km west to Nazko, stopping for coffee at the Nazko Valley Lodge where your will meet some of the interesting Cariboo characters. An enjoyable 5 mile float down the Blackwater River will run along side the “Old Grease Trail” which was used perhaps thousands of years ago by the First Nations People as they traded ouligan oil for cooking oil and oil lamps. The trail was followed by Alexander Mackenzie as he made the first crossing of North America in 1793. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
OPTION:
Helicopter Circle Tour - A full day of touring by private helicopter. Fly to Quesnel Forks for a visit of this Historic Gold Rush Town, continue along the deep Fjords of Quesnel Lake and land on a mountain top that overlooks the Mitchell River and the wetlands of Cariboo Mountains Park. In September and October this area has one of the largest concentrations of Grizzly bears. See spectacular view of glaciers, the world famous Bowren Chain of Lakes and land in historic Barkerville for a live theatre show in the Historic Gold Rush town.
Moderate – Overnight Cariboo Rivers Lodge
Day 11 – Jetboating - Quesnel to Xats’ull Village
Leaving the Lodge at 10:00 am from your river front gazebo you will jet boat down the river following the route used by the Stern Wheelers in the 1800’s to bring the miners to the Gold Fields. View the towering Pinnacle formations, old tailing piles left along the river and watch for wildlife along the shore. Later you will arrive at Soda Creek, the starting point for hundreds of Stern Wheelers during the Gold Rush. Another 2 kilometers down the river you will reach the beautiful Xats’ull First Nations village site. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Cariboo Rivers Lodge
Day 12 – Xats’ull Village – Likely, Bullion Pit
There are no formal river activities planned for the day. You will be driven down to the Xats’ull Village and on the rural community of Likely located on the West end of Quesnel Lake where the Quesnel River begins. The second largest Sockeye Salmon runs on the Fraser River pass under the Likely River on their way to The Horsefly and Mitchell rivers. Along the way a stop will be made at Bullion Pit to view the old Hydraulic Gold mine. Travel back to the lodge for a good nights rest. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Moderate – Overnight Cariboo Rivers Lodge
Day 13 – Xats’ull Village to Williams Lake
A fun-filled morning is planned to take in all the Rivermania celebrations at the Xats’ull Village. Then it’s on to Williams Lake for a mini-rodeo, a First Nations Pow Wow and lots of western celebrations. Tonight your soft bed at the hotel welcomes you for the last time. (Breakfast & Lunch)
Moderate – Overnight Fraser Inn Hotel (or similar)
Day 14 – Williams Lake to Vancouver
Today marks the end of your Rivermania adventure with your transfer to Williams Lake and your return flight to Vancouver.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 10 nights accommodation, room tax and any mandatory services charges
- 2 nights bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail
- 1 night camping including tents, sleeping bags and air mattress, pillow, portable hot shower and towels
- 8 dinners, 11 lunches and 10 breakfasts
- Miette Hot Springs & Wildlife Tour
- Columbia Icefield Tour
- VIA Rail Skeena rail tour from Jasper to Prince George (Totem Deluxe Class)
- Airfare between Williams Lake & Vancouver
- River transportation in a modern Jet Boat
- Fishing gear and floatation devices
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- Activities not listed as included
- Transfers not listed as included
- Optional activities
- Gratuities for guides and river pilot
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)