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 Waterfront - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Waterfront - 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 check-out of your hotel and check your luggage with the bell desk before you depart on 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.
Note: Westbound Itineraries, the Vancouver’s Winter Playground Tour will be replaced with a Vancouver City & Capilano Suspension Bridge Tour.
Vancouver City & Capilano Suspension Bridge Tour
This morning depart on a city tour of Vancouver & the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You will see Stanley Park, Gastown, Robson Street, English Bay, Queen Elizabeth Park and Granville Island. From Stanley Park, you will travel across the Lions Gate Bridge to North Vancouver. Swing 230 feet above the Capilano River as you cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge. 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.
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 Ice walk
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. Late afternoon 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 Ice walk operates from mid-December to the first week of April - weather permitting. If the ice walk is not operating, it will be removed from the package.
Moderate: Overnight Lobstick Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Junior Suite Fireplace room
Day 4 - Snowshoe Tour OR Maligne Valley Watchable Wildlife Tour
This morning you have a choice of activities.
Snowshoe Tour - Daily (Early December to March)
With your guide explore a more pristine area of Jasper National Park. While identifying animal tracks listen to the winter song of the chickadee, smell the pine forest on a warm day or hear the "crispness" of an early winter morning.
Maligne Canyon Watchable Wildlife Tour - Daily (Year round)
Come and enjoy the beauty of the striking Maligne Valley in Winter. The tour includes a short walk around the top of Maligne Canyon, then a scenic drive up the valley past the mysterious disappearing Medicine Lake to Maligne Lake. The wildlife in winter can include moose, caribou, bull elk, big horn sheep, wolves, coyotes and more!
Moderate: Overnight Lobstick Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Junior Suite Fireplace room
Day 5 - Jasper to Lake Louise Winter Tour
The tour from Jasper will take you through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in North America. Following the spine of the Canadian Rockies, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged snow covered peaks and over 100 glaciers. The entire day is spent in the majesty of Canada's two most famous National Parks, Jasper and Banff. Departing Jasper you will head southwards on the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic stretches of highway in North America. Follow the Athabasca River to the frozen Athabasca Falls, where the waters of the river cascade to the valley floor. From here the Parkway ascends to Tangle Ridge and a stop is made at the Columbia Icefields to view the Athabasca Glacier. Next, descend the Big Hill and stop for the photos at the Weeping Wall, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and the Crowfoot Glacier before arriving at stunning Lake Louise. Upon arrival in Lake Louise, you will check into your hotel. Experience the magic of this spectacular winter wonderland setting.
Moderate: Overnight Deer Lodge - Heritage room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Fairmont Lakeview room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – Fairmont Gold Lakeview (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 6 - Lake Louise to Banff / Evening Sleigh Ride
Depart this morning for the mountain resort town of Banff. You will travel for approximately 45 minutes along the Trans Canada Highway, passing nature in its winter setting, before arriving in Banff. Upon arrival, you will check-in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own.
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, gliding behind massive but gentle horses, 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.
Note: The Horse-drawn Sleigh Ride operates until approximately the first week of March. If the sleigh ride is not operating, it will be removed from the package.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton Cedar Court - Deluxe room
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont Gold View (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 7 - 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.
OPTIONAL TOUR:
Evening Ice Walk & Campfire Tour (Departs Sunday, Tuesday & Friday only)
(December 15, 2008 to April 6, 2009)
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 savor 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 - Fairmont Gold View (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 8 - Banff to Calgary
Today you will transfer by scheduled motor coach to the Calgary International Airport, on a morning or early afternoon departure, in time for your flight departure home
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 6 nights hotel accommodation, room tax and any mandatory service charges
- 1 night bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail
- North Shore Winter Tour including Grouse Mountain sky ride, sleigh ride (weather permitting), Capilano Suspension Bridge & Tree Top Adventure (NOTE: Westbound Itinerary, the Vancouver’s Winter Playground Tour will be replaced with a Vancouver City & Capilano Suspension Bridge Tour. )
- 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)
- Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour
- Choice of Snowshoe Tour OR Maligne Canyon Watchable Wildlife Tour
- Horse-drawn Sleigh Ride for 2 on Private Cutter sleigh including Bernard Callebaut chocolates & liqueurs (NOTE: Sleigh ride only operates from approximately the beginning of December to the first week of March weather permitting. If not operating, it will be removed from your package)
- Jasper to Lake Louise Winter Tour
- Bus Transfers: Lake Louise to Banff & Banff to Calgary Airport
- Private sedan transfer between Vancouver Airport & hotel and hotel and Vancouver Train Station including gratuities
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals 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)