Day 1 - Arrive in Vancouver / Sunset Dinner Cruise
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.
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.
Note: April departures - Sunset Dinner Cruise does not start until May 1, so it will be deleted from your tour.
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 – Sea Safari Zodiac Tour / VIA Rail - Vancouver to Jasper
This morning you will transfer from your hotel to Horseshoe Bay where you will be taken on an unforgettable adventure to see the spectacular scenery and wildlife that have made coastal British Columbia world famous. With an experienced guide at the helm, you won't miss a thing on our high-speed 26-foot, rigid-hull inflatable, powered by twin 225-horsepower Mercury outboards. You'll find yourself racing beside steep cliffs, exploring caves, and viewing harbour seals at play. Points of interests include Pam Rocks, a Harbour Seal haul-out normally complemented by majestic bald eagles soaring overhead. You'll cruise out into The Strait of Georgia to see awesome views of Vancouver. On the return to Horseshoe Bay you'll view spectacular waterfront homes around West Vancouver.
This evening transfer by private sedan to the Pacific Central train station. Tonight, you will travel aboard VIA Rail's 'Canadian', and experience a dream voyage in the intimacy of a private room. The train 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 Private Bedroom
Day 3 - Arrival in Jasper/ Maligne Valley & Wildlife Tour
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.
Maligne Valley & Wildlife Tour
Embark on a tour of one of the most spectacular areas of Jasper National Park. Visit shimmering Patricia and Pyramid Lakes and take a stroll over a rustic footbridge to Pyramid Lake Island. From there travel through the Maligne Valley in search of Osprey, eagle, big horn sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, deer and bear. 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 Maligne River as it thunders through the canyon in a series of waterfalls. From the canyon, continue to disappearing Medicine Lake and then to spectacular Maligne Lake. Have your cameras ready as both areas are rich in wildlife and scenery.
Moderate: Overnight Amethyst Lodge
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Lake view Junior Suite
Day 4 - Jasper to Banff Tour
Enjoy a narrated tour from Jasper through the 'heart' of the Canadian Rockies to Banff 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 Banff.
Note: Ice Age Adventure operates from April 15 - October 15, weather permitting. When the Snocoach is not running, the tour will be reduced by approximately 1 1/2 hours
Moderate: Overnight Charlton's Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Junior Suite
Day 5 - Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tour
The morning is at leisure to explore Banff on your own. The afternoon your sightseeing tour will visit the “Jewel of the Canadian Rockies," Lake Louise & the world renowned Moraine Lake. Both are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you will have time to take photos and explore their shorelines. Learn about our mountaineering history and how a tragic accident at Lake Louise shaped Canadian mountain culture. Finally, walk to a viewpoint in the Valley of Ten Peaks overlooking Moraine Lake.
Note: Early season road closures will limit access to Moraine Lake. If traveling early in the season, alternate stops & locations will be used.
Moderate: Overnight Charlton's Cedar Court
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Junior Suite
Day 6 - Discover Banff Tour / Transfer to Calgary / Dinner at the Calgary Tower
Build a connection to this World Heritage Site on this trademark sightseeing tour as you visit Banff's landmarks and historic places and hear how the 11,000 year old human history of the Bow Valley changed when three railway workers rediscovered the Cave & Basin, now a National Historic Site. Your time will be spent enjoying the sights, taking photos, and participating in short walks to view points, on the many stops of the tour.
You will have some free time before your afternoon departure by regular scheduled motor coach to the Stampede City of Calgary. Travel through depart the Rocky Mountains and travel through the rolling foothills to Calgary.
Dinner at the Calgary Tower
This evening enjoy dinner at the Calgary Tower, the fourth tallest structure and most famous landmark of the city. You will dine in the revolving Panorama Dining Room, located one flight below the Observation Terrace. Motion is barely perceptible on this revolving turn-table floor as you admire every angle of the city, mountains and the surrounding areas without leaving our chair.
Moderate: Overnight Sandman Inn Downtown Calgary
Superior: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont room
Deluxe: Overnight Fairmont Palliser Hotel - Fairmont Gold (includes deluxe continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres)
Day 7 - Depart Calgary
Today you will transfer by private sedan from your hotel to the Calgary International Airport in time for your flight departure home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 5 nights accommodation, any mandatory service charges and room tax
- 1 night bedroom accommodation and meals on VIA Rail
- Sunset Dinner Cruise (SUBSTITUTIONS: April Departures: NOT included in package)
- Sea Safari Zodiac Tour
- Maligne Valley Wildlife Tour
- Jasper to Banff 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)
- Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Tour
- Discover Banff Tour including admission to Cave & Basin
- Dinner at the Calgary Tower including elevation ride & gratuities
- Coach transfer from Banff to Calgary
- Transfer by private sedan between Vancouver Airport & hotel, Vancouver hotel & train station and Calgary hotel & Calgary Airport including gratuities
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not listed as included
- 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)