BEST OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

DAY 1 home airport to Calgary to Banff

Arrive in Calgary and take a two hour transfer to Banff, located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day enjoying walking trails, a trip to the natural hot springs or a round of golf at the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course. Spend the next two nights in your Banff hotel room.

DAY 2 Banff sighseeing tour included gondola

Today you’ll be on a 5-hour guided tour through the towering Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade and Norquay Mountains. Learn about the wind-shaped hoodoos and experience Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive.

Take a gentle gondola ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for fantastic views, interpretive boardwalks and photo opportunities. The rest of the afternoon in Banff is yours to spend walking some local trails, playing golf or relaxing as you choose.

DAY 3 Banff to lake louise:  Mountains, lakes and waterfalls tour

Your bus leaves in the morning and offers you a guided tour of the area between Banff and Lake Louise. Cross the Continental Divide, and pass through Yoho National Park offering scenic sights such as Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Pass, Emerald Lake and the Natural Rock Bridge that spans across the Kicking Horse River. You will spend the next two nights at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This world famous lake is known as the Jewel of the Canadian Rockies and is one of the most photographed locations in the world.

DAY 4 Free day in lake louise

Choose how you want to spend the day! Spend the day canoeing or hiking a scenic mountain trail or hang back, relax and take some pictures. Your vacation planner can give recommendations and help you arrange whatever kind of activity you choose.

DAY 5  sightseeing tour from lake louise to jasper including columbia icefields excursion

Today you’ll be touring the most beautiful highway in Canada—the Icefields Parkway. Highlights include stops at Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, The Columbia Icefield and the powerful Athabasca Falls.

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While at the Athabasca Glacier, climb aboard the Ice Explorer—a specialized bus that travels directly on to the glacier. Listen as your guide explains all about its natural wonders. This is the day to pose for your new profile picture. Spend the next two nights in your Jasper hotel room.

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DAY 6 Jasper sightseeing tour

Spend the first half of the day getting to know Jasper! First stop, Maligne Canyon, where 10,000 years of erosion have created the deepest canyon in the Rockies. Start off with a short and easy walk, admiring the Maligne River and its many waterfalls. After that, it’s over to the disappearing Medicine Lake, followed by the fairy tale-like Maligne Lake.

 

The afternoon and evening in Jasper will be free time to enjoy the town at your leisure.

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DAY 7 rocky mountaineer train from jasper to quesnel

Mount Robson– the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies– greets you as you depart from Jasper National Park. Keep an eye out for wildlife through the Valley of a Thousand Peaks and view the dramatic Mount Terry Fox. The rolling mountains on your way to Quesnel are accentuated by the salmon-rich waters of the Fraser River. Spend the night in your Quesnel hotel room.

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DAY 8 rocky mountaineer train from quesnel to whistler

Today is another day spent aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Ginseng orchards grace the hilltops above tiny farming communities and you’ll pass over one of the highest railway bridges in the world. Mount Currie looms over the rich Pemberton Valley and you’ll be tempted to touch the crystal-clear waters of the passing lakes.

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Later you’ll arrive in Whistler and be transferred to your hotel room where you will be spending the night. This unique resort town is known for its fine dining, nightlife and outdoor activities.

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DAY 9 rocky mountaineer train from whistler to vancouver

You have the morning to enjoy and explore Whistler. In the afternoon, travel along the Sea to Sky corridor by train, with the Coast Mountains on your left and the sparkling waters of an ocean inlet to your right. Dine on locally-sourced, gourmet lunch as you relax and take in your surroundings. The mountain air will turn to ocean air as you approach Vancouver, where you will spend the next two nights in your downtown hotel room.

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DAY 10 Vancouver city tour

Today you get some time to explore the city of Vancouver your way, with your “Hop On, Hop Off” bus pass. Commentary will be provided on route, and you will pass by a number of points of interest with the option to get off wherever you choose.

 

Choose from stops like the urban jungle of Stanley Park, home to gorgeous gardens, famous landmarks like the Lost Lagoon and totem poles that tell the stories of Canada’s First Nations people. Head down to Granville Island to shop among local artisans and sample a variety of fresh seasonal foods or explore important historical landmarks. You might also want to pack your binoculars and visit the Van Dusen Botanical Garden, home to 7,500 plant species from around the world as well as local wildlife including hummingbirds, owls, butterflies and turtles.

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DAY 11 ferry to victoria and the butchart gardens

Board a ferry and relax to the gentle sway and sound of the ocean as you take hour journey from Vancouver to Victoria. You’ll be able to see the Gulf Islands, mountain vistas and sea life all from the outdoor deck.

 

In the afternoon you will transfer to Butchart Gardens. These famous gardens are one of the most spectacular floral displays in the world and home to hundreds of thousands of flowers. There are many different gardens to stroll through including; the Sunken Garden, Japanese Garden and Mediterranean Garden to name a few. This is one of the most beloved tourist attractions in Canada and is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip.

 

Later, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Spend the next two nights in your downtown Victoria hotel room.

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DAY 12 whale watching and victoria Bus tour

Embark on a 3.5 hour whale watching tour guided by a certified marine biologist. This exhilarating round trip will have you cruising out on the open waters of the Pacific Ocean and searching for wildlife. Playful dolphins poke their heads out of the water and cuddly-looking sea otters float by as they snack on shellfish.

 

If you are especially lucky, you may catch a glimpse at an Orca, Killer Whale or Humpback Whale. Seeing one of these majestic creatures is a truly humbling and unforgettable experience.

 

Afterwards, explore the city of Victoria using your “Hop On, Hop Off” bus pass. This open-top, double decker bus will take you toa number of stops, including the Historical Craigdarroch Castle, the Parliament Building and the pedestrian-friendly cook street village— known for its cafe patios and boutiques.

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DAY 13 vancouver

Transfer to the airport for your return home