Best of the Canadian Rockies
Calgary-Banff-Lake Loiuse-Jasper-Kamloops-Vancouver
Come and explore the Canadian Rockies. Discover the vibrant coastal city of Vancouver before heading to Banff, Yoho and Jasper National Parks. See the iconic resorts of Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise. Cruise on picturesque Maligne Lake, rumble over the Athabasca Glacier on a massive Ice Explorer, and soar to the top of Sulphur Mountain in a gondola.
09days/08nights, Calgary/Vancouver
2020 Depart: Jul 19. Aug 16 ( the departure in July is guaranteed)
Cost from: $5540 pp twin share (s/sup $1940)
Note: Passengers can upgrade to travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper to Vancouver at an additional cost on selected departures. Twin Share program is not available with Rocky Mountaineer option.
day 1 Calgary arrival
Welcome to Calgary, the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta. Arrive at the hotel this afternoon and enjoy a welcome dinner this evening, with time to meet the Tour Director and our fellow travellers.
day 2 Calgary – Banff
This morning we drive through the heart of the city as we make our way through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the scenic town of Canmore and then to Banff, at the centre of Canada’s very first National Park. After checking into our hotel, there may be some free time to browse through Banff village centre before we sit down for a get acquainted dinner with our travel companions.
day 3 Banff
We start the day with a Banff sightseeing tour with stops at Cascade Gardens and scenic Bow Falls, before riding the gondola up Sulphur Mountain for unparalleled view of the Rockies and the valley below. We also visit the Cave & Basin National Historic Site, which tells the story of the hot springs that drew the first visitors to Banff and led to the creation of the National Park.
day 4 Banff – Lake Louise
This morning we drive along the famous Bow Valley Parkway, where wildlife sightings of caribou, deer, and occasionally, bears, are common so keep your cameras handy. We stop at Johnston Canyon for a walk through the deep rugged canyon with several waterfalls and then cross the Continental Divide to the western slopes of the Rocky Mountain range into Yoho National Park in British Columbia. The awe inspiring Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake, filled with glacial run-off water that makes it glisten with the blue-green hue of an emerald, are next on our itinerary for today. Our final destination is Lake Louise, a jewel of the Rockies surrounded by glistening glaciers and towering snow-capped mountain peaks.
day 5 Lake Louise – Jasper
Travelling through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, we drive along the famous Icefields Parkway which has been voted one of the most spectacular drives in the world. You will see for yourself why this mountain road that boasts a unique landscape rich in history and natural beauty second to none is so famous. At the summit of Bow Pass, we do a quick side tour to see the turquoise blue waters of Peyto Lake and the beauty of the Mistaya River Valley below. A short distance later at The Crossing, one of a few stops along this spectacular highway, we take a short detour to the shores of Abraham Lake to experience the Rockies from a completely different perspective with a thrilling helicopter ride over the Rocky Mountains.
We rejoin the parkway and later arrive at the famous Columbia Icefields whose waters feed three oceans; we visit the Interpretive Centre then have the experience of a lifetime – a ride on the Ice Explorer vehicle for a close up look at the Athabasca Glacier. Finally, at the end of this exciting day, we see the powerful Athabasca Falls before arriving at the charming town of Jasper, our home for the next two nights.
day 6: Jasper
We start the day with a ride up Whistlers Mountain on the Jasper SkyTram. A full day of sightseeing follows including a gentle walk down Maligne Canyon to see how the water has carved spectacular crevices out of the mountain. A short drive then takes us to Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and perhaps one of the world’s most photographed and iconic natural beauty spots. This evening we enjoy a float down the Athabasca River to wrap up a day in a place of stunning natural beauty.
day 7 Jasper – Kamloops
We start our journey into British Columbia, Canada’s western most province. A stop is made at the foot of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. The panels and kiosks at the location are informative while the views on a clear are stunning. A highlight today is a river safari ride through Grizzly Bear Valley, right in the heart of the world’s only inland temperate rainforest. We will hope to see bears and wildlife in their natural environment, without the constraints of gates and cages, from the safety of a boat mid river, presenting the best opportunities for the perfect photograph. Our destination today is Kamloops, known for its dry semi-arid climate, rolling hills, two converging rivers, the Thompson and the Nicola and the abundance of parks.
day 8 Kamloops – Vancouver
We head south west through Coquihalla Pass and the rugged BC Interior and then travel through the fertile Fraser River Valley to Vancouver on the Pacific coast. A vibrant metropolitan city, Vancouver is nestled between the majestic Coast Mountains, the rugged Pacific coastline, and surrounded by a pristine wilderness of temperate rainforest, lakes, valleys and peaks. It’s location and cosmopolitan culture makes Vancouver one of the most beautiful as well as highly live-able of the world. Its equitable climate and variety of indoor and outdoor attractions makes Vancouver a year-round sought after travel destination
day 9 Vancouver
On our city sightseeing tour this morning, we discover why Vancouver is one of the most interesting cities in North America. Our tour takes us through Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, past English Bay as well as some prestigious residential areas of Vancouver like Shaughnessy. This afternoon we will experience the natural wonder of British Columbia’s Pacific coastal rainforest and the thrill of standing 150 meters (450 ft) above the Capilano River at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. We have a farewell dinner this evening after our week long introduction to Canada’s Pacific coast.
day 10 Vancouver departure
Today we say farewell to Vancouver, British and transfer to Vancouver International Airport for our journey home.
Inclusions: 9 nights in a twin share in 3.5 to 4 star hotels, 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners, professional tour director throughout, small group (maximum 20 participants), deluxe motorcoach, porterage, service charges, taxes, airport transfer in Calgary and Vancouver.
Sightseeing: Sulphur Mountain Gondola in Banff, Banff National Park, Bow Valley Parkway, Johnston Canyon, Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park, Lake Louise, Icefields Parkway, Ice Explorer Ride, Jasper National Park, Maligne Lake, Jasper Sky Tram, Vancouver City Tour, Stanley Park, Mount Robson Visitor Centre, River Safari, Capilano Suspensions Bridge.
Hotels: Calgary- Residence Inn by Marriott,Banff-Caribou Lodge, Lake Louise-Lake Louise Inn, Jasper-Crimson, Kamloops-South Thompson Inn, Vancouver- Hampton Inn.
Optional: Canadian Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer – Experience the most spectacular train journey in the world on board the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper to Vancouver on day 6 and 7 with an overnight in Kamloops.