Itinerary

Day 1 Vancouver Arrival

Upon your arrival in Vancouver, independently enjoy the day exploring any of Vancouver’s excellent attractions: such as Stanley Park, or the Vancouver Art Gallery.  Enjoy strolling along the downtown beaches which overlook the harbour and Coast Mountains, or take the opportunity to do some unique shopping on Granville Island.  Accommodation in Vancouver is included with your tour package. 

Day 2 Vancouver Sightseeing, VIA Rail Departure

Use your sightseeing bus pass to explore Vancouver at your leisure. Travel through Vancouver’s past, present and future as you visit historic Gastown, colourful Chinatown and the lively entertainment district. Discover the beauty of 1000-acre Stanley Park and English Bay as well as the bustle of Robson Street in the heart of the shopping district. Continue to the prestigious Olde Shaughnessy residential mansions area and Granville Island.

At 8:30pm, depart Vancouver onboard the VIA Rail 'Canadian' train. Night falls as you travel through the lush Fraser Valley, British Columbia’s agricultural heartland, and along the meandering salmon-rich Fraser River.  The train travels through scenic river canyons carved into the Coast and Cascade Mountains and goes past unique historical attractions such as the thundering waters of Hell’s Gate.  As night falls, your train passes through the dry interior of British Columbia. Snuggle in for the night in your private-bedroom accommodation with the soothing rhythmic sounds of the train rocking you to sleep.

Day 3 Jasper Sightseeing

Wake up for breakfast onboard the train and witness sunrise in the British Columbia Rockies, truly a sublime experience. Pass by the 8000ft south-face of Mt. Robson on your way to an 4:00pm arrival in Jasper. After check-in at your Jasper hotel, venture out to see the Jasper area from the vantage point reached by the tramway above town.

Day 4 Jasper to Lake Louise

Aboard a motor coach, travel southeast down the Icefields Parkway through the natural splendour of Jasper and Banff national parks, renowned as the most beautiful highway in Canada, if not the world.  Glaciated peaks tower breathtakingly along the roadside. The panorama of snow-capped peaks and endless mountain ridges occasionally opens up to afford a spectacular view of deep tree-covered valleys stretching to a distant horizon. The bus will stop to view Athabasca Falls.  Upon arrival at the Columbia Icefields' Athabasca Glacier, board the Ice Explorer, a specialized bus that travels directly to the ice, while a qualified guide explains the geology of the region.  Lunch is not included, however, there will be opportunity to eat in the Icefields café.  The bus will also stop for photo opportunities at the pristine Bow Lake, prior to arriving at fabulous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for the night.

Day 5 Banff Sightseeing

Transfer to your Banff hotel in the morning. By mid-June the snow melts allowing a scenic tour of Yoho National Park on the way there. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Banff on your own. You may enjoy walking on the local trails, playing golf at The Fairmont Banff Springs, or having extra leisure time in your hotel. 

Day 6 Banff sightseeing, Transfer to Calgary

Take a three-hour guided bus tour of the Banff area through the towering mountains of Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade, and Norquay and learn about the natural attractions of the wind-shaped hoodoos and the Cave & Basin National Historic Site. Be aware of the Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive! Experience a gentle ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain taking 8 minutes in a four-person fully enclosed gondola. A spectacular view and picture taking opportunity wait at the top of this 360 degree panorama of the Bow Valley. Learn all about how these majestic mountains have shaped this unique community. Enjoy a scenic transfer from Banff to the Calgary downtown (2 hrs) in the afternoon. Overnight in Calgary.

Day 7 Calgary

Your vacation concludes upon checkout from your Calgary hotel.

This itinerary is also available in reverse Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

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