Grand Rail Circle
11 Day(s) / 10 Night(s)
Eastbound
Day 1 Vancouver Arrival
Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city
on your own. Admission to the Vancouver Observation Deck at
Harbour Centre with spectacular views of the city, mountains
and ocean is included. Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 2 Vancouver to Whistler
Travel onboard the Whistler Mountaineer from the coastal
city of Vancouver to the resort town of Whistler, renowned
for outstanding skiing and year-round outdoor activities.
Following your motorcoach transfer from downtown Vancouver,
the Whistler Mountaineer takes you on a breathtaking rail
journey through the stunning scenery of this “Sea
to Sky” region. Highlights of the trip include spectacular
views across Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains, Shannon
Falls, Mount Garibaldi, and the impressive Cheakamus Canyon.
On arrival at Whistler train station, you will be transferred
to your overnight accommodation in Whistler Village. Breakfast
is served onboard.
Day 3 Free Day in Whistler
Enjoy a free day exploring the picturesque mountain resort
of Whistler on your own. Included in your documentation
is admission to the Whistler Gondola, an exciting 20-minute
ride to the top of Whistler Mountain where you'll enjoy
stunning views of snowcapped mountain peaks and alpine lakes.
Overnight in Whistler.
Day 4 Whistler to Quesnel
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the four-season
mountain resort of Whistler to the charming rural town of
Quesnel, the gateway to the North Cariboo. Enjoy breathtaking
and varied scenery, from the river canyons and lush farmland
of the Pemberton Valley, to the desert-like conditions of
the Fraser Canyon, and the Cariboo Plateau with its rolling
hills and vast ranchlands. Highlights include the shorelines
of Anderson Lake and glacial fed Seton Lake, sweeping views
of the Fraser Canyon and Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest
railway bridges in the world. Your day concludes as the
Rocky Mountaineer follows the banks of the Fraser River
into Quesnel, your overnight destination.
Day 5 Quesnel to Jasper
Your journey continues eastward today to the majestic Canadian
Rockies and Jasper National Park. From Quesnel the Rocky
Mountaineer follows the Fraser River north to the town of
Prince George and then travels east through the forests
of Northern British Columbia, home to plentiful wildlife
including a large population of moose. Entering the Rocky
Mountain Trench you are surrounded to the north by the steeply
rising Rocky Mountains and to the south by the Cariboo Mountains.
Continue climbing past Mount Robson, the highest peak in
the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet), and
through the Yellowhead Pass into the province of Alberta.
Your rail journey ends today on arrival in the resort town
of Jasper. Overnight in Jasper.
Day 6 Icefields Parkway Tour from
Jasper to Lake Louise
Transfer to Lake Louise via one of the most scenic highways
in the world, the Icefields Parkway. A stop will be made
at Athabasca Falls before arriving at the Columbia Icefield.
It is here that you will ride an Ice Explorer to the middle
of Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological
features. Your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are
formed and point out some interesting geological features.
Time will be available for lunch (not included). Afterwards,
a brief stop will be made at Bow Lake before arriving in
Lake Louise this afternoon. Overnight at The Fairmont Chateau
Lake Louise.
Day 7 Yoho Tour, Lake Louise to
Banff
A half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view
some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the
Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge that
spans the Kicking Horse River. At the end of the tour you
will be transferred to Banff. Overnight in Banff. Please
note: While departure from The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
will be approximately 1:30 PM, scheduled check-out time
is normally 11:00 AM. Your luggage will be stored on check-out
and you are free to enjoy the amenities of the hotel or
a guided one-hour lakeshore stroll before the tour departs.
Day 8 Sightseeing in Banff
Enjoy a three-hour motorcoach sightseeing tour of Banff
this morning. Among the highlights are visits to Bow Falls,
Banff Gondola, the Cave and Basin Centre, Surprise Corner,
and the Hoodoos. The rest of the day is free to spend at
leisure in Banff. Overnight in Banff.
Day 9 Banff to Kamloops
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain town
of Banff to Kamloops in the heart of British Columbia’s
interior. Your journey offers you a spectacular range of
scenery as you travel between the high peaks of the Canadian
Rockies, over mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels,
along rocky lakeshores and across the ranchlands of the
interior. Today’s highlights include the Continental
Divide, the Spiral Tunnels a remarkable feat of railroad
engineering, the Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass, Craigellachie
where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was
driven and of course the glaciers and snow-capped peaks
of the Canadian Rockies. Overnight in Kamloops.
Day 10 Kamloops to Vancouver
Your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and
the coastal city of Vancouver. On today’s journey
you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the
desert-like environment of the interior, through the winding
river canyons and pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade
Mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser River
Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds
along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell’s
Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Your rail journey ends at your
overnight destination of Vancouver.
Day 11 Vancouver Departure
Your tour ends with check-out from your Vancouver hotel.
Reverse itinerary is also available.
May 17 31
Jun 14 28
Jul 12 26
Aug 9 23
Sep 6 20
Oct 4
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