| 
Day 1 Vancouver Arrival
Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your
own. Admission to The Lookout atop Vancouver Harbour Centre with spectacular
views of the city, mountains and ocean is included. Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 2 Vancouver to Victoria
Today a full day tour takes you to Victoria. Among the highlights
are a BC Ferries trip through the picturesque Gulf Islands,
a visit to the world-renowned Butchart Gardens, a scenic ocean
drive, and a city tour of downtown Victoria. Overnight in Victoria.
Day 3 Victoria to Port Hardy
Your journey today takes you by motorcoach to the northern tip
of Vancouver Island and the town of Port Hardy. En route you
will pass through Chemainus, a community that's famous for its
outdoor art mural displays. A stop will be made in Coombs for
lunch (not included) a unique Vancouver Island landmark where
goats can be found grazing on the roof! Continue past the communities
of Courtney and Campbell River before an evening arrival in
Port Hardy. Overnight in Port Hardy.
Day 4 Port Hardy to Prince Rupert
Departing Port Hardy, you will travel the awe-inspiring Inside
Passage aboard BC Ferries. On this 15-hour journey you will
travel past calm inlets, evergreen covered islands and near
majestic coastal mountains. Overnight in Prince Rupert.
Day 5 Prince Rupert
A free day to explore Prince Rupert. Activities include whale
watching, bear viewing and the historic cannery. Overnight in
Prince Rupert.
Day 6 Prince Rupert to Prince George
Travel aboard VIA Rail's Skeena train across northern British
Columbia to Prince George. En route you will pass through small
communities that are rich in native history and culture and
view spectacular lakes and forests. Overnight in Prince George.
Day 7 Prince George to Jasper
From Prince George continue eastwards on VIA Rail to the Canadian
Rockies. A highlight of today's journey will be passing by Mt.
Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954 meters
(12,972 ft). Overnight in Jasper.
Day 8 Icefields Parkway Tour from Jasper
to Banff
Transfer to Banff 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 a Snocoach 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 Banff late this afternoon. Overnight in Banff.
Day 9 Free day in Banff
Today you will have an entire day to spend exploring Banff National
Park on your own. Some optional activities include soaking in
the mineral pools at Upper Hot Springs, enjoying a nature walk
on nearby mountain trails, visiting Banff's historic museums,
cruising on Lake Minnewanka or enjoying a round of golf at the
Banff Springs. Overnight in Banff.
Day 10 Banff to Kamloops
Depart onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Banff for Kamloops,
the gateway to British Columbia's interior. As the train crosses
over the Continental Divide you will pass through the Spiral
Tunnels in Yoho National Park, a remarkable engineering achievement.
Marvel at the stunning glaciers, numerous tunnels, and snow-capped
mountains of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. The next
highlight of today's rail journey is historic Craigellachie,
where the "last spike" was driven completing the Canadian Pacific
Railway in 1885. As the train approaches Kamloops, it follows
the shoreline of Shuswap Lake. Overnight in Kamloops.
Day 11 Kamloops to Vancouver
Continue your journey westwards from Kamloops and travel along
the Thompson River to the Fraser Canyon. At Hell's Gate watch
water torrent past the canyon walls at its narrowest point,
a true highlight of the canyon. Upon leaving this region, the
train will journey through the fertile Fraser Valley to the
coastal city of Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 12 Vancouver Departure
Your vacation ends with check out from your Vancouver hotel.
MEALS:
Breakfast and lunch is included onboard the Rocky Mountaineer.
An additional meal plan is available for purchase including
breakfast and dinner daily. Please see price grid for details
AIRFARES:
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations is pleased to offer airfares to
residents of North America from various USA and Canadian departure
cities.
EXTEND YOUR STAY:
Visit our City
Stops and Rail
and Drive Extensions or our Spectacular
Canada pages for a perfect extension to your vacation. |