| Northern Explorer
9 Day(s) / 8 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 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 4 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 your overnight
destination of Jasper.
Day 5 Jasper Sightseeing
Spend either the morning or afternoon touring Jasper by
motorcoach. Attractions include Pyramid and Patricia Lakes,
Maligne Canyon and Athabasca viewpoint. The remainder of
the day is free to explore more of Jasper National Park
independently. 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 on 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 checkout 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 Banff to Calgary
This morning a sightseeing tour shows you the highlights
of Banff before an afternoon transfer to Calgary. Among
the points of interest are visits to Banff Gondola, Bow
Falls, the Cave and Basin Centre, Surprise Corner and the
Hoodoos. A visit to the Calgary Tower is included where
you can view the city and the Rocky Mountains in the distance.
Overnight in Calgary.
Day 9 Calgary Departure
Your tour ends with check-out from your Calgary hotel.
Westbound
Day 1 Calgary Arrival
Arrive in Calgary and spend the rest of the day sightseeing
in the “Stampede City” independently. Admission
to the Calgary Tower with views of the city and the Rocky
Mountains is included. Overnight in Calgary.
Day 2 Calgary to Banff
Depart the Stampede City this morning for a tour to Banff.
Highlights include the Cave and Basin Centre, Banff Gondola,
Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, and the Hoodoos. The rest of
the day is at leisure to explore Banff on your own. Overnight
in Banff.
Day 3 Banff to Lake Louise including
Yoho National Park
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. The tour ends at Lake Louise,
and your afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this magnificent
location. Please note: While arrival at The Fairmont Chateau
Lake Louise will be approximately 12:00 PM, scheduled check-in
time is not until 4:00 PM. In the event that your room is
not ready, your luggage will be stored and you are free
to enjoy the amenities of the hotel or a guided one-hour
lakeshore stroll. Overnight at The Fairmont Chateau Lake
Louise.
Day 4 Icefields Parkway Tour from
Lake Louise to Jasper
Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Banff and Jasper National
Parks via the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are
Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Falls. The
Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south
of the Arctic Circle in addition to being one of the most
accessible ones in North America. It is here that you will
ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of Athabasca Glacier
to learn more about its geological features. Time will be
available for lunch (not included). Arrive in Jasper late
this afternoon. Overnight in Jasper.
Day 5 Jasper Sightseeing
Spend either the morning or afternoon touring Jasper by
motorcoach. Attractions include Pyramid and Patricia Lakes,
Maligne Canyon and Athabasca viewpoint. The remainder of
the day is free to explore more of Jasper National Park
independently. Overnight in Jasper.
Day 6 Jasper to Quesnel
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain resort
of Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to the charming rural
town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo. Pass through
the Rocky Mountain Trench with the steep Rocky and Cariboo
Mountains either side, and onto the rolling hills and vast
forests of British Columbia’s northern interior, home
to abundant wildlife. Highlights include Mount Robson, the
highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Yellowhead Pass, Moose
Lake, and the opportunity to view the abundant wildlife
found in this unspoiled wilderness region. Your day concludes
as the Rocky Mountaineer passes through the town of Prince
George and follows the Fraser River into Quesnel, your overnight
destination.
Day 7 Quesnel to Whistler
Your journey continues south today to the four-season resort
of Whistler. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from
the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, and the
Cariboo Plateau with its rolling hills and vast ranchlands,
to the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton
Valley. Highlights include sweeping views of the Fraser
Canyon and Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway
bridges in the world and the shorelines of Anderson Lake
and glacial fed Seton Lake. Your rail journey ends on arrival
in the resort town of Whistler Village, host of the 2010
Winter Olympic Games alpine events. Overnight in Whistler.
Day 8 Whistler to Vancouver
Travel onboard the Whistler Mountaineer from the alpine
village of Whistler to the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver.
Following your motorcoach transfer from Whistler Village,
embark on your rail journey through the stunning scenery
of this “Sea to Sky” region. Highlights of the
trip include Cheakamus Canyon, the dome peak of Mount Garibaldi,
Shannon Falls, and the breathtaking views of Howe Sound
and the Coast Mountains. On arrival at the North Vancouver
train station, you will be transferred to your overnight
accommodation in downtown Vancouver. Admission to the Vancouver
Observation Deck at Harbour Centre with spectacular views
of the city, mountains and ocean is included today or tomorrow
morning. A light meal is served onboard.
Day 9 Vacation Departure
Your tour ends with check-out from your Vancouver hotel.
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