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Rockies Circle |
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A grand circle through Canada’s Rocky Mountains! Experience the pampering of VIA Rail’s ‘Silver & Blue’ class aboard ‘The Canadian’ from Vancouver to Jasper. Then explore off-rail by motorcoach as you travel through the amazing Canadian Rockies back to Vancouver. This independent vacation hits all the highlights and still gives lots of time to relax.
Day 1 - Vancouver
Upon arrival into Vancouver, transfer independently to your downtown hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Overnight in Vancouver Day 2 - Vancouver / VIA Rail to Jasper Your day is free to explore the city of Vancouver. You may wish to visit the local attractions such as the Vancouver Aquarium, The Lookout Tower, the Vancouver Art Gallery or the walk along the sea wall. This afternoon, transfer by taxi (included) to the Pacific Central Station and board VIA Rail’s “Canadian” to Jasper. This experience, with its award-winning service, is luxury on rail. Points of interest include Hell’s Gate (gorge), Suicide Rapids in the North Thompson Canyon, and the Cisco Tunnels above the Fraser River. Dinner is included onboard the train this evening. Overnight onboard VIA Rail Day 3 - VIA Rail to Jasper (arrival) Today, travel between the Monashee and Cariboo mountain ranges before ending the train journey in the resort town of Jasper. A full breakfast is included onboard the train today. Upon arrival at the Jasper train station, a motor coach or taxi will transfer you to your hotel (transfer included). Overnight in Jasper Day 4 - Jasper An introduction to Jasper will encompass some outstanding scenery including Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon, with its narrow gorge and limestone walls reaching 50 metres (164 feet) below, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park. Continue via the incredible disappearing Medicine Lake and then Maligne Lake (one of the most photographed lakes in the world). Once onboard the tour boat, begin a 90-minute cruise heading toward the south end of this postcard setting. Marvel at the magnificent shoreline with dense forests and glacial peaks rising abruptly from the water’s edge. Stopping at Spirit Island, take the opportunity to take your own version of the world-famous photograph of the lake. Return to Jasper, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight Jasper Day 5 - Jasper to Banff Today’s journey travels south along the famous Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular highways in North America. This excursion to Lake Louise also tours through Jasper and Banff National Parks with a stop at the Columbia Icefield allowing time for a “Glacier Experience”. This excursion onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier in a specially designed Ice Explorer stops in the middle of the glacier while the driver/guide explains how glaciers are formed and points out interesting geological features (Ice Explorer included). The ice is 365 metres (1,200 feet) thick – about the height of the Empire State Building. At the icefall below the glacial headwall, take the option of stepping out onto the ice formed from snow that fell 400 years ago. In the afternoon, continue to Lake Louise, the “Jewel of the Rockies” and, after a brief photo stop, drive to the resort town of Banff. Overnight in Banff Day 6 - Banff to Lake Louise This morning’s excursion travels through the town of Banff and its environs. Ascend Tunnel Mountain Drive to view Bow Falls and visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site where a natural hot spring led to the creation of Canada’s first National Park in 1885. Take a ride (included) on a gondola car to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Enjoy a 360º panorama of a sea of mountain ranges, valleys, lakes and a bird’s eye view of the Banff town site, 770 metres (2526 feet) below. This afternoon, transfer to the “Jewel of the Rockies”, Lake Louise, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Lake Louise Day 7 - Lake Louise to Lac Le Jeune Depart Lake Louise this morning bound for beautiful British Columbia. Stop at the Spiral Tunnels to witness an engineering marvel that uses two tunnels cut into two mountains in a spiral to reduce the grade (angle of descent) of the railway tracks. After passing through the town of Golden, your ascent to the summit of infamous Rogers Pass begins. After descending from the pass, stop for lunch (included) in the mountain town of Revelstoke. Continue further west past Craigellachie (home of the last spike of the CP Railway) and through the town of Sicamous, nestled between Shuswap and Mara Lake. Pass through the town of Salmon Arm, a picturesque community on Shuswap Lake. Arrive at Lac Le Jeune Resort in the early evening for your overnight stay. Enjoy your dinner tonight (included). Overnight in Lac Le Jeune Day 8 - Lac Le Jeune to Vancouver After starting your day with a hearty breakfast (included), re-board the coach for another full day of touring with insightful commentary and frequent stops at scenic and historic points of interest. Pass through Ashcroft and follow the turbulent Fraser River before stopping for lunch (included) in the historic town of Lillooett. Continue from the interior of British Columbia, passing into a completely different climate region and watch the landscape change by the minute. Travelling Duffey Lake Road through a high mountain pass gives close up views of towering peaks and sparkling lakes and waterways. A short stop in Whistler provides time for passengers to walk around the village before continuing on into the Coast Mountains. The route to Vancouver on Highway 99 is intensely scenic and crosses paths with two historic routes, the Pemberton Trail and the Gold Rush Heritage Trail, which linked the coast with the interior in the days before the automobile. Time is allowed for a picture stop at Shannon Falls on the way. An evening drop-off at your selected hotel concludes your event filled day. Overnight in Vancouver Day 9 - Vancouver A check out from your hotel ends your package.
Choose any Monday or Saturday between the following date ranges as your vacation start date.
Deluxe: An outstanding property offering high standards of accommodations and facilities. It is important to note though, that Deluxe accommodation refers only to the Hotel Class and not to the room category included in the package price. Some Deluxe hotels are heritage properties that possess historical elegance, but may not reflect current North American deluxe hotel standards. Room upgrades may be available at an additional cost.
Moderate: A property that offers limited hotel facilities and North American standard room features such as a television, telephone, one or two beds, private washroom with shower and/or bathtub (unless otherwise noted). Rooms may be smaller than Deluxe hotel rooms and the public areas may be also be smaller and simpler. Usually suitable for the cost-conscious traveller. Above dates are for Vancouver Departures (Calgary Dates Differ Slightly) |
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