Day
1
Arrive Calgary International Airport-Airport greeting, Hotel Check/in,
City Tour and arrival banquet dinner (private room) at the Regency
Palace (Canada's largest and finest Chinese Restaurant).
Evening tour of the Calgary "nightscene". Overnight
Calgary (Welcome Banquet Dinner)
Day
2
This morning we drive West to Kananaskis Mountain National Park
for an exciting and fascinating (class 3-4) guided whitewater
raft trip down the "Bow River". (all equipment supplied).
Kananaskis is on the very edge of the eastern portion of the Rocky
Mountains and the views are spectacular. We also visit Kananaskis
Village to freshen up after rafting and take a look as it is one
of the Jewels of the Rockies.
Get Ready. Now it's on to the most famous tourist town in the
world: Banff. Situated in Banff National Park. We start with a
trip to the top of the mountain. Sulphur
Mountain Gondola
transports visitors to an elevation of 2,281m (7,486 feet) above
sea level at the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff. This offers
the best view in the Canadian Rocky Mountains - an unobstructed
360¡ã view of the most memorable mountain scenery
you will ever witness! This evening is free to discover the romantic
beauty and excitement of this town and take in the breath-taking
views of the majestic Rocky Mountains that surround this beautiful
Jewel in the Rockies. A 'must' to see while in Banff is the legendary
and world famous Banff Springs Hotel with its 'castle-like' appearance
and also famous for its multi-million dollar 'hot spring' pools
and saunas.
Overnight Banff (B)
Day
3
Make sure you have a hearty breakfast this morning because its
a hiking we will go. (allow 4 hours) Banff has some of the best
hiking trails in the world and we will be on them today. (hiking
shoes are great to bring along) Our hike will take us high into
the mountains where the air is fresh and nature is abundant. Your
camera is a must to bring along because some of the views are
incredible. (picnic lunch is supplied) After our invigorating
hike its to the "hot spring pools" to ease the
aching muscles and get ready for your incredible dining experience
at the world famous Banff Springs Hotel.
Join Maitre d' Hotel/Sommelier Anthony Chalmers and Chef Daniel
Buss for a remarkable and memorable evening in the intimate and
exclusive: Banffshire Club. Offering contemporary North American
cuisine the Banffshire Club
is an experience not to be missed during your stay in Banff
National Park.
Overnight Banff (BL)
Day
4
After a great breakfast its away to another Jewel, Lake Louise
with its grandeur hotel the "Chateau
Lake Louise" and more breathtaking views of the
Great Canadian Rocky Mountains.
It is Canada's "Diamond in the Wilderness," set amid
grandiose walls of ice and sheets of rock in the Canadian Rocky
Mountains, shimmering like an emerald jewel. Each year more than
two million visitors pay homage to the grandiose setting at the
shores of Lake Louise, sightseeing, photographing, dining, hiking,
climbing and canoeing. Time will be allowed for a great hike to
St. Agnes Lake which overlooks the chateau from high above. Its
High Tea this afternoon served
in the majestic Lobby Lounge of the Chateau Lake Louise. Fruit
cocktail, tea sandwiches, crumpets, scones, tea pastries, and
tea of course.
We now travel north through the valley of glaciers, the Icefield
Parkway. The canyon of the glaciers. Our next stop
is Peyto Lake, chosen by Kodak
because of its unbelievable colors. You won't believe the colors
are real. Now get ready to get lost in a sea of ice and an ocean
of mountains as we visit another Jewel and board the Snow-Coach
and travel to the top of the only glacier in the world that is
accessible by road. The Athabasca Glacier.
Make sure you bring a warm jacket and sunglasses. After the Snow-Coach
we pose for a Group Photo with the glacier in the background.
We now travel further north, winding our way through the mighty
canyon to the town of Jasper, situated in Jasper
National Park. Established in 1907, Jasper National
Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies with
10,878 square kilometres of mountain wilderness. Jasper is also
the wildest of the mountain parks, and contains a superb backcountry
trail system as well as the world famous Columbia
Icefields. It is internationally-renowned for wildlife
viewing, and is home to some of North America's rarest animals,
including healthy populations of grizzly bears, moose, caribou
and wolves.
Overnight Jasper (BL)
Day
5
This morning we board the Jasper Skytram
and travel to the top of the world where they say one can see
for a thousand miles. The experience of being gently transported
into Jasper National Park's alpine tundra will captivate all ages,
you will discover views unsurpassed in the Canadian Rockies. Gaze
over six mountain ranges, glacial-fed lakes, meandering rivers,
and the scenic Jasper Townsite.
Witness the snow-capped splendor of Mt. Robson, the highest mountain
in the Canadian Rockies. At 2,500 meters (over 8,000 feet) above
sea level, you will truly expand your horizons.(up-top restaurant
& gift shop, hiking etc.) Time will be allowed for a nice
hike along some of the finest and most scenic gentle hiking trails
in the Rockies. This afternoon its on to another Jewel, Maligne
Lake for a breathtaking 1 1/2 hour Boat
Cruise to Spirit Island.
This
lake is very famous and one of the most photographed in the world.
It is said that a beautiful Indian Princess is buried there. She
died from a broken heart after her warrior husband was killed
in a battle. There are claims that she sometimes roams the island
appearing out of the mist as if searching for her lover. Evening
free to hike and explore around the town of Jasper.
Overnight Jasper (B)
Day
6
Jasper to Kamloops. Get ready to be pampered. Its all aboard the
Rocky Mountaineer Railtrain.
The most spectacular train trip in the world. You will witness
some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Enjoy a stunning
view of Pyramid Falls and
marvel at the vast expanses of the Albreda Icefield glaciers.
Travel through the snowy peaks of the Monoshees. Follow the Thompson
River to historic Kamloops,
gateway to the interior of British Columbia. Overnight in accommodation
provided in Kamloops.
This evening its entertainment at Two
River Junction Dinner and Musical Revue. Breakfast
and lunch onboard train.
Overnight Kamloops (BLD)
Day
7
Kamloops to Vancouver. Rejoin your train for the continuation
of your trans-mountain journey. Pass through the Fraser
Canyon and through the fertile fields of the Fraser
River Valley and the towering peaks of the Coastal
Mountains. At Vancouver's Pacific
Central Station its welcome to Vancouver. One of the
liveliest cities in the world. Your motor coach and driver will
meet you at the station to transfer you to your downtown hotel.
After dinner its experiencing the exciting nightscene in Vancouver
(Canada's liveliest city).
Overnight Vancouver (BL)
Day
8
After a relaxing morning we do a sightseeing tour of this great
city of Vancouver. Some of the attractions we will see are Capilano
Suspension Bridge, Stanley
Park, Lions Gate Bridge,
Gas Town, Chinatown.
Today we also see Vancouver from the sea as we board a harbor
Cruise Vessel. Sit back and experience a different view of Vancouver
on one of Harbor Cruises fully narrated tours of Vancouver's inner
harbor. This 1 1/4 hour scenic tour takes you on a journey through
Canada's "Gateway to the Pacific"- the Burrard
Inlet. We get you up close to many of Vancouver's most
famous landmarks. Cruise past Stanley Park, the Lookout
Tower, Lions Gate Bridge, the busy cruise ship terminals,
the spectacular city skyline, historic Gastown the breathtaking
North Shore Mountains and
more. Afternoon free to explore or relax. Tonight we dine at the
Canada famous seafood restaurant "Bridges"
Overnight Vancouver (Farewell Dinner Banquet) (located on Granville
Island). It will be a banquet to behold. (D)
Day
9
Good-bye Breakfast and transfer to Vancouver International Airport
for flight Home. (B)
