Heart of Canadian Rockies

HEART OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
09 DAYS FROM $1,259 US
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After a visit to Fort Calgary, head west through the foothills of the Canadian Rockies into Banff National Park, where you’ll spend two overnights at a popular year-round resort. Journey northward where a day of scenic grandeur is in store, including stops in Lake Louise and Columbia Icefield. Motorcoach through two mountain passes before arriving in Jasper National Park for the evening. Stop in Mount Robson and visit Sun Peaks before leaving British Columbia’s majestic mountain range toward the rugged Pacific coastline. Perhaps a whale-watching cruise in Victoria would round out this spectacular, nine-day vacation before ending in Vancouver.

Day 1 CALGARY
Enjoy some time at leisure to relax or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.

Day 2 CALGARY–BANFF
The discovery of oil converted this cattle ranching town into a thriving, sophisticated city with skyscrapers and elegant shopping centers. It is also home to the world-famous Calgary Stampede. Tour many of the city’s attractions, including Canada Olympic Park, the Saddledome, and FORT CALGARY. Motor west through the foothills and into BANFF NATIONAL PARK, gateway to the majestic Canadian Rockies. Join the optional excursion to Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views of Banff’s spectacular scenery.

Day 3 BANFF
Banff is one of Canada’s favorite year-round resorts, with summer activities such as hiking, boating, and fishing. With a free day, your Tour Director will suggest an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies. Tonight, take an optional excursion to the theater, featuring Canadian cuisine and entertainment.

Day 4 BANFF–LAKE LOUISE–JASPER
A day of scenic grandeur. First stop is Lake Louise, where its cold turquoise waters create a perfect natural mirror reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Next, journey northward into JASPER NATIONAL PARK where precipitous gorges, snowcapped summits, and lakes of exquisite blues and greens come into view as the motorcoach scales two mountain passes. Another highlight on today’s agenda is a stop at the COLUMBIA ICEFIELD to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels upon ice that is 365 meters (1,200 feet) thick. Later this afternoon your Tour Director suggests an optional raft trip down the Athabasca River. Enjoy an orientation tour of Jasper townsite upon arrival.

Day 5 JASPER–MOUNT ROBSON–SUN PEAKS
With a morning at leisure, join the optional trip to Maligne Lake, where you embark on a narrated cruise to much-photographed Spirit Island. Depart Jasper and follow the Fraser River to the base of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. The Yellowhead Highway continues south along the mighty Thompson River with spectacular views of the Monashee Mountains. Overnight at the Sun Peaks alpine resort.

Day 6 SUN PEAKS–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA
As you travel through British Columbia’s Coast Mountain Range to its majestic Pacific coastline, the vegetation changes abruptly from lush alpine forests to desert landscape. Board your afternoon ferry for the spectacular crossing to Vancouver Island. Sightseeing in Victoria includes the Inner Harbor, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. This evening, you might want to take a stroll along the lively Waterfront Promenade.

Day 7 VICTORIA
Today is a full free day for independent sightseeing. Your Tour Director will have ideas to enhance your enjoyment of this most British of Canadian cities. Take an optional whale-watching cruise and seek out pods of killer whales. A suggestion for this evening is an optional dinner in Chinatown, followed by a historic walk.

Day 8 VICTORIA–VANCOUVER
First stop today: the famous BUTCHART GARDENS with its 35 acres of showcase exhibits, including the English Rose Garden and the Japanese Gardens. This afternoon, board the ferry for a spectacular crossing though the Gulf Islands, an archipelago known for its Mediterranean climate, to the British Columbia mainland. In Vancouver, city sightseeing includes STANLEY PARK, Gastown, Chinatown, and many other famous landmarks. Tonight, your Tour Director will offer dining recommendations for this vibrant city.

Day 9 VANCOUVER
The trip ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers to Vancouver International Airport are included.

INCLUDED FEATURES
In Calgary, Victoria, and Vancouver.

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Fort Calgary, Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Jasper National Park, Columbia Icefield Glacier experience, Fraser River, Mount Robson, Sun Peaks, Butchart Gardens, Strait of Georgia, Canada’s Gulf Islands, and Stanley Park.

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

SUPERIOR HOTELS
Twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, service charges, and tips for baggage handling. Listed hotels or equivalent.

CALGARY Sandman Hotel Calgary (F); BANFF Rundlestone Lodge (MF); JASPER Maligne Lodge (ST); SUN PEAK Hearthstone Lodge (ST); VICTORIA Queen Victoria Hotel (MF); VANCOUVER Park Plaza Hotel Vancouver (ST)

NOTE
The Canadian Rockies are blessed with stunning lakes, exquisite mountain scenery, and extraordinary outdoor attractions. Visiting and participating in activities in these locations is subject to favorable weather conditions.

DEPARTURE DATES

May - October

PRICES
From approx $1,259 US double occupancy

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