Embark on a Timeless Journey
From the lush green Pacific coast of Vancouver board VIA Rail’s The Canadian for a once-in-a-lifetime overnight train journey. Relax in the dome car and experience panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, rushing rivers and the sheer unspoiled wilderness of Canada. Arrive in Jasper and see the dramatic Maligne Canyon and its picture-perfect lake, where you enjoy breakfast with a view! Journey along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway. Stop at Columbia Icefield and choose from a Glacier Experience across this mass of glacial ice or take a walk on the Glacier Skywalk. Feel like royalty while overnighting at the fabulous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Banff Springs Hotel, where you have your choice of included dinner venues..Discover the natural beauty of Moraine Lake, the powerful Bow Falls and impressive Hoodoos. Experience a day on a ranch in the Alberta plains, complete with a wagon ride in search of buffalo and a BBQ lunch in the great outdoors. End your journey in cosmopolitan Calgary.
Day 1 Vancouver, British Columbia - Tour Begins
Join us for a remarkable journey through the stunning landscapes, charming towns and beautiful lakes of the Canadian Rockies. Your adventure opens in Vancouver.
Day 2 Vancouver - VIA Rail
A city tour of Vancouver begins this morning at beautiful Stanley Park, Canada’s renowned urban rainforest. Then, continue to Chinatown, the waterfront, and Gastown, a turn-of-the-century center comprised of pubs, art galleries, boutiques and the world-famous steam-powered clock, perhaps the most photographed subject in all of Vancouver. Stroll picturesque Granville Island and its fascinating markets. This evening, enjoy dinner overlooking the city skyline. Later, board VIA Rail’s The Canadian to begin your journey to the majestic Canadian Rockies. Relive train travel in the days of old as you are rocked to sleep tonight in your private accommodations.
Day 3 VIA Rail - Jasper, Alberta
Enjoy a lovely hot breakfast in the dining car as your eastbound train whisks you past the peaks of the Monashee Mountains and the stunning sight of Pyramid Falls cascading down Mt. Cheadle. Relax in the dome car as you experience 360-degree views of the glistening glaciers of the Albreda Icefields and on a clear day, view Mt. Robson – the highest peak of the Rockies! Moose, mountain goats, bear and caribou call this wonderland home. This afternoon, arrive in Jasper, nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies at the gateway to the incredible Icefields Parkway.
Day 4 Jasper
This morning we travel to Maligne Lake and enjoy breakfast* against the backdrop of the picture-perfect sparkling waters of the lake. While at Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, you may choose to embark on an optional cruise highlighting the beauty of Spirit Island. Later, enjoy the dramatic Maligne Canyon, one of the area’s most spectacular landmarks. Return to your hotel with leisure time to explore this lovely town.
Day 5 Icefields Parkway-Glacier Experience or Glacier Skywalk-Lake Louise
Set off for a wonderful day of sightseeing en route to Lake Louise. Journey along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway! Waterfalls, rushing rivers, glacial peaks, imposing cliffs and snowcapped peaks paint the breathtaking canvas – so have your camera handy! Enjoy a stop at the Athabasca Falls and marvel at its sheer beauty and power. Stop at the Columbia Icefield and choose a fun ride** across this mass of glacial ice which is over 1,000 feet thick – the largest accumulation of ice south of the Arctic Circle; or, take a walk on the Glacier Skywalk to experience the breathtaking views of the Sunwapta Valley and witness the dramatic landscape from the glass-floored platform. Continuing down the parkway, be on the lookout for bears, furry marmots and stately elk. Enjoy a stop at Peyto Lake – a turquoise glacier-fed lake that evokes pure serenity – before arriving in Lake Louise. Enjoy a stay at the world-famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This evening it’s Diner’s Choice... choose the perfect spot from a “menu” of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s great restaurants.
Day 6 Lake Louise - Banff
En route to Banff, view the spectacular Moraine Lake and the awe-inspiring Valley of the Ten Peaks. The jagged Ten Peaks are distinctively saw-toothed, standing out amidst stunning alpine scenery. Arrive at the grand Fairmont Banff Springs, known as the “Castle in the Rockies,” for a luxurious 2-night stay.
Day 7 Banff
Set off for a scenic drive through Banff featuring the powerful Bow Falls and Hoodoos – known as the “Land of the Sleeping Giants.” Next, meet a local ammolite specialist to learn about this rare gemstone found only in Alberta. During an afternoon at leisure, perhaps you will take a stroll through Banff’s delightful downtown. This evening experience another Diner’s Choice...you’ll choose the perfect spot from one of Banff’s great restaurants.
Day 8 Banff - Calgary
Leave the wonders of the Rockies for the prairies of Alberta en route to the Kananaskis Valley. Visit a local ranch where you can play a game of horseshoes, take a line dance lesson and enjoy a wagon ride** in search of buffalo. Meet the family that lives there to gain insight into their daily life on the ranch. Then, delight in a traditional Albertan barbecue with beautiful views of the mountains in the background. Later, enjoy the views of the prairies before you reach the vibrant city of Calgary.
Day 9 Calgary - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today in Calgary.