Canada's Rocky Mountaineer

Canada's spectacular scenery

Experience some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, by road and rail, and discover the best of glorious British Columbia and Alberta. This wonderful escorted tour of Western Canada begins in Banff, the Canadian Rockies’ majestic capital, before heading via Lake Louise and its turquoise waters to the historic rail-road town of Jasper, at the gateway to Jasper National Park. After the chance to explore, you'll board the Rocky Mountaineer and travel through yet more wonderful scenery to Vancouver, to discover one of the world’s most beautifully located cities. Finish your adventure in Victoria, the decidedly British capital of Vancouver Island.

Highlights

Enjoy a journey on the world-famous Rocky Mountaineer
Stay in Banff, the capital of the Rockies
A two-night stay in the alpine town of Jasper
A journey along the Icefields Parkway, via sparkling Lake Louise, to Jasper
Discover Vancouver, frequently voted one of the world's best cities to live in
Stay two nights in the pretty harbourside city of Victoria
Discover Jasper National Park and Maligne Lake on an optional excursion

Inclusions

Nine nights' room-only hotel accommodation in Banff (2 nights), Jasper (2), Kamloops (1), Vancouver (2) and Victoria (2)
A two-day journey on the Rocky Mountaineer, travelling in SilverLeaf Service (GoldLeaf available at a supplement)
Breakfast and lunch on board Rocky Mountaineer
Return flights to Calgary (returning from Vancouver)
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Day 1

Fly direct to Calgary, meet your Tour Manager and board the coach for the journey up into the majestic Rockies and Banff, for a two-night stay. Rest and relax upon arrival.

Day 2

Explore the delightful, bustling capital of the Rockies, in its breathtaking setting, and take the opportunity to join a choice of memorable optional excursions. Take a cable car up to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, join a trip to the scenic Surprise Corner viewpoint overlooking the famous Banff Springs Hotel, or take an unforgettable helicopter ride over the mountains.

Day 3

Today you’ll travel by coach along the renowned Icefields Parkway, calling briefly at beautiful Lake Louise, where turquoise waters – frozen for much of the year – are set against the awesome backdrop of the Victoria Glacier. You'll then continue to Jasper, at the entrance to scenic Jasper National Park, to stay for two nights in this historic Rockies’ railroad town.

Day 4

Rest and relax at the hotel, enjoying the railroad-town surroundings of Jasper, or join today's optional excursion. A ride on the Jasper Skytram – Canada's longest cable car – to witness spectacular views of Jasper and its mountainous backdrop followed by a journey to idyllic Maligne Lake, famous for its dazzling blue water, in its spectacular setting. In addition, the adventurous can take a ride on the back of (or in a sidecar beside) a Harley Davidson motorcycle piloted by a professional rider.

Day 5

This morning, begin your journey on the legendary Rocky Mountaineer, following the path of the North Thompson River past Mount Robson, Pyramid Falls and Yellowhead Pass, and through the scenic wonderland of the Monashee and Caribou mountains. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board the train as you gaze in awe at the majestic scenery, and arrive in Kamloops in the late afternoon to transfer to a comfortable overnight hotel.

Day 6

Re-board the train to continue your spectacular journey to the coast. Highlights will include the mighty Fraser River, the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon, and the stunning coastal ranges that rise up as you near beautiful Vancouver. Once again, you'll enjoy breakfast and lunch on board, and once you arrive in Vancouver, you'll transfer to your next hotel. Relax, or head out to enjoy your first evening in a city often voted among the best places in the world to live.

Day 7

Join today’s optional city tour of this delightful place. Highlights will include restored Gastown, hectic, colourful Chinatown, and the glass and steel wonders of the Burrard Inlet waterfront. You’ll also cross into the leafy suburbs of North Van for the chance to brave the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, which stretches 450 ft across Capilano River. The rest of the day you're free to explore.

Day 8

Journey to the ferry terminal and cross the strait to Vancouver Island, before heading to the charming, unashamedly "British" capital of British Columbia, Victoria, with its Royal B.C. Museum, vast parliament buildings and the grand Empress Hotel, for a two-night stay.

Day 9

Enjoy a day free to explore under your own steam, or join this morning’s optional excursion to world-famous Butchart Gardens. Here, over a million plants and several hundred floral species are displayed. This afternoon, complete your stay – and your Canadian adventure – by joining our optional whale-watching cruise, for the chance to seek out orca, killer, humpback and grey whales in their natural environment. Later, spend a second evening in Victoria, perhaps reliving the wonders of the past few days.

Day 10

Board the ferry back to the mainland, this morning, and head to Vancouver airport to check in for your overnight flight home.

Day 11

Land back in the UK at the end of a spectacular Canadian adventure.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is 1.5 hours from Calgary and four hours to Vancouver.

Passports and visas

British citizens require machine-readable passports when travelling to Canada. Visitors to Canada must apply for an eTA online with Canadian Immigration at least 72 hours before departure atwww.canada.ca/eta. The current charge is seven Canadian dollars for British Citizens. British subjects, and anyone who has a criminal record or has ever been arrested, should consult the Canadian Embassy as a visa may be required.

Foreign Office travel advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted on any coach forming part of your holiday; regular stops will be made though for your comfort en route. The majority of hotels in North America are non-smoking throughout including in all bedrooms. In general smoking outside is acceptable, but do look out for signs prohibiting this close to public entrances or bus stops.

Tipping

Gratuities are a way of life in North America, and it is generally accepted that they form part of a person's earnings. The customary gratuity for a coach driver is $8 per person per day for the driver and $10 per person per day for the tour manager. It is normal to tip 15-20 per cent of the bill for a taxi or in a restaurant, and to leave a dollar or so per drink in a bar.

On your flight

All outbound flights depart and arrive on the same day. All return flights leave in the evening and land in the UK the next day. On-board meals will usually include lunch and a snack on outward flights, and dinner and breakfast on flights home. Soft drinks are complimentary, but some airlines will charge for alcoholic drinks.

Luggage allowance

You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.

Helicopter flights

Sightseeing flights by helicopter are weight controlled and balanced. Please contact us if you wish to book a helicopter flight and your bodyweight exceeds 250lb. (In such cases, a seat may have to be left empty, and some companies may charge a premium.)

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Hotel rooms

Standard hotel rooms in North America will contain one or two double- or queen-sized beds, and it is not possible to add extra beds to the room. Parties consisting of more than two travellers, but who have only booked one room, will be expected to make use of the two beds provided. If this is a concern, you may wish to consider booking more than one room for your group.