Coastal Explorer

A 10 Day/ 9 night circle trip of the Rocky Mountains and Coastal BC by coach, ferry and rail from Vancouver to Vancouver.

Day 1	Vancouver to Victoria with Butchart Gardens
	Depart Vancouver this morning on a sightseeing tour to Victoria. Cruise across Georgia Strait through the beautiful Gulf Islands. Arriving on Vancouver Island, tour to Butchart Gardens (Admission included). Tour scenic Ocean Drive, Uplands, Oak Bay, University of Victoria as well as the Victoria City Tour before being taken to your hotel.
Day 2	Victoria to Port Hardy (Coach)
	This morning board your coach bound for Port Hardy. Winding northward over the Malahat Highway, your route offers panoramic views of the Gulf Islands and the Strait of Georgia. Pass through vast expanses of farmland, fishing villages, deep-sea ports and lumber and logging communities.
Day 3	Port Hardy to Prince Rupert (Ferry)
	Embark on a full day of cruising the sheltered waters of Canada’s Inside Passage. During the length of the 15-hour crossing, a wonderful array of snow capped mountains combine with rich forests provide a background for a series of dramatic fjords.
Day 4	Prince Rupert to Prince George (Rail)
	Another day of dramatic scenery, this morning board VIA Rails Skeena service for an eye-catching feast of mountains, meadows and rivers as you travel parallel to the salmon rich Skeena River. (breakfast, lunch & dinner is included today)
Day 5	Prince George to Jasper (Rail)
	Re-board the Skeena service for another unforgettable day of scenery. Follow mountain passes and raging rivers as you wind your way to an overnight stop in Jasper. (breakfast & lunch is included today)

Day 6	Jasper - Evening wildlife tour
	Today is at your leisure to enjoy the spectacular wonders of Jasper. This evening experience the Jasper Wonderland for some amazing close-up photo opportunities of wildlife.
Day 7	Jasper to Banff (Coach)
	Travel by coach today via one of the most scenic highways in North America - the Icefields Parkway. Visit the Columbia Icefield that covers an area of nearly 325 sq km’s and reaches a depth of 320 metres. Time allows for an Ice Explorer ride (included) on the Athabasca Glacier. Along the way stops will be made at Lake Louise, Bow & Peyto Lakes, the Crowfoot Glacier and the Athabasca Falls.
Day 8	Morning tour of Banff with gondola ride
	This morning, tour through the town of Banff and its environs. Among the highlights are visits to the Hoodoos (shaped by centuries of wind), Surprise Corner, Sulphur Mountain (gondola ride included).
Day 9	Banff to Kelowna (Coach)
	Today your coach takes you on the famed Trans Canada Highway following a route charted by the railroad engineers and fur traders of the mid 1800’s. Leaving Banff National Park, travel to Yoho National Park where you cross the continental divide. Continue on through Glacier National Park and ‘Rogers Pass’ with spectacular mountain vistas in every direction. Travel through the Monashee Mountain Range and pass Shuswap Lake to Sicamous - the "Houseboat Capital of Canada". The last stop today is a short one in the small town of Armstrong, before continuing on your journey south into the famed wine region of the O kanagan Valley. (lunch is included today)
Day 10	Kelowna to Vancouver (Coach)
	After a hearty breakfast, the first stop of the day is at a local winery for an exclusive tour and educational wine tasting. Sample a variety of handcrafted O kanagan wines in this unique and authentic setting, surrounded by the actual vineyards where the fruit is produced on site. Depart the Okanagan Valley on the Coquihalla highway, which travels through the interior to the town of Merritt. Time is allowed at the Visitors Centre to stretch and learn about this historic territory - one of the premier ranching settlements in British Columbia from 1880. From here continue your trek on the Coquihalla Highway through the heart of ranching country and back into mountainous territory. Later in the day, a two hour stop at Minter Gardens will feed your body and soothe your senses with a delectable lunch and guided walk through the exquisite gardens before traveling through the lush Fraser Valley to Vancouver. (breakfast & lunch is included today)

Features:

Hotel accommodation including provincial taxes for 9 nights.
(See below for information on accommodation in each grade.)
Sightseeing tour to Victoria (Including entrance to the Butchart Gardens and city tour of Victoria)
Driver-guided day tour between Victoria and Port Hardy.
B.C. Ferry Inside Passage Cruise with reserved seating in private lounge
Return taxi transfer between ferry/rail depot and hotel in Prince Rupert, Prince George & Jasper
Evening wildlife tour
Full day tour between Jasper and Banff
Ice Explorer ride on to Athabasca Glacier
Morning Sightseeing Tour of Banff with Gondola Ride
Winery Tour
Admission to Minter Gardens
National Park Fees
452 page Canada Guide
Rand McNally Canada Map
Hotel Information
Moderate (Popular) Grade
* Victoria - Queen Victoria
(Standard Room)
* Port Hardy - Quarter Deck Inn
(Standard Room)
* Prince Rupert - Coast Prince Rupert
(Standard Room)
* Prince George - Ramada Hotel
(Standard Room)
* Jasper - Lobstick Lodge
(Standard Room)
* Banff - Spruce Grove Inn
(Standard Room)
* Kelowna Hotel (Provided by Brewster)
Superior Grade
* Victoria - Inn at Laurel Point
(Fairmont Room)
* Port Hardy - Quarter Deck Inn
(Standard Room)
* Prince Rupert - Coast Prince Rupert
(Standard Room)
* Prince George - Ramada Hotel
(Standard Room)
* Jasper - Sawridge Inn
(Standard Room)
* Banff - Banff Caribou Lodge
(Standard Room)
* Kelowna Hotel (Provided by Brewster)
Deluxe Grade
* Victoria - Fairmont Empress Hotel
(Fairmont Room)
* Port Hardy - Quarter Deck Inn
(Standard Room)
* Prince Rupert - Coast Prince Rupert
(Standard Room)
* Prince George - Ramada Hotel
(Standard Room)
* Jasper - Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
(Fairmont Room)
* Banff - Fairmont Banff Springs
(Fairmont Room)
* Kelowna Hotel (Provided by Brewster)
Please note: Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Prince George & Kamloops accommodation in all categories is Moderate Grade.