The Rockies, Vancouver & Victoria

Day 1 - Fly UK to Calgary

On arrival at Calgary airport, transfer to your Banff hotel for a 3 night stay

Day 2 - Banff

Day at leisure in Banff

Day 3 - Banff to Lake Louise

Today we take the short transfer from Banff to Lake Louise for an overnight stay at this iconic lakeside resort.

Day 4 - Lake Louise to Jasper

Journey along The Icefields Parkway, Canada’s most scenic mountain roadway. This is the route to over one hundred visible glaciers, turquoise lakes, and rushing waterfalls. The highlight of this tour is the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure on an Ice Explorer, for a “Once in a life time trip” on to the 1000-foot deep Athabasca Glacier. Following lunch (included). Experience Jasper National Park’s newest attraction, the Glacier Skywalk. Step out onto a glass-floored observation platform extending 30 metres out over the Sunwapta Valley for an unobstructed view of the surrounding gla-ciers. Take a stroll around Athabasca Falls before your late afternoon arrival into Jasper.

Highlights: Lake Louise, Icefields Parkway, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Falls, Glacier Adventure and Skywalk admission and hot buffet lunch at Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre.

Glacier Skywalk admission weather dependent.

Day 5 - Jasper

Day at leisure in Jasper

Day 6 - VIA Rail Jasper to Vancouver (overnight)

Spend the morning relaxing in the mountain town of Jasper before boarding VIA Rail Sleeper Touring Class to Vancouver. Travel back in time to the days of classic rail travel. The original stainless steel ‘streamliner’ railcars (made famous by the ‘Canadian’ in the 1950) are totally refurbished with air conditioning, a café car, lounge car, and access for all on board to the dome car. Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the ‘Yellowhead’ route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson, then follow the mighty Thompson River all the way to the Fraser Valley and the coastal city of Vancouver.

Exclusive to Sleeper Touring Class:

By day, sit back in comfortable armchairs and enjoy the stretch out comfort of your very own accommodation. At night, attendants will transform your quarters into cozy bunks or bedroom. Guests have access to the Park Car, always at the tail end of the train, whose tapered shape gives the car its distinctive look. Enjoy complimentary tea and coffee or, in the evening before dinner, complimentary hors d’oeuvres. In the Dome you’ll feel the true essence of travelling by train where scene after memorable scene sweeps by. This evening retire to your Sleeping Car where a comfortable bed awaits you. Some of the amenities include thick towels, plump pillows, cozy down duvets and a shower kit

(dinner is included today).

Day 7 - arrive Vancouver

Arrival in Vancouver at 9.30am. Transfer to your hotel (Included) for a 2 night stay in a 1 bedroomed suite

Day 8 - Vancouver (city tour)

This morning, see the sights of Vancouver -- Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, Robson Street, 1,000 Acre Stanley Park, Totem Poles, Prospect Point and English Bay Beaches, Granville Island, Chinatown and historic Gastown, prestigious Shaughnessy residential area, city centre and Financial District, includes admission to The Lookout Tower.

Afternoon at Leisure.

Day 9 - Vancouver to Victoria (including Butchart Gardens)

Depart Vancouver this morning on a driver guided coach tour to Victoria. Cruise across Georgia Strait through the beautiful Gulf Islands with BC Ferries. Arriving on Vancouver Island, tour to Butchart Gardens (Admission included). A two hour stop allows time to enjoy these magnificent gardens. Tour scenic Ocean Drive, Uplands, Oak Bay, University of Victoria as well as the Victoria City Tour before being taken to your hotel.

Overnight Victoria.

Day 10 - Victoria (Whale watching tour)

This coastal excursion is an exhilarating round trip of 50 to 80 kilometres in search of orcas, minke whales, grey whales, porpoises, harbour seals and other marine wildlife. You will ride aboard a 14-metre ocean cruiser or a custom-built Zodiac boat that offers high speed with extraordinary stability giving you an exhilarating, safe and intimate whale watching experience. Comments by a certified Marine biologist and naturalist are provided. Balance of the day is free to explore Victoria

Overnight Victoria

Day 11 - Victoria to Vancouver

Enjoy a free day to explore Victoria before departing late afternoon to return to Vancouver.

Day 12 - Vancouver

at leisure in Vancouver.

Day 13 - Vancouver to UK

Check out of your Vancouver hotel today and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK Transfer included

Day 14 - Arrive UK