Canada Western Wonders & Rockies

Day 1: Calgary Arrival
Upon arrival into Calgary airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel for the night. Overnight: Fairmont Palliser Hotel (Deluxe Fairmont Room)

Day 2: Calgary to Banff
This morning your personal driver guide will meet you at the hotel for a scenic drive through the foothills of the Rockies to the resort town of Banff. Along the way a stop will be made for your scheduled helicopter flightseeing trip over the Canadian Rockies. Featuring Barrier Lake, Nakiska (site of the 1988 Winter Olympic Downhill) and Skogan Pass, this tour offers fabulous views of the Kananaskis Valley, Canmore and some major peaks of the Canadian Rockies, all accompanied by fascinating commentary. Upon arrival in Banff (early afternoon) you will be taken to your hotel, the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore. Overnight: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Day 3: Banff
This morning’s excursion tours through the town of Banff and its environs. Ascend Tunnel Mountain Drive to view Bow Falls and the hoodoos, followed by a visit to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. Later, take a ride (included) on a gondola car to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Enjoy a 360º panorama of a sea of mountain ranges, valleys, lakes and a bird’s eye view of the Banff town site, 770 metres (2526 feet) below.​ Overnight: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Day 4: Banff to Lake Louise
This morning meet your personal driver guide for a journey along the Bow Valley Parkway to beautiful Johnston Canyon, following a winding path along the base of the Bow Valley while crossing the Continental Divide and enter Yoho National Park. Visit the scenic Yoho Valley and see such sights as Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Pass and the Natural Rock Bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. This afternoon visit Moraine Lake, with the Valley of the Ten Peaks reflecting off its turquoise waters. Continue to Lake Louise, the “Jewel of the Rockies”, with its backdrop of the glistening Victoria Glacier for your overnight stay. Overnight: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Deluxe Room)

Day 5: Lake Louise to Jasper
Today’s journey travels north along the famous Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular highways in North America. This excursion to Jasper today tours through Banff and Jasper National Parks with a stop at the Columbia Icefield allowing time for Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure. Travel onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier in a specially designed Brewster Ice Explorer with stops in the middle of the glacier while the driver/ guide explains how glaciers are formed and points out interesting geological features (Ice Explorer included). The ice is 365 metres (1,200 feet) thick – about the height of the Empire State Building. At the icefall below the glacial headwall, take the option of stepping out onto the ice formed from snow that fell 400 years ago. After this unique ice adventure, time is allowed at the Columbia Icefield Centre, to relax over lunch (not included) and visit the new and expanded Parks Canada Interpretive Centre. Leaving the Athabasca Glacier, your camera should be ready to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls, prior to your arrival into Jasper. Overnight: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Day 6: Jasper
Experience Jasper National Park through the travels of the early explorers and view the unspoiled grandeur! This morning’s excursion will begin along the mighty Athabasca Canadian Heritage River, learning about David Thompson and the valley ecosystem. Travel above Maligne Canyon, with its narrow gorge and limestone walls created by 10,000 years of water flow. Visit a place of mystery and Indian legend en-route to Medicine Lake, where sometimes it actually disappears! On your adventure, you are sure to see a variety of mountain wildlife. Overnight: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Day 7: Jasper to Kamloops
This morning your driver guide will transfer you to the rail station to board the Rocky Mountaineer (SilverLeaf Service) for a scenic rail journey to Kamloops located in the interior of British Columbia. Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the ‘Yellowhead’ route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson ‘the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies’ and follow the mighty Thompson River, the route of early fur traders, before arriving in Kamloops. B, L. Overnight: Kamloops

Day 8: Kamloops to Vancouver
Leaving Kamloops follow the Thompson River through Ashcroft, one of Canada’s driest towns, with an average rainfall of just 18 centimetres. Pass through Rainbow Canyon named for its cliffs striped with pinks, greens and greys creating a stunning rainbow effect. Continue onto the Fraser Canyon, where at Hells Gate watch water torrent past the canyon walls at its narrowest point. The last leg of the journey takes you through the fertile farming region of the Fraser Valley to arrive in the Pacific port of Vancouver late afternoon. Upon arrival your driver will meet you for your private transfer to your hotel. B, L. Overnight: Fairmont Waterfront (Deluxe Harbour View Room)

Day 9: Vancouver
Today, experience Granville Island with Edible Canada. You will have a private transfer to Granville Island where you will join this 2 hour guided tour of Granville Island Public Market. This market houses an array of vendors including green grocers, butchers, bakers, fishmongers, importers, ethnic food sellers, sweet stands and casual eateries as well as a wine shop. The rest of the day is yours to explore Vancouver. Overnight: Fairmont Waterfront (Deluxe Harbour View Room)

Day 10: Vancouver
The day is yours to discover the coastal city of Vancouver. Explore the city highlights with your driver guide and then travel into the local mountains, visit Vancouver’s original tourist attraction – the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Spend time exploring our temperate rainforest and learn all about Salmon at the Fish Hatchery. Your tour continues its climb up Grouse Mountain where you’ll take the Skyride to the Peak of Vancouver with breath-taking views over the Lower Mainland and Coast Mountain Range. After time well spent in Vancouver’s back yard, your guide will drive you back to downtown and your hotel. Overnight: Fairmont Waterfront (Deluxe Harbour View Room)

Day 11: Vancouver Departure
Your vacation ends today with a private transfer to Vancouver International Airport.