Description:
Western Canada vacation, rail and Rockies
Price
£5,950 (US $8,033) excluding flights
More info
Accommodations can be tailored to individual budgets: everything we offer is tailor made, and this itinerary is a sample to provide an idea of what is possible … please contact us so that we can tailor the perfect vacation for you.
Description of Western Canada vacation, rail and Rockies
A great combination of self drive and a classic rail journey, this itinerary explores Vancouver Island, Whistler and Vancouver, before the fabulous two-day journey to Jasper at the top end of the Rockies. Pick up a second hire vehicle and explore the magnificent Icefields Parkway – arguably one of the most scenic drives in Canada. Explore the mountain towns of Jasper and Banff before flying home from Calgary.
Accommodations can be tailored to individual budgets: everything we offer is tailor made, and this itinerary is a sample to provide an idea of what is possible … we can amend it in terms of routing, duration, and direction … please contact us so that we can tailor the perfect vacation for you.
Trip Highlights
• White water rafting; horse riding, mountain biking in the Rockies
• Relax in Banff’s Hot Springs
• Relax on the beach, and lunch at a bistro in the vineyard-filled Okanangan Valley
• Take a 4WD tour to spot black bears
• Zip line over Fitzsimmons Creek in Whistler
• Take a Whale Watching trip off Vancouver
• Cycle Stanley Park and cross the Suspension bridge in Vancouver
Photo credits: Rocky Mountaineer, Johan Lolos, Tourism Alberta, Noel Hendrickson,. Destination BC/Tanya Goehring, Destination Canada, Destination BC/Jordan Dyck, Destination BC/Reuben Krabbe
Itinerary
Day 1:
ARRIVAL IN CALGARY Arrive at Calgary International Airport and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Depending on your arrival time, perhaps take a trip up the Calgary Tower for 360 degree views of the city. This evening, visit one of Calgary’s legendary restaurants such as Caesar's Steak House & Lounge or Vintage Chophouse and Tavern.
Day 2:
CALGARY TO BANFF (127 KM) Drive time approx. 1 hour 45 mins. Collect your hire car and start your adventure! Banff National Park encompasses valleys, rugged mountains, enormous glaciers, deep forests, alpine meadows and glassy turquoise lakes. Through it wander wildlife such as bears, elks, wolves and bighorn sheep. The bustling town of Banff is a base for a multitude of outdoor activities. This afternoon, take to horseback for a trial ride, or take the gondola up Sulphur Mountain for hiking trails and viewing points. The high street offers a range of restaurants, including gastro pub, vegetarian bistros, upmarket burger bar … don’t miss the cheesecake and torte at Wild Flour.
Day 3:
BANFF NATIONAL PARK Activities abound: enjoy a fantastic whitewater rafting experience – choose from exciting grade 3-4 rapids or gentler grade 2-3; bathe in the Upper Hot Springs; rent a canoe or bike on the Vermillion Lakes – a great place for wildlife spotting, or hike the Bow River Falls & Hoodoos Trail.
Day 4:
BANFF TO JASPER (288 KM) Drive time 3.5 hours. Drive the spectacular Icefields Parkway: photo opportunities at viewpoints of brilliantly coloured glacial lakes, gushing waterfalls, snow-topped mountains and wildlife. Ideas for stops include Lake Louise for gondola ride, canoeing or a hike, the spectacular teal waters of Moraine Lake, Herbert Lake, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake; Glacier Skywalk, the Sunwapta Falls with gorgeous mountain backdrop, and mind blowing Athabasca canyon Falls … arrive here at the end of the day and you could be treated to a sunset alpen glow on the mountain backdrop. Keep eyes peeled for mountain goats, elk, black and grizzly bears.
Day 5:
JASPER NATIONAL PARK Take a drive to Maligne Lake for a cruise on the turquoise waters with stunning views of the mountains, take a short hike from Maligne Canyon, bathe in Miette Hot Springs, walk around Horseshoe Lake, ride the Jasper Skytram for more breathless scenery. Whitewater rafting can be experienced on the Maligne, Sunwapta and Athabasca Rivers. This evening, choose from wood-burning-stove pizzas, Bistros serving barbeque ribs or vegetarian bistros. Don’t miss Other Paw Bakery for pastries, muffins, soups, wraps and coffee. Quirky Excursion: take a scenic float trip on the Athabasca River: easy rapids and calm stretches of water on an oar-powered raft, you keep an eye out for elk, mountain sheep, deer – and possibly bears and coyotes on the riverbank. Or Explore the area with a Metis Guide: see wildlife through the eyes of your Indigenous Guide and hear stories about how nature runs in the blood of the people who have lived here since the 19th century.
Day 6:
Rocky Mountaineer: JASPER TO KAMLOOPS Board the famous Rocky Mountaineer this morning, traveling through the Yellowhead Pass and along the fertile route of the North Thompson River to Kamloops. As you leave the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Rockies behind, you travel through the Spiral Tunnerls, Kicking Horse Canyon and over Roger’s Pass – all spectacular scenery as you pass over high mountain passes, through remarkable tunnels, along rocky lakeshores and across ranch lands. Try the Noble Pig – a buzzy brewpub with an outdoor patio and food. Quirky Excursion: En route to Kamloops, stop for a 1 hour wildlife viewing river safari. Start the exploration on a 40 ft catamaran ride to a magical waterfall, where a jet boat awaits. Skim through glacier fed rivers, only inches deep, on this unique rainforest valley adventure.
Day 7:
Rocky Mountaineer – KAMLOOPS TO VANCOUVER Today’s train journey takes you alon ghte shores of Kamloops Lake, through the desert-like BC interior, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, through the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley towards Vancouver. Later, explore downtown Vancouver: people-watch at a pavement café or visit the Aquarium or excellent science center, take the Stanley Park train or relax at English Bay beach.
Day 8:
VANCOUVER Hire bikes and cycle or walk through Stanley Park and the Sea Wall. Visit Granville Island: a vibrant dining, shopping and entertainment district full of artisans creating unique gifts; a market where you can sample a host of interesting foods, and aspiring musicians perfecting their craft. Soak up the atmosphere in Chinatown with its quirky shops and markets, or take a guided walk around historic Gastown. Vancouver is a foodie’s delight; evident from the mouth-watering lines at food trucks and the enticing aromas wafting from kitchens on nearly every block. Try the fresh pasta at Ask for Luigi in Gastown, the organic burgers at Templeton in Downtown- or try one of the many popular food trucks Quirky Excursion: for an insight into the indigenous culture, take a cultural kayak expedition from North Vancouver. You will paddle in a First Nations canoe around Burrard Inlet, sing traditional coast Salish songs and spot centuries-old pictographs on the surrounding cliffs. Quirky Tour: Take the Mail Run Scenic Flight. Fly over rainforest clad islands to land at the main village on Salt Spring Island, where you can browse shops and coffee outlets. Scenic views of the stunning coastline make this a special experience.
Day 9:
VANCOUVER TO WHISTLER (120KM 1.5 hours) Perhaps explore the Audain Art Museum, with its historic First Nations carvings, take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for panoramic views of forest-snow-and-peak vistas and then take one of the hiking trails through pristine meadows for stunning views of bule-green lakes. This afternoon, perhaps rent a canoe at twilight, when the river comes alive with birds and animals … look out for black bears, otters, beavers, raccoons, eagles and osprey, and marvel at the golden glow of the sunset against the snow capped mountain peaks. In the evening, dine on tapas, French bistro dishes, tacos – and don’t miss Purebread for their salted caramel bars and gooey shortbread cookie bars.
Day 10:
WHISTLER Take a 4WD Tour along mountain tracks to look for black bears, take a thrilling half day white water rafting trip; the Peak 2 Peak Gondola will whisk you up to dizzy heights for spectacular views, do the exhilarating Whistler zip lining experience: high over Fitzsimmons Creek, amongst rainforest by the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking opportunities abound.
Day 11:
WHISTLER TO TOFINO (275 KM, land only) Drive time: 1.5 hours to ferry terminal, Ferry: 1.5 hours: Nanaimo to Tofino: 3 hours Your drive on Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim Highway is true wildlife territory: you may see bears, deer or wolves. Stop en route at Beaches Shopping Centre, home to dozens of little wood-built businesses: try the salted caramel ice cream at Chocolate Tofino, or have a late lunch at Tacofino.
Days 12&13
12 & 13: TOFINO Paddle the waters in a canoe, try SUP; take a boat trip watching for bears on the shoreline with a First Nations guide … at low tide, the bears wander down to the shoreline to forage for shell fish – crabs, clams and barnacles – and so can be observed from a safe distance on the water. Take a whale watching trip: pods of orca are commonly sighted, as well as gray and humpback whales … an expert guide will help spot other marine wildlife such as porpoises, sea lions, seals, and an array of seabirds. For food, don’t miss the seafood bounty at Schooner, a Tofino dining fixture. Quirky Excursion: take a full day coastal exploration tour by boat, watching out for marine wildlife along the way, to Hot Springs Cove, where a 2km walk will take you to natural sulphur springs. Soak up the hot water as water tumbles down rocks into the pools.
Day 14:
TOFINO TO VICTORIA (317KM; 4.5 HOURS) Stroll along the pretty harbourfront, explore bohemia shops, coffee bars and restaurants, or take the hop on- hop off bus to the main sights. Quirky Excursion: Follow a guide on a foodie tour, taking in landmarks and historic buildings, and stopping for food tastings of craft beer, chocolate, tea, tapas, cheese, bread, olive oil and other local products. Many small businesses visited are normally only frequented by locals.
Day 15:
VICTORIA & RETURN FLIGHT Spend a final morning at the harbourfront or gift shopping before catching your flight home from Vancouver International Airport.
Price information
£5,950 (US $8,033)excluding flights
Accommodations can be tailored to individual budgets: everything we offer is tailor made, and this itinerary is a sample to provide an idea of what is possible … please contact us so that we can tailor the perfect vacation for you.
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Contact Information
Price:
$5950
Categories:
International Tours
Phone:
8668216866
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Email:
rosy@responsibletravel.com