First Passage to the West Discovery Drive
7 Days
from
$3,057 pp*
Highlights:
British Columbia
(Vancouver)
,
Alberta
(Banff, Lake Louise)
Trip Start/End:
Vancouver
/
Calgary
Trip Schedule:
Departs on
From 01-Apr-2013 to 01-Oct-2013
Discover Vancouver highlights before you board the world famous Rocky Mountaineer train journey. Uncover Western Canada one kilometre at a time on a captivating rail and car journey. Find out why Lake Louise is called Canada’s “Diamond in the Wilderness”, while you experience the natural wonders of Canada’s West. Enjoy overnight stays in the charming resort towns of Banff and Jasper. Spend two full days onboard the renowned Rocky Mountaineer train, then spend three days in a full-size car rental, navigating the beautiful mountainous landscapes between destinations with a GyPSy Guide GPS unit that plays entertaining commentary as you approach interesting places.
Trip Itinerary
Vancouver
Georgian Court Hotel
Day 1: Vancouver
Enjoy a private transfer in a luxury vehicle with professional driver.
Accommodation: Georgian Court Hotel (4*) The Georgian court Hotel is amongst the very best downtown Vancouver accommodations. This boutique hotel has been recently renovated and offers 180 spacious guest rooms and executive suites. A hotel where the extras aren’t extra, all guest rooms include complimentary high speed Internet access, daily bottled water, and Aveda bath products.
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Stanley Park Totem Poles
Georgian Court Hotel
Day 2: Vancouver
Discover the highlights of Vancouver, a city of mountains, seascapes, forests and unique architecture, including the soaring cedars of Stanley Park, exotic Chinatown and historic Gastown. You can choose to start your tour in Stanley Park, which covers 1,000 acres, of which 800 acres are forested. Stop at the totem pole collection before you continue past Brockton Point Lighthouse to Prospect Place for a glimpse of the North Shore Mountains, West Vancouver and the Lion’s Gate Bridge. Meandering through the park toward English Bay, you will travel though downtown Vancouver to historic Gastown, the city’s oldest neighbourhood. On your way out of the downtown area, you will pass through the second largest Chinatown in North America. With your private driver and professional tour guide, you can customize your tour to your interests. Take your time and see the sights that interest you, and find some hidden gems!
Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
Accommodation: Georgian Court Hotel (4*) (Standard) The Georgian court Hotel is amongst the very best downtown Vancouver accommodations. This boutique hotel has been recently renovated and offers 180 spacious guest rooms and executive suites. A hotel where the extras aren’t extra, all guest rooms include complimentary high speed Internet access, daily bottled water, and Aveda bath products.
Day 3: Vancouver - Kamloops
Join your transportation at the hotel this morning for a transfer to the train station.
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. On today’s journey you will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to the desert-like environment of the BC Interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake into Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops.
Join your transportation at the train station for a transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation: Kamloops Hotel Overnight in comfortable accommodations in Kamloops. Exact hotel will be advised prior to embarking the train.
Banff
Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa
Day 4: Kamloops - Banff
Join your transportation at the hotel this morning for a transfer to the train station.
Your journey continues eastwards to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again you will see a spectacular array of scenery as you travel across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Canadian Rockies. Today’s highlights include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, the Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and, of course, the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies.
On arrival in Banff collect your rental car, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Overnight in Banff.
Accommodation: Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa With chalet accents, the cabin-style Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa is located in the Canadian Rockies, at Banff National Park, and approximately 90 miles from Calgary International Airport. This location is also a 10-minute walk from the town center, three miles from the Upper Hot Springs and Sulpher Mountain Gondola, and four miles from ski lifts. The property's amenities include the individual ski lockers, wax and tuning room, convenience store, Keg Steakhouse and Bar, and fieldstone fireplace in the lobby. The full-service Red Earth Spa offers massages, Vichy treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facial treatments, a jetted hot pool, steam room, and separate workout room.
Lake Louise
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Day 5: Banff - Lake Louise
Retrace your route south to Lake Louise via the spectacular Icefields Parkway. Allow time to visit highlights along the way you may have missed traveling north, including Athabasca Falls, Bow Summit, Peyto Lake and Crowfoot Glacier. With sightseeing stops, it is recommended that you allow at least eight hours for today’s drive. Overnight in Lake Louise.
Accommodation: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the only property located right on the lake itself in the heart of Banff National Park. It is one of Canada's most recognized hotels that have all the lodging and amenities to fulfill your every desire. Satisfy your culinary cravings with their exquisite selection of dining rooms. Pamper both body and soul with a facial, massage, manicure or pedicure in their newly renovated spa. Keep in shape on their trails and ski slopes or in their fully equipped Health Club. Take advantage of all that this treasured Alberta destination has to offer.
Through the Mountains
International Hotel Suites
Day 6: Lake Louise - Calgary
Travel through awesome Kananaskis Country, a large parks and recreation area segmented naturally by rivers and valleys, and then through the ranching regions of Alberta before arriving in Calgary.
Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
Accommodation: International Hotel Suites (3.5*) (Standard) International Hotel Suites Calgary is an urban escape for business and leisure travelers. Casual style meets modern convenience at the International with simple, yet elegant décor that inspires relaxation and rejuvenation. Located at the hub of Calgary’s vibrant downtown core, the International features 248 suites, a stylish lounge bar, dining cafe, offsite catering, swimming pool and conference facilities for up to 120 people – all conveniently close to the award-winning Plus 15 indoor pedestrian walkway.
Day 7: Calgary
Drop off your rental car in downtown Calgary or at Calgary International Airport, where your self-drive vacation ends.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
- Georgian Court Hotel
Georgian Court Hotel (4*) - Vancouver
The Georgian court Hotel is amongst the very best downtown Vancouver accommodations. This boutique hotel has been recently renovated and offers 180 spacious guest rooms and executive suites. A hotel where the extras aren’t extra, all guest rooms include complimentary high speed Internet access, daily bottled water, and Aveda bath products.
- Georgian Court Hotel
Georgian Court Hotel (4*) (Standard)
The Georgian court Hotel is amongst the very best downtown Vancouver accommodations. This boutique hotel has been recently renovated and offers 180 spacious guest rooms and executive suites. A hotel where the extras aren’t extra, all guest rooms include complimentary high speed Internet access, daily bottled water, and Aveda bath products.
Kamloops Hotel
Overnight in comfortable accommodations in Kamloops. Exact hotel will be advised prior to embarking the train.
Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa
With chalet accents, the cabin-style Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa is located in the Canadian Rockies, at Banff National Park, and approximately 90 miles from Calgary International Airport. This location is also a 10-minute walk from the town center, three miles from the Upper Hot Springs and Sulpher Mountain Gondola, and four miles from ski lifts. The property's amenities include the individual ski lockers, wax and tuning room, convenience store, Keg Steakhouse and Bar, and fieldstone fireplace in the lobby. The full-service Red Earth Spa offers massages, Vichy treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facial treatments, a jetted hot pool, steam room, and separate workout room.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the only property located right on the lake itself in the heart of Banff National Park. It is one of Canada's most recognized hotels that have all the lodging and amenities to fulfill your every desire. Satisfy your culinary cravings with their exquisite selection of dining rooms. Pamper both body and soul with a facial, massage, manicure or pedicure in their newly renovated spa. Keep in shape on their trails and ski slopes or in their fully equipped Health Club. Take advantage of all that this treasured Alberta destination has to offer.
- International Hotel Suites
International Hotel Suites (3.5*) (Standard)
International Hotel Suites Calgary is an urban escape for business and leisure travelers. Casual style meets modern convenience at the International with simple, yet elegant décor that inspires relaxation and rejuvenation. Located at the hub of Calgary’s vibrant downtown core, the International features 248 suites, a stylish lounge bar, dining cafe, offsite catering, swimming pool and conference facilities for up to 120 people – all conveniently close to the award-winning Plus 15 indoor pedestrian walkway.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $500). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 91 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $500 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 61-90 days will be subject to loss of 60% of program price. 31-60 days will be subject to loss of 85% of program price. 30 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.*Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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