Vancouver & Western Explorer by Rail and Coach

Enjoy a private, introductory tour of Vancouver (4 - 5hrs) highlighting the main sights of the city. With a private tour, you can set the pace and spend as much or as little time at each of the places of interest. Your driver/guide will delight in sharing their extensive knowledge of area's history, geography and current events. Places of interest on the tour include: B.C. Place, G.M. Place, Science World (Olympic Sites), Gastown - Historical area of Vancouver, Canada Place - Alaska Cruise ship terminal and home of the new convention centre, Stanley Park - The Totem Poles, Vancouver Aquarium (not included - optional) and Prospect Point as well as English Bay/Vancouver Harbour and Granville Island - which includes a stop at artists' studios, craft galleries, and the Granville Island Public Market. From here, the tour continues on to Queen Elizabeth Park before you are brought back to your hotel.

Enjoy a full day (10 hrs) shared tour to Whistler. After being picked up at your hotel, you will head out of the city via Stanley Park and the Lion’s Gate Bridge. Capture the natural splendor of Whistler and its legendary spirit of adventure during this tour. Long regarded as one of the top resorts in North America, whistler boasts spectacular mountains, glaciers, terrific shopping and restaurants and some of the most remarkable skiing, golfing, hiking and mountain-biking on the continent. Traveling to this natural mecca, you`ll enjoy a route as amazing as the destination. The Sea-to-Sky highway boasts breathtaking views and scenic stops that include the wonderful 335m Shannon Falls.

At leisure, spend time exploring this scenic city on your own. Included is admission to the Vancouver Lookout.

Board the transfer from your hotel this morning 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.

An awaiting coach will transfer you from the train station to your hotel for the evening.

With pickup from the hotel, a coach will transfer you to the train station this morning.

Your journey continues north and east to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again you will be surrounded by dramatic scenery as you follow the banks of the North Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains, climbing ever nearer to the high peaks of the Continental Divide. Today’s highlights include Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Pyramid Falls, and the climb over the Yellowhead Pass into Jasper National Park.

Your rail journey ends this evening on arrival in the resort town of Jasper. An awaiting coach will transfer you from the train station to your hotel for the evening.

Jasper National Park is a World Heritage Site and Canada’s largest National Park. Today you will enjoy a short scenic tour including the many natural attractions, rugged peaks, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of some of the many creatures that call this mountain park home. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore more of Jasper independently. Overnight in Jasper.

Travel to Lake Louise via one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. A stop will be made at Athabasca Falls before arriving at the Columbia Icefield. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out some interesting geological features. Time will be available for lunch (not included). Afterwards, a brief stop will be made at Bow Lake before arriving in Lake Louise this afternoon.

The remainder of your day is free to spend at leisure.

This morning you are free to explore beautiful Lake Louise on your own.

In the early afternoon, a half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to Banff. Overnight in Banff.

Please note: While departure from The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will be approximately 2:00 p.m., scheduled checkout time is normally 12:00 p.m. Your luggage will be stored upon checkout and you are free to enjoy the amenities of the hotel before the tour departs.

Today you will enjoy a full-day tour concluding in Calgary. Begin the morning with a pickup at your hotel for a sightseeing tour of Banff. Among the points of interest are Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Banff Gondola included. Continue on to Kananaskis for the highlight of today’s adventure, a 12-minute Summit Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies. Overnight in Calgary.

Includes airport transfer with luxury vehicle and professional driver.