Itinerary Highlights
- Visit the stunning Butchart Gardens in Victoria, Vancouver Island where you can marvel at the beautiful floral displays
- Watch the scenery change from fertile farmland to dramatic gorges and towering mountains on the iconic "The Canadian" rail journey
- Board the Ice Explorer at the Icefields Parkway where you can alight and walk on top of the Athabasca Glacier
- Enjoy a gentle river raft along the Bow River in Banff, taking in the spectacular scenery and you may be lucky enough to spot bears or moose on the river bank
- Best time to travel May - September
What's Included
- Breakfast
- International Flights
9 nights from £8,459 per person
Peter
Travel Specialist
Our 10-day escorted Grand Canadian Rockies tour showcases Canada’s western provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Explore the vibrant city of Vancouver and historic Victoria Harbour. Enjoy aerial views of the Gulf Islands on a floatplane flight over the Strait of Georgia. Board ‘The Canadian’ for an overnight rail journey from Vancouver through the Rockies to Jasper. The tour travels along one of North America’s most scenic drives, the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise passing lakes, waterfalls and breath-taking mountain scenery. Board the Ice Explorer on to Athabasca Glacier where you can take a walk on one of the world’s largest ice masses outside of the Arctic Circle. Wake up to views of Lake Louise from your room at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel and take a gentle rafting trip on Bow River.
Itinerary
Day 1 Vancouver
On your arrival at Vancouver Airport you will be met and transferred to the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver. One of the finest hotels in the city, connected to the CF Pacific Centre shopping mall and just a gentle stroll from the waterfront, the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is the perfect choice for your overnight stay. After check-in you will meet your tour director and fellow travel companions at a welcome reception followed by dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Day 2 Victoria (by Seaplane)
Visit the Bill Reid gallery, one of Canada’s greatest artists whose work include sculptures, screen-printings and jewelry. Tour through the city’s green oasis of Stanley Park and on to Granville Island where you will enjoy lunch at one of the tempting eateries. This afternoon you will board for floatplane for your scenic flight over the Strait of Georgia to Victoria on Vancouver Island. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the harbour front at your leisure. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Pacific
Day 3 Butchart Gardens and Victoria
Explore the historic Butchart Gardens, 55 magnificent acres of blooming show gardens. Formerly a quarry operated by Mr Butchart, after it was exhausted of limestone deposit, his wife decided to make use of the gigantic pit and little by little created a beautiful Sunken Garden. Butchart Gardens has since grown to be one of Victoria’s most popular attractions and includes the Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden and a Mediterranean Garden. Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Ferry to Vancouver – The Canadian Rail Journey
This morning board your ferry and cross the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver and transfer to the train station for your Via-Rail’s ‘The Canadian’ overnight rail journey to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Dinner and a champagne toast will be served on the train.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 Canadian Rail Journey Through the Rockies to Jasper
Wake this morning to spectacular views from your cabin or reserved seat while the train glides through the Rocky Mountains. Pass glaciers, glacier-fed lakes and towering mountain peaks on the journey over the Continental Divide to Jasper in the province of Alberta. Check in to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and join your fellow travellers for a barbecue dinner at the Clubhouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6 A Day Exploring Jasper National Park
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge sits on 700 acres of land and on the shores of Beauvert Lake. Today you are free to enjoy the facilities of the hotel or take an optional tour around Jasper National Park. Nearby there is Maligne Lake where you can take a leisurely cruise to Spirit Island, or more adventurous guests can choose to join a white-water rafting tour on the Athabasca or Sunwapta rivers. This evening you will have dinner at your choice of hotel restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Staying at
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Day 7 Icefields Parkway Adventure
Lake Louise, Alberta
Travel along the Icefields Parkway, one of North America’s most scenic drives, between Jasper and Lake Louise. The road carves its way through the mountains, passing glacier fed lakes, raging waterfalls and glaciers. Look out for elk, deer and bears on the roadside. Stop at Athabasca Glacier, one of the largest ice masses outside of the Arctic Circle. Board a specially adapted vehicle which climbs up on to the glacier, before continuing to Lake Louise.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8 Lake Louise and Banff National Park
The morning is free for you to take advantage of the resort facilities, take a guided hike around the lake or rent a canoe and paddle out on to the lake for fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. This afternoon you will continue to Banff and check-in at the magnificent Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9 Explore Banff and Bow River Valley River Rafting
Starting the day with a gentle rafting trip on the Bow River, taking in the beautiful scenery and maybe spotting some wildlife along the way. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy optional activities such as the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Other activities available from the hotel include golf or horseback riding. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Staying at
Fairmont Banff Springs
Day 10 Calgary - UK
After you have checked out this morning you will be transferred to Calgary for your flight home to the UK, or onward to your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast
Peter
Travel Specialist
Would you like to speak to a North America expert?
Contact our Travel Specialists for a bespoke quote or some first-hand knowledge.
Christmas Eve: 9am - 3pm
New Years Eve: 9am - 3pm
25th Dec, 26th Dec & 1 Jan: CLOSED
Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 4pm
9 nights from £8,459 per person
