13 Day Tour from Vancouver to Vancouver. Starting at $2,459
THE CANADIAN ROCKIES. 13 Day Tour from Vancouver to Vancouver. Starting at $2,459
Friday 20 Apr 18 - Wednesday 02 May 18
Canada’s national parks and scenic drives highlight this wonderful Canadian Rockies tour that overnights in Vancouver, Kelowna, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Sun Peaks, Whistler, and Victoria. You’ll spend time in Banff National Park—Canada’s first national park—with its valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, rivers, and meadows, and Jasper National Park, with its majestic mountains and abundant wildlife. Other Canadian national parks on this tour include Glacier National Park, with its rugged mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls, and Yoho National Park, with its vertical rockwalls, waterfalls, and beautiful peaks.
In addition to national parks, you’ll also visit some of Canada’s most popular resort towns on this Canadian Rockies tour. In the resort city of Kelowna, attractively set on the shores of Lake Okanagan and surrounded by orchards and vineyards, enjoy a winery tour. In the mountain resort of Sun Peaks, you’ll overnight after a beautiful drive that includes passing Mount Robson, the Canadian Rockies’ highest mountain at 12,972 feet. You’ll also overnight and have a full day in Whistler, host of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Here you can hike, explore the village, or take an optional excursion, including flightseeing by floatplane over the lakes and glaciated peaks.
A tour highlight is a stop at the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice in the Canadian Rockies. Here, you’ll ride the Ice Explorer that travels on ice that is 1,200 feet thick. You’ll also travel to the Pacific Coast, where you’ll sail across the Strait of Georgia to Victoria for a sightseeing tour, two overnights, free time to discover some of Victoria’s most popular attractions, and a visit to Butchart Gardens, rated as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.
For the value-minded traveler, this tour exploring the Canadian Rockies is an unforgettable vacation not to be missed!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Sightseeing:
In Vancouver and Victoria; orientation tour in Jasper, Stanley Park, included winery tour, Columbia Icefield (Ice Explorer ride), and Butchart Gardens.
Guides:
Services of a professional Tour Director.
Scenic Highlights:
Lake Okanagan, Okanagan Valley, Glacier National Park, Yoho National Park, Kicking Horse Pass, Banff National Park, Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise, Jasper National Park, Fraser River, Mount Robson, Seton & Duffey Lakes, Whistler, Strait of Georgia, and the Gulf Islands.
The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:
- Banff National Park
- Jasper National Park
- Yoho National Park
Transportation:
Ferry crossing to/from Vancouver Island; private, deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring.
Itinerary
Day 1: ITINERARY
ITINERARY
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
DAY 1 VANCOUVER
Welcome to Vancouver! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
DAY 2 VANCOUVER
This morning, an included city tour highlights STANLEY PARK, Chinatown, the harbor, beaches, and more. The rest of the day is at leisure; your Tour Director can suggest ways to further explore the city. Maybe take a water taxi to Granville Island with outdoor markets, street musicians, and waterfront cafés. Or, visit historic Gastown with its steam-powered clock, antique shops, and art galleries.
DAY 3 VANCOUVER–KELOWNA
Our journey begins in British Columbia’s fertile valleys and continues through rich mountain forests to Lake Okanagan. Travel along the lake to the resort city of Kelowna, attractively set on the lake shore and surrounded by orchards and vineyards. Sample local wines on the included WINERY TOUR.
DAY 4 KELOWNA–GLACIER NATIONAL PARK–YOHO NATIONAL PARK–BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Motor north through the Okanagan Valley, famous for its peaches and vineyards. Climb up 4,379-foot-high Rogers Pass in GLACIER NATIONAL PARK. Take a break at the pass, perfect for photos of the rugged mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Enter YOHO NATIONAL PARK and scale Kicking Horse Pass at 5,421 feet. By early evening, reach BANFF NATIONAL PARK, gateway to the majestic Canadian Rockies.
DAY 5 BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Full day at leisure. Banff is one of Canada’s favorite year-round resorts, and your Tour Director will suggest an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies.
DAY 6 BANFF NATIONAL PARK–LAKE LOUISE–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–JASPER NATIONAL PARK
First, to Lake Louise, its turquoise waters a perfect natural mirror that reflects the mountains and glaciers. Precipitous gorges, snowcapped summits, and lakes of exquisite blues and greens come into view as the motorcoach continues northward into JASPER NATIONAL PARK. A highlight today is a stop at the COLUMBIA ICEFIELD to ride the Ice Explorer that travels on ice that’s 1,200 feet thick. This afternoon, join our optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Enjoy an orientation tour of Jasper town-site upon arrival.
DAY 7 JASPER NATIONAL PARK
Today, join our optional excursion to Maligne Lake and Spirit Island, where you embark on a narrated cruise of the lake. The balance of the day is free to enjoy everything Jasper has to offer—from guided hikes and quaint shops to meandering wildlife.
DAY 8 JASPER NATIONAL PARK–MOUNT ROBSON–SUN PEAKS
Leave Jasper and follow the Fraser River to the base of Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, peaking at 12,972 feet. Continue following the Yellowhead Highway south along the North Thompson River—a route pioneered by fur trappers a century ago. Overnight at the Sun Peaks mountain resort.
DAY 9 SUN PEAKS–LILLOOET–WHISTLER
Head south, following the once treacherous Cariboo Wagon Trail. Via Lillooet, “Mile 0 of the Gold Rush Route,” your motorcoach will follow the shores of Seton and Duffey Lakes with a late-afternoon arrival in Whistler.
DAY 10 WHISTLER
Spend the day in the alpine resort of Whistler, nestled at the base of breathtaking Blackcomb Mountain. Free time to explore many sites from the 2010 Winter Olympics or to join one of the many optional excursions, including flightseeing by floatplane over the lakes and glaciated peaks of Garibaldi Provincial Park.
DAY 11 WHISTLER–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA
Set sail across the Strait of Georgia and through the spectacular Gulf Islands, an archipelago known for its Mediterranean-type climate. Afternoon arrival in Victoria. Sightseeing includes Marine Drive, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park with its unusual collection of totem poles. Then, visit world-famous BUTCHART GARDENS, rated among the most beautiful gardens in the world. Stroll through the colorful Sunken Garden, the Japanese and Italian Gardens, the English Rose Garden, and the magnificent Ross Fountain.
DAY 12 VICTORIA
Today is at leisure to discover some of the attractions this splendid city has to offer, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel, an IMAX presentation at the National Geographic Theatre, whale watching on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and fine shopping along Government Street.
DAY 13 VICTORIA–FERRY CROSSING–VANCOUVER
Early this morning, enjoy a scenic ferry crossing to the mainland, where the trip ends with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers to Vancouver International Airport are included. Please schedule flights after 1:30 pm.
