Post-Program Tour 26 April – 1 May, 2015
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Post-Program Tour 26 April – 1 May, 2015 Prepared by: Cantrav Travel Christine Waschhofer [email protected] Selene Solis [email protected] Day 1 – Sunday April 26 * Depart Vancouver harbour by Seaplane for an exciting flight over the Gulf islands and into downtown Victoria’s Inner Harbour. 9:20am float plane from the Vancouver harbour to Victoria Arriving Victoria at approximately 9:55am 10:30 Check in at Prince of Whales 11:00 am Victoria Whale watching tour. Duration 3 hrs. approx. Get ready for the Adventure of a Lifetime! Whether you are a first time whale watcher or a seasoned veteran, we guarantee that you will have a blast! Prince of Whales fleet of open-air, purpose built, zodiac-style vessels are Victoria’s largest and safest. Equipped with bright yellow inflatable collars, this stable design cushions your ride and guarantees maximum buoyancy even if the sea conditions are rough. With aerodynamic aluminum hulls and reliable twin two-hundred horsepower Mercury engines, our vessels are able to cover over one hundred miles in one trip. This maximizes the distance you can travel on your tour and the amount of time you are ultimately able to spend viewing whales and other marine wildlife. Your tour will last a minimum of three hours and will include various stops at different points of interest within the protected waters of Haro Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. While on scene with whales and other marine wildlife, the vessel will be positioned parallel to the animals allowing for excellent photo opportunities. All the while, you will be fully entertained and educated by the industry’s best and brightest marine adventure guides. All of our guests are required to wear a Mustang Survival flotation suit for their entire Zodiac Adventure. These suits are designed to protect from cold weather and use closed-cell foam to offer flotation in the event of an emergency. Afternoon at Leisure In Victoria, you will discover a very walkable city with small funky boutiques, cafes and restaurants, beautiful galleries, museums and the oldest Chinatown in Canada. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Victoria is made for strolling, with downtown hotels, restaurants, shops and parks within close proximity to each other. Our vibrant and eclectic arts and culture community includes world famous museums, performing arts, festivals, local authors, artisans and performers. Foodies will be drawn to the region's dynamic culinary scene, vast array of dining choices, locally-sourced food, craft beer producers, and more. Overnight Victoria at the Laurel Point hotel (or similar) Day 2 – Monday April 27 This morning visit to the Butchart Gardens. Enjoy a pleasurable trip through the scenic countryside of the Saanich Peninsula with its many fruit and vegetable farms and back roads Butchart Gardens The Butchart Gardens is one of the world’s premier floral show gardens. Jennie Butchart began to shape this magnificent landscape in 1904. She established, in the style of the grand estates of the period, several distinct gardens to evoke a range of aesthetic experiences. An abandoned limestone quarry was transformed into the dramatic Sunken Garden, a reflection of the early 20th-century beautification movement and an exceptional achievement in Canadian gardening history. Through successive generations of the Butchart family, The Gardens has retained much of its original design, and continues the Victorian tradition of seasonally changing the outstanding floral displays. Afternoon float plane ride back to Vancouver . Return by seaplane to Vancouver flying over the Gulf Islands and directly into downtown Vancouver bustling Coal Harbour. Float Plane departs every 20 minutes, last departure 18:00pm Overnight Vancouver at the Fairmont Waterfront hotel Day 3 – Tuesday April 28 Early morning Hotel pick up. 7:00am Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Kamloops. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Overnight in Kamloops at a moderate class hotel Rocky Mountaineer, GoldLeaf service • Two days onboard the Rocky Mountaineer with assigned seating in a bi-level dome coach • Hot breakfasts and lunches served in the GoldLeaf Dining Room • Complimentary snacks and beverages • A toast to start the rail journey • One night moderate accommodation in Kamloops or Quesnel • Service and storytelling-style commentary by our knowledgeable and friendly Rocky Mountaineer Hosts • Motor coach transfers between the train station and accommodation in Kamloops or Quesnel • Luggage delivered to hotel room in Kamloops or Quesnel • Rocky Mountaineer Information Package • Commemorative Rocky Mountaineer pin As a GoldLeaf Service guest you will have your luggage delivered to your hotel room in Kamloops or Quesnel. Please be sure to carry any medication with you, as you will not have access to your luggage during the day. Day 4 – Wednesday April 29 7:00 Am. Your journey continues eastwards to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Highlights include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, Rogers Pass, the Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Your rail journey ends on arrival in the resort town of Banff. Banff Experience the authentic and vibrant community, modern amenities and beautiful surroundings of the Town of Banff. Nestled high in the Canadian Rockies, Banff is a town that makes you feel at home and exhilarated with wonder all at the same time.There is no other place in the world where you can find a vibrant community of artists, athletes, families, outdoor enthusiasts, restaurateurs and hoteliers nestled in a 6,641km2 national park. This is a town that truly celebrates its heritage, lives and breathes mountain culture and never takes its backyard for granted. Overnight at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Day 5 – Thursday April 30 Scenic tour and transfer from Banff to Lake Louise Some of the incredible sights you will come across include the unforgettable Lake Louise, Victoria Glacier, Moraine Lake and the magnificent Takakkaw Falls, all surrounded by soaring mountain peaks. Lake Louise is one of the most photographed scenes in the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Famous for its stunning turquoise lake, and beautiful chateau, the town is surrounded by some of the best hikes in Banff National Park and has a world class ski hill on the doorstep. As a visitor to Lake Louise you really do feel closer to nature. Overnight at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel Day 6 – Friday May 1 Motor coach transfer from Lake Louise to the Calgary airport. Flight from Calgary to Vancouver End of tour *Note: Victoria trip Option for Days 1 & 2 • Day 1 Travel by scenic ferry from Vancouver to Victoria and visit to the Butchart gardens • Day 2 Morning Whale watching and afternoon return by Float plane Travel information VANCOUVER Harbour air float plane terminal is located at the Vancouver Harbour flight centre, 5 minute walk from the Fairmont Waterfront hotel, next to the Vancouver Convention Centre. Transfers are not included The luggage allowance on the float planes is 25lbs (11.5kg) Stated luggage allowance includes both checked and carry-on luggage. Additional luggage (including sports equipment, strollers and pet carriers) may be accommodated on a stand-by basis on the next available flight, subject to weight availability. If you think you will be travelling with more luggage than allotted, please contact the Reservation Department at 1-800-665-0212 for additional options. Extra bags? No problem! If you are travelling with more than your allotted allowance, we will be happy to transport your bags on a standby basis at no extra cost to you. We do however ask that bags weigh no more than 50lbs (per piece) where possible. Should you find that you did a little extra shopping or have that extra gift which puts the weight above the limit, we do have excess luggage bags available for purchase. Carryon items: Please note that some of our aircraft do not permit any carryon items. Due to the size of the aircraft all items including purses and briefcases will be placed in the baggage compartment for the duration of the flight. Luggage should not exceed the following dimensions: Single Otter Width 18’’ / Length 48’’/ Height 54’’ Beaver Width 15’’ / Length 24’’/ Height 15’’ CANADIAN ROCKIES Rocky Mountaineer, as part of your Rail package, all transfers between Hotels and train stations are included in Vancouver, Kamloops and Banff. Please be ready at your hotel lobby 15 minutes prior to pick up time. Time to be advised on you final documents. Day 5-Sightseeing transfer from Banff to Lake Louise is approximately 3 hours Pick up: 09:20 Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Drop off: 12:50 Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Experience Yoho National Park where you will visit Emerald Lake and the Spiral Tunnels. Your tour concludes in Lake Louise. Note: Hotel check-in time is 16:00. Should your room not be ready when you arrive, hotel reception will gladly store your luggage. In the meantime, you are free to enjoy the hotel facilities . Day 6-Transfer from Lake Louise to Calgary is approximately 2 hours, hotel pick up time to be confirmed according to your flight back to Vancouver Flight from Calgary to Vancouver is approximately 1 ½ hours. Flights available almost every hour until 10pm VICTORIA Harbour Air float plane terminal Prince of Whales whale watching is located in the Inner Harbour Centre on Wharf Street, 5 minute walk to the Fairmont Empress Hotel or a short drive (15minutes walk) to the Inn at Laurel Point Hotel. Transfers are not included Harbour Air offers a complimentary shuttle service to Victoria downtown hotels based on availability Prince of Whales , whale watching Tour Company is also located in the Victoria Wharf, next to the harbour Air terminal, walking distance to most of the main attractions in Victoria Victoria Float Plane departs back to Vancouver every 20 minutes, last departure is at 18:00pm All guests are required to wear a Mustang Survival flotation suit for their entire Zodiac Adventure.