10 Day Best of the Canadian Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer
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Tour Code BRRM 10 Day Best of the Canadian Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer 10 days Created on: 26 Sep, 2021 Day 1: Calgary, AB Welcome to Calgary, the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta. While you are here to experience the bucket list adventure experience of travelling through the breath-taking Canadian Rockies, take some time to explore the award-winning architectural masterpiece of Calgary?s Public Library, walk along the scenic Bow Valley River pathways or experience the buzz of downtown Stephen Avenue with its stores and restaurants. Our Tour Leader will join you for an evening pre tour briefing and you will meet your fellow travellers. Calgary?s dining scene is incredibly diverse and absolutely the best in western Canada. Overnight: Calgary Included Meal(s): Dinner Day 2: Calgary - Banff, AB This morning we drive through the heart of the city and see some of the highlights including the Calgary Tower, the Stampede Park and Princess Park area of the riverfront before we make our way past Olympic Park and then through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. We will drive through the scenic town of Canmore and then to Banff, at the centre of Canada?s very first National Park. After checking into our hotel, there will be some free time to browse through Banff village centre before dinner with our travel companions. Nestled high in the Canadian Rockies, the town of Banff is located within the Banff National Park. Once ?Siding 29? on the Canadian Pacific Railway, the town of Banff was intended to be a tourist town from its very inception. The park?s first superintendent, George Stewart, even oriented the town?s first street so that it offered the best possible view of Cascade Mountain. With easy access to pristine wilderness, outdoor adventures, jaw-dropping landscape, and a vibrant history, there are many places to visit in Banff and Lake Louise. Overnight: Banff Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner Day 3: Banff, AB The town of Banff is a spirited place and in every direction you are surrounded by strikingly beautiful and rugged mountains that seem to burst straight out of the ground. The town site of Banff covers almost 4 km2 and is at an elevation of 1,383 meters (4,537 feet), making it the highest town in Canada. Banff is flanked on all sides by towering mountains, including Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay, and Cascade Mountain. You may see a herd of elk wandering down the main street during your early morning walk. The lively streets of downtown are lined with top-class restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as a vibrant range of art galleries and museums. We will explore Banff on a sightseeing tour with stops at Cascade Gardens and beautiful Bow Falls, then ride the gondola up Sulphur Mountain for an unparalleled view of the mountains and valley below. Also included is time at Cave & Basin National Historic Site, which tells the story of the hot springs that drew visitors to Banff and led to the creation of the National Park. Overnight: Banff Included Meal(s): Breakfast Canada/USA 1-866-814-7378 Page 1/3 Day 4: Banff - Lake Louise, AB This morning we drive along the famous Bow Valley Parkway, where wildlife sightings of caribou, elk, and occasionally, bears, are common so keep your cameras handy. We stop at Johnston Canyon for a walk through the deep rugged canyon with several waterfalls and then cross the Continental Divide to the western slopes of the Rocky Mountain range into Yoho National Park in British Columbia. The awe-inspiring Emerald Lake, filled with glacial run-off water that makes it glisten with the blue-green hue of an emerald is also one of our stops today. We drive back into Alberta and our final destination of Lake Louise, a jewel of the Rockies surrounded by glistening glaciers and towering snow-capped mountain peaks. You may have seen photos of the lake but you will not be prepared for the experience of rounding the corner, getting the first sight of the emerald green waters, and the rugged peaks as a backdrop. Late in the day, with the glowing sun dropping behind Mount Victoria, you have likely never seen anything so dramatically beautiful. Overnight: Lake Louise Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner Day 5: Lake Louise - Jasper, AB Travelling through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, we drive along the famous Icefields Parkway which has been voted one of the most spectacular drives in the world. You will see for yourself why this mountain road that boasts a unique landscape rich in history and natural beauty second to none is so famous. A short distance later at The Crossing, one of a few stops along this spectacular highway, we take a short detour to the shores of Abraham Lake to experience the Rockies from a completely different perspective with a thrilling helicopter ride over the Rocky Mountains. We rejoin the parkway and later arrive at the famous Columbia Icefields whose waters feed three oceans; we visit the Interpretive Centre then have the experience of a lifetime - a ride on the Ice Explorer vehicle for a close up look at the Athabasca Glacier. Finally, at the end of this exciting day, we see the powerful Athabasca Falls before arriving at the charming town of Jasper, our home for the next two nights. Overnight: Jasper Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Day 6: Jasper, AB Originally a tiny railway town, Jasper's small-town charm is very different from the alpine resort style glamour of Banff. Surrounded by towering mountains, crystal clear lakes, and abundant wildlife, Jasper town located within the Jasper National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. We start the day with a ride up Whistler Mountain on the Jasper SkyTram. A full day of sightseeing follows including a gentle walk down Maligne Canyon to see how the water has carved spectacular crevices out of the mountain. A scenic drive takes you to Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This evening, we enjoy a float trip down the Athabasca River to wrap up a day in a place of stunning natural beauty. Overnight: Jasper Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner Day 7: Jasper - Kamloops, BC onboard Rocky Mountaineer Travel we travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper to Kamloops, located in the heart of the British Columbia Interior. As you journey west and south you will be surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Continental Divide and by the river valleys of the Canada/USA 1-866-814-7378 Page 2/3 Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Breakfast & lunch will be served onboard. Today?s highlights include Mount Robson, Pyramid Falls, the climb over Yellowhead Pass, and the journey along the North Thompson River as you approach Kamloops. Upon arrival at the Kamloops Station, we will be transferred by motor coach to our overnight accommodation. The pick-up time for tomorrow morning's motor coach transfer to the train station will be posted in the lobby of our hotel. Overnight: Kamloops Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch Day 8: Kamloops - Vancouver, BC onboard Rocky Mountaineer After an overnight stay at your Kamloops hotel, transfer by motor coach to the train station. Our journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. On today?s journey we will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the Interior, through winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade Mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell?s Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Upon arrival in Vancouver, we will be transferred to our overnight accommodation and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure. Overnight: Vancouver Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch Day 9: Vancouver, BC On our city sightseeing tour this morning, we discover why Vancouver is one of the most interesting cities in North America. Our tour takes us through Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, past English Bay as well as some prestigious residential areas of Vancouver like Shaughnessy. This afternoon we will experience the natural wonder of British Columbia?s Pacific coastal rainforest and the thrill of standing 150 meters (450 ft) above the Capilano River at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. We have a farewell dinner this evening after our touring to Canada?s Pacific coast. Overnight: Vancouver Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner Day 10: Depart Vancouver, BC Today we say farewell to Vancouver, British and transfer to Vancouver International Airport for our journey home. Overnight: Included Meal(s): Breakfast Canada/USA 1-866-814-7378 Page 3/3.