Rockies Highlights - 8 Days

This popular Canadian independent tour combines the two day Rocky Mountaineer rail journey with a variety of sightseeing tours through the Canadian Rockies. With stays in Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise, you will see all the highlight of the Rockies in just a week.

Tour Highlights

 - Travel on the Rocky Mountaineer train

 - Sightseeing tour of the Icefield Parkway

 - Rocky Mountain resorts of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper

 - Cosmopolitan Vancouver

 - Stampede City of Calgary

 - Jasper Wildlife Tour

Day 1 Arrive Vancouver

Arrive in Vancouver and spend the day exploring this scenic city. Admission to the lookout at the top of Vancouver Centre is included. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 2 Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Kamloops in the interior of British Columbia. En route you will pass through the fertile Fraser Valley and the scenic Fraser Canyon. One of the canyon’s true highlights is Hell’s Gate, where you will watch water torrent past the canyon’s walls at its narrowest point. Upon leaving the Fraser Canyon, the train will follow the Thompson River to the city of Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops. (Breakfast & lunch are included today).

Day 3 Rocky Mountaineer to Jasper

Back onboard the Rocky Mountaineer you will follow the Thompson River through rolling plateaus into the snowy peaks of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Pass by Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954 metres (12,972ft), before entering Jasper National Park. Arrive in Jasper late afternoon. Overnight in Jasper. (Breakfast & lunch are included today).

Day 4 Jasper - Evening Wildlife Tour

Today is at your leisure to enjoy the spectacular wonders of Jasper. This evening experience the Jasper Wonderland for some amazing close-up photo opportunities of wildlife. Travel through the Maligne Valley to search for mountain goats, moose, elk, deer and bears and perhaps a visit to Pyramid Bench (with its beaver ponds). Overnight in Jasper.

Day 5 Jasper to Lake Louise

Depart Jasper by coach today via one of the most scenic highways in North America - the Icefield Parkway. Visit the Columbia Icefield that covers an area of nearly 325 sq km’s and reaches a depth of 320 metres. Time allows for an Ice Explorer ride (included) on the Athabasca Glacier. Along the way stops will be made at Bow & Peyto Lakes, the Crowfoot Glacier and the Athabasca Falls. This highway is renowned for sightings of bears, elk, moose & mountain sheep, so keep your camera handy. Please note: mountain lakes in this region  will be frozen through to mid June. Overnight in Lake Louise.

Day 6 Lake Louise to Banff

Depart Lake Louise mid-morning for a short drive via the scenic Bow Valley to Banff, arriving midday. After checking in at your hotel the remainder of the day is free. Overnight in Banff.

Day 7 Banff Tour & Transfer to Calgary

This morning, take a tour of Banff and its surrounding areas. Among the highlights are visits to the Hoodoos (shaped by centuries of wind), Surprise Corner, Sulphur Mountain (gondola ride included), and Tunnel Mountain Drive - which overlooks the splendour of Bow Valley and the Cave and Basin where Banff’s history began. The balance of the afternoon is free to enjoy Banff prior to departing for Calgary at 4.00pm arriving into downtown Calgary at approx. 5.45pm Overnight in Calgary.

Day 8 Calgary Departure

Your tour ends with check out from your Calgary hotel.

Tour also available in the reverse direction from Calgary to Vancouver as follows;

Day 1 Arrive Calgary

Arrive in Calgary. Overnight in Calgary.

Day 2 Calgary to Banff

This morning depart Calgary for a scenic drive to Banff. Upon arrival in Banff, continue on a sightseeing tour of the region. Overnight in Banff.

Day 3 Banff to Lake Louise

Depart Banff early afternoon for a short drive via the scenic Bow Valley to Lake Louise. Overnight in Lake Louise.

Day 4 Lake Louise to Jasper (coach)

Travel by coach along the Icefield Parkway. Visit the Columbia Icefield where you will join an Ice Explorer ride (included) on the Athabasca Glacier. Along the way stops will be made at Bow & Peyto Lakes, the Crowfoot Glacier and the Athabasca Falls. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 5 Jasper Evening Wildlife Tour

The day is free to enjoy the spectacular wonders of Jasper. This evening experience the Jasper Wonderland for some amazing close-up photo opportunities of wildlife. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 6 Jasper to Kamloops (Rail)

All aboard the Rocky Mountaineer for a scenic rail journey to Kamloops in the interior of British columbia. Overnight in Kamloops.

Day 7 Kamloops to Vancouver (Rail)

Continue your Rocky Mountaineer journey, your destination is the Pacific port of Vancouver where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 8 End of Tour

Your tour ends with check out from your hotel. 

Departure Dates 2013

From Vancouver

May  2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30

June  3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27

July  1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29

Aug  8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29

Sept  2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 26, 30Oct 1

From Calgary

May  4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28

June  1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29

July  2, 6, 9, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31

Aug  6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31

Sept  3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 24, 28

PRICE INCLUDES 

• 7 nights hotel accommodation (as chosen)

• 2 day Rocky Mountaineer Redleaf Service

• 2 breakfasts & 2 lunches on board the train

• Jasper evening Wildlife Tour

• Icefields Parkway Tour between Jasper & Lake Louise including Icefield Explorer ride

• Lake Louise to Banff transfer

• Banff to Calgary transfer

• Banff tour, including Banff Gondola

• Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops & Jasper

• Admission to the Lookout Tower in Vancouver and the Calgary Tower

• National Park Fees

Not Included

• Airfare to/from Canada

• Transfer from Vancouver Arport to Hotel

• Transfer from Calgary Hotel to Airport

• Meals, other than those stated

• Gratuities for rail, hotel & transfer staff

GOLDLEAF UPGRADE

All prices include Redleaf service on board the Rocky Mountaineer. An upgrade to Silverleaf or Goldleaf service is available.

Silverleaf Supplement :  From £389 per person

Goldleaf Supplement - All Dates £689 per person

Prefer to Self-Drive?

If you would prefer to self drive through the Rockies (between Calgary & Jasper), please see our Rockies Rail & Drive Tour which features a similar itinerary but includes car hire through the Rockies.

Hotels

This tour offers a range of accommodation standards to suit all tastes and budgets. Choose from Standard, Superior, Supeior Plus and Deluxe. Each hotel has been carefully selected to ensure the highest level of comfort and service within the applicable category. You may also want to consider extending your tour by adding extra nights in Calgary or Vancouver. 

Standard Hotels

Vancouver – Rosedale on Robson (1 Bedroom Suite)

Kamloops – Moderate hotel as allocated by Rocky Mountaineer

Jasper – Lobstick Lodge (Standard Room)

Lake Louise – Lake Louise Inn (Superior Queen Room)

Banff – Spruce Grove Inn (Standard Room with Continental Breakfast)

Calgary – Sandman Hotel Downtown (Standard Room)

Superior Hotels

Vancouver – Century Plaza Hotel (Studio Room)

Kamloops – Moderate hotel as allocated by Rocky Mountaineer

Jasper – Sawridge Inn (Standard Room)

Lake Louise – Deer Lodge (Heritage Room)

Banff – Banff Caribou (Superior Room)

Calgary – Delta Bow Valley (Delta Room)

Superior Plus Hotels

Vancouver – Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (Fairmont Room)

Kamloops – Moderate hotel as allocated by Rocky Mountaineer

Jasper – Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (Fairmont Room)

Lake Louise – Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Fairmont Mountain View Room)

Banff – Fairmont Banff Springs (Fairmont Room)

Calgary – Fairmont Palliser (Fairmont Room)

Deluxe Hotels

Vancouver – Fairmont Waterfront (Portside Deluxe Room)

Kamloops – Moderate hotel as allocated by Rocky Mountaineer

Jasper – Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (Deluxe Room)

Lake Louise – Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Fairmont Lake View Room)

Banff – Fairmont Banff Springs (Deluxe Room)

Calgary – Fairmont Palliser (Fairmont Room)

Cost Per Person*

Silverleaf supplement onboard Rocky Mountaineer : From £389 per person

Goldleaf supplement onboard Rocky Mountaineer :  £698 per person (All Dates)

Children aged 2-10 pay £965 when sharing with their parents.

* A surcharge of £59 per person will apply if the Calgary stay falls between 4th-14th July 2013.

Please contact us for rates in Superior Plus hotel rooms. (Prices for this grade are slighly lower than for Deluxe Hotels)

If you would prefer to self drive through the Rockies (between Calgary & Jasper) please see our Rockies Rail & Drive Tour. This  features a similar itinerary but includes car hire throughout the Rockies.