Western Canada - Independent Tour

12 Days / 11 Nights

Canada's western provinces include 'Beautiful British Columbia' and 'Sunny Alberta.' Highlighted by the Rocky Mountains, this tour includes two amazing train journeys through some of the world's most spectacular scenery.

Indicative Price: AUD$ 3,800 per person (twin Share)

Brochure

Inclusions

Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tour (RedLeaf Service)
Icefields Parkway Tour
Ice Explorer Ride
VIA Rail's 'The Skeena' (Comfort Class)
BC Ferries Fare
Pacific Spirit Tour (Port Hardy / Victoria)
Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour

Highlights

Vancouver: 1 Night
Banff: 2 Nights
Jasper: 2 Nights
Prince George: 1 Night
Prince Rupert: 1 Night
Port Hardy: 1 Night
Victoria: 2 Nights

Style

Independent Tour
Rail Tour
Coach Tour
Ferryliner Tour

Map & Itinerary

	Day 1: Arrive Vancouver - transfer by scheduled airporter service to your downtown hotel.
	Day 2: Vancouver to Kamloops - start off on your two day Rocky Mountaineer rail excursion. On first day of the tour you pass through the fertile Fraser Valley and the scenic Fraser Canyon. Climbing through the Fraser Canyon, the train will follow the Thompson River to the city of Kamloops.
	Day 3: Kamloops to Banff - continue your rail journey eastwards into the Canadian Rockies. Travel past vast ranchlands to Shuswap Lake and then into Rogers Pass with its tunnels, glistening glaciers and snow capped mountains. Late this afternoon you will cross over the Continental Divide into Banff National Park.
	Day 4: Banff - a day at leisure to explore attractions such as; Bow Falls, Banff Gondola, The Fairmont Banff Springs or Sunshine Meadows.
	Day 5: Banff to Jasper - join a full day tour along the spectacular Icefields Parkway through Banff and Jasper National Parks. Stopping at the Columbia Icefield Centre you will take a ride on an Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier.
	Day 6: Jasper – day at leisure to enjoy this picturesque alpine town. Local attractions include Maligne Lake and the Jasper Tramway.
	Day 7: Jasper to Prince George - depart Jasper aboard VIA Rail’s ‘The Skeena.’ This train will take you over Yellowhead Pass, past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and then across the interior plateau to Prince George.
	Day 8: Prince George to Prince Rupert - continue aboard ‘The Skeena’ following the Skeena River. Bald eagles, black bears, moose and other wildlife are often spotted from the train in this remote and beautiful area.
	Day 9: Prince Rupert to Port Hardy – cruise south aboard BC Ferries' 'Northern Expedition' through the beautiful Inside Passage, a natural marine highway past spectacular coastal rainforest and majestic coastal mountains.
	Day 10: Port Hardy to Victoria - tour by coach travelling southbound down the Island Highway, past Campbell River and Courtenay to Qualicum Beach. You will take the scenic route through Chemainus 'City of Murals' and Duncan 'City of Totems.' Late this afternoon you arrive in Victoria.
	Day 11: Victoria - take a tour of Victoria by Double Decker bus. Points of historic interest including Chinatown and Antique Row, Marine Drive with its view of the San Juan Islands and Mt. Baker. Visit the famous Butchart Gardens (admission included).
	Day 12: Depart Victoria - transfer by coach to Vancouver Airport (includes ferry crossing).

Tour Inclusions:

11 nights accommodation in moderate grade hotels
Rocky Mountaineer railtour RedLeaf Service
VIA Rail 'The Skeena' Comfort Class
BC Ferries Inside Passage Day Cruise Fare
Icefields Parkway Tour (Banff to Jasper)
Ice Explorer Ride
Pacific Spirit Tour (Port Hardy to Victoria)
Victoria City & Butchart Gardens Tour

Tour Notes:

Prices base on travel in July
This itinerary can be combined with other independent tours to include Alaska's Inside Passage
Longer stays in the Rocky Mountains can also be added to this itinerary
This itinerary often has to be adjusted to fit in with the train and ferry schedules

Hotel List:

We have carefully selected our preferred hotels in each location. These are the hotels that are used for accommodations in this tour. Due to availability, we may have to substitute similar hotels for the tour dates of your choice.

Sandman City Centre Hotel - Vancouver
Executive Hotel - Kamloops
Mount Royal Hotel - Banff
Lobstick Lodge - Jasper
Ramada Inn Downtown - Prince George
The Crest Hotel - Prince Rupert
Quarterdeck Inn - Port Hardy
Executive House Hotel - Victoria