12D/11N - 2020 Ultimate Canadian Rockies

day 1 Vancouver .
Arrival in vibrant metropolitan Vancouver is nestled between the majestic Coast Mountains, the rugged Pacific coastline, and surrounded by a pristine wilderness of temperate rainforest, lakes, valleys and peaks. Its location and cosmopolitan culture makes Vancouver one of the most beautiful as well as highly live-able cities of the world. Its equitable climate and variety of indoor and outdoor attractions makes Vancouver a year-round sought after travel destination.
day 2 Vancouver
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.
day 3 Vancouver-Victoria
We head to the ferry terminal to take the British Columbia ferry ride crossing the Straits of Georgia to Vancouver Island. The route takes us past some of the Gulf Islands scattered over this part of Pacific. As we sail past, we can see the sleepy charm and the slow pace of life on these small islands that make them so attractive to the residents in their ocean front homes. Our first stop is at the famous Butchart Gardens with time to soak in the delightful ambience, and then enjoy a tour of the distinctly old world city of Victoria with its colonial architecture, elaborate gardens and British flavour.
day 4 Victoria-Vancouver
Driving north along the eastern shores of Vancouver Island, we head over the Malahat Pass with exceptional views of Discovery Passage to take the ferry back to the mainland, cruising through the Gulf Islands to Horseshoe Bay and then a brief drive back to Vancouver. The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure.
day 5 Vancouver-Whistler
We drive from Vancouver to Whistler along the spectacular Sea-to-Sky Highway with the ocean to our left and the steep mountains on our right before arriving at the 3rd highest waterfalls in British Columbia, at Shannon Falls. You will have the opportunity to ride the Sea to Sky gondola, one of British Columbia’s newest attractions that takes you steeply up alpine slopes with views of 2600 mtrs. high snow-capped peaks on one side and the glacier cut fjord of Howe Sound on the other. We end the day with a walking tour of Whistler village built in an alpine style and, time permitting, perhaps visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre to discover the fascinating history of the Squamish and Lil’Wat indigenous people of the area.
day 6 Whistler-Kelowna
Today we travel through some spectacular mountain landscape of the Coast Range along the scenic Duffy Lakes Road into the rugged British Columbia interior. Our destination today is Kelowna, known for beautiful lakes and world renowned for the wines produced in the area.
day 7 Kelowna-Jasper
An unforgettable highlight today is a River Safari ride through Grizzly Bear Valley, right in the heart of the world’s only inland and temperate rainforest. We hope to observe bears and other wildlife in their natural environment, without the constraints of gates and cages, from the safety of a boat mid river, presenting the optimum opportunity for the perfect snapshot. Today’s journey takes you into the great Canadian Rockies, as you head to the quaint mountain town of Jasper.
day 8 Jasper
We start the day with a ride up Whistlers 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 short drive then takes us to Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and perhaps one of the world’s most photographed and iconic natural beauty spots. This evening we enjoy a float down the Athabasca River to wrap up a day in a place of stunning natural beauty.
day 9 Jasper-Lake Louise
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. We see the powerful Athabasca Falls before arriving 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. 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 continue our journey to the charming town of Lake Louise, a jewel of the Rockies surrounded by glistening glaciers and towering mountain peaks
day 10 Lake Louise-Banff
This morning we drive along the famous Bow Valley Parkway, where wildlife sightings of caribou, deer, 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 Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake, filled with glacial run-off water that makes it glisten with the blue-green hue of an emerald, are next on our itinerary for today. We end the day in world famous Banff, at the centre of Canada’s very first National Park.
day 11 Banff
We start the day with a Banff sightseeing tour with stops at Cascade Gardens and scenic Bow Falls, before riding the gondola up Sulphur Mountain for unparalleled view of the Rockies and the valley below. We also visit the Cave & Basin National Historic Site, which tells the story of the hot springs that drew the first visitors to Banff and led to the creation of the National Park. Tonight there is a farewell dinner to round off our experience through one of the worlds most rugged and scenic areas.
day 12 Banff-Calgary
We make our way through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to Calgary, the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta.
Inclusions: 11 nights in a twin share in first class hotels, 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners, professional tour director throughout, small group (maximum 20 participants), deluxe motorcoach, porterage, service charges, taxes, airport transfers in Calgary and Vancouver.
Sightseeing: Vancouver City Tour, Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Butchart Gardens, Sea-to-Sky Highway, River Safari, Mount Robson Visitor Centre, Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Jasper Sky Tram, Jasper Float Trip Icefields Parkway helicopter tour, Ice Explorer Ride on Athabasca Glacier, Athabasca Falls, Lake Louise, Yoho National Park Johnston Canyon, UNESCO World Heritage Site Banff National Park, Sulphur Mountain Gondola in Banff
Hotels: Vancouver-Delta Suites, Victoria-Chateau Victoria, Whistler-Delta Whistler, Kelowna, Delta Okanagan Grand, Jasper-Crimson, Lake Louise-Lake Louise Inn, Banff-Banff PtarmiganInn (or similar)