The Best of Western Canada & Rocky Mountaineer

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The Best of Western Canada & Rocky Mountaineer



Tour Description:

All aboard! And you're off on a wilderness adventure that's steeped in scenic beauty accessible only by train, boat, float plane and Ice Explorer; rewarding with stays in luxury Fairmont hotels; and enriched by guided exploration with expert guides who introduce you to the gems of Western Canada. It all starts along the stunning shores of Lake Louise, where a three-night stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise indulges with the natural treasures of Banff National Park. 
View alpine wonders on a float trip on the Bow River, enjoy afternoon tea at the venerable Banff Springs Hotel, and explore the chic town of Banff as you wish. Drive along the incomparable Icefields Parkway for views of arctic wildlife, turquoise lakes, pristine glaciers, thundering waterfalls and towering peaks that defy comparison and ride a specially designed Ice Explorer atop a prehistoric glacier. Board the Rocky Mountaineer as you travel to Vancouver in premier Gold Leaf seats that pamper with head-turning vistas and First Class service, stopping overnight in Kamloops before ending your rail journey with a stay at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. A visit to Granville Island fly to Victoria Island aboard a float plane for a two-night stay at the waterfront Fairmont Empress where whale watching and a choice of sightseeing await. Ride a ferry back to Vancouver and drive to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, experiencing unique cultural discoveries that make your last two nights memorable in every way.

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Dates & Pricing

Sunday 09 Jun 24 — Tuesday 18 Jun 24Starting at $11,590Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 21 Jul 24 — Tuesday 30 Jul 24Starting at $11,590Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

All aboard! And you're off on a wilderness adventure that's steeped in scenic beauty accessible only by train, boat, float plane and Ice Explorer; rewarding with stays in luxury Fairmont hotels; and enriched by guided exploration with expert guides who introduce you to the gems of Western Canada. It all starts along the stunning shores of Lake Louise, where a three-night stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise indulges with the natural treasures of Banff National Park.  View alpine wonders on a float trip on the Bow River, enjoy afternoon tea at the venerable Banff Springs Hotel, and explore the chic town of Banff as you wish. Drive along the incomparable Icefields Parkway for views of arctic wildlife, turquoise lakes, pristine glaciers, thundering waterfalls and towering peaks that defy comparison and ride a specially designed Ice Explorer atop a prehistoric glacier. Board the Rocky Mountaineer as you travel to Vancouver in premier Gold Leaf seats that pamper with head-turning vistas and First Class service, stopping overnight in Kamloops before ending your rail journey with a stay at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. A visit to Granville Island fly to Victoria Island aboard a float plane for a two-night stay at the waterfront Fairmont Empress where whale watching and a choice of sightseeing await. Ride a ferry back to Vancouver and drive to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, experiencing unique cultural discoveries that make your last two nights memorable in every way.

Highlights
A two-day rail journey aboard Rocky Mountaineer astounds with dramatic contrasts in scenery as you travel from the glacial and alpine landscapes of Lake Louise to the coastal mountains and shores of Vancouver, stopping en route in Kamloops for an overnight stay
A float trip along the Bow River Valley in Banff National Park, followed by Afternoon Tea at Canada's "Castle in the Rockies"
Travel along the Icefields Parkway, rated as one of the top drives in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, amidst ancient glaciers, stunning turquoise lakes, snow-capped peaks, woodland trails, and wildlife 
An expertly guided tour of the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center in Whistler to learn about the First Nations people and their traditions
A private whale watching cruise out in the Salish Sea with marine biologists who share insights on the various whale species you may encounter

ITINERARY

Arrive Calgary & on to Lake Louise
Tour begins: 1:00 PM, Calgary International Airport. Welcome to Calgary, the gateway to the Canadian Rockies. A transfer is included at 1 PM from Calgary International Airport to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Banff National Park. Guests who have arranged a pre-stay at Tauck's hotel, the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire hotel in downtown Calgary, will be picked up at the hotel at 12:15 PM and transferred to the airport for our group departure. Enjoy a scenic drive to your acclaimed resort, arriving late afternoon. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner as we share insights about the experiences we have lined up for you in the coming days. Your resort hotel welcomes with a storied history and breathtaking views of Lake Louise and the surrounding mountains.

A float trip and afternoon tea in Banff National Park
Wake up to the wonders of the Rockies, heading off into the heart of Banff National Park for a gentle float trip along the Bow River Valley, followed by Afternoon Tea at the venerable Banff Springs Hotel. Renowned as Canada's "Castle in the Rockies," the chateau-style hotel enjoys a spectacular setting at the foot of Sulphur Mountain in the town of Banff; explore the sights this afternoon as you wish, strolling through town and perhaps visiting the Whyte Museum where exhibits focus on the art and culture of the region. Return to Lake Louise in time for dinner at your leisure.

Glacial sights along the incomparable Icefields Parkway
Experience a drive like no other today as you travel along the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefields. A destination within itself, the parkway is rated as one of the top drives in the world by Condé Nast Traveler; it winds along the Continental Divide through soaring rocky mountain peaks and is dotted with more than 100 ancient glaciers, cascading waterfalls, dramatic rock spires, and emerald lakes set in sweeping valleys of thick pine and larch forests. Opportunities for wildlife spotting await around every turn, where you may glimpse marmots, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goats and perhaps a bear or two. Stop at prehistoric Athabasca Glacier for a ride aboard a specially designed Ice Explorer atop glacial ice some 10,000 years in the making. Enjoy the scenery as you travel the Parkway back to your Lake Louise resort this afternoon and dine as you wish tonight.

All aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
An early morning departure brings you to the rail station for the start of your two-day journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in premier Gold Leaf seats en route to seaside Vancouver. Immerse in expansive head-turning views of the Canadian Rockies through the panoramic windows of your bi-level glass dome coach, sinking into plush seats on the upper level and enjoying fine gourmet meals in the lower-level dining area. Step out onto an exclusive outdoor viewing platform as you wish, where dramatic scenery and wildlife spotting provide great photo opportunities. Disembark the train in Kamloops this evening for an overnight stay in a Rocky Mountaineer-appointed hotel.

Ride the rails to Vancouver
Reboard the Rocky Mountaineer before breakfast, enjoying your morning meal aboard the train. You'll travel through dramatic canyons and mountain passes, past rushing waterfalls and coastal rainforests en route to your evening arrival in Vancouver today. Your accommodations tonight are at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, known as "the castle in the city," a landmark of elegance and luxury since 1939, ideally located in the heart of downtown.

City sightseeing & flightseeing to Victoria
Enjoy a guided orientation tour by your tour director this morning, viewing the sights that rank Vancouver as one of the world's most livable cities and the best city to live in North America. Vancouver is celebrated for its striking natural beauty, including a temperate rainforest, sandy beaches flowing into the Pacific Ocean, a mild year-round climate, and over 200 parks. Drive to Granville Island for lunch, with time to explore on your own. Then it's off for a flightseeing adventure aboard a floatplane from Coal Harbour to Victoria, rewarding with aerial views of coastal scenery breathtaking to behold. Touch down on Victoria Island for a two-night stay at The Fairmont Empress, reigning over the waterfront for 110 years. Designated a National Historic Site, it offers stunning views of Victoria's Inner Harbour and a legacy of hospitality favored by a celebrity clientele. Dine at the hotel at your leisure tonight.

Victoria sights and & a whale watching adventure
Board our private boat for a whale watching cruise out in the Salish Sea with a marine naturalist. Learn about the various whale species found here; its coastal waters are the perfect environment for transient orcas, humpbacks, grey whales, and other marine species. Spend the remainder of the day as you wish, perhaps making time to visit the Royal BC Museum; founded in 1886, it is a showcase of the natural and human history of British Columbia.

Ferry to Horseshoe Bay
A morning ferry ride cruises through the islands in the Strait of Georgia this morning to Horseshoe Bay, promising glorious scenic views on clear sunny days. Disembark the ferry for a drive to Whistler, British Columbia, and check into your Fairmont resort, nestled at the base of breathtaking Blackcomb Mountain, just steps from the Blackcomb Gondola.  Decorated in the style of traditional European alpine chateaus, and with views of the village or the mountain, the resort welcomes with its own golf course, tennis courts, slopeside pools and hot tubs, and is just steps away from Whistler Village. Have dinner at your leisure tonight at the hotel.

Visit the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center
Walk to the Squamish Lil-wat Cultural Center for a filmed introduction to the First Nations history of this region, followed by a guided tour of the museum, created to celebrate the joint history of the Squamish and Lil'wat nations; view art and exhibitions that showcase their histories, creative works and cultures. Spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring as you wish; you may enjoy a peak-to-peak gondola adventure that includes a series of gondola rides that bring you to the top of Blackcomb Peak for amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Or, visit the Audain Art Museum, home to an amazing private collection of art, both traditional and contemporary, housed in a world-class architectural building constructed just for this exhibit. Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner.

Journey Home
Tour ends: Vancouver International Airport. Depart the hotel after breakfast for an included transfer to Vancouver International Airport, an approximately two-hour drive. Flights must be booked to depart after 2:30 PM. Please allow a minimum of four hours for flight check-in at the airport.

Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

People have asked, What's the relationship between Pavlus and Tauck. It's simple, Pavlus Travel is the Worlds largest seller of Tauck tours. We enjoy a close working relationship. Another question, Are Tauck tours worth the money? They sure are. Yes, Tauck is a bit more expensive. Everything is taken care for you on your tours. Tauck tour directors are all employees of Tauck unlike virtually every other escorted European Tour Company. We highly recommend Tauck verses any other tour company. There are two other questions asked often of our staff, What is the Tauck guest protection plan and what is the Tauck cancellation policy? Our staff will be pleased to provide complete answers to you. We always welcome questions on any travel topic.