Welcome to Calgary, home of the Calgary Stampede! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to answer any questions
Welcome to the Calgary Stampede, “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” Your hotel is conveniently located on the train line to Stampede Park, allowing you to come and go as you please. Dust off your cowboy boots and head through the gates of Stampede Park into a world of wonder and “Wild West” ropin’-n’-ridin’ with your included admission. Experience the traditions and culture of Canadian First Nations at Elbow River Camp or sample Western fare at the Midway. Enjoy live entertainment on the many performance stages, then explore international exhibits and displays of Western art.
This evening, watch the heart-stopping Chuckwagon Races as drivers and their teams race for the finish line in one of the Stampede’s signature events. Afterward, enjoy the outdoor Grandstand Show featuring hundreds of singers, dancers, and musicians in a spectacular musical production
Saddle up for another day exploring the Calgary Stampede grounds and grandstands for the famous Calgary Stampede Rodeo. Fuel up for the day with a pancake breakfast at Fluor Rope Square at Stephen Avenue Mall. Return to the Stampede grounds this morning to catch anything you may have missed the day before. Complete your western look with a cowboy hat, shirt, or boots from one of the many vendors before taking your seat in the grandstands for the Calgary Stampede Rodeo this afternoon.
Watch the top riders and ropers compete in classic rodeo events, including the crowd-favorite bull riding competition. Outside the stadium, enjoy square dancing, country bands, livestock displays, shops, and local food
The discovery of oil transformed Calgary from a cattle-ranching town into a thriving, modern city. Sightseeing highlights downtown Calgary, The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary), Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Next, drive west through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains into Banff National Park. Enjoy an orientation tour upon arrival. The evening is at leisure
Enjoy the day exploring Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park. Hike the many trails, stroll through Banff townsite, or relax at the hot springs. Banff National Park is also an excellent place for wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot deer, elk, and bighorn sheep. For a different perspective, choose an optional helicopter ride for breathtaking aerial views of the Canadian Rockies. If you prefer to stay on the ground, join the Panoramas & Peaks* optional excursion to visit gorgeous Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
*This optional excursion begins operating in early June
First stop is stunning Lake Louise, the crown jewel of Banff National Park, where turquoise waters reflect the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Then travel the Icefields Parkway, crossing three mountain passes as gorges, snowcapped peaks, and glacier-fed lakes come into view. Stop at the Columbia Icefield for a tour highlight – a ride aboard the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier. Late this afternoon, consider an optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Upon arrival in Jasper National Park, enjoy an orientation tour of the townsite
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Immerse yourself on a memorable optional narrated cruise on the glacial waters of Maligne Lake to legendary Spirit Island*. Along the way, see Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon while keeping an eye out for wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and elk. Then perhaps hike one of the park’s trails or browse the shops in the Jasper townsite.
*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June
Board the Rocky Mountaineer for a two-day, all-daylight rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Coast. Along the way, pass Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and follow the North Thompson River with views of the Monashee Mountains. Enjoy free time in Kamloops this evening. (B,L)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, continue your Rocky Mountaineer rail journey through the ranchlands along the Thompson River. Travel through the Fraser Canyon and see the powerful whitewater of Hell’s Gate on the Fraser River. Arrive in Vancouver this evening and transfer to your hotel. (B,L)
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Morning sightseeing highlights Stanley Park and other Vancouver landmarks. Afterward, sail through the Gulf Islands, to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. Visit Butchart Gardens and its 55 acres of floral displays, then continue sightseeing in Victoria, including Bastion Square, the Parliament Buildings, and Thunderbird Park, home to an impressive collection of totem poles. This evening, perhaps enjoy a stroll along Victoria’s Inner Harbour and dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants
Sail by ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver this morning. Continue to Vancouver International Airport where your vacation ends. Please schedule flights after 2:00 p.m. Guests who have purchased extra nights to explore Vancouver further will be taken to the tour hotel.
