Mountains, Rivers & Rails Tour

Day 1: Calgary Arrival
Arrive in Calgary and spend the rest of the day sightseeing in the “Stampede City” independently. Overnight in Calgary.

Day 2: Calgary to Banff
Depart Calgary this morning for a tour to Banff. Highlights include the Cave and Basin Centre, the Banff Gondola, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Banff on your own. Overnight in Banff.

Day 3: Glacier Helicopter Tour
A half-day tour takes you through the magnificent Canadian Rockies with commentary provided along the way. The highlight of your tour is a 20-minute helicopter flight above the six glaciers of Mount Resolute, Mount Cline and the Whitegoat Peaks. You will also view the 900-foot waterfall, some spectacular aqua-green high alpine lakes and cross over a 9,000-foot mountain pass. Your tour ends on arrival in Banff early this afternoon. Overnight in Banff.

Day 4: Free Day in Banff
Today you will have an entire day to spend exploring Banff National Park on your own. Some optional activities include soaking in the mineral pools at Upper Hot Springs, enjoying a nature walk on nearby mountain trails, visiting Banff’s historic museum, cruising on Lake Minnewanka or enjoying a round of golf at The Fairmont Banff Springs. Overnight in Banff.

Day 5: Banff to Kamloops
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain town of Banff to Kamloops in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. Your journey offers you a spectacular range of scenery as you travel between the high peaks of the Canadian Rockies, over mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels, along rocky lakeshores and across the ranchlands of the interior. Today’s highlights include the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels, the Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass, Craigellachie where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, and of course the glaciers and snowcapped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Overnight in Kamloops.

Day 6: Kamloops to Jasper
Your journey continues north and east to the mighty Canadian Rockies. Once again you will be surrounded by dramatic scenery as you follow the banks of the North Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains, climbing ever nearer to the high peaks of the Continental Divide. Today’s highlights include Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet), Pyramid Falls, as well as the climb over the Yellowhead Pass into Jasper National Park. Your journey ends today on arrival in the resort town of Jasper this evening. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 7: Jasper to Quesnel
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain resort of Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to the charming rural town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo. Pass through the Rocky Mountain Trench with the steep Rocky and Cariboo Mountains either side, and onto the rolling hills and vast forests of British Columbia’s northern interior, home to abundant wildlife. Highlights include Mount Robson, Yellowhead Pass, Moose Lake and the opportunity to view the abundant wildlife found in this unspoiled wilderness region. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer passes through the town of Prince George and follows the Fraser River into Quesnel. Overnight in Quesnel.

Day 8: Quesnel to Whistler
Your journey continues south today to the four-season resort of Whistler. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, and the Cariboo Plateau with its rolling hills and vast ranchlands, to the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley. Highlights include sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon and Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world and the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacial fed Seton Lake. Your rail journey ends on arrival in the resort town of Whistler, host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games alpine events. Overnight in Whistler.

Day 9: Free Day in Whistler
Enjoy a free day exploring the picturesque mountain resort of Whistler on your own. Overnight in Whistler.

Day 10: Whistler to Vancouver
Travel onboard the Whistler Mountaineer from the alpine village of Whistler to the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. Following your motorcoach transfer from Whistler Village, embark on your rail journey through the stunning scenery of this “Sea to Sky” region. Highlights of the trip include Cheakamus Canyon, the dome peak of Mount Garibaldi, Shannon Falls and the breathtaking views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains. On arrival at the North Vancouver train platform, you will be transferred to your hotel in downtown Vancouver. A light meal is served onboard. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 11: Vancouver Departure
Your vacation ends with check-out from your Vancouver hotel.