WESTERN CANADA & ROCKY MOUNTAINEER
10 days from Calgary to Vancouver

Create a lifetime of incredible memories traveling through the unforgettable Canadian Rockies! Take a snocoach ride on Athabasca Glacier in Alberta, travel across British Columbia on the Rocky Mountaineer train, and enjoy ferry crossings to/from Vancouver Island-these are just a few of the many highlights on this memorable Western Canada vacation. Begin your trip in Calgary with a sightseeing tour of Calgary-s major sites. Then travel to Banff, one of Canada's favorite resorts, for time to hike, fish, and relax, or take an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies. On the way to Jasper National Park, stop in Lake Louise and marvel at this world-famous location with its cold waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Next: a highlight of your vacation-take a thrilling ride aboard an Ice Explorer on the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice in the Canadian Rockies. Continue on to Jasper National Park, the largest national park in Canada, for two nights.

Next, journey on the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight journey from Jasper National Park to Vancouver. This train ride through breathtaking scenery takes you back to a time when getting to your destination was part of the fun. Along the way, see wild rivers, majestic mountain ranges, and beautiful lakes. Upon arrival in Vancouver, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Vancouver's major sights. Then set sail for Victoria and enjoy a sightseeing tour, including world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of floral displays. Take a full day at leisure in Victoria before returning to Vancouver, where your grand Canadian Rockies vacation ends. This is truly an unforgettable vacation with an amazing itinerary full of beautiful scenery and once-in-a-lifetime activities.

Day 1 Tue. CALGARY
Enjoy time at leisure to relax or to do some exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions.

Day 2 Wed. CALGARY-BANFF
The discovery of oil converted this all-Western cattle ranching town into a thriving, sophisticated city. See many of the city's attractions this morning on your sightseeing tour, including downtown, Fort Calgary, Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Next, drive west through the foothills of the Rockies and into BANFF NATIONAL PARK. Upon arrival, take the optional gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views of Banff's spectacular scenery. Then, enjoy a visit to sparkling Bow Falls.

Day 3 Thu. BANFF
Full day at leisure. Banff is one of Canada's favorite resorts, with summer activities that include hiking, boating, and fishing. Your Tour Director will suggest an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies.

Day 4 Day 4, Fri. BANFF-LAKE LOUISE-JASPER NATIONAL PARK
First stop is Lake Louise, its cold waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Precipitous gorges, snowcapped mountain ranges, and exquisite lakes come into view as the motorcoach scales two mountain passes. Another highlight on today's agenda is a stop at the COLUMBIA ICEFIELD to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 1,200 feet (365 meters) thick. Late this afternoon, join our optional float trip down the historic Athabasca River. Upon arrival in Jasper, an orientation tour showcasing Jasper's unspoiled beauty. Your accommodation for the next two nights will be in JASPER NATIONAL PARK.

Day 5 Day 5, Sat. JASPER
Join the optional trip to Maligne Lake and Spirit Island for a narrated cruise. On the return journey, you'll be mesmerized by the dramatic Maligne Canyon. With much of the afternoon and evening free, you might consider hiking or exploring Jasper's local town charm with its occasional wandering wildlife!

Day 6 Sun. JASPER-ROCKY MOUNTAINEER-KAMLOOPS
An exciting morning as you board the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight, classic rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Coast. En route, pass by Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, and follow the route of the "Overlanders," 19th-century homesteaders who attempted to settle this rugged region. Follow the Thompson River and enjoy vistas of the Monashee Mountains. Overnight in Kamloops. Tonight, join our optional dinner outing to a popular theatre performance. (B,L)

Note: It will be necessary for all RedLeaf travelers to pack an overnight bag for the train journey. Suitcases for GoldLeaf travelers will be delivered in Kamloops, but suitcases for RedLeaf travelers will be checked and unavailable for the overnight in Kamloops. No porterage service is available in Kamloops.

Continental breakfast and a cold lunch are included on board the Rocky Mountaineer in RedLeaf (hot meals in GoldLeaf); snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are also provided free of charge.

Day 7 Mon. KAMLOOPS-ROCKY MOUNTAINEER-VANCOUVER
Reboard the train and head through the ranchlands along the South Thompson River. Continue through the stark beauty of Fraser Canyon and the turbulence of mighty Hell's Gate. Then, pass through the fertile fields of the Fraser Valley, surrounded by the snowcapped Coast Mountains. Arrive in Vancouver at the Rocky Mountaineer Station in early evening and transfer to your hotel. (B,L)

Day 8 Tue. VANCOUVER-FERRY CROSSING-VICTORIA
Morning sightseeing focuses on Vancouver's Chinatown, Gastown, the beautiful beaches and harbor, and lovely Stanley Park. Afterward, set sail across the Strait of Georgia through the spectacular Gulf Islands, an area known for its Mediterranean-like climate. Afternoon sightseeing in Victoria includes world-famous BUTCHART GARDENS, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park with its unusual collection of totem poles.

Day 9 Wed. VICTORIA
Be sure to discover some of the attractions this splendid city has to offer, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel, a whale-watching cruise on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and fine shopping along Government Street. Why not join us for our evening optional excursion that includes a harbor cruise followed by dinner at one of Victoria's waterfront restaurants?

Day 10 Thu. VICTORIA-FERRY CROSSING-VANCOUVER
Morning departure for Vancouver. Transfers to Vancouver International Airport are included. Please schedule flights after 1:30 pm.

Vacation Highlights:

INCLUDED FEATURES
In Calgary and Vancouver; orientation tour in Jasper; Columbia Icefield (Ice Explorer ride); Stanley Park and Butchart Gardens. Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Jasper National Park, Thompson River, Monashee Mountains, and Fraser Canyon.

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

GUIDES
Services of a professional Tour Director.

MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
On Rocky Mountaineer: 2 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L). The option to prepurchase breakfast daily is available on this vacation and will include 8 full and 2 continental breakfasts. Please refer to the Dates & Prices box for pricing details.

HOTELS - (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class
Calgary Sandman Hotel Downtown Calgary (F); Banff Bow View Lodge (ST); Jasper Lobstick Lodge (F); Kamloops Comfort Inn or similar (ST); Vancouver Quality Hotel Vancouver False Creek (MF); Victoria Royal Scot Suite (F)

TRANSPORTATION
2-day, all-daylight rail journey on board the Rocky Mountaineer in RedLeaf Service; GoldLeaf Service upgrades are available; ferry crossing to/from Vancouver Island; private, deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring.

DATES:
April - October

PRICES:
Priced from $1,899.00 US per person based on double occupancy
Departures on or within the seasons shown will determine the price