First Passage to the West at Leisure, 8 Days

Adventure in the Canadian Rockies! This journey brings you to stunning mountain towns with stays in Banff and Lake Louise. Enjoy a trip to the Columbia Icefields and a helicopter tour through the soaring peaks of the Rockies.

• Destinations: Vancouver, Kamloops, Lake Louise, Banff, Calgary
• 2 days onboard Rocky Mountaineer
• 7 Nights Total
• Activities & Tours:
• Vancouver Lookout
• National Parks Pass
• Ice Explorer (April Closure Dates)
• Glacier Skywalk (April Closure Dates)
• Panoramic Helicopter Tour
• Banff Gondola
• Calgary Tower

ITINERARY VANCOUVER TO CALGARY EASTBOUND:

1. Vancouver. Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your own. Overnight in Vancouver.
2. Vancouver to Kamloops
   Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. On today’s journey you will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to the desert-like environment of the BC interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake into Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops.
3. Kamloops to Lake Louise
   Your journey continues Eastward to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again you will see a spectacular array of scenery as you travel across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Canadian Rockies. Today’s highlights include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and, of course, the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Your rail journey ends this evening in the mountain hamlet of Lake Louise. Overnight in Lake Louise.
4. Lake Louise
   Today, enjoy a full day tour along one of the most scenic highways in the world as you travel to Jasper National Park on the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield, Glacier Skywalk and Athabasca Falls. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and one of the most accessible icefields in North America. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Lunch is included at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Afterwards, brief stops will be made at Bow and Peyto Lakes before arriving back in Lake Louise this afternoon. Overnight in Lake Louise.
5. Lake Louise to Banff
   This morning you are free to explore beautiful Lake Louise on your own. After lunch, a half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to Banff. Overnight in Banff. Please note: While departure from The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will be approximately 2:00 p.m., scheduled checkout time is normally 12:00 p.m. Your luggage will be stored upon checkout and you are free to enjoy the amenities of the hotel before the tour departs.
6. Banff
   Today you will have an entire day to spend exploring Banff National Park on your own. Optional activities include soaking in the mineral pools at Upper Hot Springs, enjoying a nature walk on nearby mountain trails, visiting Banff’s historic museums, cruising on Lake Minnewanka or playing a round of golf at The Fairmont Banff Springs. Overnight in Banff.
7. Banff to Calgary
   Today you will enjoy a full-day tour concluding in Calgary. Begin the morning with a sightseeing tour of Banff. Among the points of interest are Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Banff Gondola included. Continue on to Kananaskis for the highlight of today’s adventure, a 12-minute Panoramic Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies. Overnight in Calgary.
8. Calgary. Your journey ends upon checkout from your Calgary hotel.

OR REVERSE

ITINERARY CALGARY TO VANCOUVER WESTBOUND:

1. Calgary
   Arrive in Calgary and spend the rest of the day sightseeing in “The Heart of the New West” independently. Overnight in Calgary.
2. Calgary to Banff
   Depart Calgary this morning for a full-day tour concluding in Banff. Journey to Kananaskis where you will enjoy the highlight of today, a 12-minute Panoramic Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies. Continue on to Banff for a sightseeing tour including Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Banff Gondola included. Your tour ends on arrival in Banff late this afternoon. Overnight in Banff.
3. Banff
   Today you will have an entire day to spend exploring Banff National Park on your own. Optional activities include soaking in the mineral pools at Upper Hot Springs, enjoying a nature walk on nearby mountain trails, visiting Banff’s historic museums, cruising on Lake Minnewanka or playing a round of golf at The Fairmont Banff Springs. Overnight in Banff.
4. Banff to Lake Louise
   A half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River. The tour ends in Lake Louise where the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy this magnificent location. Overnight in Lake Louise Please note: While arrival at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will be approximately 1:00 p.m., scheduled check-in time is not until 4:00 p.m. In the event that your room is not ready, your luggage will be stored and you are free to enjoy the amenities of the hotel.
5. Lake Louise
   Today, enjoy a full-day tour along one of the most scenic highways in the world as you travel to Jasper National Park on the Icefields Parkway. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and one of the most accessible icefields in North America. At the Columbia Icefield Centre, time is provided for lunch (not included) after you have had a chance to experience the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure (admission included). Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Afterward, brief stops will be made at Bow and Peyto Lakes before arriving back in Lake Louise this afternoon. Overnight in Lake Louise.
6. Lake Louise to Kamloops
   Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain hamlet of Lake Louise to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. Your journey takes you through a spectacular array of scenery as you travel between the glacier and snow-capped 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 and Craigellachie – where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven. Overnight in Kamloops.
7. Kamloops to Vancouver
   Your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. On today’s journey you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the Interior, through winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade Mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Vancouver this evening. Overnight in Vancouver.
8. Vancouver. Your journey ends upon checkout from your Vancouver hotel.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

• 2 days Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf Service
• Luggage handling and rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops and Lake Louise
• 7 nights hotel: Vancouver, Kamloops, Lake Louise, Banff and Calgary
• 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches
• Activities & Tours (see above)