Rockies to The Inside Passage
Gaze through large picture windows and be captivated by the glorious Rocky Mountain scenery of Alberta and British Columbia. This rail programme begins in Calgary and includes a coach transfer to Banff travelling from the grassy foothills into the winding roads that thread their way into the mountainous Banff National Park. Travel on VIA Rail from Jasper to Prince Rupert and then on to Port Hardy aboard BC Ferries. Venture through the Inside Passage with remarkable views of snow-capped mountains, jagged fjords, massive ice floes and fishing villages. A scenic flight ends in Vancouver to experience the excitement of a modern metropolis on the nestled between the mountains and the ocean. A fascinating city tour highlights the best of the city and a daytrip to beautiful Victoria with a visit to Butchart Gardens reveals the beauty of one of North America’s finest horticultural collections.
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Your Itinerary
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Day 9
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Day 10-11
Day 1 : UK - Calgary to Banff
Today you will transfer by coach from Calgary to Banff. Leave the cowboy city behind and head towards the enchanting Rockies. After arriving at the resort town of Banff, nestled beneath the towering Cascade Mountain, the rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Banff.
Day 2 : Banff
This morning, discover the town of Banff and its unspoiled natural surroundings on a sightseeing tour with highlights that include the hoodoos, curiously shaped by centuries of erosion, Surprise Corner, Tunnel Mountain Drive which overlooks the beautiful scenery of the Bow River Valley, and the Cave & Basin where Banff’s history began (admission is included). At the end of the tour you have the choice of being dropped off at the base of Sulphur Mountain for a gondola ride (ride not included) to the top of the mountain where you’ll have a breathtaking 360-degree view of the area. Overnight in Banff.
Day 3 : Banff to Jasper
Today’s coach sightseeing transfer travels along the Icefields Parkway. Spectacular glaciers, cascading waterfalls, turquoise lakes and colourful meadows dot this awe-inspiring mountain wilderness. The coach will stop at the Columbia Icefield where you have the opportunity to venture by Ice Explorer (ride is included) onto the massive Athabasca Glacier. A brief photo stop will also be made at picturesque Lake Louise. Overnight in Jasper.
Day 4 : Via Rail / Jasper To Prince George
Prepare for an early afternoon departure for your rail trip to Prince George onboard VIA Rail. This daylight journey takes you past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and across British Columbia’s northern region through old forest into Prince George. The evening is free for exploration. Overnight in Prince George.
Day 5 : Via Rail / Prince George To Prince Rupert
Reboard the train for an early morning departure and the continuation of your journey to Prince Rupert. Spend a day aboard the train, absorbing yourself in the dramatic scenery as you relax in comfort. Overnight in Prince Rupert.
Day 6 : Inside Passage Cruise Prince Rupert To Port Hardy
Welcome to the glorious Inside Passage, a paradise for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. Sail to Vancouver Island through a maze of enchanting islands, relishing the ever-changing vistas of deep fjords, densely forested shorelines, massive ice-flows and jagged inlets. Watch bald eagles soaring overhead, sea lions slumbering on the rocks and whales traversing the offshore waters. Transfer independently to your Port Hardy hotel. Overnight in Port Hardy.
Day 7 : Port Hardy To Victoria
Today you take a scenic flight down the coast and across the strait to Vancouver. This bustling cosmopolitan wonder on the coast of the Pacific celebrates a rich and ancient First Nations history, a dynamic British influence and the best of East Asian culture. Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 8 : Vancouver / Victoria Excursion
Today embark on an exciting day trip to explore the charms and delights of Victoria. Begin with a ferry across the Strait of Georgia before touring a city that celebrates its British heritage with spectacular public and private gardens, outdoor markets and walkable venues. A highlight is a visit to the world famous Butchart Gardens, featuring thousands of flowering flora). Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 9 : Vancouver
Today is at leisure in Vancouver. Take some time and peruse the shoppes and restaurants of Robson Street. A short trip to Stanley Park provides walkers with the ideal location to enjoy a casual stroll through the kilometres of pathways, while the aquarium always delights visitors with the antics of the friendly beluga whales. Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 10-11 : Vancouver - UK
Make your way to Vancouver International Airport in time to check in for your return flight.
