Arrive Calgary Airport and meet your driver for transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Time permitting take a tour of the Calgary Tower.
Today we transfer from Calgary to Lake Louise as the anticipation builds over breakfast for your first sighting of the high peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Along the way, you’ll learn about the natural history of the mountains, as well as the railroad. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, bald eagles and bears. Finally, you enter the famous Spiral Tunnels – ascending slowly, round and round through the darkness, until, blinking, you emerge to find yourself high in the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by mighty peaks. A shuttle takes you to your hotel, where you’ll see the most famous view on your trip – the turquoise water of Lake Louise. Surrounded by glaciers tumbling off mountain peaks and fragrant pine forest, this is a place to relax and rejuvenate.
An optional Panoramic Helicopter Tour is available
Overnight in Lake Louise.
epart from Lake Louise and transfer to Banff. Enroute take a tour of the Yoho National Park on the western slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains with vertical rock walls, waterfalls and dizzying peaks. With exceptional hiking and sightseeing, the park offers a unique glimpse of Canada’s natural wonders, from the secrets of ancient ocean life to the power of ice and water.
Fill your lungs with cool, fresh Rockies air and head out for a day of exploration.
Additional sightseeing options include:
Banff Sightseeing Tour and Banff Gondola Admission
Enjoy a small group tour by bus to discover Banff’s unique heritage and stunning backdrop in the Canadian Rockies. Discover the secrets of this majestic mountain town by taking in the sights, snapping photos and enjoying short walks to view points on the many stops with your guide. Then, soar to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola to experience a stunning bird’s-eye view of six incredible mountain ranges. With breathtaking vistas in every direction, you’ll understand why this is a Canadian Rockies must-see destination!
Activity rating: Easy
Lake Minnewanka Cruise
See the Canadian Rockies from a fresh perspective on a Lake Minnewanka scenic cruise. Choose from daytime or dusk tours – or enhance your experience with an evening Craft Beer Voyage, pairing the beautiful scenery with a sampling of local brews.
Activity rating: Easy
Sunshine Village Walk with Scenic Gondola
Begin your day with a scenic gondola ride up to a mountainside resort. Take in the spectacular views before a guided walk through Sunshine Meadows. Your guide will teach you all about the fascinating ecosystem above the treeline. Discover sweeping scenes of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley and the charming town of Banff from the Sulphur Mountain summit. Once you're at the top, begin your adventure by strolling the boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station and Sanson's Peak and learn about Canada's first national park. Then, head inside to explore our world-class mountaintop discovery centre. Fuel up on grab-and-go fare at Castle Mountain Coffee or enjoy an elegant meal at the award-winning Sky Bistro. Exceptional service and jaw-dropping vistas are hallmarks of all our summit dining experiences. Summer nights are equally stellar on Sulphur. Think nightly live music, rooftop patio sips, and dazzling sunsets. Join us for the best of summer here in the mountains!
Overnight in Banff.
This morning we depart Banff for the drive along the Icefield Parkway Tour including the Ice Explorer as we make our way enroute to Jasper.
Linking Lake Louise with Jasper, Alberta this is one of the most beautiful journeys on the planet – the Icefields Parkway. Rated as one of the top drives in the world , the Icefield Parkway is a 232 km stretch of double-lane highway winding along the Continental Divide through soaring rocky mountain peaks, icefields and vast sweeping valleys.
A full day in Jasper National Park a wonderland of dazzling glaciers, crystal-clear lakes, thundering waterfalls and evergreen forest, roaming wildlife, all surrounded by mountains. Venture out on your own or join a expertly guided tour and see the sights that Jasper has to offer by the Spirit Island Boat Cruise, my motorcycle, or helicopter.
Depart early this morning from the hotel to the rail station to board the Rocky Mountaineer for a full day on the train.
A lonesome wail sounds from the train whistle, and the smell of your breakfast drifts from the galley, as the Rocky Mountaineer leaves Jasper on the journey through the Canadian Rockies. Over lunch you’ll Relax, chat, read, or stretch your legs while taking in the unique scenery of British Columbia. This evening, your train arrives in the small town of Kamloops where you are free to enjoy a dinner on your own and overnight hotel.
Depart from the small town of Kamloops on the Rocky Mountaineer and take in the unique scenery of British Columbia. Climb the steep Fraser Canyon, past the thundering water of Hell’s Gate, and take a trip through the high desert of British Columbia’s interior as you enjoy lunch onboard the train. On your final leg thru the Canadian Rockies there's time to relax, chat, read or stretch your legs. Arrive in Vancouver, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, surrounded by towering mountains and sparkling ocean. Transfer from the Rail station to your overnight hotel.
Feature Dinner in Vancouver: This evening, we’ve included a delicious dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Vancouver.
Overnight Hotel.
Depart from Seattle this morning with a transfer to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal (south of Vancouver), to board the BC Ferry to Victoria. The ferry ride is approximately 1 1/2 hours to Victoria Island Swartz Bay Ferry terminal.
On arrival you will be met for transfer to the hotel.
Balance of day is at leisure to explore Butchart Gardens or other city highlights.
With a former limestone quarry for her backyard, Jennie Butchart envisioned landscaping a sunken garden in its place, transforming the property for her family—and visitors—for generations to come. For over 100 years the Butchart Gardens is a group of floral display gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada, located near Victoria on Vancouver Island.
Depart today from Victoria Bellviille Terminal in downtown Victoria's BC Inner Harbor and Pier 69 to downtown Seattle on The Victoria Clipper ferry. The journey will take approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.
On arrival in Seattle, transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon is free to explore Seattle and some of the many highlights including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Museum of Pop Culture and Art museum as well as some of the many parks and hiking trails.
Spend the day today exploring more of the great city of Seattle then depart for King Street Station to board the Empire Builder Train for overnight travel
Following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, the Empire Builder takes you through bustling cities, mountain ranges, national parks, glaciers, and the forests of the Pacific Northwest. Traveling from Seattle along the West Coast to the beautiful Cascade Mountains, we make our way overnight to Glacier National Park.
Welcome to Glacier National Park! Upon arrival, check in at the Glacier Park Lodge for a three -night stay and begin to discover your gorgeous surroundings.
Deep valleys, ancient forests, and alpine scenery are only part of what makes Montana’s Glacier National Park so utterly incredible. Home to over 130 pristine named lakes, five National Historic Landmarks, and over 1 million acres that boast parts of two mountain ranges, over 1,000 species of plants, and hundreds of species of animals, Glacier National Park is a true explorer's paradise.
The next morning you will be collected from the lodge to discover Glacier National Park on the Big Sky Circle Tour. Drive over the breathtaking Maria's Pass. Stop at Goat Lick for some wildlife viewing. Venture along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a windy-mountain thoroughfare that spans 50 miles through the park. Don't forget your camera today as the views are spectacular! (Overnight in Glacier National Park) D
Another full day in the park explore more of the serene sights of Glacier National Park on a scenic boat cruise of Two Medicine Valley. Enjoy a relaxing cruise while listening to the Blackfoot Indian folklore surrounding this gorgeous area. The Two Medicine Valley boat cruise will take your breath away!
Cap off your last day with a hike, a leisurely swim, or even a round of golf.
Full day at leisure , then in the evening, make your way to the train station adjacent to your hotel for the comfortable overnight journey to Seattle. (Overnight onboard Amtrak)
Spend the night on the Empire Builder, relaxing and enjoying some of the amazing sights as you make your way eastbound thru Big Sky country and the plains of North Dakota, past the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and to the sights and sounds of Chicago. This majestic route will leave you in awe with its rugged splendor.
