Upon arrival into Victoria transfer on own (taxi) to your hotel for a 2 night stay. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Victoria is truly walkable, and the Inner Harbour and downtown core are best explored by foot or water taxi with the Empress Dock located across from the Fairmont Empress Hotel being the closest to your hotel... and here are a few suggestions!
FISHERMAN'S WHARF
One of Victoria's most colourful attractions is the floating Fisherman's Wharf, where you'll explore unique vendors and vibrant houseboats. It's a fun, quaint spot where the spirit of Victoria truly shines and you'll likely have an opportunity to meet some locals, whether they're working as vendors or standing next to you in line at the taco stand.
CHINATOWN
A great place to wander through if you have an hour or two is Victoria’s Chinatown. It’s the oldest Chinatown in Canada and the 2nd oldest in North America behind San Francisco’s Chinatown. Located on Fisgard Street, between Government Street & Store Street.
VICTORIA PUBLIC MARKETS
Victoria Public Market is located in the historic Hudson building in downtown Victoria, and features locally produced cheese, local meats, farm-fresh groceries, handmade pies, a French bakery, oils and vinegar's, fresh flowers, specialty retail, gourmet food service offerings, and much more.
TEA AT THE EMPRESS
A grand tradition for over a century, the world-renowned Fairmont Empress has served England's most beloved ritual of afternoon tea to famed royalty, celebrities, and dignitaries alike. Reinvigorated in our timeless, sophisticated Lobby Lounge, Tea at the Empress will continue this quintessentially Victoria Experience.
Shared Group Tour - Butchart Gardens Experience Tour
Travelling to The Butchart Gardens? We've got you covered! Join Sightseeing Victoria for your fully narrated round-trip transportation between Downtown Victoria, and The Butchart Gardens. Your ticket includes round-trip transportation and admission into the Gardens for quick and convenient entrance. You can book the return bus from The Butchart Garden on the day of your visit, and you will have the flexibility to extend your stay in the garden if desired.
Shared Group Tour - Sunset Whale Watching 6:00 pm (3 hours)
Ease into the evening aboard our luxury catamaran, Salish Sea Eclipse, as we depart Victoria's scenic inner harbour. British Columbia is known to have some of the best scenery in the world - not to mention the incredible sunsets. Take advantage of a unique whale watching experience & the wonderful evening light. Your tour will begin approximately approx. two hours before the sun goes down and will be an experience to remember. The vessel features a main interior cabin that is heated and includes comfortable seating next to windows. The upper deck is open and covered seating for guests that want to view from outside. A snack bar is serving light food with hot and cold drinks available for purchase, the revenue generated is donated to Wild ARC Foundation to assist in rehabilitating sick and injured wildlife.
- Butchart Gardens Admission & Shuttle
- Shared Boat Tour
Shared Scheduled Coach | Ferry Service - Victoria Bus Depot to Vancouver Bus Depot
09:45am - 1:45pm
Leaving Victoria, drive north to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal for a for a 90-minute sail through the serene beauty of the Gulf Islands waterways and historic shipping channels. Marine wildlife sightings from the outdoor ship decks are common, especially eagles, sea lions and whales. Onboard BC Ferries enjoy the scenery of the Gulf Islands as you cross the Strait of Georgia. All South Coast ferries facilities include restaurants, cafes, indoor lounges with large viewing windows, and a large outdoor viewing deck to take in the BC Coastal Island views.
On arrival in Vancouver, make your way by short taxi to your hotel for 2 nights stay. Explore Vancouver at leisure. Optional half day and full day tours available.
Any of these must-sees will kick-start your Vancouver sightseeing, and you are sure to stumble upon plenty of other Vancouver treasures along the way. Full and half day tours available to some of Vancouver's must-see attractions
- Stanley Park
- Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Grouse Mountain
- Granville Island
- Gastown
- Tasting Tours
Rocky Mountaineer Day 1 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 River valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade mountains, to the desert-like environment of the 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 and into Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops. B, L.
- 2 days Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf Service
- Luggage handling and rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops and Jasper
- 2 breakfast, 2 lunch
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Kamloops
- Onboard train gratuities
- Fuel Surcharge & GST
SilverLeaf Service
- A single-level dome coach with panoramic views through oversized windows.
- Regionally-inspired meals served by a culinary team member at your seat.
- Reclining, comfortable pre-assigned seating with ample leg room.
- Attended by up to three Hosts.
- Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available throughout the journey.
- Gourmet sweet and savoury snacks.
- Outdoor viewing area.
- Engaging Hosts with stories about historic sites, scenery and wildlife.
- Luggage delivery to overnight accommodation in Kamloops
- Airport Transfers
- Meals, other than specified
- Activities, other than specified
- Gratuities for hotel and transfer staff
Rocky Mountaineer Day 2 Kamloops to Jasper
Your journey continues north and east to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. 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, at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet) the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Pyramid Falls, and the climb over the Yellowhead Pass into Jasper National Park. Your rail journey ends on arrival in the resort town of Jasper this evening. B, L.
Coach Transfer to your Jasper hotel is provided by Rocky Mountaineer.
2 nights in Jasper are included.
- Transfers not listed as included
Small Group Tour - Maligne Valley Sightseeing Tour with Cruise
08:30 am - 2:30 pm
This introduction to Jasper begins with a short tour of the town before heading across the Athabasca River to Maligne Lake. A century after Mary Schaeffer's remarkable adventure, come discover the world-renowned Maligne Lake for yourself! A stop at Maligne Canyon offers staggering views of the river thundering through a series of magnificent waterfalls in a gorge 10,000 years in the making. Farther up the valley, stop to solve the mystery of "disappearing" Medicine Lake. Next we'll carry on to the pinnacle of our tour, breathtaking Maligne Lake! Once there you can enjoy an interpretative boat cruise bound for Spirit Island, truly another of Canada's iconic images.
Small Group Tour - Jasper to Banff Tour With Picnic Lunch, Ice Explorer & Glacier Skywalk
08:30 am - 8:00 pm
Following the spine of the Canadian Rockies, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged snowy peaks, and over 100 glaciers. The entire day is spent in the majesty of Canada's two most famous National Parks, Banff and Jasper. Enroute, make a stop at Athabasca Falls located just outside of the Jasper Townsite. Among the most powerful and breathtaking falls in the Rocky Mountains, the Athabasca River thunders through a narrow gorge where the walls have been smoothed and potholed by the sheer force of the rushing water carrying sand and rock. Our next stop is the breathtaking Columbia Icefields and Athabasca Glacier where we will allow time to enjoy a Ice Explorer ride on the Glacier & Glacier Skywalk. Next we continue to the Weeping Wall, and the Crowfoot Glacier before joining the Trans Canada Highway near Lake Louise where a stop will be made to view the lake and famous Chateau, then continue on the Trans Canada Highway, passing fortress formations of Castle and Protection Mountains to arrive in to Banff late afternoon. Your picnic lunch and Glacier Adventure package is included.
3 nights in Banff are included.
Shared Group Tour - Discover Banff & its Wildlife with Gondola
08:30am - 2:00pm
This small group tour is the perfect introduction to Banff and includes some of Banff's most scenic and historically significant highlights such as the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, and Banff's largest lake, Lake Minnewanka. Plus, enjoy hot chocolate or fresh water (depending on the time of year) and maple cookies at one of the scenic stops.
You'll then be transported to the base of Sulphur Mountain and ride the Banff Gondola to the top at 7,486 feet. At the summit, marvel at the unsurpassed view of Banff, the Bow Valley and a 360-degree view of six scenic mountain ranges. You'll feel like you're on top of the world when you are standing on the spacious main level observation deck. After your download on the Banff Gondola, the guide will transport you back to your Banff hotel.
Spend the day explore Banff at leisure.
Small Group Tour - Moraine Lake & Lake Louise Sunset Wildlife Adventure
6:00pm - 11:00 pm
On this small group experience, you'll have access to Moraine Lake after the crowds have dispersed, here your expert local guide will show you to the best locations to watch as the setting sun transforms the lake into a stunning shade of turquoise, reflecting the Ten Peaks. Utilize their photography skills & knowledge to fine-tune your camera settings for an amazing photoshoot. Next, venture to the iconic Lake Louise. Experience the sunset casting a golden glow over the lake, creating a breathtaking panorama against the backdrop of the majestic Victoria Glacier. It's a moment of tranquility and awe-inspiring beauty that you will cherish forever. Making your way back to Banff as dusk falls along the Bow Valley Parkway, it's the ideal time of day for wildlife sightings. Keep your cameras ready for possible encounters with elk, deer, bears, and other native wildlife in their natural habitat. The guides will share insights about the local ecosystem and wildlife behaviours.
Highlights: golden hour at Moraine Lake after the big tour buses depart; sunset at Lake Louise; dusk wildlife adventure along the Bow Valley Parkway; expert local guide shares stories and photo tips.
Express Coach Transfer - Banff to Calgary Airport (2 hours)
Today it's time to say goodbye to the fresh mountain air and majestic sights of the Rockies. Following the highway to Calgary, you'll travel back through the Great Central Plains that roll to the east for 2,000 kilometres and extend south as far as Mexico. In the late 1700's, over 60 million buffalo roamed these plains but by 1900 it took concerted efforts and the establishment of national parks to keep them safe from extinction. Arrive at Calgary Airport in time to connect with your flight
End of Arrangements.
