Compare Vancouver & the Rockies by Rocky Mountaineer 2021 by Tauck vs Canada (Western): See & Experience it ALL in 10 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1 Arrive Vancouver

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver. A transfer is included upon arrival from the Vancouver Airport to the Fairmont Waterfront. One of the most beautifully sited cities in North America, cosmopolitan Vancouver dazzles the eye wherever you look with views of the water, the mountains, and a glittering skyline. Your hotel is perfectly located to enjoy it all. Join us for our welcome reception followed by dinner.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Fairmont Waterfront

PORTOFCALL : Vancouver, Canada

Day 2 Discovering Vancouver By Land & Air

Home to an active cultural scene and abundant natural resources, Vancouver is a city steeped in pleasures. Thismorning, a floatplane ride from Coal Harbour takes you flightseeing for a completely different perspective on this city by the sea – and it’s just as scenic from the air. Continue on to Stanley Park, a stunning green oasis in the midst of the city, and enjoy lunch on your own at your choice of Granville Island’s tempting eateries. On a sightseeing tour this afternoon, enjoy a docent-led tour of the Bill Reid Gallery, a showcase for contemporary Aboriginal art of the Northwest Coast. One of Canada’s greatest artists, Bill Reid was an acclaimed Haida master goldsmith, carver, sculptor and writer, whose work is on display here. Enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Fairmont Waterfront

PORTOFCALL : Vancouver, Canada

Day 3 All Aboard Rocky Mountaineer

Your awe-inspiring journey to the Canadian Rockies begins! Travel to the railway station for an early-morning send-off onboard Rocky Mountaineer. Relaxing in your GoldLeaf Service glass-dome coach, you will witness 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 British Columbia’s desert-like interior. One highlight of this leg of your trip is Hell’s Gate – rushing waters squeezing through an abrupt narrowing of the mighty Fraser River. In 1808, the explorer Simon Fraser described this whitewater chute as “a place where no human being should venture.” Your train rolls on to another highlight – and it’s quite a contrast: the landscape of steep slopes, rock sheds, and arid bluffs along the Thompson River. At the end of the day, Rocky Mountaineer glides along the shores of Kamloops Lake into Kamloops. Spend the night at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Kamloops.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Kamloops

Day 4 Over the Continental Divide by Rail

Your journey onboard Rocky Mountaineer continues to the breathtaking Canadian Rockies in Alberta. Prepare to be surrounded by dramatic scenery as your train follows the North Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains, climbing ever nearer to the high peaks of the Continental Divide. Take in Mount Robson, at 12,972 feet (3,954 m.) the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. See Pyramid Falls and climb over Yellowhead Pass. Your rail trip ends in the town of Jasper. Travel to Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, your resort in the heart of the Jasper National Park, for a two-night stay.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

PORTOFCALL : Jasper National Park, Canada

Day 5 A Free Day in Jasper National Park

Wake up on the shore of Lac Beauvert in the remote wilderness of Jasper National Park, where you have the whole day to enjoy the activities and amenities offered at your lodge resort. You can go kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking... take a wildlife tour, play a round of golf, or relax in the spa (some activities are at additional cost).

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

PORTOFCALL : Jasper National Park, Canada

Day 6 The Spectacular Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise is among North America’s most stunning drives. Travel this roadway as it winds through snow-domed peaks past hanging glaciers – and make sure to keep watch for wandering elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and bears. At the Athabasca Glacier, board a specially designed Ice Explorer for a smooth, slow ride up this 7,200-ft.-high part of the Columbia Icefield. Your final destination today is Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, set on the lake within Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; you’ll stay in a lake-view room tonight. Set your alarm to be sure to catch the sunrise from your window tomorrow morning!

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

PORTOFCALL : Banff, Canada

Day 7 A Morning at Lake Louise as you please

Watching the sun rise over the mountains and Lake Louise is truly a sight to behold – and an inspiring way to begin the day. The color of the lake is a turquoise blue that hardly seems real; the water contains light rock flour, made by the grinding of glaciers, which reflects the sunlight creating a color so beautiful you won’t want to look away. Spend the morning at leisure exploring your resort and the area’s walking and hiking trails. Canoeing is available (at an extra cost). This afternoon, enjoy a change of scenery and pace when you travel to your next accommodations, another historic Canadian Pacific Railway Hotel in Banff National Park; known as Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies,” Fairmont Banff Springs is a grand resort built in the style of a Scottish castle. Set on the Bow River, this landmark has welcomed nature lovers in style for 125+ years.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Fairmont Banff Springs

PORTOFCALL : Banff, Canada

Day 8 A Bow River Valley Float Trip

Begin the day with a morning float trip* along the Bow River, a perfect way to take in the grandeur of the Rockies. Then spend the rest of the day as you wish. You can go into the town of Banff and discover that the town itself is filled with unique galleries to explore. For some amazing views, ride up into the mountains aboard the Banff Gondola. Your resort offers many activities (some available at additional cost); take a guided nature walk, book a treatment at the Willow Stream Spa, go horseback riding, play a round of golf, and more. Join us for a farewell reception and dinner tonight.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Fairmont Banff Springs

PORTOFCALL : Banff, Canada

Day 9 Journey home

Tour ends: Calgary. Travel through the Canadian Rockies to Calgary International Airport this morning (approx. 80 miles) for your journey home. Fly home anytime after 12:00 noon. Direct flights to the US will clear US customs in Calgary. Allow two hours for flight check-in at the airport.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Calgary, Canada

Day 1: Welcome to the Rocky Mountains

Through the city of Edmonton, we reach our first destination. This is none other than the resort town of Jasper. It is home to the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Jasper National Park attracts those seeking vast wilderness, majestic peaks and lots of wildlife.

Note that if you cannot arrive at the Edmonton Airport by 2:00pm, you will need a ‘pre-tour’ day. You would sleep in Downtown Edmonton for that evening and would start our tour the following day. We would make all arrangements for you in the event you need to sleep in Edmonton.

Day 2: A Fantasy Boat Ride & Abundant Wildlife

As a daytrip from Jasper, we visit Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake as well as do a boat cruise from Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. Maligne Canyon contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds and plant life. Wildlife is surprisingly abundant along Medicine Lake. Grizzly bear, black bear, mule deer, wolves, moose, mountain sheep and bald eagles are some of the animals which frequent the lake area during the summer season. The lake cruise is scenic and is arguably the highlight of the day.

Day 3: A Monster Bus on a Glacier & One of the Most Scenic Drives on Earth

Although we are relocating from Jasper to the resort town of Banff, a lot of important stops are made along the way: Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield (ride on the actual glacier with a specially designed, stretched out monster bus!), Weeping Wall Waterfalls, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake. Today is best described as one of the most scenic drives on Earth! Note that lunch is included on today’s tour.

Day 4: A Pilot’s View of Paradise & a Canyon Deservedly Displayed on Postcards

As a daytrip from Banff, our morning starts with a visit to the town of Canmore. It is from there we take a helicopter ride. The mountainous scenery is like no other. In the latter part of the day, after returning to Banff, we visit the nearby Johnston Canyon. Limestone rock eroding over thousands of years led to a picture-perfect creation combining sheer canyon walls, waterfalls, tunnels and natural pools.

Day 5: Instagram-Famous Photo Stops, a Lake Cruise & Thundering Waterfalls

As another daytrip from Banff, today we visit Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Hoodoos Viewpoint, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. We also go on an enjoyable boat cruise at Lake Minnewanka. The evening ends with a ride on Banff Gondola. We ascend Sulphur Mountain (2,281 meters or 7,484 feet) and then follow the well-designed skywalk.

Day 6: The Ultimate Seaplane Tour & an Ice Bar

After relocating by both land and air from Banff to the resort town of Whistler, we go on a seaplane ride: rugged peaks, majestic glaciers, lush alpine meadows and turquoise glacial waters. After this flightseeing tour, we return to town. Over two million people visit Whistler annually. Its pedestrian village has won numerous design awards. Whistler has been voted among the top destinations in North America by major magazines since the mid-1990s.

We encourage you to end the day with a visit to the town’s most famous ice bar. It is fascinating even to those who do not drink.

Day 7: The Outdoor Adventurist’s Favorite Day of All

As excursions from Whistler, we go off-roading, whitewater rafting and ziplining. These are three of the very most popular activities in Whistler…and we are doing them all in one day! Even if we ignore the thrill aspect, the nature we see today gives enough reason why not to miss out.

Day 8: Walking a Suspension Bridge, Touching Peak to Peak by Cable Car & Nightlife

Before relocating by land to the city of Vancouver, we go on the so-called ‘Peak 2 Peak’ Gondola. Until 2017, it held the world record for the longest free span between ropeway towers. Adding to the overall experience is the ski lift ride and a 425-foot suspension bridge called Cloudraker Skybridge.

Once in Vancouver, we head to another suspension bridge. It is called Capilano. It is 140 meters (460 feet) long and 70 meters (230 feet) above the river. Capilano draws over 1.2 million visitors per year. We recommend you end your evening in Downtown Vancouver, specifically in an area called Gastown. There you will find lots of restaurants, galleries, shops and places to party.

Day 9: Whales, Islands, Beaches & a Food Market

Before making a daytrip by seaplane to the village of Tofino, we visit Vancouver’s most famous public market. It is located on Granville Island. Established in 1979, Granville Island Public Market is located in an enclosed facility where customers can purchase fresh produce, meat, seafood, cheeses and other products, many of which are locally sourced. There are approximately 50 vendors in the market, some of which are food vendors. They sell a range of items from Mexican, Asian, Greek and deli food to candy and snacks. The market attracts both local residents and tourists.

The seaplane ride between Vancouver and Tofino is quite scenic. On a clear day, we can see whales as well as Clayoquot Sound. This is a body of water with many inlets and islands. While in Tofino, we have time to walk around town. A visit to Chesterman Beach is recommended for those who wish to swim.

Day 10: Our Tour Ends This Morning

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport or port in Vancouver.