Rocky Mountaineer and Vancouver: Pre-Programme

Day 1: Arrival in Calgary 

Arrival at Calgary Airport. Make your way to your in-terminal hotel. Overnight at in hotel at Calgary Airport.

Day 2: Calgary / Banff

After breakfast, "meet & greet” with your local guide. Morning transfer in a private van from Calgary to the resort town of Banff (approx. 1.5 hours). Banff National Park is home to 53 species of mammals including bears, wolves, moose and mountain goats. Enjoy your two-night stay and explore the area. Transfer and overnight at your hotel in Banff.

Day 3: Banff (day off)

Summer in Banff is all about sunshine, mountain adventures, and moments full of vibrant beauty. It is the chance to take a break from your daily routine and discover fun and recreation. Try something you’ve done before, like rock climbing or horseback riding. Be wowed by the spectacular beauty of Banff National Park’s mountains, lakes, and valleys on a scenic drive or helicopter flight (not included). It is time to connect with nature and truly relax. Your local guide will assist with private excursions or hikes. Overnight Banff.

Day 4: Banff / Kamloops – Rocky Mountaineer

Morning private transfer to Banff train station. Travel aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train from the resort town of Banff to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board the train. 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, through remarkable tunnels, along rocky lakeshores and across the ranchlands of the interior. Today’s highlights include the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels, ­Kicking Horse Canyon, Rog­ers Pass and Craigellachie – where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven. Disembark at Kamloops station in the early evening and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 5: Kamloops / Vancouver – Rocky Mountaineer

Your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board the train. 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 Cascade and Coast mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser River 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. Upon arrival, private transfer to your hotel downtown Vancouver. Overnight, including breakfast.

Day 6: Vancouver

Enjoy a day of leisure and discover Vancouver at your own pace. Overnight, including breakfast.

Day 7: Vancouver

After breakfast, departure for your sightseeing tour of Vancouver. You will see English Bay, Canada Place, the waterfront, and the Olympic Flame Monument. Next, we drive drive around Stanley Park with stops at the totem poles and Prospect Point. Drive across magnificent Lions Gate Bridge, over Burrard Inlet to Vancouver’s North Shore. Here, we will visit Capilano Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in Canada. You will see the bridge, Treetops Adventure and new Cliffwalk exhibit. Driving back to Vancouver, explore Chinatown - North America’s second-largest, with a stop at Dr Sun-Yat-Sen Park. Then it´s on to historic Gastown with its 19^th century buildings, cobblestone streets and hidden passageways, with a stop at the Steam Clock. Finally, a visit to Granville Island for its famous market, arts and crafts shops and many cafes and restaurants. The tour will end at Vancouver Cruise Terminal, right in time for embarkation on MS Roald Amundsen.

NOTE: The order of sights might vary

Practical information

Included:

The price includes five overnights in four-star hotels (one in Calgary, two in Banff, two nights in Vancouver, including breakfast), and one night at a moderate hotel in Kamloops, which is included in the Rocky Mountaineer two-day rail tour. Also included are a bus transfer from Calgary airport hotel to the hotel in Banff, a Banff National Park entrance fee, a local English-speaking guide from the hotel in Calgary on day 2 to Banff Railway Station on day 4, the Rocky Mountaineer rail journey from Banff-Kamloops-Vancouver, with one-level dome car and Silverleaf service (2 x breakfast, 2 x lunch with wine and beer), all hotel transfers, and meals as described.

Not included:

Meals that are not described, drinks, gratuities.

Remarks:

• This tour starts with an overnight in Calgary and ends  with two hotel nights in Vancouver. The tour includes some walking. Guests with limited mobility are on request.
• Minimum number of participants: 10
• If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the trip up until six weeks before departure.
• Tour dates: 11.05.-17.05.2020, 25.05.-31.05.2020, 18.06.-24.06.2020, 02.07.-08.07.2020, 26.07.-01.08.2020
• Booking code: YVRROCKPRE