Thursday and Saturday early morning departures have one fewer night in
Jasper
Day 1
Monday (Sunday Night) Board VIA Rail
westbound train, Saskatoon, in the wee hours of the morning and check into your
cabin. This morning enjoy a delicious breakfast and
relax as we forge across the great wheatfields of Saskatchewan before our
morning arrival into Edmonton, capital and largest metropolis in
Alberta. After a brief stop we continue the train journey to
the "Jewel of the Canadian Rockies" Jasper, Alberta.
Disembark and transfer to your hotel. Keep on the lookout
for wild animals often seen in and around the town. 
VIA
RAIL BEDROOMS / DINING
CAR / DOME
CAR / PARK-LOUNGE
CAR
Day
2 Tuesday This
morning we tour JASPER
and, above the townsite, beautiful PYRAMID
LAKE. Perhaps take an optional
cruise of magnificent MALIGNE
LAKE and its incredible aquamarine waters.
The views are stunning and the water is a shade of blue found only in
these mountains. Spirit Island is a famous spot for
photographers seeking the perfect picture. Return to Jasper via the
Valley of the FIVE
LAKES. Those staying
for additional nights can travel on their own a few miles to the south of
Jasper to the JASPER
GONDOLA from where the views of the valleys and
peaks are outstanding and ATHABASCA
FALLS / HORSESHOE
LAKE.
Day 3
Wednesday
We have a free day in this pristine alpine paradise.
Perhaps rent a car and drive south on the Icefields Parkway. Stop at
waterfalls, mountain vistas and some of the most stunning aqua green and
blue lakes you will see (BOW
LAKE. Bikes can be rented in town, horseback
riding is available and there are trails for every level of
adventurer. Be sure to stop by the magnificent Jasper Park Lodge,
built between two lakes and visited by King George the V and Marilyn
Monroe. Cuisine tastes even better after walks in the fresh mountain
air and Jasper has no shortage of terrific restaurants. Overnight
at one of our Jasper
Hotels
Day
4 Thursday
Board VIA Rail trans-continental in the early afternoon. Cross over
the Continental Divide. Travel through no fewer than 5 mountain
ranges, past emerald lakes and raging rivers and massive Mount Robson.
Sunset to the west is usually a photographers delight especially from one
of the dome cars.
Day 5
Friday Travel
along the Fraser Valley and arrive in Vancouver, British Columbia in the
morning and pick up your luggage. Take a taxi for the short drive to
one of our downtown hotels. Check in and have the rest of the day to
explore Vancouver. We recommend Gastown and the World's first
outdoor steamclock. Robson Street is loaded with restaurants and
shopping. Vancouver has two cruise ship piers and a walk along the
promenades is interesting.
Day 6 Saturday We are
picked up at our hotel (or very near) and begin our exciting VANCOUVER
sightseeing tour. Discover QUEEN
ELIZABETH PARK and its
beautiful grounds and STANLEY
PARK with its famous totem poles.
Cross the Lions Gate Bridge to the Capilano Suspension Bridge where you
can take a heart quickening walk across. At Grouse Mountain you ride
the Skyride Gondola to the summit where there are lumberjack shows,
parasailers launching down the valley, and incomparable views of Vancouver
and the Inside Passage. Pier into the misty distance to see
Vancouver Island, which you will be visiting tomorrow! Visit the
second largest Chinatown in North America and then have the evening free
to take in one of Vancouver's great restaurants such as the "Seasons
Restaurant" or maybe book an optional harbor cruise dinner or perhaps
one of two revolving restaurants. Overnight
at one of our Vancouver
Hotels
Day 7 We
are picked up at our hotel and depart on a great adventure. We
transfer by motor coach onto British Columbia Ferries ships to sail the
inside passage to Vancouver Island. Our motor coach drives us to
beautiful BUTCHART
GARDENS. With its millions of
flowers it is hard to imagine this was once a horrid rock quarry.
Continue to VICTORIA, capital of British Columbia and the most
"British" city in Canada. Enjoy a scenic drive with vistas
of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains. There is
enough time for shopping and High Tea at the Empress Hotel before
returning to the ferry which will deliver us back to our Vancouver hotel.
Day 8
Monday End
of services or we can arrange additional nights and activities in
refreshing and beautiful Vancouver. How about a tour to Bowen
Island, WHISTLER
ski resort, whale watching, or we can pre-arrange a self
drive boating adventure!
|
Comfortable bedrooms
Spirit Island on Maligne Lake
Lakes and Waterfalls in Alberta
Vancouver, Voted #1 Destination in North
America by the American Business Association
|
canadatraintours.com