Best of Canada's West 2010 - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

• Duration (with arrival/departure): 11
• Tour Style: Discovery
• Destinations: Vancouver, Victoria, Butchart Gardens, Whistler, Kamloops, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Arrive Vancouver Welcome to Vancouver! A complimentary transfer is provided to the tour hotel. Your Tour Director is at the hotel this afternoon to welcome you and answer your questions. Join us at 6:00pm for a Welcome Drink at the hotel.
  
  Hotel: Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel



• Day 2 - Vancouver – Strait of Georgia – Victoria (2 nights) Our tour of Vancouver takes us to Stanley Park where we view the totem poles and learn of their significance to the aboriginal community, English Bay, Chinatown – the second largest Chinese district after San Francisco’s, and historic Gastown with its charming cobblestone streets, courtyards and mews. We then board a ferry and cross the Strait of Georgia, cruising through the beautiful Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island. We journey on by coach to the quaint city of Victoria, a little bit of England on the Pacific coast. Here, an orientation tour introduces us to Bastion Square, the Inner Harbour and the Parliament Buildings. Later, perhaps explore the city further with an optional horse-drawn carriage ride. This evening we enjoy a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant. (Full breakfast / Highlight dinner)
  
  Hotel: Inn at Laurel Point



• Day 3 - Victoria sightseeing & at leisure We start the day with breakfast served in the flower-ladden conservatory at the famous Butchart Gardens. A representative from Butchart Gardens will give us a brief talk on the history of the Butchart Family and the gardens’ exhibits. Later, there is time to explore this 55-acre showcase of extraordinary floral displays. Back in Victoria, the rest of the day is at leisure. Stroll through the flower-filled streets and browse the stores for some early souvernir shopping, or perhaps partake in one of our popular optional activities including a whale watching excursion and an evening walking tour of Chinatown, complete with Chinese banquet. (Full breakfast)



• Day 4 - Victoria – Sea to Sky Highway – Whistler We travel north to Chemainus, a seaside town known for its beautiful murals. We then journey across the Strait of Georgia, back to the mainland and along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway. After a stop at the 1,105-feet Shannon Falls, we continue the climb over the Coast Mountains to arrive at Whistler, where we are taken on a guided walking tour of this quaint alpine village and learn about this 2010 Olympic venue. (Full breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa



• Day 5 - Whistler – Cache Creek – Kamloops This morning we travel across the fertile Pemberton Valley and along the scenic Duffy Lake Road, often referred to as “one of the best drives in Canada.” We stop at Historic Hat Creek Ranch, where we visit the historic buildings and learn about this early trading post. We also visit a native village and learn about the Shuswap Nation’s fascinating history and culture before continuing on through the high desert of interior British Columbia, renowned for its natural resources, including agriculture and timber. We then arrive in Kamloops, or “Meeting of the Waters” in Shuswap language as it is here that the two branches of the Thompson River join. This evening we enjoy a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant. (Full breakfast / Highlight dinner)
  
  Hotel: The Thompson Hotel



• Day 6 - Kamloops – Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks – Banff (2 nights) Today we head for the great Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, a UNESCO World Heritage area. We first visit Mount Revelstoke National Park, where we travel from dense old-growth rainforest of giant cedar and pine, to sub-alpine forest leading to alpine meadows and tundra with spectacular views of the ice-clad peaks of the Monashee Mountains. At Giant Cedars, weather permitting, we’ll enjoy a walk through a stand of 1000-year old cedars. Next, we enter Glacier National Park and climb over Rogers Pass. After crossing the Columbia River, we enter the Rocky Mountain trench. Our next national park is Yoho, where we view the Natural Bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River and the famous Spiral Tunnels, constructed so that freight trains - typically up to a mile long - can safely climb the narrow valley. Crossing the Continental Divide, we enter Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest national park, and arrive at the quintessential alpine resort of Banff. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Banff Park Lodge



• Day 7- Banff sightseeing & at leisure Our tour of Banff features the classic viewpoint of Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive, Bow Falls and the wind-shaped rock formations known as hoodoos. We then board the Banff Gondola for a ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience a bird’s eye view of six mountain ranges from the upper terminal. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please; explore the shops along Banff Avenue, or join one of the many optional activities, including a scenic helicopter flight over Mount Assiniboine, a river float trip down the Bow River, or a guided nature walk. Later, why not partake in a fun and entertaining celebration of Canada at an awardwinning dinner show? (Full breakfast)
  
  



• Day 8 - Banff – Lake Louise – Icefields Parkway – Jasper (2 nights) Our first stop is at beautiful Lake Louise where we are taken on an interpretive walk along the lakeshore. We learn about the history and geography of the area and soak in the stunning landscape combining azure glacial waters, deep green forests, jagged snow-covered mountains and the mighty Victoria Glacier. We then head north along the stunning Icefields Parkway, driving beneath snowcapped peaks, thundering waterfalls and glistening glaciers. Keep an eye out for wildlife including elk, black bear and mountain goat. We continue onto the Columbia Icefield where we board an Ice Explorer for a unique journey onto the massive Athabasca Glacier. We then head for Jasper in the heart of Jasper National Park. After dinner, we learn about Rocky Mountain wildlife at a fun and informative presentation by a local expert. (Full breakfast / Buffet dinner)
  
  Hotel: Chateau Jasper



• Day 9 - Jasper National Park sightseeing & at leisure This morning we enjoy an interpretive walk at Maligne Canyon, one of the most beautiful gorges in the Rockies. We learn about the underground river system - one of the longest in Canada – while strolling along the canyon’s trail, past beautiful waterfalls and spectacular rock formations. The rest of the day is at leisure in Jasper to enjoy the superb vistas, stroll the quaint streets, or join one of the optional activities which include a lake cruise on beautiful Maligne Lake, a gentle float trip down the Athabasca River, a guided alpine excursion to Mount Edith Cavell, and an evening of wildlife spotting followed by a relaxing soak in natural hot springs. (Full breakfast)



• Day 10 - Jasper – Mount Robson – Lac Le Jeune Today our Tour Director will reveal a Hidden Treasure. We head west over Yellowhead Pass and arrive at Mount Robson, the Rockies’ tallest peak at 12,989 ft. We then follow the Thompson River as it winds its way down through the Columbia Mountains to arrive at our resort, beautifully located on the shores of Lac Le Jeune. Here we join a local expert on a nature walk to the beaver dam at the end of the lake, and learn about the resident beaver colony. This evening join us for a hearty Farewell Dinner with newfound friends. (Full breakfast / Farewell dinner)
  
  Hotel: Lac Le Jeune Resort



• Day 11 - Lac Le Jeune – Depart Vancouver Heading for the Pacific coast, we arrive back in Vancouver. A complimentary transfer is provided to Vancouver International Airport and the tour hotel in Vancouver for passengers extending their stay. (Full breakfast)
  
  Please do not schedule any flights before 6.00pm.


Arrive VancouverVancouver – Strait of Georgia – Victoria Victoria sightseeing & at leisureVictoria – Sea to Sky Highway – WhistlerWhistler – Cache Creek – KamloopsKamloops – Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks – Banff Banff sightseeing & at leisureBanff – Lake Louise – Icefields Parkway – Jasper Jasper National Park sightseeing & at leisureJasper – Mount Robson – Lac Le JeuneLac Le Jeune – Depart Vancouver

Whats Included

---

Sightseeing Highlights

• Vancouver Discover Chinatown, Gastown, English Bay and Stanley Park.
• Victoria See the city’s landmarks; explore the Butchart Gardens.
• Whistler Join a walking tour of this 2010 Olympic venue.
• Cache Creek Visit the Historic Hat Creek Ranch and a native village.
• Banff National Park Explore this UNESCO World Heritage area.
• Banff Tour the township; enjoy a scenic gondola ride.
• Lake Louise Join an interpretive walk along the lake.
• Icefields Parkway Motor along this spectacular alpine drive.
• Columbia Icefield Ride an Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier.
• Jasper National Park Walk Maligne Canyon; learn about local wildlife.
• Mount Robson View the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
• Lac Le Jeune Walk along the lake; learn about the resident beaver colony.

---

Dining Highlights

• 10 full breakfasts
• 1 three-course dinner
• 1 buffet dinner
• 2 local highlight restaurant dinners in Victoria and Kamloops
• Farewell Dinner with wine at Lac Le Jeune
15 included meals in total (see day by day itinerary)

---

First Class Travel Highlights

• First Class hotel accommodation includes two-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned motorcoach with reclining seats and onboard restroom.
• The services of one of Trafalgar’s top professional Tour Directors on the Land-only portion of the tour.
• Ferry across the Strait of Georgia from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay.
• A stylish wallet, travel documents and Welcome on Tour book with map.
• Complimentary airport transfers are provided on Day 1 and Day 11.

---

Optional 7-night Inside Passage Cruise
Why not extend your vacation with a 7-night Alaskan Inside Passage Cruise? Contact Trafalgar or your Travel Agent for further details.

Options

Child Prices: Apply to children 11 years of age and under.