The Canadian Rockies
| Resort: | Canada |
| Operator: | Cosmos |
| Destination: | Canada |
| Price From: | Contact for latest offers |
OverviewCanadas national parks and scenic drives highlight this wonderful Canadian Rockies tour that overnights in Vancouver, Kelowna, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Sun Peaks, Whistler, and Victoria. Youll spend time in Banff National ParkCanadas first national parkwith its valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, rivers, and meadows, and Jasper National Park, with its majestic mountains and abundant wildlife. Other Canadian national parks on this tour include Glacier National Park, with its rugged mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls, and Yoho National Park, with its vertical rockwalls, waterfalls, and beautiful peaks. In addition to national parks, youll also visit some of Canadas most popular resort towns on this Canadian Rockies tour. In the resort city of Kelowna, attractively set on the shores of Lake Okanagan and surrounded by orchards and vineyards, enjoy a winery tour.
ItineraryDAY 1 VANCOUVERWelcome to Vancouver! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
DAY 2 VANCOUVERThis morning, an included city tour highlights Stanley Park, Chinatown, the harbor, beaches, and more. The rest of the day is at leisure; your Tour Director can suggest ways to further explore the city. Maybe take a water taxi to Granville Island with outdoor markets, street musicians, and waterfront cafs. Or, visit historic Gastown with its steam-powered clock.
DAY 3 VANCOUVER – KELOWNAOur journey begins in British Columbias fertile valleys and continues through rich mountain forests to Lake Okanagan. Travel along the lake to the resort city of Kelowna, beautifully situated on the lake shore and surrounded by orchards and vineyards. Sample local wines on the included winery tour.
DAY 4 KELOWNA – BANFF NATIONAL PARKMotor north through the Okanagan Valley, famous for its peaches and vineyards. Climb up 4,379-foot-high Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. Take a break at the pass, perfect for photos of the rugged mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Enter Yoho National Park and ascend Kicking Horse Pass at 5,421 feet. Reach Banff National Park, gateway to the majestic Canadian Rockies. An orientation tour includes Banffs unspoiled beauty.
DAY 5 BANFF NATIONAL PARKBanff is one of Canadas favorite year-round resorts, and home to 53 species of mammals. The most commonly seen are deer and big horn sheep. If the timing is right, you may spot black bears, grizzlies, or wolves. Your Tour Director will also have suggestions for an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies.
DAY 6 BANFF NATIONAL PARK – LAKE LOUISE – COLUMBIA ICEFIELD – JASPER NATIONAL PARKFirst, to Lake Louise, its turquoise waters a perfect natural mirror that reflects the mountains and glaciers. Precipitous gorges, snowcapped summits, and lakes of exquisite blues and greens come into view as the motorcoach continues northward into Jasper National Park. A highlight today is a stop at the Columbia Icefield to ride the Ice Explorer that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick. This afternoon, join our optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Enjoy an orientation tour of Jasper townsite upon arrival.
DAY 7 JASPER NATIONAL PARKToday, join our optional excursion to Maligne Lake and Spirit Island, and embark on a narrated cruise. The balance of the day is free to enjoy everything Jasper has to offerfrom quaint shops to meandering wildlife.
DAY 8 JASPER NATIONAL PARK – MOUNT ROBSON – SUN PEAKSLeave Jasper and follow the Fraser River to the base of Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, peaking at 12,972 feet. Continue following the Yellowhead Highway south along the North Thompson Rivera route pioneered by fur trappers. Overnight at the Sun Peaks mountain resort.
DAY 9 SUN PEAKS – LILLOOET – WHISTLERHead south, following the once treacherous Cariboo Wagon Trail. Via Lillooet, Mile 0 of the Gold Rush Route, your motorcoach will follow the shores of Seton and Duffey Lakes with a late-afternoon arrival in Whistler.
DAY 10 WHISTLERSpend the day in the alpine resort of Whistler, nestled at the base of breathtaking Blackcomb Mountain. Enjoy free time to explore many sites of the 2010 Winter Olympics held here. You may decide to join one of many optional excursions, including a flightseeing excursion by floatplane over the glaciated peaks, or a gondola ride between Whistler and Blackcomb mountainsthe perfect bear-spotting vantage point.
DAY 11 WHISTLER – FERRY CROSSING – VICTORIASet sail across the Strait of Georgia, known for its Mediterranean-type climate. Afternoon sightseeing in Victoria includes the world-famous Butchart Gardens, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park with its unusual collection of totem poles.
DAY 12 VICTORIAA day at leisure gives you the chance to discover this splendid city, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, shopping on Government Street, or a leisurely stroll around the harbor. Perhaps join the optional wildlife and whale-watching trip cruising the beautiful waters of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, looking for whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles.
DAY 13 VICTORIA – FERRY CROSSING – VANCOUVERA scenic ferry crossing to the mainland, where the trip ends at Vancouver International Airport. Please schedule flights after 1:30 pm.
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