Calgary Stampede and the Canadian Rockies Train Tour

Day 1 Vancouver to Jasper | VIA Rail This afternoon, board VIA Rail’s ‘Canadian’ train for the famous rail journey to the majestic Canadian Rockies. Pass through the rich fields of the Fraser Valley and the towering peaks of the Coastal Mountains before entering the Fraser Canyon. Follow the Thompson River through spectacular landscapes as you enjoy dinner (included), then retreat to your private quarters that have been converted into a bedroom.

Day 2 Arrive Jasper | VIA Rail Rise to the snowy peaks of the Canadian Rockies today as you arrive in Jasper and transfer to your hotel. The day is free to explore this unique alpine community. (breakfast included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 3 Jasper | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Morning Maligne Valley with Medicine Lake Tour Experience the most incredible sights in Jasper National Park’s Maligne Valley during this guided excursion to the region’s most scenic lakes & majestic canyons, enjoy a gentle guided walk along the shores of this pristine lake. Option 2. Evening Discover Jasper & its Wildlife Tour Admire diverse animal life in the Canadian wilderness on this evening wildlife tour. Delve into Jasper National Park with your guide. Travel through the mighty Athabasca Valley and marvel at the park’s beautiful landscapes by twilight.

Day 4 Jasper to Lake Louise | Sightseeing with picnic lunch Your sightseeing tour today will encompass the ultimate glacier exploration as you travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. From walking on ancient ice with the Ice Explorer ride (included), to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies. (picnic lunch included today)

Day 5 Lake Louise to Banff | Coach This morning is at leisure to explore Lake Louise before a mid-day transfer to Banff via the scenic Bow Valley highway, arriving mid-afternoon.

Day 6 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff Gondola Explore the natural wonders near the town of Banff on this half-day, small-group tour. Admire the unparalleled beauty of natural sights including Bow Falls, the surreal Hoodoos rock formation, and beautiful Lake Minnewanka, among others. Then Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Option 2. Discover Grizzly Bears, Lakes & Waterfalls Pursue the elusive Canadian Grizzly Bear on this 10 hour excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks, perfect for animal and naturelovers alike. Head out for a gondola ride up to 7,700 feet for a mountaintop lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant, and then take a chairlift ride up to the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat to see Boo the resident bear rescued as a cub. Option 3. Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or Dinner Saddle up for a ride along the Bow River in Banff and a Western style cookout. Choose from riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain

Day 7 Banff to Calgary | Coach Today you will leave behind the fresh mountain air and colourful sights of the Rockies. Follow the Trans Canada Highway and leave the Rocky Mountains to the Great Central Plains that roll to the east for 2000 kilometres and extend as far south as Mexico. This is ‘cattle ranching country’ and the breadbasket of Canada. Arrive Calgary mid afternoon

Day 8 Calgary Stampede | Rodeo Event The morning is yours to continue your explorations of Calgary. This afternoon, we make our way to the Stampede Grounds for the worldrenowned Stampede Rodeo. Take in the sights and sounds of the rodeo, shop at the many vendors, sample the food and experience the amazing events. Traditional rodeo events, such as bareback bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc, steer wrestling and tie-down roping, keep the excitement going all throughout the day and into the evening

Day 9 Calgary Stampede | Chuckwagon Races + Evening Grandstand Show Today is at leisure to enjoy the Calgary Stampede. Tonight we meet at Stampede Park for a special dinner in the Clubhouse, located on the fourth level of the Grandstand, before the main event, the Chuckwagon Races and Grandstand Show. The Chuckwagon Races are an event to remember, as 36 wagon drivers compete for over $1 million in prize money. Feel the excitement build over each of the nine heats, as sounds of horse hooves pounding the earth fill the air. When the winner crosses the finish line, the Grandstand Show begins. Acrobats, musicians, dancers and other talented performers entertain us all night before the evening concludes with a colorful fireworks display

Day 10 Calgary | Departure Upon check-out of your hotel your package ends.

Day 1 Calgary | Arrival Upon arrival in Calgary transfer (own cost) to your hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the sights.

Day 2 Calgary Stampede | Rodeo Event The morning is yours to continue your explorations of Calgary. This afternoon, we make our way to the Stampede Grounds for the worldrenowned Stampede Rodeo. Take in the sights and sounds of the rodeo, shop at the many vendors, sample the food and experience the amazing events. Traditional rodeo events, such as bareback bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc, steer wrestling and tie-down roping, keep the excitement going all throughout the day and into the evening

Day 3 Calgary Stampede | Chuckwagon Race | Evening Grandstand Show Today is at leisure to enjoy the Calgary Stampede. Tonight we meet at Stampede Park for a special dinner in the Clubhouse, located on the fourth level of the Grandstand, before the main event, the Chuckwagon Races and Grandstand Show. The Chuckwagon Races are an event to remember, as 36 wagon drivers compete for over $1 million in prize money. Feel the excitement build over each of the nine heats, as sounds of horse hooves pounding the earth fill the air. When the winner crosses the finish line, the Grandstand Show begins. Acrobats, musicians, dancers and other talented performers entertain us all night before the evening concludes with a colorful fireworks display

Day 4 Calgary to Banff | Coach Leave the Stampede City of Calgary on the express service to Banff, where you’ll arrive to a picturesque resort town surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Located within Banff National Park, Banff is renown for its scenic natural beauty and stunning wildlife.

Day 5 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff Gondola Explore the natural wonders near the town of Banff on this half-day, small-group tour. Admire the unparalleled beauty of natural sights including Bow Falls, the surreal Hoodoos rock formation, and beautiful Lake Minnewanka, among others. Then Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Option 2. Discover Grizzly Bears, Lakes & Waterfalls Pursue the elusive Canadian Grizzly Bear on this 10 hour excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks, perfect for animal and naturelovers alike. Head out for a gondola ride up to 7,700 feet for a mountaintop lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant, and then take a chairlift ride up to the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat to see Boo the resident bear rescued as a cub. Option 3. Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or Dinner Saddle up for a ride along the Bow River in Banff and a Western style cookout. Choose from riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain

Day 6 Banff to Lake Louise | Coach Depart Banff early afternoon for a short drive via the scenic Bow Valley to Lake Louise.

Day 7 Lake Louise to Jasper | Sightseeing with picnic lunch Your sightseeing tour today will encompass the ultimate glacier exploration as you travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. From walking on ancient ice with the Ice Explorer ride (included), to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies. (picnic lunch included today)

Day 8 Jasper | Freedom of Choice – Choose 1 of 2 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Morning Maligne Valley with Medicine Lake Tour Experience the most incredible sights in Jasper National Park’s Maligne Valley during this guided excursion to the region’s most scenic lakes & majestic canyons, enjoy a gentle guided walk along the shores of this pristine lake. Option 2. Evening Discover Jasper & its Wildlife Tour Admire diverse animal life in the Canadian wilderness on this evening wildlife tour. Delve into Jasper National Park with your guide. Travel through the mighty Athabasca Valley and marvel at the park’s beautiful landscapes by twilight.

Day 9 Jasper to Vancouver | VIA Rail This morning, board VIA Rail’s ‘Canadian’ train for the journey from Jasper to Vancouver. Using the original steel railcars from the 1950s, sit back and relax in the dome car to enjoy a dramatic change in scenery as you travel the ‘Yellowhead’ route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson. Watch the landscape transition from mountains to desert as you follow the Thompson River into central British Columbia. Brunch and dinner is included onboard VIA Rail, and your private quarters will once again be transformed into a bedroom for the overnight journey.

Day 10 Arrive Vancouver | VIA Rail Waking to the coastal city of Vancouver today, your tour ends upon arrival. (continental breakfast included today onboard VIA Rail)