Grizzly Bears & the Canadian Rockies Rail Vacation

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

Day 2 Vancouver | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 Excursions today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Victoria & Butchart Gardens | Coach | ferry | floatplane Experience Victoria’s signature beauty visiting the cities top attractions including the Butchart Gardens. Traveling by coach and ferry, witness the region’s stunning waterways and mountains en-route to Victoria. Then return from Victoria’s inner harbour by floatplane on a scenic 35 minute back to downtown Vancouver. Option 2. Whistler with Sea to Sky Gondola | Coach | floatplane This tour takes guests through the breathtaking views and scenic stops along the spectacular Sea-To-Sky Highway. Guests enjoy Whistler’s spectacular beauty and quaint mountainside village appeal. Take time to relax, shop, or partake in a variety of seasonal activities. End the day with an awe inspiring 35-minute floatplane flight to Vancouver with stunning aerial views of mountains lakes and glaciers.

Day 3 Vancouver to Campbell River | Flight Most of the day is yours to explore Vancouver before departing on a late afternoon flight to Campbell River. Upon arrival, transfer (included) to your overnight accommodation.

Day 4 Campbell River to Knight Inlet Lodge | Floatplane Flight | Grizzly Bear Viewing An early departure by floatplane this morning to Knight Inlet, a remote fjord and natural habitat of the grizzly bear feeding on sedge grasses during the spring and summer and in the fall on the salmon in the local river. After a short safety briefing join your guide in search of the bears that frequent the area.

Day 5 Knight Inlet Lodge to Vancouver | Grizzly Bear Viewing | Flight Early morning visit to the bear viewing platforms in search of wildlife before returning to Campbell River by floatplane. On arrival, transfer (included) to the local airport for your return flight to Vancouver.

Day 6 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 7 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 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 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 10 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 11 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 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 tour. 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. 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 12 Banff to Calgary | Coach Today you will leave behind the fresh mountain air and colourful sights of the Rockies. We will schedule a transfer to bring you to downtown Calgary, or to the Calgary Airport to connect with your flight home.

Day 1 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 renowned for its scenic natural beauty and stunning wildlife.

Day 2 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 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. 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 3 Banff to Lake Louise | Coach Depart Banff early afternoon for a short drive via the scenic Bow Valley to Lake Louise.

Day 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 Arrive Vancouver | VIA Rail After a continental breakfast you will disembark in Vancouver and take a transfer (own cost) to your hotel. Balance of day is at leisure

Day 8 Vancouver | Freedom of Choice – Choose 1 of 2 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Victoria & Butchart Gardens | Coach | ferry | floatplane Experience Victoria’s signature beauty visiting the cities top attractions including the Butchart Gardens. Traveling by coach and ferry, witness the region’s stunning waterways and mountains en-route to Victoria. Then return from Victoria’s inner harbour by floatplane on a scenic 35 minute back to downtown Vancouver. Option 2. Whistler with Sea to Sky Gondola | Coach | floatplane This tour takes guests through the breathtaking views and scenic stops along the spectacular Sea-To-Sky Highway. Guests enjoy Whistler’s spectacular beauty and quaint mountainside village appeal. Take time to relax, shop, or partake in a variety of seasonal activities. End the day with an awe inspiring 35-minute floatplane flight to Vancouver with stunning aerial views of mountains lakes and glaciers.

Day 9 Vancouver to Campbell River | Flight Most of the day is yours to explore Vancouver before departing on a late afternoon flight to Campbell River. Upon arrival, transfer (included) to your overnight accommodation.

Day 10 Campbell River to Knight Inlet Lodge | Floatplane Flight | Grizzly Bear Viewing An early departure by floatplane this morning to Knight Inlet, a remote fjord and natural habitat of the grizzly bear feeding on sedge grasses during the spring and summer and in the fall on the salmon in the local river. After a short safety briefing join your guide in search of the bears that frequent the area.

Day 11 Knight Inlet Lodge to Vancouver | Grizzly Bear Viewing | Flight Early morning visit to the bear viewing platforms in search of wildlife before returning to Campbell River by floatplane. On arrival, transfer (included) to the local airport for your return flight to Vancouver.

Day 12 Vancouver | Departure Your incredible Canadian Rockies winter adventure comes to an end today as we transfer you to the airport to begin the journey home.