Scenic Trains & Dazzling Domes

10 Days/ 9 Nights

• Here is what the tour includes:

  • Selected departure dates
  • Arrival transfer from Vancouver Airport to your hotel
  • Transfer from your Vancouver hotel to the train station
  • 1 night Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
  • 1 night in Kamloops
  • 2 nights Fairmont Banff Springs
  • 1 night Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
  • 1 night Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
  • 1 night Quesnel
  • 1 night Whistler
  • 1 night Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
  • Station transfers as noted in your itinerary
  • Discover Banff Tour
  • Sulphur Mountain Gondola
  • Full day sightseeing excursion from Lake Louise to Jasper, with the Columbia Icefields and a ride aboard the Ice Explorer
  • Three scenic rail trips with your choice of domed or non domed seating
  • Two full days of scenic rail travel from Vancouver to Banff aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in Red or GoldLeaf* service
  • Two full days of scenic rail travel from Jasper to Quesnel to Whistler aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in Red or GoldLeaf* service
  • *GoldLeaf service provides confirmed dome car seating and gourmet meal service in the GoldLeaf dining room
  • The Sea to Sky train from Whistler to Vancouver in Coast Classic or Glacier Dome service. Both Coast Classic and Glacier Dome service offer on board commentary, access to the open air observation car, a light meal and complimentary soft drinks served at your seat. Glacier Dome service is distinguished by having full length dome windows
  • Departure transfer from your hotel to Vancouver Airport
  • Maps and destination information
  • Hotel taxes, GST and service charges as applicable

Tour Itinerary - 10 days & 9 nights

Day 1 - Arrive in Vancouver

Welcome to Vancouver. Our choice of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver makes you feel special from the moment you arrive. Here, in the heart of the city, you are close to shops, museums and restaurants.
Overnight – Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Day 2 - Rocky Mountaineer, Vancouver to Kamloops (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today is the first of three memorable rail trips in domed viewing cars. Your journey takes you through the fertile fields of the Fraser River Valley and the Coastal Mountains, before entering the Fraser Canyon and viewing the raging turbulence of Hell’s Gate. You follow the Fraser River through beautiful landscapes to Kamloops, for an overnight stay. Breakfast and lunch are served aboard the train. The Rocky Mountaineer staff will provide transfers between the train and your hotel.
Overnight – Kamloops

Day 3 – Rocky Mountaineer, Kamloops to Banff (Breakfast & Lunch)

This day brings you through vast ranchlands to Shuswap Lake and past Craigellachie, where the “last spike” was driven completing the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. Beyond Craigellachie is Rogers Pass with its tunnels, glistening glaciers and snow-capped mountains. Before crossing over the Continental Divide into Banff National Park, the train will travel through the unique Spiral Tunnels – a remarkable engineering achievement. Once again, breakfast and lunch will be served aboard the train. When you arrive in Banff, you are but a short taxi ride from your hotel.
Overnight – Fairmont Banff Springs

Day 4 – Banff at leisure

Bring your camera, as your “Discover Banff” tour takes you to the sightseeing highlights of this area. Your day includes Bow Falls, Hoodoos, Surprise Corner, the Cave and Basin where Banff’s history began, and a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. You are never at a loss for things to do in Banff. The town is filled with delightful shops and boutiques. The facilities and activities offered by the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel make it a village in itself. Their European Spa and health club is outstanding, and their golf course options make it known throughout the world. Indoor and outdoor pools are great for kids and adults alike. Lounges with sweeping views and a wide selection of dining options make the Fairmont Banff Springs the place to be!
Overnight – Fairmont Banff Springs

Day 5 – Banff / Lake Louise

Your destination is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The hotel is in a storybook setting, next to one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
Overnight – Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Day 6 – Lake Louise to Jasper

As you travel in the Canadian Rockies, you come to realize that many of the names you have seen are those of glaciers, resting in mountains high above the valley floor. In summer, their slow, steady melting creates lakes with color to rival the finest jewel. You begin your day traveling past jagged mountains and lush valleys, as you drive along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in North America. A highlight of the day is a ride on the Ice Explorer. The Columbia Icefields is made up of a series of glaciers covering 325 square kilometers. After a day of scenic wonders, you arrive at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – an experience in wilderness luxury at its finest.
Overnight – Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Day 7 – Fraser Discovery Route from Jasper - Rocky Mountaineer (breakfast, lunch)

We will arrange transfers from the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge to the rail station. From Jasper, you will travel aboard the Rocky Mountaineer on their “Fraser Discovery Route.” Few train journeys offer such dramatic scenery. These two days of daylight rail travel will take you on a 634 mile odyssey that will astound you with the diverse beauty of Canada’s West. You bid farewell to Jasper at 7:10AM and travel through the Yellowhead Pass to Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Entering the Rocky Mountain Trench, you are surrounded by the steeply rising Rocky Mountains to the north and the Cariboo Mountains to the south. Travel through the forests of British Columbia into Prince George, and follow the Fraser River. Your will arrive into Quensel at 6:30PM, a little known spot on the map, but soon to be known as the overnight stop on this great rail trip. The staff of the Rocky Mountaineer will meet you at the station and take you to your hotel.
Overnight - Quesnel

Day 8 – Quesnel to Whistler (Breakfast & lunch)

The Rocky Mountaineer Rail staff will pick you up from your hotel and have you aboard the train at 7:10AM, for day two of your journey! Following the Fraser River, highlights of this scenic day include: the Deep Creek Bridge – one of the highest railway bridges in the world, sweeping views of Fraser Canyon, glacial-fed Seton Lake, and the shorelines of Anderson Lake. You will pass through the rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau, the desert-like conditions of Fraser Canyon, the lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley and towering peaks before your scheduled arrival into Whistler at 7:30PM. Your hotel is a short taxi ride from the station.
Overnight – Hilton Whistler Resort

Day 9 - Whistler to Vancouver - Sea to Sky train

Wake early and bask in the sweet, fresh mountain air. If you don’t mind heights, take a ride to the top of Whistler Mountain or Blackcomb Mountain. The ride on the gondola makes you feel like you are at the top of the world. Whistler Village was designed for pedestrians. Filled with flowers and sweet-smelling candy shops, you will have no problem finding things to fill your morning. The Sea to Sky train departs at 2:30PM, so use a taxi for the short ride from your hotel to the station. If you thought the scenery couldn’t get any better, you will quickly realize that these three hours of going from mountain peaks to shimmering ocean views on the “Sky to Sea” route, have no problem holding their own! Cross over the pinnacle of Brandywine Falls before descending a steep grade through the Cheakamus Canyon, where the river below tumbles through a craggy gorge. Pass through the town of Squamish, BC, home to the West Coast Rail Association and the Royal Hudson steam train, and look out for the spectacular dome peak of Mount Garibaldi, rising 2,678 meters (8787 feet). Continuing south, pass the impressive cascade of Shannon Falls, as the train hugs the eastern shores of Howe Sound with the Coast Mountains rising steeply to the left and stunning views of ocean and mountain to the right. As you approach the end of your rail tour, enjoy views of downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park from the scenic waterfront of West Vancouver's exclusive residential area, before passing under the Lions Gate Bridge and arriving at North Vancouver rail station. Transfers will be arranged from North Vancouver to your hotel.
Overnight – Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Day 10 – Vancouver Home

Airport transfers have been arranged from your hotel. We hope you have enjoyed your trip, and that it will be one of many visits to this lovely country.

Dates & Rates - 10 days & 9 nights

• Package is offered on select Thursdays
• Rates are in US Dollars, per person, double occupancy
• Airfare from most US cities is available, please ask our staff for assistance

Rates below are in RedLeaf & Coast Classic service on the Rocky Mountaineer

Season	Land Only
May 6, 13 or 20, 2010	$3,499
May 27, 2010	$3,819
June 3 or 17, 2010	$4,269
July 1, 8, 15 or 29 and August 5, 12 or 26, 2010	$4,319
September 2 or 9, 2010	$4,269
A baggage & housekeeping charge of $45 per person must be added to the rates shown above.

 

Rates below are in GoldLeaf & Glacier Dome service on the Rocky Mountaineer

Season	Land Only
May 6, 13 & 20, 2010	$5,719
May 27, 2010	$6,039
June 3 & 17, 2010	$6,489
July 1, 8, 15 & 29 and August 5, 12 & 26, 2010	$6,539
September 2 & 9, 2010	$6,479