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Western Canada with Glacier & Seattle

Tour Overview - 12 days & 11 nights

Take in the beauty of the Canadian Rockies in Banff and Lake Louise. See places such as: Lake Minnewanka, Lake Louise, the Hoodoos, Sulphur Mt., Johnston Canyon and more! Then travel the Cowboy Trail to Waterton National Park, a hidden gem, where you take a narrated cruise where you will see the 49th parallel dividing the United States and Canada ! Your tour also takes you to Glacier National Park, which is celebrating it's 100th anniversary in 2010. Staying at the East Glacier Lodge and taking the "Going to the Sun' road is truly an experience. An overnight ride on Amtrak in deluxe sleeper accommodations brings you into Seattle, the Emerald City. Crossing back into Canada your tour takes you to Vancouver for two nights.

Tour Itinerary - 12 days & 11 nights

Day 1 Arrive Edmonton

 

Day 2 Edmonton to Jasper

 

Day 3 Jasper

 

Day 4 Jasper to Banff

 

Day 5 Banff (B, L)

After breakfast you will make our way up the road to the Sulphur Mt. Gondola. This is a wonderful place to begin our touring with stunning panoramic views of the Banff/Lake Louise area. You will make a brief photo stop at Bow Falls and then you are on our way to the famed Chateau Lake Louise. During our stop at Lake Louise you will enjoy a lovely lunch and have free time to take pictures and enjoy the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. No view is quite as stunning as the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, framed by mountains and the majestic Victoria Glacier. On our way back to Banff you will make stops at Johnston Canyon, Lake Minnewanka Loop, the Hoo Doos, and Surprise Corner. Banff offers a variety of restaurants for you to choose from tonight.
Overnight – Rimrock Resort Hotel

Day 6 Banff to Waterton (B)

Breakfast is included this morning. You depart this morning for Waterton The cowboy trail takes you through some of the most picturesque places you will ever see on earth The Bar U Ranch is your stop for lunch. The next stop is the Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump. Where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains meet the great plains, one of the world's oldest, largest and best preserved buffalo jump's known to exist -- Head-Smashed-In. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, Head-Smashed-In has been used continuously by aboriginal peoples of the plains for more than 5,500 years. Nowhere in the world is there a figure that distinguishes a nation like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or Mounties for short, do. This is the reason for making a visit to the Heritage Fort Museum, filled with history and items from the past describing how this institution was formed. From the Fort Museum it is a short drive to Waterton. A photo stop at the falls is made before arriving at the hotel. The evening is on your own to relax and have dinner.
Overnight – Waterton Lakes Resort

Day 7 Waterton to Glacier (B,D)

After breakfast this morning, a two hour narrated cruise on Waterton Lake is scheduled. This cruise provides spectacular mountain scenery with great photo opportunities and possible wildlife sightings. Waterton Lakes National Park is an unspoiled gem tucked away in the southern corner of Alberta along the Canada-U.S.A. border. The Canadian side of the park actually combines with Montana's Glacier National Park, creating an international peace park. The park is rife with an assortment of natural attractions. After the cruise you make a lunch stop and then travel to Red Rock Canyon. From Red Rock Canyon you continue your trip to the US side and Glacier National Park. You will cross the Canadian/US Border going through customs and immigration. Glacier Park Lodge is located at the east entrance of the Glacier National Park. This rustic western lodge was built by the Great Northern Railway along the main line which is now the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. The huge Douglas Fir pillars which are 40 inches in diameter and 40 feet high form the supports in the lobby. Dinner is included tonight at the Glacier Lodge.
Overnight – Glacier Park Lodge

Day 8 Glacier to Seattle (B,D)

After breakfast this morning a full day circle tour of Glacier has been confirmed. This tour includes riding the famous “Red Jummers” on the Sea to Sky road. The most inclusive tour of Glacier National Park starts with a morning drive over Marias Pass, with wildlife viewing at Goat Lick and a stop at the historic Izaak Walton Inn. Tour the grand cedar & hemlock forests on your way to an optional lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge. After lunch, ascend to the high alpine of Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass and down the St. Mary Valley. A stop at Wild Goose Island overlook for another photo opportunity. The tour finishes with grand vistas of grassland, prairie and mountains as you arrive back to the hotel. Upon return to the Lodge, you will await the arrival of Amtrak’s Empire Builder for your overnight train ride to Seattle. Scheduled departure is 6:45pm.
Overnight – Amtrak sleeper accommodations

Day 9 Seattle (B)

The train is scheduled to arrive in Seattle at 10:20am. It is a short taxi ride to the hotel. Seattle is the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest. Your hop on hop off tour allows you to see Seattle at your own pace. Hop off at any stop to explore on your own, and then hop on another bus whenever you’re ready. Buses depart every 30 minutes from seven centrally located stops. You will want to allow time at each stop, as there is plenty to see throughout this exciting city! Some interesting points not to be missed include the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, Tillicum Village and the Seattle Waterfront. Pike Place Market is an interesting place to visit. Be sure to “catch” the flying fish! The Space Needle is close to the hotel as well. There are numerous restaurants nearby that offer a variety of choices in cuisine for every budget.
Overnight – Renaissance Seattle Hotel

Day 10 Seattle to Vancouver

Transportation from Seattle to Vancouver is scheduled for 10:45am. Cross back into Canada and continue to Vancouver, with an expected arrival time of 2:15pm. When you arrive at your hotel, the staff will assist you with your check-in arrangements. The rest of the day is yours to go out and explore this wonderful walking city! Your hotel puts you in the heart of the city, close to shops, museums and restaurants. We provide the hop on hop off trolley tour that is good for 2 consecutive days – thus time permitting, you can enjoy some sights today as well as tomorrow.
Overnight – Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside

Day 11 Vancouver

You have all day at leisure to explore and enjoy Vancouver. Your hop-on hop-off tour conveniently allows you to spend as much time as you like at all of Vancouver’s most popular attractions – or you can ride the entire 2-hour loop for a quick introduction of the city. Each ticket is good for two consecutive days and allows you to board the authentic San Francisco style trolley for fun and easy transport between attractions. Pick-up or drop-off at 21 attractions and sites, including Robson Street, Stanley Park, Canada Place, Granville Island, Yaletown, Chinatown and Gastown.
Overnight – Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside

Day 12 Vancouver/Home

Transportation from the hotel to the Vancouver Airport has been provided. We hope you have enjoyed your tour to Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest with Cartan Tours.

Additional Information

12 days & 11 nights

Season Land Only
June 10, 2010 $3,619
July 8, 2010** $3,469
August 5, 2010 $3,709
September 2, 2010 $3,629


**Roomettes are in place of Deluxe Sleeper accommodations on Amtrak between Glacier and Seattle.

       Terms & Conditions      

If you would like more information on any of our tours, please go to our "Request Form".

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