Day 1: Arrival to Calgary.
Upon arrival at Calgary airport, you will be met and welcomed by our guide. Dinner and overnight in Calgary.
Day 2: Calgary - Banff - Lake Louise.
Travelling west through the foothills, we'll have our sights on the Rockies towering up in the distance. We'll arrive in Banff within an hour and a half, the mountain town at the heart of Banff National Park. We will visit Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park. At Sulphur Mountain, the gondola (entrance fee not included, optional) will whisk us to the summit where we will enjoy an awesome 360 degree view of the park. A short walk at the top takes us to a historic weather station. After lunch on your own, we'll head north from Banff towards Lake Louise. We'll make a stop at Johnston Canyon, where the river takes a series of impressive plunges within a unique canyon ecosystem. There will be time to hike up to the Upper Falls along the catwalks hugging the canyon wall. Our next stop will be at Lake Louise, whose turquoise-blue water and the views of Victoria Glacier will make you appreciate why the lake is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. We'll visit Moraine Lake as well, less well-known but one of the park's most beautiful bodies of water, hidden in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. We will finish the day getting on the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola, one of the best places on earth to see wild grizzly bears in their natural environment. Dinner and overnight in Lake Louise.
Day 3: Lake Louise - Saskatchewan River Crossing.
Today we explore adjacent Yoho National Park. We'll visit Wapta Falls and the second-highest waterfall in Canada, Takakkaw Falls. We'll also stop at Emerald Lake, famous for its aquamarine waters, and at the natural bridge carved by the Kicking Horse River. After lunch on your own, we'll head north from Yoho towards Saskatchewan River Crossing through the Icefields Parkway, the most spectacular Canada's scenic road. A day full of awe-inspiring views and stops along this famous roadway: Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Waterfowl Lakes and Mistaya Canyon, where there will be time for a stroll. Dinner and overnight in Saskatchewan River Crossing.
Day 4: Saskatchewan River Crossing - Jasper.
We'll start our day with an stop at the Columbia Icefields. This immense icefield is a surviving part of the last major glaciation that covered Canada 20,000 years ago. The Athabasca Glacier itself is currently retreating at a rate of 2 metres per year. We will stop to take a short walk to view the Athabasca Falls area. Upon arrival at Jasper we'll first visit prehistoric Maligne Canyon, a unique geological formation, which although very narrow, has a depth of 50 metres in places. Criss-crossing the canyon over a series of six bridges, we will explore the area from all angles. The access road to Maligne Lake , our next stop, is worth driving if only for wildlife viewing. It is common to spot moose, deer, and bears. We'll finish our day heading up to Pyramid Lake to enjoy the sunset. Dinner and overnight in Jasper.
Day 5: Jasper - Kamloops.
Early in the morning we'll make our way to the Jasper Tramway. The tram will take us up to the summit of Whistlers where we will take in the view and have time for a short hike around the summit area. Later on we'll head to the west towards Mount Robson Provincial Park. At 3,954 metres, Mt. Robson is the highest peak in the Rockies. There will be time for a short hiking. In the afternoon, we'll explore Wells Gray Provincial Park, with its waterfalls and volcanic rock formations. Dinner and overnight in Kamloops.
Day 6: Kamloops - Victoria.
We'll follow the picturesque Highway 99 towards the Pacific coast. We'll take the ferry to Vancouver Island, a scenic crossing of aprox. 90 minutes through the Gulf, habitat of orcas and a wide variety of other marine life. Upon reaching the island, we will make our way to the provincial capital of British Columbia, Victoria, passing Butchart Gardens, which are 24 km of floral finery offering spectacular views as you stroll along meandering paths and expansive lawns. Dinner and overnight in Victoria.
Day 7: Victoria - Cathedral Grove - Vancouver.
Today we'll take in some of the city with its distinct British flare: the centre, Government Street, the Parliment building, the harbour and the Royal BC Museum (entrance fee not included, optional). After lunch we'll head towards Cathedral Grove, a protected forest of giant cedars. Late in the afternoon, we take the ferry back to the mainland and finish our day in the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. Dinner and overnight in Victoria.
Day 8: Vancouver.
We'll start our way heading to north of the city to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and Grouse Mountain, where we'll be whisked to the peak by cable car. On our way back to the city centre, we'll stop for a stroll through Stanley Park. After lunch on your own, we'll take in Gastown, Chinatown, BC Place, Robson Street, Granville Island and English Bay Beach. Dinner and overnight in Victoria.
Day 9: Transfer to the Airport.
Depending on your flight schedule, there may be some time this morning for last minute shopping. Transfer back to the Vancouver airport. End of our services.
Price: 2.680 € per person.
Special offer 1: 300 € off for the first 10 bookings confirmed before December 31st, 2012.
Special offer 2: 150 € off if you also book the "East Coast of Canada: small tour group".
Included in the price:
Services of local, qualified driver-guide (English & Spanish speaking).
Private transportation in modern tour minibus.
8 nights of lodging in double room.
8 breakfasts.
8 dinners.
All visits as detailed in the itinerary.
Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola.
Jasper Tramway.
Admission to Burchart Gardens, Victoria.
Admission to Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver.
Admission to Grouse Mountain, Vancouver.
Ferrys to/from Vancouver Island.
National Parks pass.
Hotel taxes and sales tax GST/HST.
Travel and cancellation insurance.
Travel documents.
Not included in the price:
Flights.
Lunches.
Alcoholic beverages.
Optional activities.
Personal expenses and gratuities.
Any other service or concept not detailed in the paragraph "included in the price".
Accommodation:
|
Calgary |
Sandman Hotel & Suites Calgary South or similar |
|
Lake Louise |
Lake Louise Inn or similar |
|
Icefields Parkway |
Saskatchewan River Crossing or similar |
|
Jasper |
Tonquin Inn or similar |
|
Kamloops |
Comfort Inn & Suites or similar |
|
Victoria |
Coast Harbourside Hotel & Marina or similar |
|
Vancouver |
Century Plaza Hotel & Spa or similar |




