Western Journey

Day 1

Arrival in Calgary

Arrive into Calgary International Airport and transfer independently to your downtown hotel to check in and enjoy the remainder of the day to explore at leisure. This dynamic city is a fantastic place to sightsee in, famous for its annual Stampede. You’ll be contacted by your Tour Director in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Sandman Calgary City Centre Downtown or similar

Day 2

Calgary to Banff National Park/Canmore

In the morning you’ll meet your fellow travellers before setting out to tour the sights of Calgary, with such modern and historic landmarks as the Calgary Tower, Fort Calgary and the towering skyscrapers. Once you’ve seen this amazing city, you’ll journey to the Rocky Mountains. Travelling through the foothills, you’ll enter Banff National Park and tour this region amid the snow-capped peaks and glistening glaciers. Along the way you’ll see the landmark Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls and Tunnel Mountain.

Overnight: Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre/ Pocaterra Resort and Spa or similar (Canadian breakfast included)

Day 3

Canmore/Banff National Park

Today sees you explore Banff at leisure, browsing the many boutiques and speciality shops along Banff Avenue. There is an optional full-day tour to the Columbia Icefield which starts with a visit to the beautiful turquoise waters and glaciers of Lake Louise, known as the Jewel of the Rockies. From this unrivalled natural beauty you’ll enter the rugged wilderness as you journey into the Icefields Parkway, offering up sensational vistas of the majestic mountain ranges and luscious valleys. At the Columbia Icefield, you’ll board an Ice Explorer which takes you onto the surface of the ancient Athabasca Glacier, before returning to Banff late in the afternoon.

Overnight: Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre/ Pocaterra Resort and Spa or similar (Canadian breakfast included)

Day 4

Canmore to Kamloops

The drive today takes you along the famous Trans-Canada Highway, following the route charted by the railroad engineers and fur traders of the mid-1800s. Continuing on your journey, cross the jagged Kicking Horse Pass into British Columbia’s Yoho National Park – the views from here are spectacular, showcasing the deep canyons, dense forests and twinkling streams. Continue through the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges and onwards to the town of Kamloops.

Overnight: Prestige Kamloops/ Quality Inn Kamloops or similar (Continental breakfast included)

Day 5

Kamloops to Whistler

Expect a day of dramatic and unforgettable scenery today as you drive through the ranch lands, heading for the coastal mountains. There is an optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour over Garibaldi Park, offering an amazing view of the volcanic peaks, meadows and alpine lakes. The remainder of the day is yours to spend at leisure.

Overnight: Whistler Village Inn & Suites/ The Listel Hotel/ Aava Whistler/ Pinnacle International Whistler or similar (Continental breakfast included)

Day 6

Whistler to Vancouver

Today you’ll drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, past rugged fjords and mountain peaks. As you leave the countryside behind, explore the metropolis of Vancouver on a sightseeing tour. Highlights of this amazing city include Stanley Park, Prospect Point, English Bay, Chinatown and historic Gastown. The afternoon is free to explore more of this exciting destination.

Overnight: Sandman Hotel Vancouver City Centre/ Sandman Suite on Davie or similar (Continental breakfast included)

Day 7

Vancouver

Having arrived in Vancouver, you have the day to explore on your own, with the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains as your backdrop. Perhaps you’d like to do some shopping on Robson Street, head to Stanley Park for a relaxing stroll or wander around the markets at Granville Island. If you’d rather explore the outdoor aspect of Vancouver, you may want to take a gondola ride to the summit of Grouse Mountain. You can also go on an optional full-day tour to Victoria, the charming provincial capital that is proud of her maritime heritage. Before taking the ferry back to Vancouver, you will visit Butchart Gardens which is one of the world’s greatest floral displays set in a reclaimed stone quarry.

Overnight: Sandman Hotel Vancouver City Centre/ Sandman Suite on Davie or similar (Canadian breakfast included)

Day 8

End of Tour

Today is your final day before departure, so enjoy some last minute shopping or browsing before you check out and make your independent transfer to Vancouver International Airport in time for your return flight. Alterntively you could continue your adventure and add on a 7-night cruise to Alaska.

(Canadian breakfast included)