This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights, and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
✓ Small group tour, up to 20 guests only
✓ Two nights of included Aurora viewing in a heated teepee at Aurora Village in Yellowknife
✓ Three day winter clothing pack in Yellowknife including parka, winter pants, boots, elbow length mitts, and face mask
✓ Incredible sightseeing including guided tours of Vancouver, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, and Calgary
✓ Capilano Park and Suspension Bridge visit in Vancouver
✓ Sleigh Ride in Lake Louise
✓ High Tea at the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
✓ Gondola ride and Johnston Canyon Ice Walk in Banff
✓ 8 nights in central 4 star accommodation in Vancouver and the Rockies including a two night stay at the iconic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
✓ 1 night aboard VIA Rail’s The Canadian - locally known as the “Snow Train” train in a Sleeper Plus Cabin
✓ 3 nights in central 3 star accommodation in Yellowknife
✓ Breakfast daily, 1 dinner and a special “High Tea” at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
✓ Domestic flight from Calgary to Yellowknife
✓ Partially escorted by expert, English-speaking guides in each region
✓ Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Canada! On arrival, please make your own way to your hotel located in the heart of Downtown Vancouver's Entertainment District.
Alternatively, you can pre book a private arrival transfer where a representative will meet you on arrival and transfer you to the hotel. Further details can be found under the ‘Upgrade Options’.
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is known as the 'Castle in the City', symbolising timeless elegance and luxury since 1939. Holding a prime downtown location, you are minutes away from Vancouver's biggest attractions.
The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore on your own.
After breakfast, meet your tour director at the hotel for a tour briefing before we head out for a guided tour of Vancouver. Highlights will include Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Suspension Bridge, Gastown, Chinatown, Canada Place, Robson Street, and many other points of interest.
A highlight today is a visit to the incredible Capilano Suspension Bridge Park before returning to your hotel for an afternoon and evening at leisure.
This morning is at leisure before we transfer to Vancouver railway station early this afternoon. On arrival, relax in the VIA Rail Business Class Lounge before enjoying priority boarding to your Sleeper Plus Cabin. Each Sleeper Plus Cabin offers private toilet and basin and at the end of your car, you have exclusive access to a shower room at all times with complimentary towels and toiletries.
Enjoy dinner in the dining car as you travel towards Japer this evening. A selection of local Canadian beers and wines can be purchased by the glass to accompany your meal.
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning as the incredible winter landscape passes before you. Locally known as the “Snow Train”, be sure to venture up to the glass domed carriage to take in snow capped vistas before arriving into Jasper mid-morning.
Upon arrival, meet your local guide who will escort you through the Rockies region. Depart on a half- day guided tour of Jasper National Park where you will experience a sweeping expanse of scenic beauty - of awesome mountain peaks and century’s old glacial ice and mirror-like lakes. Sightseeing will include visits to Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake.
This afternoon check into your hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.
After breakfast we head out to Maligne Canyon. The Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour Jasper Alberta is one of Jasper’s most popular and impressive winter adventures. Your tour guide will take you to the bottom of the Maligne Canyon, the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper National Park, where you will explore frozen waterfalls, ice caves, and incredible ice formations. You will learn about Jasper’s Maligne Valley, Karst topography, and the mystery of the “disappearing” Medicine Lake.
Following this, we travel through the Athabasca Valley, on a wildlife discovery tour. Sit back and relax in the comfort of a heated vehicle as you explore this protected area where you will see some of the park’s most beautiful scenery and incredible wildlife. The types of animals seen on the tour depends on the season, the time of day, and the weather. Big or small, there are lots of animals to see in Jasper! Elk, deer, sheep, goats, coyotes, wolves, and moose are just a sample of Jasper’s wild mountain fauna.
Return to your hotel where the afternoon is at your leisure.
Note: Today’s ice walk covers approximately 3.5 kms (2.1 miles), is mostly downhill and is graded as easy to moderate. Please indicate your shoe size when booking as warm boots and ice cleats will be provided.
Today we depart on a spectacular day of sightseeing on the Icefields Parkway, regarded as perhaps Canada's most scenic drive.
A highlight is a visit to Lake Louise - the jewel of the Rockies. At every turn of the road, we encounter breathtaking vistas of dramatic mountain ranges, glaciers, blue-green lakes and rivers. Take a guided tour of Lake Louise then escape the cool winter air while you enjoy an Inspiring Taste with an included afternoon tea at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Feast on freshly prepared pastries and sandwiches accompanied by tea and coffee, then enjoy the quintessential winter wonderland experience with a sleigh ride which follows the lake-side trail beneath Victoria Glacier.
Continue onto Banff where we arrive in the evening and check into your hotel located in the very centre of this charming town.
A true winter wonderland awaits you today as we partake in an ice walk through the famous Johnston Canyon where a spectacular show of natural ice sculptures when the thundering falls freeze solid. Our guided ice walk takes you along steel catwalks built into the canyon walls all the way to the iconic frozen Johnston Canyon upper falls, with views into the icy gorge below (weather permitted).
Return to your hotel where the rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure. Spend the afternoon and evening visiting the many shops and cafes that line the street and be sure to visit the Christmas Shop opposite the hotel!
This morning we take a tour around Banff, Canada's first national park established in 1885 to protect its natural hot springs. We visit Tunnel Mountain, Banff Avenue and Bow Falls. Afterwards, you will ascend Sulphur Mountain with Banff Gondola to experience spectacular views of Banff and surrounding area.
Return to the hotel this afternoon where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Leaving Banff, we travel along on the Trans-Canada Highway to the picturesque city of Calgary, home of the famous Stampede. Upon arrival, discover some highlights during an orientation tour of Calgary downtown with your guide, passing by the Calgary Tower, Stephen Avenue Mall, City Hall and Calgary Olympic Plaza.
Check into your hotel located just a short walk to the East Village and downtown Calgary. Spend an afternoon at leisure exploring on your own or relax at the hotel enjoying the many amenities including indoor pool or relax by the fire at the hotel bar.
After breakfast, we transfer to Calgary Airport for your flight to Yellowknife located in Canada’s North West Territories. - recognised as the best place in the world to see the Northern Lights, better known as Aurora Borealis. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel ahead of your first night of Northern Lights viewing.
The Aurora Viewing Tour begins with a pick up from your hotel at around 9pm and journeys along the ‘Aurora Hunting’ Ingraham trail to Aurora Village. Follow the lantern lit paths to your heated Teepee for the evening with wood burning fires, providing welcome warmth from the cold and a perfect base to view the light show above.
Following a brief orientation, you can walk around the spacious property to find your perfect aurora viewing location using the Teepee as a base. The Village is sheltered from the subarctic wind by a beautiful forest – with groomed trails leading up to surrounding panorama hills for secluded and clear viewing of the stunning display from mother nature. We leave the Aurora Village around 1am and return to your hotel approximately 30 minutes later.
Included as part of our package is a 5-piece winter clothing set that will be ready and waiting for you in your hotel room. This includes a parka, winter pants, extreme winter boots, elbow length mitts, and a versatile face mask that can also be used as a neck warmer, toque, or everything at once. The face mask is yours to keep when you leave!
Enjoy a sleep in today with a relaxed day at leisure before we enjoy another night of Aurora viewing this evening at the Aurora Village.
Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional day tour prior to this evening's excursion.
Enjoy two of the most popular daytime winter activities at Aurora Village on this three hour tour. You will be collected from the hotel at around 12.30pm and head back to Aurora Village for a dog team ride experience that will take you on a traditional sled for an exciting ride on the frozen lake and through the wooded trails surrounding the Village.
You can meet the dogs and learn about one of the most important modes of transport in the north. Also join the local guide for a cultural snowshoe tour in the forest surrounding Aurora Village and enjoy panoramic views over the frozen landscape.
Today is at leisure to explore Yellowknife on your own.
You may wish to join a city day tour or add an extra night of Aurora viewing to increase your chances of seeing this incredible phenomenon.
This two-hour tour starting at 2:00 pm serves as an introduction to Yellowknife for first-time visitors. It features stops at the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, and a drive through downtown and Old Town Yellowknife.
The history of Yellowknife and northern culture are showcased in this tour. In winter, we will drive onto the Great Slave Lake on the famous Ice Road, and get off the bus to see the ‘ice’ when it is safe to do so (usually by early December.)
*This activity is part of the Aurora Village winter activities where you will be joined by other guests.
Enjoy a third incredible night of Aurora Viewing at Aurora Village. Includes
Your winter wonderland journey of Western Canada ends today with an included transfer back to Yellowknife airport for your onward flight.
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”3”
Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,442.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Visas may be required.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Group Size
6-20 people
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
This package is sold as land only, however you do have the option of adding domestic & international airfares to your booking. Simply click on’ book now’, and under upgrades , you will be asked “Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?”. By selecting this option Inspiring Vacations will contact you to discuss adding flights to your chosen destination. We can then assist with turning your booking into a flight inclusive package.
Upon completing the purchase of your package and fulfilling the following booking requirements, you will be granted access to our flight portal via your Traveller Hub.
Once these criteria have been met, access will be made available to you via Traveller Hub to book your flights via our flight portal.
The following requests are able to be processed through the online flight portal:
The online flight portal is unable to process the following requests and you must book these yourself independently:
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.
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