This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
This tour features a combination of escorted and independent travel. Part of your journey will be enjoyed as a group experience, led by expert tour leaders or local guides. The remainder is self-guided—whether by rail, cruise, or overland—allowing you the freedom to travel between destinations independently and explore at your own pace.
Experience the once in a lifetime grandeur of boarding the Rocky Mountaineer train from Vancouver to Banff with jaw-dropping scenery and multi-award winning service
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
✓ Incredible sightseeing including exploring the breathtaking Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park, travel on the famed Icefields Parkway through a rugged wilderness flanked by dramatic mountain ranges, board a specially constructed Ice Explorer to ride on the surface of the ancient Athabasca Glacier, ride the Rocky Mountaineer train for a spectacular rail journey through jagged mountain ranges, cruise by ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island, and enjoy a tour of Vancouver including Stanley Park, English Bay, Gastown, and Chinatown
✓ 7 nights accommodation in central 3-star accommodation
✓ 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches
✓ Jasper to Vancouver rail passage on the Rocky Mountaineer (SilverLeaf Service)
✓ Dedicated transportation as outlined in the itinerary
✓ Full day sightseeing transfer from Banff to Jasper, including a visit to Columbia Icefields (Ice Explorer ride included)
✓ Full day excursion to Victoria including Butchart Gardens visit
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.
Arrive at Calgary’s International airport and board your transfer to the idyllic parkland town of Banff. Check into your hotel and take the rest of the day to explore the many unique shoppes, eateries and attractions around town. Overnight in Banff.
The full day is at leisure to discover what one of Canada’s most famous mountain resort towns has to offer. Perhaps arrange a wildlife tour to view one of the many unique large animals in their natural environments, or consider a guided hike along the myriad of trails that depart either from the town, or from the nearby trailheads along the highway. Overnight in Banff.
Depart on your full-day sightseeing transfer to Jasper including a stop at the incredible Columbia Icefield along the famous Icefields Parkway. The huge Columbia Glacier covers nearly 325-km2 and dominates the surrounding landscape. An Ice Explorer ride will take you onto the ancient Athabasca Glacier and is followed up by a walk on the Glacier SkyWalk – a glass-floored platform extending 30m out over the Sunwapta Canyon. Continue on to arrive in Jasper late in the afternoon. Overnight in Jasper.
Take the day to create your own adventure in Jasper! Perhaps you may wish to arrange for a thrilling rafting trip down the Athabasca River, or climb aboard a motorcycle sidecar for a different touring experience along the park’s scenic roads. Overnight in Jasper.
After your hotel shuttle to the Jasper train station (depending on the availability), board the Rocky Mountaineer train for a spectacular rail excursion from Jasper to Kamloops. This unique daylight service allows you to view some of the most spectacular sights in Western Canada. The route departs the Rocky Mountains through the Kicking Horse Pass. By late afternoon, you are in the arid ranch land of interior British Columbia, where you disembark for the night. Upon arrival in Kamloops, the evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Kamloops. Breakfast and lunch included. * The complimentary shuttle from the Sawridge Hotel, Jasper to the train station is not guaranteed for the Rocky Mountaineer train departures. The hotel will make a note of the booking and advise passengers when they are in house as the shuttle timings do not meet the Rocky Mountaineer departure time.
You will set out on the last leg of your spectacular rail experience today. The Rocky Mountaineer takes you through the “cowboy country” ranchlands and along the rushing torrents of the Fraser and Thompson Rivers. You are now truly in pioneer territory and en route you can listen to the history and legends of the West while enjoying all the comforts of your luxury train. The last stretch takes you through lush farmlands and past historic towns to Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver. Breakfast and lunch included.
This full-day trip to Victoria begins with a cruise through the scenic Gulf Islands and includes a visit to the acclaimed Butchart Gardens. Afterwards continue to Victoria for a city sightseeing tour that encompasses Victoria’s stately homes and gardens as well as historic landmarks. You will see the University of Victoria and Beacon Hill Park and pass the Royal British Columbia Museum, Thunderbird Park, the Parliament Buildings and the exclusive homes of the Uplands and Oak Bay. You will return to Vancouver in the early evening. Overnight in Vancouver.
Individually transfer to Vancouver International Airport in time to check in for your return flight.
Booking Process
Booking On Request:
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
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.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,002.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Triple share is available on request. A reduction of USD $240 per person off the twin-share price will apply.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
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://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Group size varies from package to package. Depending on the services provided, the group size might range from private 2 person experiences up to coaches of 60 people depending on your selected holiday.
Tour Type - Partially Escorted
A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided. We have arranged transportation in most cases and day tours for you to see the destination. Enjoy the time and flexibility to linger longer or pick up the pace and see as much as possible. The choice is yours.
Children
Children must share a room with parents at all times and are charged the same price as adults.
For those travellers seeking an upgraded service aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, we are happy to offer the special GoldLeaf Service from USD $495 per person. GoldLeaf Service is delivered in a fully glassdomed railcar with magnificent views of the mountains, and a separate dining car that offers fine dining.
If you would like to request an upgrade, please specify this in the 'special requests' field at time of booking.
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