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Tour Info
Tour Code: 12GTLB
Tour Length: 12 days
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Grand Tour of Canada (B)
Day 1 - Arrive Vancouver Welcome to cosmopolitan Vancouver! A complimentary transfer is provided to your Trafalgar hotel. This afternoon your Tour Director is at the hotel to greet you and answer your questions. Join us at 6:00pm for a Welcome Reception at the hotel. (Welcome Reception)
Day 2 - Vancouver - Sun Peaks We start the day with breakfast at the Vancouver Aquarium. We learn from a marine biologist about beluga whales, orca killer whales, and other indigenous marine life. Then we explore Stanley Park with its famous collection of totem poles, Chinatown, the second largest Chinese district after San Francisco's, and historic Gastown with its quaint cobblestone streets. Later, we head to the beautiful mountain resort of Sun Peaks. This evening we enjoy dinner and hear about British Columbia's Gold Rush and the fur trapping and trading industry from a local expert. (Highligth Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 3 - Sun Peaks — Mount Robson — Jasper (2 nights) Following the great Thompson River, we travel north through the Columbia Mountains and enter the majesty of the great Canadian Rocky Mountains. We view Mount Robson, the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies at 3959m, and cross Yellowhead Pass into Alberta and Jasper National Park, our home for the next two nights. Before dinner this evening, we enjoy a fun and informative lecture by a naturalist on the area's abundant wildlife. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 4 - Jasper sightseeing & at leisure This morning, enjoy an interpretive walk at Maligne Canyon, one of the most beautiful gorges in the Canadian Rockies. Marvel at the spectacular rock formations and waterfalls, and learn about one of Canada's longest underground river systems. Later, choose from the seven experiences offered in Trafalgar's YourChoice Activities. Join a cruise on stunning Maligne Lake, saddle up and ride a horse through the pristine mountain landscape, take a gentle float trip on the Athabasca River — whatever suits your taste and interests. (Full Breakfast)
Day 5 - Jasper — Columbia Icefield — Lake Louise Today, we experience one of the most spectacular mountain drives in the world — the world-renowned Icefields Parkway. Marvel at the unsurpassed scenery including subalpine forests, alpine meadows, massive glaciers, and remarkable lakes. Keep an eye out for grizzly, black bear, moose, elk, and other wildlife. At the Columbia Icefield, we board an Ice Explorer for the trip of a lifetime as we drive onto the massive Athabasca Glacier. We then head for our chateau-like hotel, superbly located on the shores of Lake Louise. Soak in the stunning landscape combining azure glacial waters with deep green forests, jagged snow-capped peaks and the mighty Victoria Glacier. We learn about the wildlife, nature and history of the area on an interpretive walk along the lakeshore. This evening, select from five superb restaurants for dinner at the hotel with Trafalgar's YourChoice Dining. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 6 - Lake Louise — Banff (2 nights) This morning you have another opportunity to make your selection from Trafalgar's YourChoice Activities in Lake Louise (see page 15 for details). Seven enticing excursions, including canoeing across the blue-green waters of Lake Louise, riding aboard the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola and hiking to Lake Agnes and the Tea House, ensure a memorable morning at Lake Louise! Afterwards, we head for the quintessential alpine township of Banff, nestled in the heart of Banff National Park. See the unusual rock formations known as hoodoos, and pause at the classic viewpoint of Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive. Next we stop at the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum, where we are greeted by a surprise guest. We explore the museum illuminating the traditions of Canada's First Nations peoples through interactive and entertaining experiences. We then arrive at our "Castle in the Mountains," the baronial Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, our home for the next two nights. (Full Breakfast)
Day 7 - Banff sightseeing & at leisure Today, pick your choice of excursions from Trafalgar's YourChoice Activities in Banff. Join an interpretive nature hike, visit the Willow Stream Spa for a soak in the mineral pools, or enjoy a 9-hole round of golf" these are only some of the activities available to you! (See page 15 for details). The rest of the day is yours to relax, explore the shops along Banff Avenue, or perhaps take an optional helicopter flightseeing for the best views of mountain peaks, alpine meadows, and pristine lakes. This evening, take part in Trafalgar's YourChoice Dining offering a choice of five excellent restaurants at the hotel. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 8 - Banff — Rocky Mountaineer — Kamloops All aboard! For the next two days, we experience one of the world's great rail journeys and indulge in the exceptional comfort of the Rocky Mountaineer's famed GoldLeaf Service as we travel from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Marvel at the scenery from the glass-roofed dome car and dine in style in the private lower-level dining room. Our journey today takes us over Kicking Horse Pass, through the famous Spiral Tunnels, Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Parks, on our way to Kamloops, a historic trading post where we stop for the night. (Full Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 9 - Kamloops — Rocky Mountaineer — Vancouver Back on board the train, we travel through the spectacular Thompson and Fraser River Canyons back to Vancouver. This evening, we enjoy wine tasting and food and wine pairing with a wine expert at our hotel. (Full Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 10 - Vancouver — Strait of Georgia — Victoria (2 nights) We start the day with an interactive glass blowing demonstration at Robert Held's Art Glass Studio, Canada's largest art glass studio. We then visit the vibrant Granville Island Public Market where there is time to enjoy the artful displays of fresh produce and the tantalizing aromas of exotic spices, coffee and fresh-baked goods. Our treat for the senses continues as we cross the Strait of Georgia by ferry with lovely views of the Gulf Islands on our way to Vancouver Island. A short drive brings us to the very "British" and charming city of Victoria where we see the Inner Harbour, the ornate Parliament Buildings, the grand Empress Hotel, Bastion Square, and the bustling Government Street. This evening, an optional excursion through Old Chinatown, complete with a Chinese banquet, offers a chance to experience another side of this unique city. (Full Breakfast)
Day 11 - Victoria sightseeing & at leisure Our day is off to a wonderful start with breakfast served in the flower-filled conservatory of the Blue Poppy Restaurant at the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Ourhost is a resident horticulturist who will enlighten us about these spectacular gardens. Later, there is time to explore this 55-acre showcase of exquisite floral displays. Then, select the activity that best suits your interests from Trafalgar's YourChoice Activities in Victoria. Options include an orca killer whale watching excursion, a Victorian High Tea at the regal Empress Day 12 - Victoria — Vancouver — Depart Leave the tour after breakfast and travel across the Strait of Georgia back to the mainland, where stops are made at Vancouver International Airport and the Trafalgar hotel in Vancouver. (Full Breakfast)
Note: Please do not schedule any flights before 3:00pm
Day 13 - YourChoice Activities For more information on Trafalgar's YourChoice Activities, please click here.
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