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Tour Info
Tour Code: 12GTLD
Tour Length: 12 days
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Grand Tour of Canada (D)
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 — 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. (Highlight Breakfast)
Day 3 - 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 4 - Victoria — Whistler Our journey continues south today to the four-season resort of Whistler. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, and the Cariboo Plateau with its rolling hills and vast ranchlands, to the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley. Highlights include sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon and Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world and the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacial fed Seton Lake. Our rail journey ends today on arrival in the resort town of Whistler, host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Whistler — Rocky Mountaineer — Quesnel All aboard! We journey from the mountain resort of Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to the charming rural town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo. Pass through the Rocky Mountain Trench with the steep Rocky and Cariboo Mountains on either side, and onto the rolling hills and vast forests of British Columbia's northern interior. Highlights include Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Yellowhead Pass, Moose Lake and the opportunity to view the abundant wildlife found in this unspoiled wilderness region. We pass through the town of Prince George and follow the Fraser River for our overnight stay in Quesnel. (Full Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 6 - Quesnel — Rocky Mountaineer — Jasper We travel to Jasper, enjoying this world-renowned magnificent mountain scenery. Next ride the fabulous Ice Explorer onto the enormous Athabasca Glacier with spectacular views of the awesome landscape, and walk on the glacier. In the afternoon, we arrive in Jasper National Park our home for the next two nights, the luxurious Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. After dinner we enjoy an exclusive bear and wildlife presentation at our hotel. (Full Breakfast / Lunch / Highlight Dinner)
Day 7 - 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 8 - 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 9 - 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 10 - Banff — Kelowna We leave the alpine township of Banff today,arriving at Lake Okanagan in the heart of Canada's premier wine growing area where we stop for wine tasting. In Canada's equivalent of the Hunter/Barossa Valleys of Australia, excellent wines are produced, including some of the world's best "Ice Wines". Later we arrive at our lakefront hotel, the Grand Okanagan Resort. Why not take a stroll and look for "Ogopogo", the legendary monster of Lake Okanagan" Dinner this evening will be at the resort. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 11 - Kelowna — Vancouver Welcome to cosmopolitan Vancouver! 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, and historic Gastown with its quaint cobblestone streets. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 12 - Vancouver — Depart Leave the tour after breakfast, 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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