Rocky Mountaineer: First Passage to the West
- 10 Days
- From £4,799
- Canada
- Overnight in Calgary, home of the famous Stampede
- Banff and Lake Louise with fantastic tours en route
- A two-day journey aboard the world famous Rocky Mountaineer with meals and all drinks onboard
- A full day in Vancouver at the end of your holiday to explore
- Choose your departure date
- Upgrade your package to Gold Leaf
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Return flights London to Calgary and Vancouver to London in Economy Class
- Transfers from airport to hotel in Calgary and Vancouver
- Travel on the Rocky Mountaineer Train from Banff to Vancouver in Silver Leaf Class
- 8 nights’ hotel accommodation
- Excursions including a trip on the Banff Gondola and 12-minute panoramic helicopter ride over the Rocky Mountains
- All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of your travel documents
Suggested Itinerary
Fly into Calgary and meet your transfer driver, who will take you to the Hotel Arts (or similar), where you have an overnight stay.
Located at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, Calgary consistently tops polls for its high quality of life, partly thanks to the wealth of parks and other green spaces accessible from the city centre. If you want to stretch your legs after your flight, you’ll also have admission to the Calgary Tower which offers stunning city views and, if you’re hungry, a great place for your first meal in Canada.
Leave Calgary for a full-day tour by comfortable modern motor coach. You’ll travel to Kananaskis for an unforgettable panoramic helicopter flight for sweeping views of the Canadian Rockies.
Continue to Banff where you’ll be taken on a sightseeing tour including Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, and the needle-like rock formations known as hoodoos. Also included is your admission to the Banff Gondola. Your 2-night stay is at the Elk + Avenue Hotel (or similar).
Enjoy the day with free time to relax or book your own activities at your leisure. Banff has activities to suit everyone, from taking the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, to relaxing in the Banff hot springs, exploring the bustling town or having outdoor wildlife adventures.
Spend a free morning in Banff and then after lunch, pick up your motorcoach for your onward journey to Lake Louise via Yoho National Park. The park takes its name from a First Nations world expressing awe and wonder. It won’t be hard to see why this name applies as you travel through this wonderland of soaring peaks, waterfalls and glacial lakes. Among the highlights are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a rock bridge over the Kicking Horse River.
On arrival in Lake Louise, check in for a 2-night stay at the lovely Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (or similar).
Enjoy the day with free time to relax or book your own activities at your leisure. With its unique history and picturesque scenery, Lake Louise will not disappoint. Learn about the local wildlife, paddle the lake by canoe, or simply relax amongst the beauty.
The excitement truly builds today as you board the Rocky Mountaineer train shortly before 8am. The scenery instantly begins to unfold as you travel through the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, over mountain passes and through tunnels that are incredible feats of engineering. Some of the main attractions along the way are the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Canyon. Breakfast and lunch are provided on board the train. On arrival in Kamloops, check into your hotel and spend the evening having a look around the town. Please note accommodation in Kamloops will be assigned closer to departure and is of a moderate standard.
Re-board the train at Kamloops around 7:30am this morning and continue your journey west. Take in dramatic changes in the scenery as you wind through river canyons and remote forests on your way to the Coast and Cascade Mountains and the gorgeously green fields of the Fraser Valley. Some of today’s highlights include the rock sheds and steep slopes along the Thompson River and the gushing waters of Hell’s Gate, deep within the Fraser Canyon. Again, breakfast and lunch are served on board and you arrive into Vancouver between 6:00pm and 7:30pm Pacific Time. Check in at the Georgian Court Hotel (or similar) for a 2-night stay.
Today you have full day to explore all this Pacific Coastal city has to offer. The largest city in the state of British Columbia, a superb mélange of cuisine, culture and bohemian sophistication. Vancouver is enveloped both by mountains and water. Its closeness to nature endows inhabitants with a love for the environment as well as a laid back charm and friendliness.
Included in your holiday is admission to the Vancouver Lookout, which gives you a 360 degree panoramic view of the city, surrounding area and distant mountains.
You have another full day to continue your exploration around Vancouver and pick up some final gifts and souvenirs, before boarding your evening flight to London, arriving the next day.
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: You can also take this tour in reverse, starting in Vancouver or extend your stay in British Columbia. Once in Vancouver, what better way to complement your trip than an Alaskan Cruise? Please call for details.
Hotels (Silver Leaf Service)
Calgary
The Hotel Arts, with its curated art collection and funky vibe, offers a relaxed stay in the centre of the city. All bedrooms come with complimentary Wi-Fi internet as well as Skoah bath amenities and a Keurig coffee machine. There is also an outdoor pool and fitness centre as well as a restaurant and bar, popular with guests and locals alike.
Banff
Elk + Avenue Hotel is situated right in the centre of Banff and offers a home away from home to its guests. Relax by the fire with a drink from the onsite bar or enjoy generous meals at Ricky’s All Day Grill. Bedrooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, an iPod docking station and flat-screen TVs.
Lake Louise
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is nestled in the heart of Banff National Park and boasts unrivalled views of the surrounding scenery. All bedrooms come with a view of the lake or Chateau grounds as well as all the modern facilities you would expect. There’s also a luxurious spa and dining options ranging from afternoon tea to a traditional mountain fondue (available in both cheese and chocolate).
Vancouver
This modern hotel overlooks Coal Harbour in the centre of Vancouver. All bedrooms offer flat-screen TV, Keurig coffee-making facilities and en suite bathroom. The hotel also boasts an indoor pool, fitness centre, a bistro bar and free use of bicycles in the summer months.
Upgrade options (Gold Leaf Service)
Calgary
The Fairmont Palliser is a historic landmark in Downtown Calgary, combining elegant accommodation with state-of-the-art facilities. There are several dining options to choose from as well as a relaxing day spa and health centre, featuring a large indoor pool. The hotel is located in the centre of town, within walking distance of Calgary Tower.
Banff
Located near the Upper Hot Springs in central Banff, the Rimrock Resort Hotel boasts fabulous views over the Canadian Rockies. All air-conditioned bedrooms feature flat-screen TV, seating area and free Wi-Fi internet access. Guests can also take advantage of the indoor pool, luxury spa and wellness centre.
Vancouver
Known as the ‘Castle in the City’, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has been welcoming guests since the 1920s. This luxurious hotel offers spacious bedrooms with flat-screen cable TV, tea & coffee making facilities and Wi-Fi access. There is also an onsite health club, restaurant and bar.
