Iconic Rockies & Western Canada
The glaciers, National Parks and laid-back cities of Western Canada are just some of the highlights on this adventure into places like Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, Jasper and Banff.
You'll enjoy Insider moments like… spotting buffalo and other wildlife and enjoying a meal of delicious Alberta beef with the trimmings on the Guinn Family's ranch, followed by hopping on an authentic wagon.
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Arrive Vancouver
Welcome to Vancouver. At 6 p.m., gather at the hotel with your Travel Director and traveling companions for a Welcome Reception. -
Vancouver – Victoria (2 Nights)
Set out for Stanley Park and explore historic Chinatown and Gastown. Travel by ferry to Vancouver Island. Visit a family-owned winery and enjoy a taste of their delicious wines. Later, arrive in quaint Victoria. -
Victoria Sightseeing and Free Time
Greet the day with breakfast at Butchart Gardens, a 55 acre (22 ha) showcase of gorgeous floral gardens. Meet with a representative who can answer questions and then spend some time exploring. Back in Victoria, enjoy a guided city tour. This evening, dinner is up to you with a selection of restaurants for your choice dining. -
Victoria – Chemainus – Squamish – Whistler (2 Nights)
Set out for Chemainus, famous for its outdoor murals. Return to the mainland by ferry and drive along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway. Board the Sea-to-Sky Gondola and ride all the way to Summit Lodge, enjoying sweeping views. This afternoon, arrive in Whistler. -
Whistler Sightseeing and Free Time
Start the morning with a guided walking tour led by a Local Specialist. Learn about the history of the resort during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Next, step into a fascinating world where ancient ways meet modern life at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center. Your Local Specialist, an authentic First Nations ambassador, will greet you with a warm welcome in traditional song. This afternoon is free. -
Whistler – Kamloops
Continue toward the ski resort of Kamloops for an evening to do as you please.
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Sun Peaks – Rocky Mountain National Park – Banff (2 Nights)
Sample the best of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel through Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks, cross the Columbia River and Yoho National Park. Arrive at your mountain resort in Banff National Park for a relaxing stay. Enjoy drinks and a Local Specialist presentation where you will learn about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police from a real life "Mountie." -
Banff Sightseeing and Free Time
Immerse yourself in the glories of Banff, including Surprise Corner, Bow Falls and hoodoo rock formations. Enjoy a free afternoon before setting off for Boundary Ranch where your hosts, the Guinn family, welcome you for a scenic Be My Guest experience and dinner. -
Banff – Lake Louise – Jasper (2 Nights)
Arrive on the shores of Lake Louise with a short lakeside talk. Enjoy a unique adventure at the Columbia Icefield where you climb aboard an Ice Explorer and drive on the massive Athabasca Glacier. Later this afternoon, arrive at your hotel in the heart of Jasper National Park. Join your fellow travelers for a "Farewell to the Rockies" Dinner. After dinner, enjoy a presentation about the area's history and wildlife with a Local Specialist. -
Jasper Sightseeing and Free Time
Enjoy an interpretive walk at Maligne Canyon. Then, embark on a narrated cruise across Maligne Lake. Stop at Spirit Island before returning to Jasper where the rest of the day is free. -
Jasper – Mount Robson – Chase
Head west and arrive at Mount Robson, the Rockies' tallest peak. On arrival to your hotel, meet with a member of the Secwepemc Nation, stroll the grounds and view a traditional kekuli built by the First Nations people. -
Chase – Vancouver
Return back to Vancouver and visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, including the famous Suspension Bridge, Cliffwalk—a series of narrow cantilevered bridges, stairs and platforms following a granite precipice, and Treetops Adventure—comprised of 7 suspension bridges and a platform. This evening, enjoy dinner with your newfound friends. -
Depart Vancouver
Transfer to Vancouver International Airport or to Canada Place if you are extending your trip with an optional Alaska cruise.
30 Day Refund Guarantee
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Definite Departure
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Apr 18 | 28 Apr 18 | $3,450$3,105pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 7 May 18 | 19 May 18 |
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$3,475$3,128pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 14 May 18 | 26 May 18 |
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$3,475pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 21 May 18 | 2 Jun 18 |
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$3,475$3,128pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 28 May 18 | 9 Jun 18 |
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$3,475pp | Call 1-877-622-9109 | |||
| 4 Jun 18 | 16 Jun 18 |
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$3,525$3,173pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Call 1-877-622-9109 | ||
| 11 Jun 18 | 23 Jun 18 | $3,550$3,195pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Call 1-877-622-9109 | |||
| 18 Jun 18 | 30 Jun 18 | $3,550$3,195pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Call 1-877-622-9109 | |||
| 25 Jun 18 | 7 Jul 18 |
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$3,550$3,195pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Call 1-877-622-9109 | ||
| 9 Jul 18 | 21 Jul 18 |
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$3,550$3,195pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 23 Jul 18 | 4 Aug 18 |
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$3,550$3,195pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 6 Aug 18 | 18 Aug 18 |
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$3,550pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 20 Aug 18 | 1 Sep 18 | $3,550$3,195pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Call 1-877-622-9109 | |||
| 27 Aug 18 | 8 Sep 18 | $3,550$3,195pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Call 1-877-622-9109 | |||
| 3 Sep 18 | 15 Sep 18 |
|
$3,550$3,195pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 10 Sep 18 | 22 Sep 18 | $3,550$3,195pp | Early PaymentPay by Jan 11 | Request Quote Book Now |
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: from $1,050.
Single and Triple cruise staterooms are on a request basis only.
Guaranteed Room Share is not available on cruise and train.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $135 per person.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
Past Travelers: Save an additional 5% off the Land Only price of the vacation.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Hotel Tips
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Most Meals
Meal Summary
12 nights' accommodations, 12 full breakfasts, 5 dinners.
Included Highlights
Hidden Treasure
- Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure.
Be My Guest
- Enjoy a hosted dinner at a family-owned and operated ranch in Kananaskis Valley.
Local Specialist
- For included sightseeing at the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics, with a First Nations ambassador, learning about fur trapping and trading, meeting a Mountie and enjoy a presentation about Jasper's history and wildlife.
Sightseeing Highlights
- City tour of Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler and Banff
- Visit the thriving ski resort of Sun Peaks and Chase
- Cruise across Maligne Lake
- View Lake Louise, Yoho and Mount Revelstoke National Parks and a traditional kekuli built by the people of the First Nations
- Scenic drives along the Sea-to-Sky Highway and Icefields Parkway
Reviews
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Packing
We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Gratuity
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend $4-5 per person/per day for your driver and $6-7 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 dollars per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 48 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Banff
Explore the Rockies Tour 20 min
Adult Price: $195.00 | Child Price: $195.00
Blades humming, the helicopter from Rockies Heli Canada rises up from the Kananaskis Base and soars away over the valley, crossing snow-capped mountains, rivers, and lakes. Rising to 9,500 feet, gaze upon all of these breathtaking panoramic views as you glide smoothly by on the Explore the Rockies tour. The tour is long enough to get beyond the face of the Rockies and “behind” the peaks. This exciting option typically will provide the excitement of flying through or over a mountain pass with frequent sightings of Big Horn Sheep and occasionally herds of Elk. Subject to weather permitting.
Banff
Grand Rockies Tour 30 mins
Adult Price: $325.00 | Child Price: $325.00
The thrill of flight and the breathtaking scenery of the Canadian Rockies as seen from an eagle's perspective - the Grand Rocky Mountain Tour is Rockie Heli's most popular flight from our RHT-K base, the tour will introduce you to the spectacular scenery of the Spray Lakes Valley, the Iconic Three Sisters Mountains of Canmore as well as stunning Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. Subject to weather permitting.
Banff
Summit Helicopter Tour, 12 mins
Adult Price: $135.00 | Child Price: $135.00
The Summit Tour will provide you with you first glimpse into the spectacular Rocky Mountains. Flying up to 7,000 ft. (2,300 m) above sea level, this tour will give you a taste of beautiful Kananaskis Country and the glorious peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Subject to weather condition.
Whistler
Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Adult Price: $63.00 | Child Price: $63.00
From our ancient, volcanic peaks with their 360 degree views, to our vibrant and sophisticated village with its incredible vibe, Whistler Blackcomb has summer covered from top to bottom. Travel across BC’s rooftop on the world record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, explore over 50 kms of high alpine hiking trails, then head to the valley for a bike ride on Whistler’s paved valley trail, or its renowned single-track network in the world-famous Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
Jasper
Jasper Float Trip
Adult Price: $73.00 | Child Price: $30.00
Join the fun and experience an easy rafting / scenic float trip down the Athabasca River, a designated Canadian Heritage River. A National Park licensed guide will provide commentary on the human and natural history of Jasper while navigating you along the same route used by the “fur traders” over 2 centuries ago. Lifejackets and the specially designed, 7 meter / 25 foot long, oar powered rafts; offer a safe and comfortable ride through several small, easy sets of rapids and calm stretches that any first time rafter will enjoy. Don’t worry the guides do all the rowing; you sit back and enjoy while exploring all the spectacular scenery drifting down a route that was used by fur traders many years ago. There is always a chance of seeing various wildlife including elk, deer, moose, coyotes, wolves, eagles, ospreys, mountain sheep and bears. Tours will operate rain or shine, and a poncho will be provided when required.
Banff
Brewster Banff Gondola
Adult Price: $49.00 | Child Price: $25.00
At the Banff Gondola, you’ll see more mountains in a moment than most see in a lifetime! Ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience a bird’s eye view of six mountain ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Begin with an eight-minute journey to the summit in a fully enclosed four-passenger gondola cabin. The views become increasingly spectacular as you climb to an elevation of 7,486 feet ( 2,281 meters) to the Summit Upper Terminal. Witness the breathtaking views in every direction or go to the restaurant area to enjoy the views inside or from its upper deck. You can also take the Banff Skywalk for a short self-guided interpretive walkway along the summit ridge leading to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada. Subject to weather conditions.
Victoria
Victoria Whale Watching Excursion
Adult Price: $121.00 | Child Price: $90.00
Board your vessel to enjoy a three-hour whale-watching expedition in the waters off Victoria. While it can’t be guaranteed in advance which of the abundant marine wildlife you’ll see on your journey, chances are you’ll also spot magnificent bald eagles, porpoises or seals. Spring and summer are the best times of the year to see the resident Orca whales in all their glory.
