Rocky Mountain Railtour

Day 1 London - Calgary - Banff Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport and a scheduled Air Canada flight to Calgary. On arrival our coach transports you to Banff, set in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, and our hotel the Caribou Lodge (3T+). Day 2 Banff - Lake Louise - Banff Today we tour the surrounds of Banff and also visit the famous Lake Louise. Take a stroll by the lakeside and visit the Chateau, a luxury hotel, with cafés and bars to enjoy. This is Canada’s best known lake, renowned for its beautiful setting and magical view of the Victoria Glacier. Returning to Banff and our hotel, we are free this evening to discover some of the town’s nightlife that includes a good selection of restaurants. Day 3 Banff - Columbia Icefield - Jasper This morning we take the Icefields Parkway from Banff National Park. This stunningly scenic road links these two great parks, and for over 140 miles takes us through jagged mountain peaks and high forested valleys, passing emerald lakes and mountain-fed streams, waterfalls and rivers. The halfway point is the spectacular Columbia Icefield, one of the biggest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle. Here we take an included Ice Explorer ride on to the surface of the Athabasca Glacier (subject to favourable weather conditions). Your journey is led by an experienced driver-guide, who shares a wealth of fascinating information about glaciers, icefields and their impact on our environment. There is also the opportunity to safely step out onto the glacier and stand on this powerful ancient ice. Turning west, we enter Jasper National Park - 4,200 square miles of alpine forests, natural hot springs, white-water rivers, tranquil valleys and jagged snow-capped mountains. We drive to the centre of Jasper town and our hotel for the next two nights, the Chateau Jasper (3T) or Lobstick Lodge (3T+). Day 4 Jasper Today we enjoy an unforgettable journey to Maligne Canyon and then to one of the most photographed spots in the world, the breathtaking Maligne Lake. Here we may have the opportunity for an optional cruise to Spirit Island (weather dependent). We return to Jasper where time is free to relax and enjoy the town. This evening we enjoy an included dinner with an interpretative talk. Day 5 Rocky Mountaineer (Jasper - Kamloops) This morning we have an early start to board the Rocky Mountaineer train for an award-winning rail journey. Your journey offers an exhilarating range of scenery as you pass by Mount Robson, the expansive glaciers of the Albreda Icefields and the Pyramid Falls. Travel through the snowy peaks of the Monashee Mountains and then follow the Thompson River before arriving into historic Kamloops, the gateway to the Interior of British Columbia. Your accommodation in Kamloops is arranged by Rocky Mountaineer. Day 6 Rocky Mountaineer (Kamloops - Vancouver) Our second day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and another exciting journey of stunning vistas awaits us. You will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the interior, through winding river canyons and forests surrounded by peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to the lush green fields of the Fraser River Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon. The skyline of Vancouver is soon in sight and on arrival our coach awaits to transfer us to our hotel, the Pinnacle Vancouver Harbourfront (4T), Delta Vancouver Downtown (4T) or Westin Grand (4T). Day 7 Vancouver This morning we have arranged a short orientation tour of Vancouver. After this you are free to explore at your leisure or join our optional excursion to Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge. In quaint Gastown you will find many interesting shops, cafés and restaurants. Chinatown is well worth a visit to experience the bustle of this always exciting area of the city. Day 8 Vancouver - Victoria This morning we drive to Tsawwassen, to take the ferry through the glorious Gulf Islands region with towering Douglas fir trees climbing the hills on all sides to Swartz Bay. We continue to the world-famous Butchart Gardens, reclaimed from a limestone quarry in 1904 and now a riot of colour and fragrance covering over 30 acres. These beautiful gardens have long been one of Vancouver Island’s premier attractions and include Rose, Japanese, and Italian gardens. Later this afternoon we continue to Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia, and our hotel - the Chateau Victoria (4T) or Embassy Victoria (3T). Day 9 Victoria Today is free for you to enjoy and explore Victoria and its many attractions, shops and perhaps some of its colonial heritage, such as the Legislative Building and the Empress Hotel, for afternoon tea. The evening offers a chance to sample the range of fine restaurants around the harbour. Day 10 Victoria - Vancouver - In flight This morning we leave Victoria behind and drive to Swartz Bay, where we take the return ferry crossing to Tsawwassen. There may be some time for last-minute shopping in Vancouver before transferring to the airport for a direct, scheduled Air Canada flight to London. Day 11 London Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.