ROCKIES
RAIL
& SAIL 2009
From Vancouver
12 Days
/ 11 Nights
Sail to Vancouver
Island, stroll through Victoria, and
cruise the waterways of the
renowned Inside
Passage on this exhilarating tour.
Discover the pleasure of traveling by rail, through imposing mountain scenery,
as you journey to Prince
George and Jasper, in the heart
of the Rocky Mountains.
Travel the famous Icefields
Parkway to Lake
Louise, then onward to Banff.
Package Includes:
- View seven Cities
- All transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Hotel accommodations including provincial taxes
for eleven nights
- Two scenic cruises aboard BC Ferries: Straight
of Georgia and inside passage (reserved seat in Midship
Lounge )
- Scheduled coach transfer between Vancouver and
Victoria, including ferry fare
- Scheduled coach transfer between Victoria and Port Hardy, and Banff and Calgary Airport
- VIA Rail coach seat, Skeena
Totem Service with meals, Prince Rupert to Jasper
- Sightseeing tours as indicated by a driver/guide
on scheduled transportation services
- Scenic transfer down the world famous Icefields Parkway
DAY 01
VANCOUVER
Upon
arrival at Vancouver International Airport, transfer independently, by scheduled motorcoach, limousine or taxi to downtown Vancouver (transfers not included).
Overnight in Vancouver
DAY 02
VANCOUVER
A morning sightseeing tour
will introduce you to the natural beauty of Vancouver’s spectacular setting. Visit historic Gastown,
bustling Chinatown, and the tall timbers and ocean views of Stanley Park,
leading to the beachfront of English Bay.
The balance of the day is at leisure to explore the man-made and natural
attractions of the city.
Overnight in Vancouver
DAY 03
VICTORIA
This morning, transfer
independently, by taxi, to Vancouver’s
bus depot, the Pacific Central Station (transfers included),
and board a scheduled coach service to Vancouver Island. Then it’s off on a leisurely cruise aboard a B.C.
Ferries’ vessel, through the Gulf Islands to the provincial capital, Victoria, for a two-night stay. En route enjoy a stop at
the beautiful Butchart Gardens and a city tour of VictoriaTransfer to hotel (included).
Overnight in Victoria
DAY 04
VICTORIA
Enjoy a free day to explore Victoria. You may wish to visit the Royal
British Columbia Museum, have High Tea at the Empress or take a carriage ride
through the park.
Overnight in Victoria
DAY 05
PORT
HARDY
Take
an early morning taxi transfer to the Victoria Bus Depot (transfers
included),
where you will board a scheduled coach departure for Port Hardy. Winding
northward over the Malahat
Highway,
your route offers panoramic views of the Gulf Islands and the Strait of Georgia. Pass
through vast expanses of farmlands, fishing villages, deep sea ports, and
lumber and logging communities. In the late afternoon, arrive in Port Hardy.
Overnight in Port Hardy
DAY 06
PRINCE RUPERT
This morning, transfer by taxi to the B.C. Ferry
Terminal (transfers
included),
and embark on a full day of cruising the sheltered waters of the Inside Passage (reserved seating in the private Midship
Lounge included). During the length of this fifteen-hour journey, a wonderful array of snow-capped mountains combine with rich
forests to provide a background for a series of dramatic fjords. Killer whales,
sea lions and playful porpoise often appear in these waters, so keep your
camera close at hand. Arrive at the seaport of Prince Rupert and transfer by taxi (transfers
included) to
your hotel for the night.
Overnight
in Prince
Rupert
DAY 07
PRINCE GEORGE
Transfer by taxi this morning to the railway station (transfers
included).
Here you will board the VIA Rail “Skeena Totem”
service for an eye-catching feast of mountains, meadows and rivers as you
travel parallel to the salmon-rich Skeena River. As
you continue past the thriving lumber and mining communities of Terrace and Smithers, indications of Canada’s original native peoples are in abundance. Arrive
in Prince George in the evening and transfer by taxi to your hotel
for the night (transfers
included.)
Overnight
in Prince
George
DAY 08
JASPER
Camera
and film should be your priority this morning, in preparation for a day filled
with changing landscapes. Take a taxi to the rail station (transfers
included),
and re-board VIA Rail “Skeena Totem” service. Your
journey is filled with unforgettable scenic splendor and offers views of the
mighty Fraser River,
the McGregor Mountain range and the incomparable Mount Robson.
Pioneers gave quaint names for their stopping points; Penny, Tete Jaune Cache,
and Rearguard Falls
all lead to your destination today. Arrive in the early afternoon and transfer
by taxi to your hotel for the next two nights (transfers included).
Overnight in Jasper
DAY 09
JASPER
This morning, embark on a sightseeing tour of this
unique mountain community, which was named after a clerk with the North-West
Fur Company. The tour will include visits to the principal natural attractions
of Pyramid and Patricia Lakes.
The narrow gorge and limestone walls at Maligne Canyon contrast
remarkably with the panoramic views from Whistler’s Mountain.
The balance of the day is at leisure to explore the area on your own.
Overnight in Jasper
DAY 10
BANFF
Today’s journey today takes you from Jasper through Lake Louise
to Banff on one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. Jagged mountain peaks, forested valleys and emerald
lakes present a cavalcade of scenic splendor. A stop is made for a thrilling
ride on a specially constructed Ice Explorer onto the surface of the Athabasca
Glacier (included).
The Athabasca is part of the Columbia Icefield, the greatest mass
of ice outside of the Arctic
Circle. Then continue to
stunning Lake Louise, a picture-perfect setting. Drive via Johnston Canyon, on Highway 1A, with views of Castle Mountain, Mount Rundle and the Vermilion Lakes.
Your destination, Banff, is reached in late afternoon, where you will
transfer to your hotel for the next two nights.
Overnight in Banff
DAY 11
BANFF
A morning sightseeing tour
of Banff town site and its environs will highlight its many
attractions. Areas of interest include Surprise Corner; Tunnel Mountain Drive, offering views of the Bow River Valley; and the Cave and Basin, where Banff’s history began. Included in your package is a Banff
Gondola Ride which you may take at your leisure. Afternoon and evening are at
leisure to enjoy the town, go horseback riding, play golf, or just relax in
this delightful town.
Overnight in Banff
DAY 12
DEPARTURE
Independent
departure today, by scheduled motorcoach, to Calgary International Airport (transfers included).
This pleasant journey will provide time for some reflections on the highlights
of your memorable experiences.
2009 Departure Dates
May 15, 17, 27, 29, 31
June 10,
12, 14, 24,
26, 28
July 8,
10, 12, 22,
24, 26
August 5,
7, 19, 21, 23
September 2,
4, 6, 16, 18, 20
(Note:
Tours indicated as 2009
Departures Dates (Reverse Pattern) operate in the
reverse direction of the itinerary as published. These tours include all the
same features as the published itinerary, but operate as follows:
Day 01 - Banff
Day 02 - Banff
Day 03 - Jasper
Day 04 - Jasper
Day 05 - Prince George
Day 06 - Prince Rupert
Day 07 - Port Hardy
Day 08 - Victoria
Day 09 - Victoria
Day 10 - Vancouver
Day 11 - Vancouver
Day 12 - Departure
|
Rates Per Person US
Dollars
|
Twin
|
Single
|
Triple
|
|
Moderate Program
|
|
|
|
|
May 25-September 20
|
$4047.00
|
$5597.00
|
$3633.00
|
|
Deluxe Program
|
|
|
|
|
May 15-June 14
|
$4959.00
|
$7356.00
|
$4402.00
|
|
June
24-September 20
|
$5185.00
|
$7808.00
|
$4555.00
|
|
Accommodations
|
|
|
|
City
|
Moderate Accommodations
|
Deluxe Accommodations
|
|
Vancouver
|
Pacific Palisades
|
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver,
|
|
|
Deluxe Room
|
Fairmont Room
|
|
Victoria
|
Marriott Inner Harbor
|
Fairmont Empress Hotel,
|
|
|
|
Fairmont Room
|
|
Port Hardy
|
Glen Lyon Inn
|
Glen Lyon Inn
|
|
Prince
Rupert
|
Pacific Inn
|
Crest Motor Hotel
|
|
Prince
George
|
Ramada Downtown
|
Ramada Downtown
|
|
Jasper
|
Lobstick Lodge
|
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge,
|
|
|
|
Fairmont Deluxe
|
|
Banff
|
Mount Royal
|
Fairmont Banff Springs,
|
|
|
|
Fairmont Room
|
