Explorers Circle 2009

From Vancouver

7 Days / 6 Nights

 

Package Includes:

• View four cities
• Hotel accommodation including provincial taxes for 05 nights
• Sleeping accommodation onboard VIA Rail for one night
• VIA Rail’s “Canadian” Silver and Blue Class from Vancouver to Jasper
• One dinner, one breakfast onboard VIA Rail
• Transfers to and from Kamloops train station
• Transfer from Jasper train station to hotel
• Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca Glacier
• Photograph at the Columbia Icefield
• Sightseeing tour of Banff
• Admission to the Cave & Basin
• Banff Gondola
• Transfer to the Banff train station
• Rocky Mountaineer daylight train “RedLeaf” Service from Banff to Vancouver
• Two breakfasts and two lunches while onboard the Rocky Mountaineer
• Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages while onboard the Rocky Mountaineer
• Transfer from Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station to hotel
• Porterage at hotels
• National Park fees

 

Day 01

VIA Rail

Transfer independently to Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station (transfer not included) and board VIA Rail’s “Canadian”

for your overnight journey to Jasper. You will head east through the lush Fraser Valley, with its abundant orchards and huge dairy farms. Follow the Fraser River to the Fraser Canyon, and the mighty Hell’s Gate. Other points of interest include Suicide Rap-ids in the North Thompson Canyon and the Cisco Tunnels above the Fraser River. Dinner is included onboard the train this evening.

Overnight onboard VIA Rail.

 

Day 02

Jasper

Today you will travel between the Monashee and Caribou mountain ranges before ending your train journey in the resort town of Jasper. Breakfast is included onboard the train today. Upon arrival at the Jasper train station, transfer to your selected Jasper hotel (transfer included). Overnight in Jasper.

 

Day 03

Banff

Today, leaving Jasper, you will travel along the beautiful Icefields Parkway. The grand and noble peaks, forested valleys, glaciers and waterfalls will be some of the sights that will leave an everlasting picture in your mind. You will stop at one of the most interesting and accessible Icefields in the world – the Columbia Icefield. Time is allowed for a Ice Explorer ride over the Athabasca Glacier, a huge river of ice (ride included). The Athabasca Glacier is part of the Columbia Icefield, the greatest mass of ice outside the Arctic Circle. In the afternoon, continue driving south into Banff National Park. After a brief stop in Lake Louise, your motor coach will continue on to beautiful Banff for an approximate 5:30 p.m.

arrival. Overnight in Banff.

 

Day 04

Banff

Begin your day with a morning Brewster motor coach sightseeing tour. Highlights of this three-hour tour include a visit to the hoodoos, shaped by centuries of wind; Surprise Corner; Tunnel Mountain Drive, which over-looks the splendor of the Bow River Valley; and the Cave and Basin, where Banff’s history began. Included in your tour is a visit to the Banff Gondola, where time is allowed for a ride (included) to the summit for a breathtaking view of the snow-capped peaks and valleys of this Canadian wilderness.The remainder of your day is at leisure for perhaps more sightseeing and exploring on your own, or wander Banff’s boutiques, museums, cafés and restaurants.

Overnight in Banff.

 

Day 05

Kamloops

This morning, transfer to the Banff train station (transfer included), where you will board the Rocky Mountaineer daylight train for your two-day journey through the Rocky Mountains. Breakfast and lunch are included today and will be served at your seat. Your journey today will take you across the Continental Divide, through Yoho National Park, Glacier National Park, and the famous Spiral Tunnels. Before arriving in Kamloops you will pass Craigellachie, where the “last spike” was driven, completing the Canadian Pacific Rail-way in 1885. Upon your arrival in Kamloops, you will be transferred (included) to your hotel.

Overnight in Kamloops.

 

Day 06

Vancouver

Early this morning, you will transfer (included) to the Kamloops train station and re-board the Rocky Mountaineer daylight train for your journey to Vancouver. Breakfast and lunch are once again included and served at your seat. Today begins following the Thompson River through the stark, arid beauty of the interior of British Columbia. You will also pass the raging turbulence of Hell’s Gate, where millions of gallons of water per minute rush through the narrowest point of the Fraser Canyon. The waters here are so forceful that a fish ladder had to be constructed to enable the spawning salmon to survive the trip. Before reaching the coastal city of Vancouver, you will travel through the final range of mountains, the Pacific Coastal Mountains, and into the fertile fields of the Fraser River Valley. Upon arrival at the Vancouver train station, transfer by taxi (taxi transfer included) to your selected hotel.

Overnight in Vancouver.

 

Day 07

Vancouver

Your day is at leisure until your independent transfer to the Vancouver International Airport for your ongoing or homeward flight (transfer not included). You may use scheduled service airporter, taxi or limousine.

 

VIA Rail Boarding Time:

Vancouver 4:30 PM

 

Sunday, Friday

May  1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31

June 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28

July 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31

August 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30

September 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27

October 2, 4, 9, 11

 

Rates Per Person -  US Dollars

Moderate Program	Twin	Single	Triple
May 12-May 17	$2565.00	$3114.00	$2456.00
May 22-June 26	$3251.00	$4041.00	$3083.00
June 28-August 30	$3251.00	$4041.00	$3083.00
September 4- October 2	$3455.00	$4244.00	$3289.00
October 4-October 11	$2765.00	$3503.00	$2850.00
Deluxe Program
May 12-May 17	$2367.00	$4300.00	$3116.00
May 22-June 26	$4154.00	$5571.00	$2934.00
June 28-August 30	$4188.00	$5638.00	$3957.00
September 4- October 2	$4497.00	$5993.00	$4219.00
October 4-October 11	$3599.00	$4450.00	$3506.00

 

Accommodation
City	Moderate Accommodation	Deluxe Accommodation
VIA Rail	Upper / Lower Berth	Bedroom/Roomette
Jasper	Lobstick Lodge	Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge,
		Fairmont Deluxe
Banff	Mount Royal Hotel	Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel,
		Fairmont Room
Kamloops	Moderate Kamloops Hotel	Moderate Kamloops Hotel
Vancouver	Pacific Palisades,	Fairmont Hotel Vancouver,
	Deluxe Room	Fairmont Room