9 Day Rail, Peaks, and Glaciers

Visit sights such as Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, the Banff Hoodoos and Lake Minnewanka, one of the most beautiful places in Canada.

Today's tour to Jasper takes us through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in North America. Following the spine of the Canadian Rockies, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged snowy peaks and over 100 glaciers. The entire day is spent in the majesty of Canada's two most famous National Parks, Banff and Jasper. Departing Banff we pass Vermilion Lakes and the fortress formations of Castle Mountain before arriving at stunning Lake Louise and the world famous Chateau Lake Louise.After a short break continue northwards on the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic stretches of highway in North America. Stops will be made at Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake and the Weeping Wall before arriving at the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield.A stop is made at the Columbia Icefield chalet to view the Athabasca Glacier and time is allowed to ride the Ice Explorer onto the glacier. From here the parkway descends Tangle Ridge and follows the Athabasca River which begins as melt water from the Athabasca Glacier. We then stop at the Athabasca Falls, where the boiling waters of the river plunge into a chasm gouged out of the valley floor.

This morning join a local guide for an interpretive tour up the Maligne Valley. The tour will include a stop at Maligne Canyon for a guided walk above the gorge, Medicine Lake and then Maligne Lake where you can either take the boat cruise to Spirit Island or enjoy a guided hike along the Mary Schaffer Loop.

Travelling in sleeper class, by day you will sit back in comfortable armchairs, at night attendants will transform your quarters into cozy bunks or a private bedroom. You will have access to the Park Car which offers a lounge atmosphere and the Dome Car for 180 degree panoramic windows for spectacular viewing. Gourmet meals are included in the dining room while travelling in Sleeper Class.

Included today is a Hop-on-hop-off pass, travel at your leisure on a turn of the century San Francisco style trolley bus with 23 stops including 16 of Vancouver's major downtown attractions. Take the entire tour in two hours or spend longer experiencing this beautiful city. Also included is the FlyOver Canada experience.

Start the morning with a Vancouver Harbour Cruise then enjoy the rest of the afternoon as you please. Then in the evening participate in a Forbidden Vancouver walking tour and hear all the stories that don't make their way onto the tour buses. Be emerged in Vancouver's history as you listen to tales of crime, corruption, and sin.

Departing by coach you will board the BC Ferry for a spectacular 95 minute cruise through the marine wonderland of the Gulf Islands. Once docked on Vancouver Island you will continue by coach on to the world famous Butchart Gardens with their 55 acre floral display. Drive through Victoria's Marine Scenic Drive and view highlights of downtown Victoria. This afternoon you will have time to visit the Royal BC Museum and experience the limited time Egypt: Time of Pharaohs exhibit. Experience a time when civilization grew along the Nile, pyramids dotted the skyline and people believed gods walked among us. Be among the first in North America to see this staggering exhibition's priceless ancient artifacts, such as the coffin of Nakht, an exceptional bust of Hatshepsut and an ornate gold and garnet necklace from the Ptolemaic period.

This afternoon, board the luxurious five star supercat whale-watching excursion, with over 80 resident orcas and numerous transient orcas, you will experience why whale-watching is a must in Victoria. This evening you will transfer by floatplane from the inner harbor of Victoria to downtown Vancouver.