Rockies exploration with rocky mountaineer and calgary stampede

After breakfast, we tour the town of Banff including Tunnel Mountain, Hoodoos, Bow Falls, Cascade Garden, and the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Followed by a guided tour of the Buffalo Museum and the Cave and Basin. Next, you will experience the Banff Gondola as you sit back, relax, and marvel at the unsurpassed view of Banff, the Bow Valley, and a 360-degree view of six scenic mountain ranges from 2,281m (7,486 ft) above sea level. Lunch is served at a mountain-top restaurant for a dining experience high above overlooking Banff in the majestic Canadian Rockies. The town site of Banff is at an elevation of 1,383M (4,537 feet), making it the highest town in Canada. Banff is flanked on all sides by towering mountains, including Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay, and Cascade Mountain. The lively streets of downtown are lined with top-class restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as a vibrant range of art galleries and museums. Enjoy free time this evening to explore on your own.

After breakfast we check out of our Banff hotel and drive into Yoho National Park, British Columbia. Photo stops at Spiral Tunnels (for trains), Takkakaw Falls, Natural Bridge and Emerald Lake for time to take a stroll or get a bite to eat. We arrive at Lake Louise best known for its turquoise glacier-fed lake ringed by high peaks. We will see the famous and picturesque lake and the Chateau Lake Louise that overlooks it. Enjoy a walk by the lakeside before we head to Moraine Lake for a picture stop. Next, we drive along the famous Columbia Icefields Parkway, voted as one of the most spectacular drives in the world. You will see for yourself why this mountain road that boasts a unique landscape rich in history and natural beauty is so famous. We will take a picture stop at Peyto Lake before arriving at our accommodation for the evening in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. You have never seen so many stars with the naked eye. Dinner will be enjoyed as a group this evening.

After breakfast and check out, we arrive at the famous Columbia Icefields whose waters feed three oceans. We visit the Interpretive Centre, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch and then have the experience of a lifetime - a ride on the Ice Explorer vehicle for a close-up look at the Athabasca Glacier. Next, we take a walk on the Skywalk, a suspended platform where glass is all that separates you from rugged wild terrain 918 feet (280 M) below. Finally, at the end of this action-packed day, we see the powerful Athabasca Falls before arriving in the charming town of Jasper.

Originally a tiny railway town, Jasper's small-town charm is very different from the alpine resort glamour of Banff. Surrounded by towering mountains, clear lakes, and abundant wildlife, Jasper is located in Jasper National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. We start the day with a walk down Maligne Canyon to see how the water has carved spectacular crevices out of the mountain. Next, a scenic drive ultimately takes us to Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. As we continue deeper into the valley we drive into the sub-alpine forests and view the expanding ranges of limestone rising out of Medicine Lake. This mysterious disappearing lake changes seasonally as the flow rates of melt waters fill and empty this basin. A stop is made to photograph this natural wonder. From Medicine Lake, we continue through the forest which is a prime habitat for moose and bears. Sightings are common but not guaranteed as we strive to see these animals in their natural habitat. Today’s journey takes us through 45 km of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in the Canadian Rockies. The scenic drive finally brings us to beautiful Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. We will enjoy a leisurely 90-minute cruise on the lake and a short walk on legendary Spirit Island. Dinner will be lakeside before returning to the town of Jasper for leisure time.

Happy Canada Day! This morning we start our journey into British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province with a stop at the foot of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. The panels and kiosks are informative while the views on a clear day are stunning. A highlight today is a river safari ride through Grizzly Bear Valley, in the heart of the world’s only inland temperate rainforest. We hope to see bears and wildlife in their natural environment from the safety of a boat mid-river, presenting the best opportunities for the perfect photograph. Our destination today is Kamloops, known for its dry semi-arid climate, rolling hills, two converging rivers - the Thompson and the Nicola - and the abundance of parks.

We head southwest through Coquihalla Pass and the rugged BC Interior then travel through the fertile Fraser River Valley to Vancouver on the Pacific Coast. A vibrant metropolitan city, Vancouver is nestled between the majestic Coast Mountains, and the rugged Pacific coastline, and surrounded by a pristine wilderness of temperate rainforest, lakes, valleys, and peaks. Vancouver’s location and cosmopolitan culture make Vancouver one of the most beautiful and highly liveable cities in the world. Its equitable climate and variety of indoor and outdoor attractions make Vancouver a year-round sought-after travel destination. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Stanley Park, Chinatown, English Bay, and the Harbor front. Experience the Flyover Canada simulator, plus a Vancouver Gastown tour with dinner.

This morning we take the famous Sea to Sky highway to Whistler with photo stops at Shannon Falls and Brittania Mine. We arrive at the Lil'wat Cultural Center to enjoy a guided tour then head up to Whistler Village, a large pedestrian-only area. Enjoy a short tour of the village before we head up the Peak2Peak tram to enjoy the view of miles of mountain tops and ocean. Upon return to the Village, you will have free time to shop and explore. Return to Vancouver this evening.

Departing early in the morning, travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, located in the heart of British Columbia's interior. On today's journey, you will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to the desert-like landscapes of the BC interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Your day ends in the evening as the train travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake into the town of Kamloops.

Early in the morning, your journey continues eastward to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again, you will experience ever-changing scenery as you travel across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes, and through the remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Canadian Rockies. Today's highlights include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels, and, of course, the iconic glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Your rail journey ends this evening in the resort town of Banff. Upon arrival, you will receive a transfer to your Calgary accommodation. Make sure to put your cowboy hat on because the world-famous Calgary Stampede is in full swing. Check into a Calgary hotel late this evening.

Today is a full day to enjoy the world-famous Calgary Stampede. We’ll start by heading to Stampede Park where we enjoy lunch from various food vendors. Next is the Calgary Stampede Rodeo which showcases top athletes worldwide. Enjoy a few hours to explore the Stampede and then have dinner at The Clubhouse. After dinner, we’ll head to our seats as the Calgary Stampede presents the world’s most unique doubleheader, the Evening Show, featuring the GMC Rangeland Derby and the Bell Grandstand Show. As the sun sets, the GMC Rangeland Derby thunders around the track with 36 chuckwagons vying for more than $1 million in prize money. Witness all the heart-pounding action, an experience like nothing else. When the last wagon thunders across the finish line, prepare yourself for the Bell Grandstand Show: a variety extravaganza that includes comedy, elaborate song and dance numbers, acrobatics, and a spectacular fireworks finale

This morning, check out of the hotel after breakfast, say farewell to Calgary and catch your return flights home.