Rocky Roundup

Tour Information

13nt Tour Begins & Ends Vancouver: 3nts Vancouver; 1nt Vernon; 2nts Banff; 1nt Jasper; 1nt Prince George; 1nt Smithers; 1nt Prince Rupert; 1nt Port Hardy; 2nts Victoria

Discover the unrivaled natural wonder of breathtaking British Columbia and Alberta. You’ll experience beautiful ocean vistas, soaring mountain peaks, plunging valleys and crystal-clear lakes. Cruise the spectacular Inside Passage with its stunning coastlines and migrating whales. Explore the wild as you look to spy elk and moose in Canada’s most famous national park or walk on centuries-old glaciers at the Columbia Icefield. And famous Western hospitality is always at hand. Enjoy the cosmopolitan excitement of Vancouver, the lovely maritime feel of Victoria and the charms of resort towns Banff and Jasper. The Rocky Roundup has everything a traveller could wish for.

Day 1

Arrival in Vancouver
Arrive at Vancouver International Airport. Individual transfer to your centrally-located hotel. After a check-in with your tour director, the remainder of the day is free.
Overnight in Vancouver at Empire Landmark Hotel Conference Centre.

Day 2

Vancouver
We get better acquainted with our travelling companions at breakfast before setting out on our morning sightseeing tour of Vancouver. Highlights include Stanley Park, English Bay, Gastown,Chinatown, Capilano Suspension Bridge and much more. The afternoon is free for independent exploration or relaxation.
Overnight in Vancouver at Empire Landmark Hotel Conference Centre.
Continental breakfast included.

Day 3

Vancouver to Vernon
Today we travel east, leaving the Pacific Coast behind us. Crossing a great maritime plain and seeing some beautiful mountain vistas along the way, we enter the Okanagan Valley, famous for its fruit orchards and vineyards. We will make a picture stop at scenic Kalamalka Lake before continuing to Vernon, our destination for the night.
Overnight in Vernon at Sandman Inn & Suites or Holiday Inn Express.
Continental breakfast included.

Day 4

Vernon to Banff National Park
As we continue east, the Okanagan Valley provides the scenic backdrop for our morning travels. At Craigellachie, we view the monument marking the spot where the famous “Last Spike” was driven into place in 1885 linking Canada by rail from sea to sea. The afternoon brings us to the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains. Crossing first the mighty Rogers Pass and then the narrow Kicking Horse Canyon, we soon arrive at the bustling town of Banff.
Overnight in Banff at Spruce Grove Inn or High Country Inn.
Continental breakfast included.

Day 5

Banff National Park
Today we will enjoy a comprehensive tour of the region around Banff. The area became Canada’s first national park in 1885 to protect its natural hot springs. An optional Helicopter Sightseeing Tour will give you the chance to see the eastern ranges of the Rocky Mountains or take an optional gondola ride to spectacular Sulphur Mountain. Bring your camera! The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the surroundings of Banff, stroll along Banff Avenue, or relax and enjoy the scenery.
Overnight in Banff at Spruce Grove Inn or High Country Inn.
Continental breakfast included.

Day 6

Banff National Park to Jasper National Park
Today’s journey through Banff and Jasper National Parks promises to be a highlight of our Rocky Roundup programme. Shortly after leaving Banff we visit the famous scenery of Lake Louise, one of the most photographed lakes in Canada. Afterwards, we travel north on the famed Icefields Parkway through a rugged wilderness flanked by dramatic mountain ranges. At the Columbia Icefield we board a specially constructed Ice Explorer to ride on the surface of the ancient Athabasca Glacier. Close to Jasper, you have the chance to go on an optional raft trip on the Athabasca River. Your experienced guide will point out natural and human history of as you raft through short rapids and stretches of calm waters.
Overnight in Jasper at Marmot Lodge.
Continental breakfast included.

Day 7

Jasper National Park to Prince George
Before leaving Jasper National Park this morning, you can take part in an optional Spirit Island Cruise on Maligne Lake. Then we travel westward back to the coast. We will stop at the Mount Robson Viewpoint and with luck even see the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, as its summit is often shrouded by mist. We leave the mountains behind and drive toward Prince George, located at the tip of British Columbia’s CaribooRegion.
Overnight in Prince George at Sandman Inn & Suites or Coast Inn of the North.
Full breakfast included.

Day 8

Prince George to Smithers
Continuing west, we travel the Yellowhead Highway and experience some of Canada’s most forested and rugged terrains. We enjoy a visit to Fort St. James National Historic Park to relive the days of the fur trade. At the end of the day, we settle into Smithers, a characteristic frontier town and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Overnight in Smithers at Hudson Bay Lodge or Asper Motor Inn.
Continental breakfast included.

Day 9

Smithers to Prince Rupert
Today represents the last segment of our journey back to the Pacific Ocean. We follow the beautiful Skeena River Valley to Prince Rupert. Along the way, we’ll stop for a tour of ‘Ksan Indian Village – a recreation of an ancient traditional community of the Gitxsan First Nation peoples. Arriving at our destination, we will enjoy an orientation tour of Prince Rupert, located on Kaien Island, before the remainder of the day is at our leisure.
Overnight in Prince Rupert at Coast Prince Rupert Hotel or Crest Motor Hotel.
Continental breakfast included.

Day 10

Prince Rupert to Port Hardy (cruise)
Cameras at the ready! This morning we join our ship for a spectacular full-day cruise south along the coast of British Columbia to Vancouver Island. The famous Inside Passage is one of the most spectacular waterways in Canada.
Overnight in Port Hardy at Port Hardy Inn or Airport Inn Port Hardy.

Day 11

Port Hardy to Victoria
Back on our tour coach today, we travel south to Victoria. En route, we pass through lively but unhurried little towns and villages, most of which serve as local centres for nearby logging and fishing activities. One such town is Chemainus, boasting a remarkable collection of outdoor murals depicting the area’s history and cultural life which we view during a brief stop. We arrive to Victoria and take a sightseeing tour.
Overnight in Victoria at Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites.
Continental breakfast included.

Day 12

Victoria
The day is at leisure to explore the city or take part in an optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour over downtown Victoria and the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Olympic Mountains in the distance. Watch for the buildings lining the harbour and the rugged coastline. You may also go on an optional Whalewatching excursion aboard a high-speed Zodiac or a regular vessel. Watch for the infamous orcas and other whale species. You will have a chance to see marine wildlife, such as sunbathing sea lions, magnificent bald eagles and playful seals. The afternoon is free to explore this maritime city with its quaint, colonial demeanour.
Overnight in Victoria at Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites.
Full Canadian breakfast included.

Day 13

Victoria to Vancouver
Today, we visit Butchart Gardens, one of the world’s great floral displays. Ample time is allocated for browsing through these regal gardens. In the afternoon, we return to Vancouver. Our trip includes a pleasant cruise through the Gulf Islands resort region, a summer retreat for residents of both British Columbia and Washington State. In the evening, there will be an optional “Farewell Dinner”. Cruise the waters of Vancouver Harbour and enjoy a west-coast theme buffet dinner.
Overnight in Vancouver at Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites.
Full Canadian breakfast included.

Day 14

End of tour
A time for last-minute shopping and sad farewells. Individual transfer to Vancouver International Airport in time to check in for your return flight.
Continental breakfast included.

What's Included

• Transatlantic flights on scheduled airlines.
• Domestic flights (if applicable)
• Accommodation in hotels as described above or similar standard
• Services of a professional Tour Director throughout the tour
• Transportation in deluxe motorcoach
• 12 breakfasts
• Vancouver sightseeing tour
• Capilano Suspension Bridge
• Banff and Lake Louise region tour
• Columbia Icefield Ice Explorer ride
• Fort St. James National Historic Park
• Orientation tour of Prince Rupert
• Ksan Indian Village visit
• Prince Rupert to Port Hardy Inside Passage cruise
• Victoria city tour
• Butchart Gardens
• Cruise through the Gulf Islands
• Baggage handling (1 piece per person)