Western Canadian Rail Adventure

13 days Vancouver to Vancouver
Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff, Jasper, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Port Hardy, Victoria.

Two of the great rail journeys of Canada's West highlight this outstanding Globus Platinum experience. Board the Rocky Mountaineer in Vancouver for the two-day, all-daylight journey to Banff. In the high Rockies, explore Lake Louise and Jasper by motorcoach, then board VIA Rail's The Skeena for a two-day journey via Prince George to Prince Rupert. Travel through Canada's Inside Passage wilderness by ferry to Port Hardy, and then drive the whole length of Vancouver Island to beautiful Victoria. End your tour with two relaxing nights at the Hotel Grand Pacific right on Victoria's Inner Harbour.

INSIDE VISITS AND SPECIAL FEATURES Shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN VANCOUVER, BC

Your Western Canadian Rail vacation begins this evening with a welcome reception, hosted by your Tour Director. (WR)

DAY 2 - VANCOUVER-ROCKY MOUNTAINEER-KAMLOOPS

At Vancouver's Pacific Central Station, board the ROCKY MOUNTAINEER. Follow the Fraser Canyon and the Thompson River through beautiful landscapes to historic Kamloops. Tonight, enjoy dinner and a show at Two River Junction. (B,L,D)
NOTE: Kamloops properties are considered moderate two or three star hotels or motels. The city does not offer any hotels in the superior category. Your chosen hotel is determined by Rocky Mountaineer Vacations; however, you can rest assured it satisfies our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.
For your convenience, baggage that will not be needed during the train journey will be checked through to Banff. Checked luggage will not be accessible during the journey. Plan to pack an overnight case with necessities for the train portion of the tour, including medications, spectacles, and other important items (GoldLeaf passengers will have their luggage delivered to their Kamloops hotel).

DAY 3 - KAMLOOPS-ROCKY MOUNTAINEER-BANFF

Back aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, journey from Kamloops eastward to Shuswap Lake, with its thousand miles of shoreline. The Kicking Horse River leads to passes over the Continental Divide to Banff National Park. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 - BANFF. LAKE LOUISE EXCURSION

Tour the highlights of Banff, then travel north to two of the crown jewels of the Rockies: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch at the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel. (B,L)

DAY 5 - BANFF-ICEFIELDS PARKWAY-JASPER

Today, travel north on the awe-inspiring Icefields Parkway, where snow-domed peaks, waterfalls, lakes, and wildlife compete for your attention. Experience an "ICE EXPLORER" ride on the gigantic Athabasca Glacier, then continue past thundering Athabasca Falls en route to Jasper. (B,D)

DAY 6 - JASPER; CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE

This morning, enjoy an included CRUISE to Spirit Island on nearby Maligne Lake. A GLOBUS PLATINUM EXCLUSIVE, you select how you wish to spend your afternoon. Choose between a FLOAT TRIP on the scenic Athabasca River or a guided NATURE WALK to learn more about the area's flora and fauna. (B)

DAY 7 - JASPER - MOUNT ROBSON - PRINCE GEORGE

This morning is at leisure to explore more of Jasper. We depart for Prince George following the Fraser River to the base of Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, peaking at 12,972 feet. Then it's on to Prince George, formerly a fur-trading post and now a thriving commercial centre. (B,D)

DAY 8 - PRINCE GEORGE - VIA RAIL'S THE SKEENA - PRINCE RUPERT

Your rail journey continues today along the Skeena River Valley. Enjoy an at-your-seat meal service and large reclining seats as scenic highlights along the route roll by. Bald eagles, black bears, moose, and other wildlife are often spotted from the train in this remote and beautiful area. Arrive in Prince Rupert this evening for a two-night stay. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 - PRINCE RUPERT

This morning, take time to experience Prince Rupert. The city, which is located on Kaien Island just 140 miles south of Ketchikan, Alaska, is surrounded by huge forest-covered hills. Learn about the canning industry at the NORTHERN PACIFIC CANNERY VILLAGE MUSEUM. Later this afternoon, enjoy leisure time to explore on your own. (B,D)

DAY 10 - PRINCE RUPERT-BC FERRY-PORT HARDY

Depart Prince Rupert and cruise southward aboard a BC FERRY through the awe-inspiring Inside Passage, a natural marine highway. This 15-hour journey takes you past spectacular coastal rainforests and majestic coastal mountains. Marine life is abundant in this area. Watch for humpback whales, porpoises, and sea lions. The ship offers open-air decks for sunning and viewing. You will arrive in Port Hardy this evening around 10:30 p.m. (B)

DAY 11 - PORT HARDY-VICTORIA

Travel south by motorcoach along the entire length of Vancouver Island to the charming British "Garden City" of Victoria. (B)

DAY 12 - VICTORIA

Victoria sightseeing includes a visit to the world-famous BUTCHART GARDENS, whose 130-acre estate boasts Italian, Japanese, and English-style gardens. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner. (B,D)

DAY 13 - VICTORIA-VANCOUVER

This morning, travel via BC Ferry through the Gulf Islands back to the British Columbia mainland for a transfer to the Vancouver International Airport. Please schedule flights after 2 p.m. (B)

Departure Dates & Prices

Dates	Twin Per Person	Single Supplement	Triple Reduction
10/05/2008	£2,102	£602	£112
24/05/2008	£2,102	£602	£112
07/06/2008	£2,246	£602	£112
21/06/2008	£2,246	£602	£112
19/07/2008	£2,246	£602	£112
02/08/2008	£2,246	£602	£112
30/08/2008	£2,246	£602	£112
13/09/2008	£2,246	£602	£112
All prices shown are for tour only and subject to availability. Please call to ask for a full package inclusive of airfares.
Pre/Post Tour overnights are also available and rail/cruise upgrades can be quoted where applicable

Included Highlights

• VANCOUVER Welcome reception
• ROCKY MOUNTAINEER; 2 day scenic rail journey
• BANFF and JASPER NATIONAL PARKS
• ATHABASCA GLACIER Experience Columbia Ice Fields "Ice Explorer" Glacier tour
• LAKE LOUISE Enjoy lunch at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
• VIA RAIL Spectacular 2 day train journey on The Skeena
• PRINCE RUPERT Guided sightseeing
• INSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE Scenic cruise on BC Ferry
• VICTORIA Guided sightseeing including world famous Butchart Gardens

Included Meals

Welcome Reception (WR), American breakfast daily (B), 4 lunches (L), 6 dinners (D) including a farewell dinner in Victoria. Breakfast on RedLeaf Service is a Deluxe Continental - not a full American breakfast.

Superior Hotels

VANCOUVER Marriott Pinnacle Hotel (SF), KAMLOOPS Determined by Rocky Mountaineer (BA), BANFF Rimrock Resort (D), JASPER Sawridge Inn (F), PRINCE GEORGE Coast Inn of the North (F), PRINCE RUPERT Crest Hotel (SF), PORT HARDY Glen Lyon Inn (F), VICTORIA Hotel Grand Pacific (SF)