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Overnight Rail Journey / Banff / Jasper /
Vancouver / Victoria / Float Plane
Sightseeing / Icefields Parkway
Visit
Vancouver and Victoria before boarding a
train for a nostalgic overnight journey to
Jasper. Stay in Canada's finest mountain
resorts - Fairmont's Jasper Park Lodge, Château
Lake Louise and Banff Springs. This is an
exciting itinerary including travel by
train, deluxe motor coach, ferry steamer
and float plane!
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 1.
Arrive Vancouver, British Columbia
Tour begins: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver at 6:30 PM.
Welcome to Western Canada's premier city, poised between
the rugged Coast Mountains and the waters of the Strait of
Georgia. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and
dinner. Meals D
2. Vancouver / Stanley Park
See Vancouver's most popular sights including Chinatown,
Queen Elizabeth Park, historic Gastown and Stanley Park;
the afternoon and evening in this lovely city are at your
leisure. Meals B
3. Victoria / Flightseeing
Board a modern ferry early this morning and cruise through
the beautiful Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island and
Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. Visit colorful
Butchart Gardens and its floral displays, then fly by
floatplane over the Gulf Islands back to Vancouver. Upon
arrival it's all aboard The Canadian, whose rail
cars have been restored to meet modern standards while
retaining their classic art-deco style. Dine on-board this
classic train tonight. Meals BD
4. Canadian Rockies by Rail
Wake up to some of North America's most spectacular
mountain scenery! The train winds along the North Thompson
River and through the valleys of the Rocky Mountain
Ranges; towering peaks and glacial remnants line the
route; until 30 years ago, this wilderness area was only
accessible by rail! Cross the Continental Divide as the
rails lead into the province of Alberta. Arrive in Jasper
National Park for lunch and two nights at Fairmont Jasper
Park Lodge. Meals BLD
5. Jasper National Park
Today is at your leisure. Enjoy many optional activities
including biking, swimming, trail riding or golfing; for
the adventurous, there is rafting on the Athabasca River
or horseback excursions into the nearby forest. The scenic
grandeur of the mountains and lakes surrounds your resort.
Meals BD
6. Icefields Parkway
The spectacular Icefields Parkway, linking Jasper and Lake
Louise, winds between snow-domed peaks and immense hanging
glaciers; you may see moose, deer, bighorn sheep or bears.
A specially designed "Snowcoach" rides on the
Athabasca Glacier, which is part of the Columbia Icefields,
the largest mass of ice outside of the Arctic Circle.
Meltwaters from these icefields flow into the Atlantic,
Pacific and Arctic Oceans. Arrive late afternoon for two
nights at fabulous Fairmont Château Lake Louise
overlooking beautiful Victoria Glacier and Lake Louise.
Meals BLD
7. Yoho National Park
Travel through Kicking Horse Pass into Yoho National Park
to see the Natural Bridge, the Spiral Tunnels and Takakkaw
Falls, conditions permitting. Return to Lake Louise, where
the afternoon is at your leisure. You may wish to stroll
along the lake, paddle a canoe, shop in the hotel's
boutiques or simply relax on the grand patio. Meals BLD
 8.
Bow River Raft / Banff
Descend along the Bow River Valley to the town of Banff;
board a raft for a float trip along Bow River before
arriving at the baronial Fairmont Banff Springs. Explore
this castle-like hotel and its grounds before dinner this
evening. Meals BLD
9. Banff National Park
Much of the day is free to enjoy the resort's amenities
and optional activities, or venture into the village of
Banff for some additional sightseeing. Depart for Calgary,
situated at the western edge of the prairies. We invite
you to join us this evening for a farewell reception and
dinner. Meals BD
10. Journey Home
Tour ends: Delta Bow Valley; fly home anytime.
Check-out time is 1:00 PM; allow a minimum of two hours
for flight check-in. Airport transfer is not included;
taxi fare is approximately CAD $27. Meals B
Travel East or West -
both itineraries are identical. "West" tour
begins in Calgary with a 6:30 PM welcome dinner and ends
in Vancouver. Vancouver Island is visited on Day 9.
"West" itineraries will be included with tour
documents.
ABOUT THE TRAIN
The Canadian, refurbished to its gleaming stainless steel
exterior and art-deco style of the '50s, offers a
nostalgic travel experience. VIA Rail has dedicated a
domed Skyline car for the exclusive use of Tauck guests.
Twins are accommodated in
bedrooms with a window and two armchairs, which by night
are replaced by upper and lower beds. Amenities include a
small closet, mirror, sink / vanity and private toilet.
Singles are accommodated in smaller single bedrooms with a
window seat that converts to a comfortable bed folding out
from the wall. Amenities include sink / vanity, mirror and
toilet; single bedroom toilet is not accessible when bed
is lowered. Public shower & rest rooms are in each
sleeping car. The Canadian is owned and operated by VIA
Rail Canada, a Canadian Federal Crown Corporation.
Schedule: On
"East" tours, the train departs Vancouver at
5:30 PM on Day 3 and arrives Day 4 in Jasper at 11:15 AM;
dinner and breakfast are included. On "West"
tours the train departs Jasper on Day 7 at 3:30 PM and
arrives in Vancouver on Day 8 at 8:00 AM; dinner and
breakfast are included. This schedule is accurate as of
10/1/01 and is subject to local rail and traffic
conditions. Itineraries are designed to minimize any
missed sightseeing should delays occur.
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