Discover Canada the Rocky Mountain way

This simply wonderful holiday sees you fly west to Calgary, and head to Banff in the heart of the majestic Rockies. Take to the road as we head along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Board the world famous 'Rocky Mountaineer' for an unforgettable rail journey to the Pacific coast and delightful Vancouver.

Day One

Fly direct to the oil-and-cowboy town of Calgary, home to the legendary 'Stampede', and transfer to your hotel in Banff for a two-night stay.

Day Two

Explore the bustling capital of the Rockies, and take the opportunity to join a choice of memorable optional excursions, which include a cable-car ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, a trip to the scenic Surprise Corner viewpoint and an unforgettable helicopter ride.

Day Three

Today you board a coach for the journey along the renowned Icefields Parkway to beautiful Lake Louise, where turquoise waters are set against the awesome backdrop of Victoria Glacier. You'll continue on to Jasper for a two-night stay.

Day Four

Relax, or join our optional excursion and discover scenic Jasper. Take a cable-car ride, and enjoy spectacular views of six mountain ranges, glacier-fed lakes, and the town itself. The day also includes a visit to Jasper National Park - one of Canada's most bewitching areas of natural beauty.

Days Five & Six

It's "All aboard!" as the 'Rocky Mountaineer' departs Jasper on a two-day journey west on the Yellowhead Route, through the Coast Mountains towards Vancouver and with an overnight stay in the city of Kamloops - a former fur-trading outpost.

Highlights of the journey will include the mighty Fraser River as it plunges its way towards the Pacific, the awesome Hell's Gate, where up to 200-million gallons of water surge each minute through a narrow point, majestic Mount Robson - the highest point in the Rockies - the towering Pyramid Falls and the icy turquoise walls of the Albreda Glacier.

Day Seven

Join today's optional guided city tour, and get to know delightful Vancouver. Highlights will include restored Gastown, hectic, colourful Chinatown, the spectacular Capilano Suspension Bridge and the glass and steel wonders of the Burrard Inlet waterfront. In addition, we'll take North America's largest cable car to the summit of Grouse Mountain.

Day Eight

Spend the day exploring this marvellous place, or more likely join the optional full-day tour to beautiful Vancouver Island, and to the unashamedly 'British' capital of the province of British Columbia, charming Victoria, with its Royal B.C. Museum, vast Parliament Buildings and grand Empress Hotel, the most Victorian of a city steeped in Victoriana. Our day also includes a visit to the world famous Butchart Gardens, a 50-acre horticultural Mecca.

Day Nine

Spend this morning relaxing, shopping or exploring, before making our way to the airport for your flight home.

Day 10

Arrive back home, after an overnight flight.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted on any coach forming part of your holiday; regular stops will be made though for your comfort en route. The majority of hotels in North America are non-smoking throughout including in all bedrooms. In general smoking outside is acceptable, but do look out for signs prohibiting this close to public entrances or bus stops.

Tipping

Gratuities are a way of life in North America, and it is generally accepted that they form part of a person's earnings. Customary gratuity to a coach driver or tour manager is about $3 per person per day; in a taxi or a restaurant leave 12-15 per cent of the bill and, in the bar, leave a dollar or so per drink.