Rockies Grandeur: 11 days Victoria to Vancouver

Welcome to Canada. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.

Please book your flight to arrive into Victoria prior to 05:00 PM.

Today, visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens, a 22-hectare showplace of magnificent, colourful gardens. Learn about the history and flora while exploring the gardens, which have delighted visitors from around the world for over one hundred years. Afterwards, enjoy an orientation tour of Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, Beacon Hill and residential areas. There is free time to explore Victoria or allow Emerald Tours to assist you in discovering more about this historic region.

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Go whale watching or take a horse and carriage ride (extra expense)

Drive north along Vancouver Island through forested roads and towns to Nanaimo. Board the BC Ferry and travel through Georgia Strait to Horseshoe Bay. Journey north along the Sea to Sky Highway as the road follows the rugged coastline, with views of Horseshoe Bay, Bowen Island, Gambier Island and Anvil Island on your left and forested parks and mountains on your right. Stop at the awesome Shannon Falls before arriving at the charming alpine resort of Whistler, where you are free to explore the village.
Overnight Stay: Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa or similar

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Join a Photo Safari tour with a local expert (extra expense)

Travel along the scenic Duffy Lake Road lined with thick forest, into the town of Lillooet. In the afternoon, arrive at your riverfront boutique Inn nestled on 22-hectares in the lush Thompson Valley.
Overnight Stay: South Thompson Inn or similar

Today, you will be rewarded with astounding views as you reach the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies. Travel through eastern British Columbia and into Alberta, enjoying glimpses of the soaring mountains as you make your way through the three spectacular National Parks of Mount Revelstoke, Glacier and Yoho. Travel from primeval forests to Ice Age glaciers, waterfalls and mountain peaks. Late this afternoon, arrive in Banff National Park.
Two Night Stay: The Mount Royal Hotel or similar

A full day at leisure to enjoy Banff and its many sights and attractions.

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Ride the Banff Gondola or relax on a float trip along the river (extra expense)

Start the day with a tour of Banff including the Bow River and Bow Falls. Continue along the Trans-Canada Highway past Castle Mountain and Mount Temple to Lake Louise, the “Diamond in the Wilderness.” Enjoy some free time taking in the breathtaking scenery. Your destination today is Emerald Lake, so named because of the vibrant colour of its glacier-fed waters. Stay at Emerald Lake Lodge, which rests on the shores of the lake, surrounded by towering peaks and forests.
Overnight stay: Emerald Lake Lodge or similar

This morning, we travel north along the Icefields Parkway, acclaimed as one of the most incredible journeys in the world. Enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery as you pass rugged peaks and glaciers fringed by thick forest and shimmering lakes. We make a stop at the Columbia Icefield, North America’s largest sub-polar ice pack, where you will climb aboard the ‘Ice Explorer’ for a once-in-a-lifetime journey onto the mighty 300-metre-thick Athabasca Glacier. The day’s end finds us in Jasper National Park, an alpine wonderland of pristine wilderness and abundant wildlife. Walk above the Rockies deepest canyon, Maligne Canyon and enjoy seeing stories of Maligne come alive with a special horns and antler presentation.
Overnight Stay: Chateau Jasper or similar

EmeraldPLUS
Join us for a fun evening filled with laughter and heartfelt stories with a charming theatre production, “From Jasper with Love” and dinner.

Today, we set off on a two-day rail experience on “The Most Spectacular Train Journey in the World.” Settle back in your SilverLeaf carriage (upgrade to GoldLeaf at additional expense). Enjoy wondrous views of the soaring mountains of Canada’s Rockies including its highest peak, the awesome 3954-metre-high Mt. Robson, as you journey towards Kamloops.
Overnight Stay: Kamloops Hotel (as assigned by Rocky Mountaineer)

Continue your journey on board the Rocky Mountaineer following the Thompson River and passing through the magnificent Fraser Valley. Late afternoon, you will arrive in Vancouver.
Overnight Stay: Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre or similar

Today, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Vancouver including Stanley Park, famous for its totem poles, the waterfront, Gastown and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. Make your way across this jaw dropping suspension bridge, 70-metres above the Capilano River, and join the award-winning Treetops Adventure along a series of elevated walkways. This afternoon, transfer to Vancouver Airport to board your homeward flight.

Please book your flight to depart out of Vancouver after 03:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Tours cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.