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Rainforest to Goldrush & Calgary Stampede

  • Victoria
  • Vancouver
  • Whistler
  • Quesnel
  • Jasper
  • Banff
  • Calgary
  • 14 nights from
  • £7,659 per person
  • Trip Code: RT-941

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Holiday Overview

This itinerary is packed full of memories to last a lifetime. It will be hard to pick your highlight of the trip. Start in the capital of British Columbia, Victoria where you will embark on whale watching adventure before traversing to Vancouver. You will take in a luxurious 3-day rail journey on the famous Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service, taking you from coastal Vancouver to mountainous Whistler then on to Jasper, via Quesnel. After a 2-night stay in alpine Jasper you will experience the scenic Icefield Parkway transfer with many stops at lakes and waterfalls before taking an Ice Explorer on to the Athabasca Glacier, then visiting iconic Lake Louise before settling in Banff, the heart of the Rockies for a 3-night stay.

You will end this once in a lifetime trip taking in " The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" the Calgary Stampede. For 10 days in July, Calgary truly comes alive and the electric atmosphere in the city can be felt everywhere. We have included a two day Stampede package that gives you access to Stampede Park, reserved seating for the Rodeo and reserved seating for the Chuckwagon & Grandstand show.

Rainforest to Goldrush & Calgary Stampede includes:

  • Return UK flights
  • 14 nights accommodation
  • Transfers throughout
  • 2 night/ 3 day Calgary Stampede Package inc reserved seating for one evening Chuckwagon races & Grandstand show, reserved seating for one afternoon's Rodeo event, Skyride over Stampede Park, 2 days admission to Stampede Park, Stampede Cowboy Hat
  • 3 day Rocky Mountaineer journey Vancouver to Jasper via Whistler & Quesnel in GoldLeaf Service
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks and Beverages on board Rocky Mountaineer
  • Whale Watching Victoria
  • Vancouver City Highlights tour
  • Maligne Valley Sightseeing with cruise on Maligne Lake
  • Scenic Icefields Parkway tour/transfer from Jasper to Banff inc lunch
  • Ice Explorer ride & Glacier Skywalk
  • Discover Banff & its Wildlife tour with Gondola ride
1

Day 1 - Fly to Vancouver to Victoria

Fly from the UK to Victoria connecting through Vancouver. Once arrived in Victoria making your way to your choosen hotel. 

Featured accommodation

Inn at Laurel Point

Enhance your experience

Hotel Chateau Victoria

Fairmont Empress

2

Day 2 - Enjoy Victoria & Whale Watching

Spend today at your leisure taking in Victoria, its picturesque Inner Harbour and Victorian architecture. We have include a 3 hour whale watching cruise.

Featured accommodation

Inn at Laurel Point

Enhance your experience

Hotel Chateau Victoria

Fairmont Empress

3

Day 3 - Transfer - Vancouver

This morning you will pick up your coach transfer from downtown Victoria to Vancouver, part of the journey will involve being on the ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, where you will get off your coach and go up on deck for a refreshment or stroll. The scenery on this crossing is stunning, make sure to keep your camera at hand.

Featured accommodation

Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver

Enhance your experience

Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel

Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

4

Day 4 - Enjoy Vancouver

This morning we have included a 3.5 hour Vancouver City Highlights tour for you to take in the best of the city. Prepare to experience the unique history and unfolding splendour as you tour through the modern streets of Vancouver. Drive by the most renowned sights and learn how Vancouver became the city it is today. Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and framed by British Columbia's imposing mountains, it's easy to fall in love with this astonishing city. Drive through historic neighbourhoods such as Gastown, Chinatown, scenic English Bay and the picturesque Vancouver Harbour. Stops in Stanley Park feature Indigenous Peoples' Totem Poles, spectacular views of the mountains and the Lions Gate Bridge. Also includes the opportunity to wander through the charming farmer's market at Granville Island.

Remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Featured accommodation

Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver

Enhance your experience

Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel

Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

Unmissable Experiences

Vancouver Experiences

5

Day 5 - Enjoy Vancouver

A day at leisure in Vancouver, why not ask one of our Canada Experts about the various excursion we have on offer.

Featured accommodation

Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver

Enhance your experience

Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel

Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

Unmissable Experiences

Vancouver Experiences

6

Day 6 - Rocky Mountaineer - Vancouver to Whistler (GoldLeaf)

Board the famous Rocky Mountaineer today, beginning at the foot of the Coast Mountains, overlooking the stunning city of Vancouver, you’ll roll along the scenic fjord of Howe Sound. Prepare to be amazed as you make your way past massive cliffs, deep canyons, and stunning bridges. You’ll then arrive at world-famous Whistler, the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games co-host city. There, you’ll explore the picturesque village and enjoy a relaxing stay at one of Whistler’s hotels.

7

Day 7 - Rocky Mountaineer - Whistler to Quesnel (GoldLeaf)

Today you will depart from Whistler and travel up the Pemberton Valley, as you glide beside gorgeous Anderson and Seton Lakes. Turning north and west, the landscape becomes more rugged. More wild. Sheer cliffs on one side, milky-green lakes on the other. You’ll emerge into the arid ranchland near Quesnel, Canada’s gold rush capital. The gold rush may be over, but there are still many treasures to be found in this historic region.

8

Day 8 - Rocky Mountaineer - Quesnel - Jasper (GoldLeaf)

After an overnight hotel stay in Quesnel, you’ll head north again. Wide-eyed, you’ll experience mountainous terrain, untouched lakes, and incredible waterfalls. You’ll gradually gain altitude and enter the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The awesome sight of Mount Robson, the range’s highest peak, will greet you as you wind your way to the alluring alpine town of Jasper. Every step of the way, your emotions will follow the extremes of the journey, from silent awe to uncontained elation. This route offers the best kind of drama—the nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat kind!

Featured accommodation

Jasper Inn & Suites by Sunrise

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Forest Park Hotel

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

9

Day 9 - Jasper Sightseeing

We have included a 5.5 - 6 hour tour for you this morning - Maligne Valley Sightseeing with Lake Cruise. This introduction to Jasper begins with a short tour of the town before heading across the Athabasca River to Maligne Lake. A century after Mary Schaeffer's remarkable adventure, come discover the world-renowned Maligne Lake for yourself! A stop at Maligne Canyon offers staggering views of the river thundering through a series of magnificent waterfalls in a gorge 10,000 years in the making. Farther up the valley, stop to solve the mystery of "disappearing" Medicine Lake. Next we'll carry on to the pinnacle of our tour, breathtaking Maligne Lake! Once there you can enjoy an interpretative boat cruise bound for Spirit Island, truly another of Canada's iconic images.

Featured accommodation

Jasper Inn & Suites by Sunrise

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Forest Park Hotel

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Unmissable Experiences

Jasper Experiences

10

Day 10 - Icefield Parkway tour to Banff

Icefield Parkway Tour/Transfer from Jasper to Banff - this will be one of the main highlights of your trip! Duration: 10 hours* *Note: Not all of the regularly scheduled stops on this sightseeing tour are accessible during the Winter, so the length of this tour is shortened during this time.

Following the spine of the Canadian Rockies, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged snowy peaks, and over 100 glaciers. The entire day is spent in the majesty of Canada's two most famous National Parks, Banff and Jasper. Enroute, make a stop at Athabasca Falls located just outside of the Jasper Townsite. Among the most powerful and breathtaking falls in the Rocky Mountains, the Athabasca River thunders through a narrow gorge where the walls have been smoothed and potholed by the sheer force of the rushing water carrying sand and rock. Our next stop is the breathtaking Columbia Icefields and Athabasca Glacier where we will allow time to enjoy a Ice Explorer ride (admission included) on the Glacier & Glacier Skywalk (admission included). Next we continue to the Weeping Wall, Peyto Lake and the Crowfoot Glacier before joining the Trans Canada Highway near Lake Louise where a stop will be made to view the lake and famous Chateau, then continue on the Trans Canada Highway, passing fortress formations of Castle and Protection Mountains to arrive in to Banff late afternoon.

Highlights: A hearty picnic lunch is included and will be enjoyed at a secluded location along the Icefields Parkway.

Featured accommodation

Elk+ Avenue Hotel

Enhance your experience

Mount Royal Hotel Banff

The Fairmont Banff Springs

Unmissable Experiences

Glacier Skywalk

11

Day 11 - Discover Banff & Its Wildlife

This morning we have included the Discover Banff & its Wildlife Tour with Gondola ride. Build a connection to our World Heritage Site on our trademark sightseeing tour as you visit Banff's landmarks and historic places. Hear how the 11,000 year old human history of the Bow Valley changed when three railway workers rediscovered a hidden natural hotspring. Visit the abandoned mining town of Bankhead, a relic of Banff's industrial past. All the while learn about wildlife behavior, habitat, and their winter survival adaptations as you tour around the area. Your time will be spent enjoying the sights, taking photos, and participating in short walks to view points, on the many stops of the tour.  

Featured accommodation

Elk+ Avenue Hotel

Enhance your experience

Mount Royal Hotel Banff

The Fairmont Banff Springs

Unmissable Experiences

Banff Gondola

12

Day 12 - Enjoy Banff

Spend today at your leisure in Banff. Ask one of our Canada Experts for some excursion recommendations.

Featured accommodation

Elk+ Avenue Hotel

Enhance your experience

Mount Royal Hotel Banff

The Fairmont Banff Springs

Unmissable Experiences

Banff Experiences

13

Day 13 - Banff - Calgary

This morning you will be transferred from Banff to Calgary. This afternoon you have access to Stampede Park and have reserved seating for tonights Chuckwagon Races & Grandstand show.

Featured accommodation

Alt Hotel Calgary East Village

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Hotel Arts Calgary

Fairmont Palliser

14

Day 14 - Enjoy Calgary Stampde

You’re invited to attend the largest outdoor rodeo in the world!! Professional cowboys compete in a myriad of rodeo events, which includes bull riding, roping, chuckwagon racing, steer wrestling and barrel racing. Don your western duds, saddle up and join us for Stampede breakfasts galore, square dancing, parades, the fun of the midway, great exhibits, a spectacular Grandstand show, fireworks and of course, heaping helpings of Western hospitality. Today you have access to Stampede Park and have reserved seating at this afternoon's Rodeo event.

Featured accommodation

Alt Hotel Calgary East Village

Enhance your experience

Hotel Arts Calgary

Fairmont Palliser

15

Day 15 - Fly Calgary to UK

Morning and afternoon at leisure before your overnight flight to the UK.

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