Day 1 VANCOUVER.
Our Tour Director is on hand to assist with check-in.

Day 2 VANCOUVER-CASCADE MOUNTAINS-VERNON.
East through the fertile Fraser Valley, then over the towering Cascade Mountains and north along the shores of magnificent Okanagan Lake with grand vistas of vineyards and orchards. This evening your Tour Director suggests an optional western dinner at the renowned O’Keefe Cattle Ranch, Canada’s oldest. Enjoy a tour of the ranch with one of the cowboys on hand followed by dinner and a cowboy-style sing-a-long.

Day 3 VERNON-YOHO NATIONAL PARK-BANFF.
On to GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, where the coach climbs to 4,379-foot-high Rogers Pass, a perfect spot for photos of the impressive surrounding steep mountain cliffs and glaciers. Then enter the spectacular beauty of YOHO NATIONAL PARK, one of Canada’s most popular recreational areas and site of pre-Cambrian fossil finds. Drive over Kicking Horse Pass at 5,421 feet and, by early evening, reach BANFF NATIONAL PARK, gateway to the majestic Canadian Rockies, for a leisurely two-night stay.

Day 4 BANFF.
Banff is one of Canada’s favorite year-round resorts with summer activities including hiking, boating, horseback riding, and fishing. This morning Cosmos has arranged for an optional helicopter ride high over the Canadian Rockies. This evening join the optional excursion to “Oh Canada Eh?” for a five-course dinner and musical entertainment.

Day 5 BANFF-LAKE LOUISE-COLUMBIA ICEFIELD-JASPER.
First to Lake Louise; its cold waters are a perfect natural mirror reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Precipitous gorges, snow-capped mountain ranges, and lakes of exquisite blues and greens come into view as the coach scales two mountain passes on the journey northward. Another highlight on today’s agenda is a stop at the COLUMBIA ICEFIELD for a snowcoach ride over the 1,000-foot-thick Athabasca Glacier. Late this afternoon join our optional raft trip down the historic Athabasca River in the heart of Jasper National Park.

Note: Unfavorable weather conditions may affect the availability of the Columbia Icefield snowcoach excursion.

Day 6 JASPER-MOUNT ROBSON-PRINCE GEORGE.
As the morning is at leisure, join the optional trip to Maligne Lake, where you embark on a narrated cruise to Spirit Island. Then leave Jasper following the Fraser River to the base of spectacular Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, peaking at 12,972 feet. Late afternoon arrival in Prince George, located at the confluence of the Nechako and Fraser Rivers, and central British Columbia’s major trading and transportation center.

Day 7 PRINCE GEORGE-VIA RAIL® SKEENA TRAIN-PRINCE RUPERT. This morning board VIA Rail®’s Skeena Train for a trip of a lifetime. The train heads through the majestic Coast Mountains, follows the mighty Skeena River, often referred to as the “River of Mists,” and concludes in the rain forests of the Pacific Coast. You’ll retrace ancient First Nations trading routes (Native Indians in Canada are referred to as the First Nations) and follow the paths of the earliest fur traders. Soaring bald eagles, inquisitive black bears, browsing moose, and other wildlife may be spotted from the glassed-in observation dome with its breathtaking 360-degree views. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Evening arrival in the fishing port of Prince Rupert, situated on Kaien Island and home to the third-largest natural ice-free harbor on earth. (B,L,D)

Day 8 PRINCE RUPERT.
Depart for an orientation tour of Prince Rupert. Then a visit to the NORTH PACIFIC HISTORIC FISHING VILLAGE for a guided tour of British Columbia’s oldest cannery village. Learn of the canning process and what life was like in the village during peak production earlier this century. As your afternoon is free, you may opt for an outing to learn the secrets of the totem. See a totem pole being carved and visit a longhouse to gain a better understanding of the day-to-day lifestyles of the First Nations culture. Later today enjoy an optional cruise to an offshore island once inhabited by the Metlakatla First Nations tribe. You’ll be able to follow paths to explore the rain forest on a guided walk and see ancient petroglyphs; afterward enjoy a traditional salmon bake prepared by the Metlakatla tribe. A true northwest coast experience!

Day 9 PRINCE RUPERT-INSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE-PORT HARDY. Early morning embarkation on the MV Queen of the North for what is often referred to as one of the world’s most beautiful ocean voyages. The scenery is spectacular, with towering mountains, roaring waterfalls, endless islands, and virgin rain forest. Animal and marine life are abundant in the area, including sea lions, eagles, and porpoises; you may even spot a mighty orca (killer whale). Late evening arrival in Port Hardy.

Note: Crossing time through the Inside Passage is 15 hours. Please come prepared with medications, eye glasses and anything else you feel necessary.

Day 10 PORT HARDY-CHEMAINUS-VICTORIA.
Through the port of Campbell River, the “salmon capital of the world.” It is here that anglers from around the continent congregate for the opportunity to catch some of the largest saltwater salmon found anywhere. Follow the scenic shores of the east coast of Vancouver Island to Chemainus, Canada’s only permanent outdoor art gallery. Throughout the village over 30 murals depict the pioneer settlement of the area. Upon arrival in Victoria, sightseeing includes the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park with its unusual collection of totem poles.

Day 11 VICTORIA.
This morning head to the world-renowned BUTCHART GARDENS, 35 acres of floral extravaganza, including the English Rose Garden, the Italian Garden, Star Pond, the Japanese Garden, and the showpiece Sunken Garden. The afternoon is free for independent activities such as the Royal British Columbia Museum, afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel, the IMAX presentation at the National Geographic Theatre, the Legislative Buildings, whale watching on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and fine shopping along Government Street. Suggestion for this evening: an optional outing that includes a harbor cruise, followed by a delightful dinner at one of Victoria’s waterfront restaurants.

Day 12 VICTORIA-FERRY CROSSING-VANCOUVER.
Set sail this morning across the Strait of Georgia and through the spectacular Gulf Islands, an area known for its Mediterranean-like climate. Mid-morning arrival on the British Columbia mainland. Tonight your Tour Director will offer recommendations for dinner in this vibrant city.

Day 13 VANCOUVER.
The trip ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers to Vancouver International Airport are included.

We can add an Alaska Cruise or

TOUR CAN BE EXTENDED (Ask for details)
Day 13 - 14 VANCOUVER.
Two days at leisure for independent activities or choose from a variety of optional excursions. Your Cosmos host will have ideas for things to do and the best places to shop and dine.

Day 15 VANCOUVER.
The trip ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers are provided to Vancouver International Airport

Map & Picture Highlights

Includes:
Orientation tours of Prince Rupert

Glacier National Park, Yoho National Park, Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Columbia Icefields, Jasper National Park, Mount Robson, Skeena River, North Pacific Historic Fishing Village, Port Hardy, Chemainus.
Inside visits are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges when applicable

Snowcoach ride on the Athabasca Glacier, VIA Rail®’s Skeena Train with seating in Totem (First) Class and three meals, full-day cruise through the Inside Passage, ferry crossing from Vancouver Island to the mainland, private deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring

Twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, service charges, and tips for baggage handling. Listed hotels or equivalent:

VANCOUVER Ramada Vancouver Center (F); VERNON Village Green Hotel (F); BANFF Banff Voyager Inn (ST/NP); JASPER Astoria Hotel (ST/NP); PRINCE GEORGE Sandman Inn (F); PRINCE RUPERT Crest Hotel (F); PORT HARDY Port Hardy Inn (T); VICTORIA Embassy Inn (F)
Hotels may change
MEALS
1 breakfast (B), 1 lunch (L), 1 dinner (D)

OPTIONALS
Choice of optional excursions at reasonable prices to customize your own experience will be offered on the tour.

Map & Picture Highlights