Let the salty air of Vancouver Island tickle your nose as you travel by coach through the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert. Board VIA Rail's 'Skeena' all-daylight rail to Prince George and Jasper for the unspoiled beauty of Northern British Columbia. Add the finest in luxury motorcoach travel of the Canadian Rockies - you'll return home speechless. Canada in all its natural wonders!

DAY 1 Vancouver
Our Rail tour begins. Upon arrival in Vancouver, transfer (not included) to your downtown hotel.

DAY 2 Vancouver
This morning, join a city tour of Vancouver. Highlights include: Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park and English Bay. The rest of your day is at leisure.

DAY 3 Victoria
Take a tour by motorcoach and ferry from the B.C. mainland over to Vancouver Island. En route, you will have 1.5 hours on your own onboard a B.C. Ferry, admission to Butchart Gardens and a city tour of Victoria including city centre, Chinatown and Beacon Hill Park before being dropped off at your hotel in the late afternoon.

DAY 4 Victoria
Today is yours to explore this "British" city on your own. You may wish to take an optional whale watching tour, shop, explore the Royal British Columbia Museum or spend some time in the Crystal Gardens. All of these activities and much more are located near the Inner Harbour, within walking distance from your hotel.

DAY 5 Port Hardy
This morning you will embark on a full day tour to Port Hardy by motorcoach and make many stops along the way, including Duncan "City of Totem Poles, Chemainus "City of Murals" and Cooms Deli (famous for their goats that graze on the roof). Your journey is enhanced by views of the Gulf Islands, vast farm lands, fishing villages and deep sea ports.

DAY 6 Prince Rupert
Your adventure northward begins with a morning transfer (included) to the B.C. Ferries terminal for your ferry ride through the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert. The 15 hour cruise provides ample opportunity to see a wonderful array of snow-capped mountains and island vistas. Killer whales, sea lions and playful porpoise often appear alongside.

DAY 7 VIA Rail's 'Skeena' to Prince George
From waterways to railways ... a morning boarding of VIA Rail's 'Skeena' begins your discovery of northern British Columbia's forested landscape. Take advantage of the Skyline Car with its 360 degree views from the dome or the casual atmosphere of the lounge car below as the train gently weaves and winds its way to Prince George.

DAY 8 VIA Rail's 'Skeena' to Jasper
Continue on your rail journey aboard the "Skeena" today. You may see bald eagles, black bears or moose from the windows of the train. Arriving into Jasper this afternoon, a transfer will be waiting to shuttle you to your hotel.

DAY 9 Jasper
Take in the sights of Jasper and the surrounding area on your "Discover Jasper" excursion this morning. Included is a 90 minute interpretive cruise (seasonal*) of Maligne Lake on a tour boat (June 1 to September 30). The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Perhaps browse through the shops or join another local sightseeing excursion.

DAY 10 Banff
A full day excursion takes you along the Icefields Parkway, stopping at the Columbia Icefield for an "Ice Explorer" ride on the Athabasca Glacier. From the Icefield Centre, it is a picturesque drive southward past snow-capped peaks, hanging glaciers and mountain lakes to Banff.

DAY 11 Banff
A morning "Discover Banff" excursion will highlight the town of Banff and its surrounding area. See the historic Cave & Basin and scenic Tunnel Mountain Drive with its stunning viewpoints. The final stop will be at the Banff Gondola for a ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain.

DAY 12 Lac Le Jeune
Banff, Yoho and Glacier National Parks - scenery abounds as you travel westward though the Canadian Rockies to reach Revelstoke by lunchtime. After lunch, the journey stretches into the interior of British Columbia and to the peaceful shores of Lac Le Jeune. An evening buffet at the peaceful Lac Le Jeune Resort will await your arrival. (Lunch and dinner included).

DAY 13 Vancouver
After breakfast (included), travel from the interior of British Columbia into the Coast Mountain Range with a lunch stop in Lillooet (meal included) before arriving at Whistler resort. After a brief stop in Whistler, continue on to Vancouver where your tour draws to a close by late afternoon.

*When day tours or attractions are not operational in the off-season, the price will be adjusted or there will an alternative excursion/attraction made available.

Map & Picture Highlights

Included:
12 nights accommodation, VIA Rail's 'Skeena' Totem class (5 meals onboard), Luxury Motorcoach with driver/guide (1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner), B.C. Ferries transfer from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, Excursion from Vancouver to Victoria (includes B.C. Ferries fee), Tour from Victoria to Port Hardy, Sightseeing Excursion of Vancouver & Victoria, Discover Jasper & Maligne Lake Guided Excursion (seasonal*), Discover Banff Excursion, Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience, Admissions to Butchart Gardens, Banff Gondola & Cave and Basin Historic Site, Icefield Photograph, hotel & train station transfers, hotel luggage handling, National Park fees and gratuities on included meals.

Map & Picture Highlights