Golden Circle via Whistler (Circle Rail Tours) Starts Vancouver

10 nights/11 days
Golden Circle via Whistler Tour Map
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Itinerary
Day Activities Overnight
1 Arrive in Vancouver Vancouver
2 Rocky Mountaineer to Whistler Whistler
3 Rocky Mountaineer to Quesnel Quesnel
4 Rocky Mountaineer to Jasper Jasper
5 Jasper Highlights Tour Jasper
6 Icefields Parkway Tour, including Ice Explorer Lake Louise
7 Yoho Park Tour, Transfer to Banff Banff
8 Banff Tour with Gondola and Summit Helicopter Banff
9 Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops Kamloops
10 Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver Vancouver
11 Vacation ends  

This package is not offered in reverse

Package Includes

  • 4 day Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service
  • 3 hour Rocky Mountaineer Coast Classic Experience
  • 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches
  • 10 nights hotel accommodation
  • Exclusive Attractions Pass
  • Jasper Tour
  • Icefields Parkway Tour, including Ice Explorer, Jasper to Lake Louise
  • Guided lakeshore stroll at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
  • Yoho Park Tour, Lake Louise to Banff
  • Banff Tour, including Banff Gondola
  • Summit Helicopter Flightseeing
  • Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Whistler, Quesnel, Jasper, Banff and Kamloops
  • Luggage handling and National Park Pass
  • GST

Not Included

  • Transportation to/from Vancouver airport
  • Meals, other than onboard the Rocky Mountaineer
  • Gratuities for rail, hotel and transfer staff
  • Fuel surcharges
2010 Package Tour Start Dates:
Starts Vancouver (Round Trip)
Saturdays
May 15 22 29
Jun 5 19
Jul 3 10 17 31
Aug 7 14 28
Sep 4 11

Full Itinerary »

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Day 1 Vancouver Arrival
Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your own. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 2 Vancouver to Whistler
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to the resort town of Whistler, renowned for outstanding skiing and year-round outdoor activities. Following your motorcoach transfer from downtown Vancouver, the Rocky Mountaineer takes you on a breathtaking rail journey through the stunning scenery of this “Sea to Sky” region. Highlights of the trip include spectacular views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains, Shannon Falls, Mount Garibaldi and the impressive Cheakamus Canyon. On arrival at the Whistler train station, you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Whistler. B.

Day 3 Whistler to Quesnel
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer to the charming rural town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley to the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon to rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau. Highlights include the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacialfed Seton Lake, sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon and the crossing of Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer follows the banks of the Fraser River into Quesnel. Overnight in Quesnel. B, L.

Day 4 Quesnel to Jasper
Your journey continues eastwards today to the majestic Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park. From Quesnel the Rocky Mountaineer follows the Fraser River north to the town of Prince George, then travels east through the forests of northern British Columbia, home to plentiful wildlife, including a large population of moose. Entering the Rocky Mountain Trench you are surrounded to the north by the steeply rising Rocky Mountains and to the south by the Cariboo Mountains. Continue climbing past Mount Robson, at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet) the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and through the Yellowhead Pass into the province of Alberta. Your rail journey ends today on arrival in Jasper. Overnight in Jasper. B, L.

Day 5 Jasper Highlights Tour
Jasper National Park is a World Heritage Site and Canada’s largest National Park. Today you will enjoy a short scenic tour including the many natural attractions, rugged peaks, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of some of the many creatures that call this mountain park home. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore more of Jasper independently. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 6 Jasper to Lake Louise
Travel to Lake Louise via one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. A stop will be made at Athabasca Falls before arriving at the Columbia Icefield. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out some interesting geological features. Time will be available for lunch (not included). Afterwards, a brief stop will be made at Bow Lake before arriving in Lake Louise this afternoon. Overnight in Lake Louise at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Day 7 Lake Louise to Banff
This morning you will be treated to a one-hour guided lakeshore stroll. After lunch, a half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to Banff. Overnight in Banff. Please note: While departure from The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will be approximately 2:25 p.m., scheduled check-out time is normally 11:00 a.m. Your luggage will be stored upon check-out and you are free to enjoy the amenities of the hotel before the tour departs.

Day 8 Banff Sightseeing with Summit Helicopter Tour
Today you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff. Among the highlights are visits to Bow Falls, the Banff Gondola (admission included), Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Continue on to Kananaskis for the highlight of today’s adventure, a 12-minute Summit Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure in Banff. Overnight in Banff.

A price reduction of £60 will apply for the Summit Helicopter Tour in the event of inclement weather or if a guest chooses not to fly.

Day 9 Banff to Kamloops
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain town of Banff to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. Your journey takes you through a spectacular array of scenery as you travel between the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, over mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels, along rocky lakeshores and across the ranchlands of the interior. Today’s highlights include the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels, the Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass and Craigellachie – where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven. Overnight in Kamloops. B, L.

Day 10 Kamloops to Vancouver
Your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. On today’s journey you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the interior, through winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser River Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Vancouver this evening. Overnight in Vancouver. B, L.

Day 11 Vancouver Departure
Your vacation ends with check-out from your Vancouver hotel.

2010 Package Tour Prices inclusive of GST/HST*
RedLeaf Service
Starts Vancouver SingleDoubleTripleChild Rail Seat Upgrade per Adult | Child Accommodation
15 May–22 May £2580£1986£1869£1175£982 | £966Vancouver: Hampton Inn Whistler Delta Whistler Village Suites
Jasper: Sawridge Hotel
Lake Louise: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont room
Banff: Brewster’s Mountain Lodge
29 May–11 Sep £3221£2351£2233£1469£982 | £966
Modified American Plan £402 per adult / £242 per child  
GoldLeaf Service
Starts Vancouver SingleDoubleTripleChild Accommodation
15 May–22 May £4502£3456£3291£2433Vancouver: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont room
Whistler: Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Fairmont room
Jasper: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont room
Lake Louise: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Lakeview room
Banff: Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont room
29 May–11 Sep £5478£4032£3726£2580
Modified American Plan £622 per adult / £296 per child
Fairmont Deluxe & GoldLeaf Service
Starts Vancouver SingleDoubleTripleChild Accommodation
15 May–22 May £5190£3809£3450£2163Vancouver: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Gallery room
Whistler: Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Deluxe Slopeside room
Jasper: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Deluxe room
Lake Louise: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Deluxe Lakeview room
29 May–11 Sep £6213£4408£3903£2333
Modified American Plan £622 per adult / £296 per child

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