Northern Explorer (One Way Rail Tours) Vancouver to Calgary

8 nights/9 days
Northern Explorer Tour Map
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Itinerary (also available in reverse)
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. Transfer to Calgary Calgary
9 Vacation ends  

Package Includes

  • 2 day Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service
  • 3 hour Rocky Mountaineer Coast Classic Experience
  • 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches
  • (Reverse itinerary features 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 light meal)
  • 8 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 to Calgary Tour, including Banff Gondola
  • Summit Helicopter Flightseeing
  • Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Whistler, Quesnel and Jasper
  • Luggage handling and National Park Pass
  • GST

Not Included

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

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 to Calgary with Summit Helicopter Tour
Today you will enjoy a full-day tour concluding in Calgary. Begin the morning with a sightseeing tour of Banff. Among the points of interest are Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Banff Gondola included. Continue on to Kananaskis for the highlight of today’s adventure, a 12-minute Summit Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies. Overnight in Calgary.

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 Calgary Departure
Your vacation ends with check-out from your Calgary hotel.

2010 Package Tour Prices inclusive of GST/HST*
RedLeaf Service
Starts VancouverStarts Calgary SingleDoubleTripleChild Rail Seat Upgrade per Adult | Child Accommodation
15 May-22 May07 May-28 May £1998£1516£1422£857£570 | £554Vancouver: Hampton Inn
Whistler: Delta Whistler Village Suites
Jasper: Sawridge Hotel
Lake Louise: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont room
Banff: Banff Caribou Lodge
Calgary: International Hotel and Suites
29 May-11 Sep04 Jun-10 Sep £2457£1763£1669£1052£570 | £554
28 Sep £1963£1504£1410£857£570 | £554
Modified American Plan£355 per adult / £205 per child  
GoldLeaf Service
Starts VancouverStarts Calgary SingleDoubleTripleChild Accommodation
15 May-22 May07 May-28 May £3338£2486£2374£1669Vancouver: Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, 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
Calgary: Delta Bow Valley
29 May-11 Sep04 Jun-10 Sep £4044£2880£2662£1733
28 Sep £3144£2392£2304£1639
Modified American Plan£517 per adult / £247 per child
Fairmont Deluxe & GoldLeaf Service
Starts VancouverStarts Calgary SingleDoubleTripleChild Accommodation
15 May-22 May07 May-28 May £3938£2797£2497£1404Vancouver: Fairmont Waterfront, Portside Deluxe room
Whistler: Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Deluxe Slopeside room
Jasper: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Deluxe room
Lake Louise: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Deluxe Lakeview room
Banff: Fairmont Banff Springs, Deluxe room
Calgary: Fairmont Palliser, Junior suite
29 May-11 Sep04 Jun-10 Sep £4661£3203£2797£1492
28 Sep £3715£2686£2427£1404
Modified American Plan£546 per adult / £261 per child

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