Best of the West via Whistler (Eastbound)

(9 nights/10 days)
Best of the West via Whistler (Eastbound) Tour Map
Click here to see the full image
Itinerary (also available in reverse)
Day Activities Overnight
1 Arrive in Victoria Victoria
2 Victoria Tour including Butchart Gardens Victoria
3 Morning whale watching tour. Motorcoach and ferry transfer to Vancouver Vancouver
4 Whistler Mountaineer to Whistler Whistler
5 Rocky Mountaineer to Quesnel Quesnel
6 Rocky Mountaineer to Jasper Jasper
7 Icefields Parkway Tour, including Ice Explorer Lake Louise
8 Yoho Park Tour. Transfer to Banff Banff
9 Free Summit Helicopter Tour and ranch lunch. Transfer to Calgary Calgary
10 Vacation ends  

Changes to 2008 Product: Addition of 15-minute Summit Helicopter Tour and ranch lunch. Banff Gondola admission now included in Exclusive Attractions Pass

Package Includes

  • 2 day Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service
  • Whistler Mountaineer Coast Classic Experience
  • 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches
    (Reverse itinerary features 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 light meal)
  • 9 nights hotel accommodation
  • Exclusive Attractions Pass
  • Victoria Tour, including Butchart Gardens
  • Whale watching tour
  • Motorcoach and ferry transfer to Vancouver
  • 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 ranch visit
  • Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Whistler, Quesnel and Jasper

Not Included

  • Transportation to Victoria
  • Transportation to Calgary airport
  • Meals, other than specified
  • Gratuities for rail, hotel and transfer staff
  • Fuel surcharges
2009 Package Tour Start Dates:
Starts Victoria (Eastbound)
Sundays, Tuesdays & Fridays
May 5 10 15 19 24 29
Jun 2 7 12 16 21 26 30
Jul 5 10 14 19 24 28
Aug 2 7 11 16 21 25 30
Sep 4 8 13 18 22 27
Oct 2 6
Starts Calgary (Westbound)
Sundays, Tuesdays & Fridays
May 3 8 12 17 22 26 31
Jun 5 9 14 19 23 28
Jul 3 7 12 17 21 26 31
Aug 4 9 14 18 23 28
Sep 1 6 11 15 20 25 29
Oct 4

Full Itinerary »

click here to view

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

Day 2 Victoria Sightseeing
Enjoy a tour of Victoria including a visit to the world-renowned Butchart Gardens, a scenic ocean drive and time to explore Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Overnight in Victoria.

Day 3 Victoria to Vancouver
This morning you will enjoy a three-hour whale watching tour off the coast of Victoria. Afterwards, travel to Vancouver via motorcoach and BC Ferry. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 4 Vancouver to Whistler
Travel onboard the Whistler 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 Whistler 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 5 Whister 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 glacial-fed 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 6 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 7 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. While in Lake Louise you will be treated to a one-hour guided lakeshore stroll. Overnight in Lake Louise at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Day 8 Lake Louise to Banff
This afternoon, 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 9 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. Continue on to Kananaskis for the highlight of today’s adventure, a 15-minute Summit Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies. Enjoy lunch at a local ranch and spend time exploring Kananaskis at your leisure before your afternoon transfer to Calgary. Overnight in Calgary. L.
Day 10 Calgary Departure

2009 Package Tour Prices inclusive of 2.5% GST
RedLeaf Service
Starts VictoriaStarts Calgary SingleDoubleTripleChildRail Seat Upgrade per person Accommodation
05 May–24 May03 May–26 May £2060£1536£1442£818£490Victoria Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites
Vancouver Georgian Court
Whistler Delta Whistler Village Suites
Jasper Whistler's Inn
Lake Louise The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont room
Banff Brewster's Mountain Lodge
Calgary International Hotel
29 May–27 Sep31 May–25 Sep £2444£1770£1654£1002£490
02 Oct–06 Oct29 Sep–04 Oct £2021£1503£1436£824£490
Modified American Plantba
GoldLeaf Service
Starts VictoriaStarts Calgary SingleDoubleTripleChild Accommodation
05 May–24 May03 May–26 May £3229£2388£2249£1480Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
Vancouver Hyatt Regency
Whistler Hilton Whistler
Jasper The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont room
Lake Louise The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Lakeview room
Banff Rimrock Resort
Calgary Calgary Marriott
29 May–27 Sep31 May–25 Sep £3942£2778£2533£1553
02 Oct–06 Oct29 Sep–04 Oct £2973£2255£2171£1492
Modified American Plantba
Fairmont Deluxe & GoldLeaf Service
Starts VictoriaStarts Calgary SingleDoubleTripleChild Accommodation
05 May–24 May03 May–26 May £3842£2700£2394£1303Victoria Empress, Harbourview room
Vancouver Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Gallery room
Whistler Chateau Whistler, Deluxe Slopeside room
Jasper Jasper Park Lodge, Deluxe room
Lake Louise Chateau Lake Louise, Deluxe Lakeview room
Banff Banff Springs Hotel, Deluxe room
Calgary Palliser, Junior Suite
29 May–27 Sep31 May–25 Sep £4733£3174£2750£1392
02 Oct–06 Oct29 Sep–04 Oct £3563£2561£2316£1308
Modified American Plantba