Northern Explorer (Westbound)

(7 nights/8 days)
Northern Explorer (Westbound) Tour Map
Click here to see the full image
Itinerary (also available in reverse)
Day Activities Overnight
1 Arrive in Calgary Calgary
2 Free Summit Helicopter Tour and ranch lunch. Transfer to Banff Banff
3 Yoho Park Tour. Transfer to Lake Louise Lake Louise
4 Icefields Parkway Tour, including Ice Explorer Jasper
5 Rocky Mountaineer to Quesnel Quesnel
6 Rocky Mountaineer to Whistler Whistler
7 Whistler Mountaineer to Vancouver Vancouver
8 Vacation ends  

On all departure dates, guests are eligible to receive one additional FREE night in Jasper in their respective accommodation category. Please note, if the free night of accommodation is added, the tour departure dates will commence one day earlier.

Package Includes

  • 2 day Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service
  • Whistler Mountaineer Coast Classic Experience
  • 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 light meal
    (Reverse itinerary features 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches)
  • 7 nights hotel accommodation
  • Exclusive Attractions Pass
  • Calgary to Banff Tour, including ranch visit
  • Yoho Park Tour, Banff to Lake Louise
  • Guided lakeshore stroll at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
  • Icefields Parkway Tour, including Ice Explorer, Lake Louise to
    Jasper
  • Rail station transfers in Jasper, Quesnel, Whistler and Vancouver

Not Included

  • Transportation from Calgary airport
  • Transportation to Vancouver airport
  • Meals, other than specified
  • Gratuities for rail, hotel and transfer staff
  • Fuel surcharges
2009 Package Tour Start Dates:
Starts Vancouver (Eastbound)
Sundays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
May 7 12 17 21 26 31
Jun 4 9 14 18 23 28
Jul 2 7 12 16 21 26 30
Aug 4 9 13 18 23 27
Sep 1 6 10 15 20 24 29
Oct 4 8
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 Calgary Arrival
Arrive in Calgary and spend the rest of the day sightseeing in the “Stampede City” independently. Overnight in Calgary.

Day 2 Calgary to Banff with Summit Helicopter Tour
Depart Calgary this morning for a full-day tour concluding in Banff. Journey to Kananaskis where you will enjoy the highlight of today, 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 continuing on to Banff for a sightseeing tour including Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Your tour ends on arrival in Banff late this afternoon. Overnight in Banff. L.

Day 3 Banff to Lake Louise
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. The tour ends in Lake Louise, where you will be treated to a one-hour guided lakeshore stroll. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy this magnificent location. Overnight in Lake Louise at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Please note: While arrival at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will be approximately 1:00 p.m., scheduled check-in time is not until 4:00 p.m. In the event that your room is not ready, your luggage will be stored and you are free to enjoy the amenities of the hotel.
Day 4 Lake Louise to Jasper

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff and Jasper national parks via the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Falls. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and one of the most accessible icefields in North America. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Time will be available for lunch (not included). Arrive in Jasper late this afternoon. Overnight in Jasper.
Day 5 Jasper to Quesnel

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain resort of Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to the charming rural town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo. Pass through the Rocky Mountain Trench, with the steep Rocky and Cariboo mountains either side, and on to the rolling hills and vast forests of British Columbia’s northern interior. Highlights include Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Yellowhead Pass and Moose Lake. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer passes through the town of Prince George and follows the Fraser River into Quesnel. Overnight in Quesnel. B, L.
Day 6 Quesnel to Whistler

Your journey continues south today to the four-season resort of Whistler. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon to the rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau to the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley. Highlights include sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon, the crossing of Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world, and the shorelines of glacial-fed Seton Lake and Anderson Lake. Your rail journey ends today on arrival in the resort town of Whistler, host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games alpine events. Overnight in Whistler. B, L.
Day 7 Whistler to Vancouver

The morning is free to explore Whistler Village at your leisure. This afternoon return to Vancouver onboard the Whistler Mountaineer through the stunning scenery of this “Sea to Sky” region. Highlights of the trip include the Cheakamus Canyon, the dome peak of Mount Garibaldi, Shannon Falls and breathtaking views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains. A light meal is served onboard. On arrival at the North Vancouver train platform, you will be transferred to your accommodation in downtown Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 8 Vancouver Departure

2009 Package Tour Prices inclusive of 2.5% GST
RedLeaf Service
Starts CalgaryStarts Vancouver SingleDoubleTripleChild Rail Seat Upgrade per person Accommodation
03 May–26 May07 May–26 May £1753£1303£1224£707£490Calgary International Hotel
Banff High Country
Lake Louise The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont room
Jasper Sawridge
Whistler Delta Whistler Village Suites
Vancouver Renaissance
31 May–25 Sep31 May–24 Sep £2171£1559£1447£890£490
29 Sep–04 Oct29 Sep–08 Oct £1709£1280£1214£712£490
Modified American Plantba 
GoldLeaf Service
Starts CalgaryStarts Vancouver SingleDoubleTripleChild Accommodation
03 May–26 May07 May–26 May £2951£2166£2060£1425Calgary Delta Bow Valley
Banff Rimrock Resort
Lake Louise The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Lakeview room
Jasper The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont room
Whistler Nita Lake Lodge
Vancouver Sheraton Wall Centre
31 May–25 Sep31 May–24 Sep £3591£2505£2316£1492
29 Sep–04 Oct29 Sep–08 Oct £2773£2060£1999£1442
Modified American Plantba
Fairmont Deluxe & GoldLeaf Service
Starts CalgaryStarts Vancouver SingleDoubleTripleChild Accommodation
03 May–26 May07 May–26 May £3508£2444£2166£1191Calgary Palliser, Junior Suite
Banff Banff Springs Hotel, Deluxe room
Lake Louise Chateau Lake Louise, Deluxe Lakeview room
Jasper Jasper Park Lodge, Deluxe room
Whistler Chateau Whistler, Deluxe Slopeside room
Vancouver Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Gallery room
31 May–25 Sep31 May–24 Sep £4170£2817£2444£1280
29 Sep–04 Oct29 Sep–08 Oct £3318£2338£2110£1197
Modified American Plantba