Calgary Stampede and Rockies Trail

After arriving in Calgary, transfer independently to your hotel for a three-night stay. The rest of the day is at leisure to further explore this world-class city.

Over the next two days we welcome you to the event most appropriately named “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”. Included is one afternoon ticket to a rodeo with gate admission, and one evening ticket to the Chuckwagon Races and Grandstand show with gate admission. Overnights in Calgary.

Rodeo
On the afternoon of day 2, the best of the best saddle-up for a three hour ground shaking showcase of world- class rodeo action. There are Saddle Bronco and Bareback riding events followed by the most dangerous event of all - Bull Riding.

Rangeland Derby
On the evening of day 3, nine heart-stopping chuckwagon races explode in an all-out dash for the finish line. Chuckwagon racing is an amazing contest of nerves and horsepower - a challenge that ignites thousands of fans.

Grandstand Show
Following the Rangeland Derby is the outdoor stage spectacular. For 2 hours, you will be dazzled by the lavishly produced and choreographed non-stop musical variety grandstand show. Overnights in Calgary.

The Rockies Trail Escorted Tour officially starts today! After a check-in at the tour hotel, the remainder of the day is free. The tour director will contact you in the late afternoon to give details on joining the tour. Explore the Old West at the Glenbow Museum or Fort Calgary on your own, browse through the Eau Claire Market, ride up the Calgary Tower for a great view and savour the great restaurants and dynamic nightlife. Overnight in Calgary.

We begin the day with a city tour of Calgary. Leaving the city, we travel west on the Trans-Canada Highway into the rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The majestic peaks of the Canadian Rockies soon fill the horizon as we approach Banff National Park, our first of several in the Canadian national parks system. We soon arrive in the charming resort town of Banff. Overnight in Banff.

Canadian breakfast included.

Today we will enjoy a tour of the region around Banff. The area became Canada’s first national park in 1885 to protect its natural hot springs. An optional Helicopter Sightseeing Tour will give you the chance to see the eastern ranges of the Rocky Mountains. Alternatively you can take an optional gondola ride to spectacular Sulphur Mountain. Bring your camera! The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the surroundings of Banff, stroll along Banff Avenue, or relax and enjoy the scenery. Overnight in Banff.

Canadian breakfast included.

Today’s journey through Banff and Jasper national parks promises to be a highlight of our Rockies Trail programme. Shortly after leaving Banff we visit the famous scenery of Lake Louise, one of the most photographed lakes in Canada. Afterwards, we travel north on the famed Icefields Parkway through a rugged wilderness flanked by dramatic mountain ranges. At the Columbia Icefield we board a specially constructed Ice Explorer to ride on the surface of the ancient Athabasca Glacier. Close to Jasper, you have the chance to go on an optional raft trip on the Athabasca River. Your experienced guide will point out the natural and human history as you raft through short rapids and stretches of calm waters. Overnight in Jasper.

Canadian breakfast included

Before leaving Jasper National Park this morning, you can take part in an optional Spirit Island Cruise on Maligne Lake, the most picturesque and largest glacier-fed lake in the park. You may alternately take an optional motorcycle tour of Jasper, riding in the comfortable sidecar with an unmatched view of the forests and mountains. Then, we travel west along the Yellowhead Highway and into the heartland of British Columbia. Breathtaking, unspoiled vistas await visitors in every season of the year. The route takes us along the Thompson River through the picturesque Shuswap Highlands. Overnight in Sun Peaks.

Canadian breakfast included.

We can expect a day of dramatic scenery changes when we drive through the ranch lands and head for the coastal mountains. A journey along the Duffey Lake Road exposes new vistas at every turn. An optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour over Garibaldi Park gives you an inspiring view of a natural preserve of volcanic peaks, alpine lakes and meadows. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Whistler.

Canadian breakfast included

The Sea-to-Sky Highway leads us south through spectacular coastal scenery today. You will visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge suspended high above a magnificent canyon. From Horseshoe Bay, we cruise by ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island and continue by coach to Victoria, British Columbia’s capital city. Arriving in Victoria, we embark on a city tour of this former British enclave. Overnight in Victoria.

Canadian breakfast included.

Proud of her maritime heritage, Victoria has retained a quaint, colonial demeanour evident in the many 19th century landmarks throughout the city. Today we treat ourselves to a tour of the world famous Butchart Gardens, one of the world’s great floral displays set in a reclaimed stone quarry. Time will be allocated here for browsing through the regal gardens. You can take part in an optional Floatplane Sightseeing Tour over downtown Victoria and the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Olympic Mountains in the distance. You can also go on an optional Whalewatching Excursion aboard a Zodiac or a regular vessel. Watch for the magnificent orcas and the abundance of
marine wildlife. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the city’s delights. Overnight in Victoria.

Continental breakfast included.

We continue through the resort region of the Gulf Islands to the oceanside city of Vancouver. Upon arrival in Vancouver, we enjoy an interesting tour of the city, including Stanley Park, English Bay, Gastown, Chinatown, and much more. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration or simple relaxation. This evening features our farewell dinner. Overnight in Vancouver.

Continental breakfast and dinner included.

Your tour ends this morning. Transfer independently to the airport in the afternoon for your overnight flight home.

Canadian breakfast included.