Western Wilderness Itinerary

Day 1- Arrive in Vancouver

Welcome to Vancouver. 
The Marriott Pinnacle or the Renaissance Harbourside puts you in the heart of the city, close to shops, museums and restaurants. 
Overnight – Marriott Pinnacle or Renaissance Harbourside

Day 2 - Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service, Vancouver to Kamloops (Breakfast & Lunch)

An early morning is in order.  Take a taxi from the hotel to the rail station, where the Rocky Mountaineer staff will assist with your check in arrangements.  Today your journey takes you from Vancouver through the fertile fields of the Fraser River Valley and the towering peaks of the Coastal Mountains, before entering the Fraser Canyon and viewing the raging turbulence of Hell’s Gate.  You follow the Fraser River through beautiful landscapes to Kamloops for an overnight stay.  The Rocky Mountaineer staff will serve breakfast and lunch at your seat.  Their fun loving staff will be on hand with beverage service and snacks throughout the day.  When you arrive in Kamloops, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight – Kamloops

Day 3  – Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service, Kamloops to Banff (Breakfast & Lunch)

Continue your journey eastward to the Canadian Rockies.  First you will travel through vast ranchlands to Shuswap Lake.  Next pass Craigellachie, where the “last spike” was driven completing the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885.  Beyond Craigellachie is Rogers Pass with its tunnels, glistening glaciers and snow-capped mountains.  Before crossing over the Continental Divide into Banff National Park, the train will travel through the unique Spiral Tunnels a remarkable engineering achievement. Once again breakfast and lunch will be served at your seat.  We have advised your car rental company that you will be arriving on the train.  They will provide a transfer from the station and assist with your car rental arrangements.
Overnight – Rimrock Resort

Day 4 – Banff at Leisure

The Rimrock Resort, true to its name, is built into the mountainside and offers exceptional views from their lobby.  It is an easy walk from the hotel to the Sulphur Mountain Gondola and the sulphur hot spring pools, and you are never at a loss for things to do in Banff.   The town is filled with delightful shops and boutiques.   Be sure to include a visit to the Fairmont Banff Springs, for the hotel is truly a village in itself.  The Fairmont Banff Springs has a wonderful spa and an exceptional golf course.  Even if you don’t golf, consider lunch at the golf club.  The setting is beautiful and is sure to give you bragging rights among your golf loving friends. If you like outdoor activities, you can go water rafting, golf, ride bikes, hike or take a ride along Tunnel Mountain Drive for a great view of Banff.  Visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site or stroll along Lake Minnewanka. 
Overnight – Rimrock Resort

Day 5 – Banff to Jasper

Plan an early departure as this is a day filled with exceptional scenery and a “must see” stop at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.  Words can’t describe your first look at Victoria Glacier and the exquisite color of Lake Louise.  Your travels to Jasper take you along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in North America.  Consider a stop at the Columbia Icefields where a series of glaciers cover 325 square kilometers.  Specially constructed Ice Explorer coaches take visitors on to the Icefields.  Continue to Jasper along the Athabasca River Valley, stopping at Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls.
Overnight – Sawridge Inn

Day 6 – Jasper at leisure

Jasper is set amongst some of the most rugged peaks in the Rockies.  Visit the Jasper Tramway, the longest aerial tramway in Canada.  Atop Whistler Mountain you can see for miles.  You sightseeing choices are numerous – Mt. Edith Cavil, Old Fort Point, Medicine Lake, Maligne Lake, Maligne Lake and Spirit Island. 
Overnight – Sawridge Inn

Day 7 – Jasper to Prince George (Lunch & Dinner on the Train)

Your morning is at leisure to enjoy and explore Jasper.  You should be at the station by late morning to return your car and check in with the VIA Rail staff.  The wilderness beauty of Jasper is but a picture of what is in store for you today as you travel from Jasper to Prince George.  The cars used on the Skeena in Totem Deluxe Class truly do give you a wraparound view.  The “Skeena”, named for the Skeena River valley travels through country little changed by man.  Your route takes you past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, down the western slope of the range with its giant cedars and hemlocks, and across British Columbia’s interior plateau enroute to the Skeena River valley.   The Skeena arrives into Prince George at 7PM; the Ramada is a short taxi ride from the station.  
Overnight – Coast Inn of the North

Day 8 – Prince George to Prince Rupert (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on the Train)

An early morning is in order; the Skeena departs at 7:45AM.  The rail station is a short taxi ride from your hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served aboard the train, so settle back to enjoy another day of dramatically beautiful scenery. Highlights of your routing include Fraser Lake, the meeting of the Telkwa and Bulkley Rivers and Kathlyn Glacier and Twin Falls, one of the best views of a glacier from a passenger train in Canada.  Then, to the river for which the train was named, the mighty Skeena River, taking you past snow covered mountain peaks, graveled flood plains, lush river beds to the Pacific Ocean Tidal Zone, where the river widens on its way to the ocean.   When you arrive take a taxi to your hotel.
Overnight – Crest Hotel-Harbor View Room

Day 9 – Prince Rupert at Leisure

After two days on the train, you will be ready to be out and about in Prince Rupert.  The city is small, so getting around is easy.  The Crest Hotel is just delightful, built right at the waters edge; it offers an array of ocean views.  Cow Bay is a must see with great bovine decorating ideas at every turn.  Fish lovers will find that the Halibut is so fresh and delicious you will want it for every meal.  Try the fish and chips at the Peg Leg Café for lunch.
Overnight – Crest Hotel-Harbor View Room

Day 10 – Prince Rupert Home

We have made your flight arrangements from Prince Rupert to Vancouver.  The city air terminal is a short ride from your hotel. We hope this scenic rail journey will be one of many visits to Canada.  

If your time allows, you can exchange the value of your air ticket to Vancouver and travel the inside passage aboard BC Ferries from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy, on the northern tip of Vancouver Island.  The trip will require additional overnights and transfers. 
Prices are available upon request