Canadian Pacific

 

Vancouver	Fairmont Hotel Vancouver	2 nights
Kamloops	c/o Rocky Mountaineer	1 night
Banff	Fairmont Banff Springs	2 nights
Lake Louise	Chateau Lake Louise	1 night
Jasper	Jasper Park Lodge	2 nights
VIA Rail	'The Canadian'	3 nights
Toronto	Fairmont Royal York	2 nights

Click on the name of the hotel for details

15 days from £2585

excluding international flights

DAY 1 - Arrive Vancouver.

On arrival at Vancouver International Airport you will be met outside customs and immigration by a representative of World Discovery and taken direct to your centrally-located hotel. Recommended flight: British Airways from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Vancouver.

Vancouver is arguably Canada's most attractive city, a cosmopolitan metropolis of excellent shops and restaurants, galleries and museums, and some of the finest sea-to-sky vistas of any city in the world. Take a walk around the Stanley Park Seawall (left) for some superb mountain and city views, taking in the colourful collection of native totem poles. Explore the historic Gastown area with its unique steam clock. Or head to the North Shore to see the Capilano Suspension Bridge [more] and take the Skyride to the summit of Grouse Mountain [more] for panoramic views across the city.

DAY 3 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops.

This morning you will be collected and taken to the Rocky Mountaineer's own rail terminal where you will board the train for what has been described as the 'Most spectacular train trip in the world'. Today you will travel to Kamloops in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. You will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser River Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to the desert-like environment of the interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake and into Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops (the hotel is selected by the Rocky Mountaineer Company).
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch.

DAY 4 - Continue on the Rocky Mountaineer to Banff.

Your journey continues east through the vast ranchlands along the South Thompson River. You pass Craigellachie, famous as the place where the 'Last Spike' of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, before entering Rogers Pass with its tunnels, snowsheds and glistening glaciers. Climb through the Spiral Tunnels and over the Continental Divide into Banff National Park, Canada's very first protected area which was established in 1885. You will reach the town of Banff, gateway to the Rockies, in the late afternoon and be taken to your hotel. During your time on board the Rocky Mountaineer you travel in RedLeaf Class [more]. For a supplement of £440 pounds you can upgrade to the luxury of GoldLeaf Class [more] for the 2 day journey; in GoldLeaf class you can enjoy gourmet meals and the Dome Coach for panoramic viewing (and also with GoldLeaf you have an included dinner in your hotel in Kamloops).

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch.

DAY 5 - Banff.

This morning you will be collected and taken by private car on your 5 hour included tour of Banff which includes a ride on the Banff Gondola [more] to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for spectacular views. The afternoon is at leisure. You might want to take a scenic cruise on Lake Minnewanka [more], or simply explore the shops on Banff Avenue.

DAY 6 - Banff to Lake Louise.

By private car again this morning as you take a look at some of the wonderful scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Visit Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake (pictured left) and Kicking Horse Pass before driving to Lake Louise for an afternoon and overnight stay. Known as the 'Jewel of the Rockies', Lake Louise is located in a small glacial valley surrounded by high peaks, and enjoys the almosttheatrical backdrop of the awesome Victoria Glacier. You can rent canoes on the lake, or walk in the mountains. A classic walk is available from your hotel up to the Lake Agnes Teahouse; this popular and clearly signposted walk offers stunning views, and a teahouse for refuelling before the descent! It takes approximately 4 hours to complete the return trip (Distance: 7km/4.5 miles return; level of difficulty: moderate).

DAY 7 - The Icefields Parkway to Jasper.

Today's drive will take you along the Icefields Parkway through some ofthe finest mountain scenery to be found anywhere in the world. Bow Lake and Peyto Lake provide stunning photo stops. You might also like to take a side trip alongthe David Thompson Highway to join an exciting helicopter flight with Icefields Helicopter Tours [more] - if you pre-book one of these tours with World Discovery we will give you a 15% discount on the prices shown. Before reaching Jasper stop off at the Athabasca Glacier- a tongue of ice 6 kilometres long and one kilometre wide - where you will join a pre-booked ride by specially-designed vehicle on the glacier itself. On this fascinating 5 kilometre journey your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out interesting geological features as you travel in safety and comfort. At the mid-point, you will have the option (left) of stepping out onto ice formed from snow falling as long as 400 years ago. Arrive in Jasper in the late afternoon.

DAY 8 - Jasper National Park.

Jasper National Park lies in the very heart of the Canadian Rockies. The day is at leisure. There is much to see and do. A popular excursion is an enjoyable cruise on scenic Maligne Lake [more] to Spirit Island (pictured left), or you may wish to take the Jasper Tramway [more] up Whistlers Mountain for a spectacular view over the surrounding area. For the energetic, there is also the option of descending the Maligne Canyon, a dramatic limestone gorge with roaring waterfalls and bizarre rock formations.

DAY 9 - Jasper. Board 'The Canadian'.

The day is at leisure in Jasper until the late afternoon when you board VIA Rail's 'The Canadian' for your classic rail journey across Canada to Toronto.
Meals included: Dinner.

DAYS 10 AND 11 - On board 'The Canadian'.

Sit back and enjoy the view from your window as 'The Canadian' makes its way through the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba before entering Ontario, with the landscape changing gradually from the vast prairies and golden wheatfields of the central region to the lakes and rolling hills of the east. You will travel in Silver & Blue Class in your own private bedroom and enjoy all meals in the comfort of the train's restaurant car. For panoramic views you can access the Dome Car at the rear of the train.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

DAY 12 - Toronto.

After breakfast 'The Canadian' pulls into Toronto (your hotel is located right above the station) after its long journey from the West. The rest of the day is at leisure in Canada's largest and most cosmopolitan city.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 13 - Toronto. Optional visit to Niagara Falls.

At leisure in Toronto. An optional visit could be made to the world-famous Niagara Falls, a 90-minute drive from Toronto. The Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side is generally regarded as the most spectacular section of the falls and you can take a boat ride on the 'Maid of the Mist. to get close to the thunderous waters. There are many waterfalls throughout the world that are higher than Niagara but few can compete in terms of power and sheer volume. The excursion will also include a visit to picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake, founded by British Loyalists after the American Revolution, and now considered one of the best-preserved 19th century towns in North America.

 

Why not stay a little longer? A popular option is to visit Niagara Falls as shown above and then spend a few days relaxing in Niagara-on-the-Lake at the elegant Queen's Landing Hotel before returning to the UK.

 

DAY 14 - Depart for the UK.

At leisure until your private transfer to Toronto Airport for your flight home.

DAY 15 - Arrive UK.

Arrive UK in the morning.

International Flights.

We recommend the services of British Airways from London Heathrow. Flights can be booked through their easy-to-use website www.britishairways.com/travel using the 'Book multi-city' option. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Vancouver. Depart at 17.10; arrive Vancouver at 18.35
Toronto/Heathrow. Depart at 19.55; arrive Heathrow at 08.15 (next day)

Canadian Pacific (Tour Reference: WDCA001)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays	Price
2 to 14 May	£2585
16 May to 17 Aug; 12 to 28 Sep	£3320
20 Aug to 10 Sep	£3384
1 to 12 Oct	£2790

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, on a room only basis.
• 2 day rail journey on the Rocky Mountaineer in RedLeaf Class including 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches.
• 4 day rail journey on 'The Canadian' from Jasper to Toronto including 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners.
  
• Private transfers in Vancouver, Banff, Jasper and Toronto. Sightseeing by private car in Banff and the Rockies (days 5, 6 and 7) including the Ice Explorer excursion at the Athabasca Glacier.
• Applicable taxes and General Sales Tax (GST) refunds.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
• International airport taxes
• Optional sightseeing
• Meals not specified
  

A deposit of £400 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.