DAY 01: ARRIVE IN VANCOUVER
Arrive into Vancouver International Airport and independently head to your downtown hotel. Spend the day enjoying the scenic views from the city's harbour front. Popular for it's friendly atmosphere and relaxing lifestyle. Overnight in Vancouver
DAY 02: VANCOUVER TO VICTORIA
Passengers must check in with the tour director at 06:30 at the specified Vancouver hotel. The tour leaves the hotel for Victoria at 07:30. Today we depart Vancouver and cross the Strait of Georgia by ferry to Victoria and begin the day with a visit to Butchart Gardens, one of the world’s great floral displays. Ample time is allocated for browsing through these regal gardens. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the city or take part in an optional floatplane sightseeing tour over downtown Victoria and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. You may also go on an optional whale watching excursion aboard a high-speed Zodiac or a regular vessel. You will have a chance to see marine wildlife, such as sunbathing sea lions, magnificent bald eagles and playful seals. Overnight in Victoria. Breakfast included.
DAY 03: VICTORIA TO CAMPBELL RIVER
Today is a sampling of modern and ancient British Columbia culture as we travel up the coast of Vancouver Island. We step back into the province’s distant past with visits to Chemanius and its spectacular native murals and to the towering totem pole grotto of Duncan. We arrive in the small coastal town of Campbell River in the afternoon. Overnight in Campbell River. Breakfast included.
DAY 04: CAMPBELL RIVER TO PORT HARDY
Today we continue farther north up the road as it turns inland for a time before arriving in Port We embark on a fascinating whale watching and marine wildlife tour in the Johnstone Strait. This area is known as the most reliable environment to spot both orca and humpback whales as they play and feed. Afterward, relax at the hotel or independently explore this pleasant seaside town. Overnight in Port Hardy*. Breakfast included. *Please note: For the departure on September 17, the ferry will depart Port Hardy on a BC Ferries vessel in the afternoon and passengers will overnight on board in a cabin.
DAY 05: PORT HARDY TO PRINCE RUPERT
Cameras at the ready! This morning we board a spectacular BC Ferries ship to set sail on an incredible full-day cruise along the coast of British Columbia to the inlet community of Prince Rupert. The famous Inside Passage is one of the most spectacular waterways in Canada, showcasing the rugged shorelines of the Pacific Northwest. Overnight in Prince Rupert. *Please note: For passengers on departures that overnight on Day 5 on board BC Ferries, the ship will arrive at Prince Rupert in the afternoon. After check in, the remainder of the day is at leisure.
DAY 06: PRINCE RUPERT TO SMITHERS
Today we begin our journey into the British Columbia interior eastward along the scenic Yellowhead Highway as it follows the Skeena River Valley. Along the way, we’ll stop for a tour of ‘Ksan Indian Village – a recreation of an ancient traditional community of the Gitxsan First Nation peoples. Arriving at our destination, the remainder of the day is at our leisure. Overnight in Smithers. Breakfast included.
DAY 07: SMITHERS TO PRINCE GEORGE
Continuing east, we travel the Yellowhead Highway and are treated to some of Canada’s most forested and rugged terrains. We enjoy a visit to Fort St. James National Historic Park to relive the days of the fur trade. In the afternoon, we settle into Prince George, located at the tip of British Columbia’s Cariboo Region. Overnight in Prince George. Breakfast included.
DAY 08: PRINCE GEORGE TO JASPER NATIONAL PARK
Today we ascend to the highest passes of the Rockies as we travel towards the Alberta provincial border and stop at the Mount Robson Viewpoint. We may even see the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies before entering the national parks that have made the province famous. Close to Jasper, you have the chance to go on optional raft trip on the Athabasca River with an experienced guide conducting the group through short rapids and stretches of calm waters. Overnight in Jasper. Breakfast included.
DAY 09: JASPER NP TO BANFF NP / CANMORE
Today’s journey through Jasper and Banff National Parks promises to be a highlight of your Rocky Roundup programme. 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. Afterwards, we visit the dramatic scenery of Lake Louise, one of the most photographed lakes in Canada before arriving Banff/Canmore. Overnight in Banff/Canmore. Continental breakfast included.
DAY 10: BANFF NATIONAL PARK / CANMORE
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. You may also take part in an optional gondola ride up spectacular Sulphur Mountain. 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/Canmore. Breakfast included.
DAY 11: BANFF / CANMORE TO VERNON
We start our journey back to the west coast, first passing through the narrow Kicking Horse Canyon, then over the heights of Rogers Pass. At Craigellachie, we view the monument marking the spot where the famous “Last Spike” was driven into place in 1885 linking Canada by rail from sea to sea. We enter the bountiful Okanagan Valley as we arrive at Vernon. Overnight in Vernon. Breakfast included.
DAY 12: VERNON TO VANCOUVER
Today after breakfast we continue our journey through the lush Okanagan Valley, famous for its fruit orchards and vineyards. We will make a brief stop at scenic Kalamalka Lake before continuing on across a great maritime plain set against beautiful mountain vistas. We descend to the coast and the sparkling lights of Vancouver. On arrival in Vancouver at approximately 17:30, the tour ends.
