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Enjoy city sightseeing in Vancouver before taking a ferry to Vancouver Island, where you’ll make stops in Victoria, Chemainus, and Port Hardy. Cruise the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert, where you’ll then board Canada’s VIA Rail® train to Prince George. Leave British Columbia and cross the border into Alberta, where you’ll overnight in Jasper National Park and Banff National Park. Other fabulous visits on this 13-day vacation include Mount Robson, Columbia Icefield, Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, and Vernon before your journey concludes back in Vancouver. |
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City Highlights In Vancouver and Victoria; orientation tour of Prince Rupert. Meals On VIA Rail®’s Skeena: 1 breakfast (B), 1 lunch (L), 1 dinner (D) Hotels: Twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, service charges, and tips for baggage handling. Listed hotels or equivalent.VANCOUVER Park Plaza Hotel Vancouver (ST); VICTORIA Embassy Inn (MF); PORT HARDY Port Hardy Inn (T); PRINCE RUPERT Crest Hotel (SF); PRINCE GEORGE Sandman Inn Prince George (ST); JASPER Astoria Hotel (ST/NP); BANFF Spruce Grove Inn (ST); VERNON Village Green Hotel (F)
Day 1:
VANCOUVER. Enjoy some time at leisure to relax or to do some independent exploring. Your Tour Director is on hand this evening to answer any questions. Day 2: VANCOUVER–FERY CROSSING–VICTORIA. Morning sightseeing focuses on Vancouver’s Chinatown, Gastown, the beautiful beaches and harbor, and lovely STANLEY PARK. Afterward, set sail across the Strait of Georgia through the spectacular Gulf Islands, an area known for its Mediterranean-like climate. Afternoon sightseeing in Victoria includes worldfamous BUTCHART GARDENS, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park with its unusual collection of totem poles. Day 3: VICTORIA. Be sure to discover some of the attractions this splendid city has to offer, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel, a whale-watching cruise on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and fine shopping along Government Street. This evening, join our optional excursion in Chinatown which includes a lantern tour and dinner at a first-class restaurant. Day 4: VICTORIA–CHEMAINUS–PORT HARDY. An early departure from Victoria follows the eastern coastline of Vancouver Island, stopping at Chemainus, the unique village with more than 30 murals depicting pioneer settlement of the area. Then it’s through the port of Campbell River, the “salmon capital of the world.” Anglers from across the continent congregate here for the opportunity to catch some of the largest saltwater salmon in the world. Day 5: PORT HARDY–INSIDE PASSAGE CRUISE–PRINCE RUPERT. This morning, embark on BC Ferries for what is referred to as one of the world’s most beautiful ocean voyages. The scenery is spectacular, with towering mountains, roaring waterfalls, endless islands, and virgin rain forest. Animal and marine life includes sea lions, eagles, and porpoises—you may even spot a killer whale! Late-evening arrival in Prince Rupert. Note: Crossing time through the Inside Passage is approximately 15 hours. Please come prepared with all medication you require, eyeglasses, and any other items you need. Day 6: PRINCE RUPERT. Depart for an orientation tour of Prince Rupert, then visit the NORTH PACIFIC HISTORIC FISHING VILLAGE for a guided tour of British Columbia’s oldest cannery village. Learn of the canning process and what life was like in the village during peak production earlier this century. With your free time this afternoon, you may opt for an outing to learn the secrets of the totem. See a totem pole being carved and visit a longhouse to gain a better understanding of the day-to-day lifestyle of the First Nations culture. (Native Indians in Canada are referred to as the First Nations.) Day 7: PRINCE RUPERT–VIA RAIL SKENA TRAIN–PRINCE GEORGE. This morning, board VIA Rail®’s Skeena train for a trip of a lifetime. The train winds its way through the majestic Coast Mountains, follows the mighty Skeena River—often referred to as the “River of Mists”—and concludes in the Pacific Coast rain forest. You’ll retrace ancient First Nations trading routes and follow the paths of the earliest fur traders. Soaring bald eagles, inquisitive black bears, browsing moose, and other wildlife may be spotted from the glassed-in observation dome that provides 360-degree views. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. (B,L,D) Day 8: PRINCE GEORGE–MOUNT ROBSON–JASPER. As we move onward toward Jasper National Park the peak elevations grow, culminating with Mount Robson, the highest of Canada’s Rockies at 13,000 feet. We settle in at the town of Jasper for our overnight. Day 9: JASPER–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–LAKE LOUISE–BANFF. Winding our way down the western fringe of Alberta, our journey takes us through some of the Rockies’ most breathtaking wilderness. First highlight on today’s agenda is a stop at the COLUMBIA ICEFIELD to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 365-meters (1,200-feet) thick. On to Lake Louise; its cold waters are a perfect natural mirror reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Precipitous gorges, snowcapped mountain ranges, and lakes of exquisite blues and greens come into view as the motorcoach scales two mountain passes on the journey south. Day 10: BANFF. Banff is one of Canada’s favorite year-round resorts with summer activities including hiking, boating, horseback riding, and fishing. This morning, Cosmos has arranged for an optional helicopter ride high over the Canadian Rockies. This evening, join the optional excursion to “Oh Canada Eh?” for a 5-course dinner and musical entertainment. Day 11: BANFF–YOHO NATIONAL PARK–VERNON. This morning, enter the spectacular beauty of YOHO NATIONAL PARK, one of Canada’s most popular recreational areas and the site of pre-Cambrian fossil finds. On to GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, where the motorcoach climbs 4,379-foot-high Rogers Pass, a perfect spot for photos of the impressive surrounding mountain cliffs and glaciers. Spend the night in Vernon. Day 12: VERNON–LAKE OKANAGAN–CASCADE MOUNTAINS–VANCOUVER. Today, continue west through the fertile Fraser Valley before heading north along the shores of magnificent Lake Okanagan, with grand vistas of vineyards and orchards. Next, travel over the towering Cascade Mountains. Day 13: VANCOUVER. The trip ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers to Vancouver International Airport are included.
In Vancouver and Victoria; orientation tour of Prince Rupert.
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Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.
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