Best of Canada’s West

Day 1

ARRIVE VANCOUVER
Welcome to Vancouver! A complimentary transfer is provided to the tour hotel. Your Tour Director is at the hotel this afternoon to welcome you and answer your questions. Join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Drink at the hotel.
Hotel: Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel

Day 2

VANCOUVER – STRAIT OF GEORGIA – VICTORIA (2 nights)
Your tour of Vancouver takes you to Stanley Park to view the totem poles, English Bay, Chinatown and Gastown with its charming cobblestone streets. Then cross the Strait of Georgia by ferry to Vancouver Island and journey by coach to quaint Victoria. Here, an orientation tour introduces you to Bastion Square, the Inner Harbour and the Parliament Buildings. Journey north along the beautiful Saanich Inlet into scenic Cobble Head and visit a local family-owned cidery. Visit the ciderhouse and taste famous alcoholic cider, accompanied by artisan breads. Enjoy a private tour of one of Canada’s largest apple cider orchards and a stop at the bradihouse to learn more about the distilling process. Later, join your hosts for a ‘Be My Guest’ Dinner alfresco featuring unique dishes created with apples and cider. (FB, BG)
Hotel: Inn at Laurel Point

Day 3

VICTORIA SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE
Start the day with breakfast served in the fl ower-ladden conservatory at the famous Butchart Gardens. A representative from Butchart Gardens will give a brief talk on the history of the Butchart Family and the gardens’ exhibits. Later, there is time to explore this 55-acre showcase of extraordinary fl oral displays. Back in Victoria, the rest of the day is at leisure. Stroll through the flower-filled streets and browse the stores for some early souvenir shopping, or perhaps partake in one of our popular optional activities including a whale watching excursion and an evening walking tour of Chinatown, complete with Chinese banquet. (FB)

Day 4

VICTORIA – SEA-TO-SKY-HIGHWAY – WHISTLER
Travel north to Chemainus, a seaside town known for its beautiful murals. Then journey across the Strait of Georgia, back to the mainland and along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway. After a stop at the 1,105-feet (337 metres) Shannon Falls, we continue the climb over the Coast Mountains to arrive at Whistler, where we are taken on a guided walking tour of this quaint alpine village and learn about this 2010 Olympic venue. (FB)
Hotel: Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa

Day 5

WHISTLER – CACHE CREEK – KAMLOOPS
This morning, travel across the fertile Pemberton Valley and along the scenic Duffy Lake Road, often referred to as “one of the best drives in Canada.” Stop at Historic Hat Creek Ranch, and visit the historic buildings and learn about this early trading post. Also visit a native village and learn about the Shuswap Nation’s fascinating history and culture before continuing on through the high desert of interior British 76 Columbia, renowned for its natural resources, including agriculture and timber. Arrive in Kamloops, or “Meeting of the Waters” in Shuswap language as it is here
that the two branches of the Thompson River join. This evening, enjoy a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant. (FB, HD)
Hotel: The Thompson Hotel

Day 6

KAMLOOPS – CANADIAN ROCKY MOUNTAIN PARKS – BANFF (2 nights)
Today head for the great Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, a UNESCO World Heritage area. Visit Mount Revelstoke National Park and travel from dense old-growth rainforest of giant cedar and pine to sub-alpine forest. Continue into alpine meadows and tundra with spectacular views of the ice-clad peaks of the Monashee Mountains. Next, enter Glacier National Park and climb over Rogers Pass. After crossing the Columbia River, enter the Rocky Mountain trench. The next national park is Yoho to view the Natural Bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River. Crossing the Continental Divide, enter Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest national park, and arrive at the
quintessential alpine resort of Banff. (FB, D)
Hotel: Banff Park Lodge

Day 7

BANFF SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE
Your tour of Banff features the classic viewpoint of Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive, Bow Falls and the wind-shaped rock formations known as hoodoos. Then board the Banff Gondola for a ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience a bird’s eye view of six mountain ranges from the upper terminal. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please; explore the shops along Banff Avenue, or join one of the many optional activities, including a scenic helicopter
flight over Mount Assiniboine, a river float trip down the Bow River, or a guided nature walk. Later, why not partake in a fun and entertaining celebration of Canada at an award-winning dinner show? (FB)

Day 8

BANFF – LAKE LOUISE – ICEFIELDS PARKWAY – JASPER (2 nights)
Your first stop is at beautiful Lake Louise where you are taken on an interpretive walk along the lakeshore. Learn about the history and geography of the area and soak in the stunning landscape combining azure glacial waters, deep green forests, jagged snowcovered mountains and the mighty Victoria Glacier. Then head north along the stunning Icefields Parkway, driving beneath snowcapped peaks, thundering waterfalls and glistening glaciers. Keep an eye out for wildlife including elk, black bear, and mountain goat. Continue onto the Columbia Icefield and board an Ice Explorer for a unique journey onto the massive Athabasca Glacier. Then head for Jasper in the heart of Jasper National Park. After dinner, learn about Rocky Mountain wildlife at a fun and informative presentation by a local expert. (FB, BD)
Hotel: Chateau Jasper

Day 9

JASPER NATIONAL PARK SIGHTSEEING & AT LEISURE
This morning, enjoy an interpretive walk at Maligne Canyon, one of the most beautiful gorges in the Rockies. Learn about the underground river system while strolling along the canyon’s trail, past beautiful waterfalls and spectacular rock formations. The rest of the day is at leisure in Jasper to enjoy the superb vistas, stroll the quaint streets, or join one of the optional activities which include a lake cruise on beautiful Maligne Lake, a gentle float trip down the Athabasca River, a guided alpine excursion to Mount Edith Cavell, and an evening of wildlife spotting followed
by a relaxing soak in natural hot springs. (FB)

Day 10

JASPER – MOUNT ROBSON – LAC LE JEUNE
Head west over Yellowhead Pass and arrive at Mount Robson, the Rockies’ tallest peak at 12,989 feet (3959 metres). Then follow the Thompson River as it winds its way down through the Columbia Mountains to arrive at your resort, beautifully located on the shores of Lac Le Jeune. Here, join a local expert on a nature walk to the beaver dam at the end of the lake and learn about the resident beaver colony. This evening, enjoy a hearty Farewell Dinner with newfound friends. (FB, FD)
Hotel: Lac Le Jeune Resort

Day 11

LAC LE JEUNE – DEPART VANCOUVER
Heading for the Pacific coast, arrive back in Vancouver. A complimentary transfer is provided to Vancouver International Airport and the tour hotel in Vancouver for passengers extending their stay. (FB)

Day 12

ARRIVE BACK IN DUBLIN
Please do not schedule any flights before 6 p.m.

What's Included

Sightseeing Highlights

• Vancouver Discover Chinatown, Gastown, English Bay and Stanley Park.
• Victoria See the city’s landmarks; explore the Butchart Gardens; enjoy a visit to a local cidery.
• Whistler Join a walking tour of this 2010 Olympic venue.
• Cache Creek Visit the Historic Hat Creek Ranch and a native village.
• Banff National Park Explore this UNESCO World Heritage area.
• Banff Tour the township and enjoy a scenic gondola ride.
• Lake Louise Join an interpretive walk along the lake.
• Icefields Parkway Motor along this spectacular alpine drive.
• Columbia Icefi eld Ride an Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier.
• Jasper National Park Walk Maligne Canyon, learn about local wildlife.
• Mount Robson View the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
• Lac Le Jeune Walk along the lake; learn about the resident beaver colony.
• Hidden Treasure: Trafalgar’s expert Tour Directors will be sure to surprise you during your tour by revealing a wonderful Hidden Treasure unique to your destination.

Dining Highlights

• Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in Vancouver.
• 10 full breakfasts.
• 1 three-course dinner.
• 1 buffet dinner.
• Local Highlight Dinner in Kamloops.
• ‘Be My Guest’ Dinner in Victoria.
• Farewell Dinner with wine at Lac Le Jeune.

First Class Travel Highlights

• First class hotel accommodation includes two-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned motorcoach with reclining seats and a restroom onboard.
• The services of one of Trafalgar’s top professional Tour Directors.
• Ferry across the Strait of Georgia from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and Welcome on Tour book with map.
• Complimentary airport transfers are provided on Day 1 and Day 11.