Great Two Trains Explorer

The Capital of Alberta, The Mighty Rocky Mountains, Across the divide to the Pacific Rim
Edmonton - Jasper - Banff - Lake Louise - Yoho Park - Kamloops - Vancouver

Day 1  Thursday/Saturday  Our incredible train journey begins!  Board VIA Rail westbound at Edmonton's North Side Train Station in Coach Service.   Roll across the prairies and into the Alberta foothills.   The rolling plains soon give way to the magnificent Rocky Mountains.    Arrive in  "Jewel of the Canadian Rockies" Jasper, Alberta.  Disembark and transfer (transfer not included in price) to one of our Jasper hotels.  Keep on the lookout for wild animals often seen in and around the town.  Step out into the fresh and clean mountain air for a walk and dinner in one of Jasper's many terrific restaurants.  Fire-Grilled elk medallions anyone? 

OR those wishing to visit the Worlds largest shopping can spend one or 2 nights in Edmonton prior to the start of the tour.  We make all arrangements!

Day 2  Friday/Sunday   This morning we tour JASPER and, above the townsite, beautiful PYRAMID LAKE.   Perhaps take an optional cruise of magnificent MALIGNE LAKE and its incredible aquamarine waters.  The views are stunning and the water is a shade of blue found only in these mountains.   Spirit Island is a famous spot for  photographers seeking the perfect picture.  Return to Jasper via the Valley of the FIVE LAKES.  Those staying for additional nights can travel on their own a few miles to the south of  Jasper to the JASPER GONDOLA from where the views of the valleys and peaks are outstanding and ATHABASCA FALLS / HORSESHOE LAKE.  Overnight at one of our Jasper Hotels

Comfortable Bedrooms aboard the train

Day 3  Saturday/Monday  Depart Jasper for Banff on our deluxe motor coach along the Icefields Parkway.  This is one of the most scenic drives on earth.  We'll ride a Sno-Coach (weather permitting) onto the Columbia Icefield's ATHABASCA GLACIER.  The Columbia Icefields are 125 square miles in size (massive!), with no fewer than 30 glaciers where 3 river systems flow to three different oceans.   The Icefields Parkway delivers us  past BOW LAKE, PEYTO LAKE and MISTAYA LAKE  south to LAKE LOUISE, one of the most enchanting spots on earth.  We see the reflections of the mountains in her aqua blue waters and we'll find out how rock flour helps the water retain its mesmerizing color.  Continue further into BANFF NATIONAL PARK to the majestic town of  BANFF.  Overnight at one of our Banff Hotels.

Day 4  Sunday/Tuesday  JOHNSTON CANYON where you are given time for a short nature walk.  We continue to beautiful MORAINE LAKE to see its mystical green waters and then visit LAKE LOUISE.  Visitors come from all over the World to stand before this magnificent setting.  After lunch at Lake Louise (lunch not included in fare),  cross the Great Divide and enter Yoho National Park. You’ll visit Yoho’s scenic highlights such as tumbling Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and the Natural Rock Bridge before returning to Banff in the late afternoon.  What a great day!  Overnight Banff

Day 5  Monday/Wednesday  Enjoy a free day in delightful Banff.  Rent a car, take the SULFUR MOUNTAIN GONDOLA to the top for amazing views, stroll the massive Banff Springs hotel or take one of the many hikes available from town.  Helicopter tours can be arranged as well as boat tours on LAKE MINNEWANKA.  Overnight at one of our Banff Hotels

  
Stunning Lake Louise

Day 6  Tuesday/Thursday  This morning, board the Rocky Mountaineer westbound (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays).  The Rocky Mountaineer is all daylight travel and is one of the most dramatic train trips in the World.  Service by on-board multi-lingual attendants is superb.  You will travel through rugged terrain and experience the great Spiral Tunnels (where the train circles around inside a mountain and comes out over itself) and ascent over Rogers Pass.  Roll on through 5 mountain ranges to the city of Kamloops.  We stop and transfer to our hotel for the night (included). 

Day 7  Wednesday/Friday  Re-board the Rocky Mountaineer in the morning and continue west.  This region of Canada is interesting as we emerge from the great Rockies into Canada's only desert.  Dramatic scenery rolls by as we parallel the mighty Thompson and Fraser Rivers past Hell's Gate.  Arrive in Canada's most beautiful city, Vancouver in the early evening.  Transfer on your own to our downtown hotel (a very easy cab ride). 

Day 8  Thursday/Saturday  End of services or we can arrange additional nights and activities in refreshing and beautiful Vancouver.  How about a tour to VICTORIA, BUTCHART GARDENS and Vancouver Island?  Whale watching anyone?

 
Vermilion Lakes near Banff