Extended Prairies and Mountains

From the city built on two rivers to the Pacific Ocean, there is plenty of spectacular 
scenery that you will see nowhere else in the World.
Winnipeg - Saskatoon - Edmonton - Jasper - Banff - Lake Louise - Kamloops - Vancouver 

Day 1  Friday/Sunday  We depart from Winnipeg on the famous Trans-Continental train.  VIA Rail delivers us into Manitoba, the province of 100,000 lakes.  Drink in the vistas from the dome cars and enjoy the terrific on-board service.  
VIA RAIL BEDROOMS  /  DINING CAR  /  DOME CAR  /  PARK-LOUNGE CAR

Day 2   Saturday/Monday  Enjoy a delicious breakfast and relax as we forge across the great wheatfields of Saskatchewan before our morning arrival into Edmonton, capital and most vibrant metropolis in Alberta.   After a brief stop we continue the train journey to the "Jewel of the Canadian Rockies" JASPER, Alberta.  Disembark and we are transferred to our hotel for the first of 2 nights.  Keep on the lookout for wild animals often seen in and around the town.   

Day 3  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.  A few miles to the south of  Jasper is 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.

Day 4  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 one of our Banff Hotels

Spirit Island on Maligne Lake

   
Vermilion Lakes near Banff

Day 5  Join us on an afternoon tour up Sulfur Mountain on the BANFF GONDOLA.  The views will take your breath away.  Walk the boardwalk at the summit onto another mountain and see the ancient weather observatory there.  In the evening we can enjoy an optional dinner featuring cuisine and entertainment all about Canada.  Overnight one of our Banff Hotels

Day 6 and Day 7  Enjoy two days to explore the trails, shopping, tours and sightseeing that this area is Word famous for.  Overnight one of our Banff Hotels.

Day 8  Depart for Kamloops by motor coach in the sunny Okanagan via Kicking Horse Pass.  Pass over the Continental Divide and begin our slow downhill descent to the Pacific Ocean.  Travel through Yoho National Park, one of four parks that comprise a World Heritage Sight.  We arrive in the late afternoon at the "cattle country"  center of Kamloops for overnight.
Lac Le Jeune may be substituted for Kamloops.

Beautiful Lake Louise

Day 9  We scoot along the shores of Kamloops Lake (Kamloops being a native word meaning "meeting of the lakes") and then shadow the mighty Frasier River past Hell's Gate Canyon.  We arrive in lovely VANCOUVER where our orientation tour includes Gastown (be sure to see the steam clock), Chinatown (second largest in North America), the harbor area and the famous Totem Poles at STANLEY PARK.  We can pre-book a harbor dinner cruise for you. or perhaps visit beautiful QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK.  Overnight one of our Vancouver hotels

Day 10 Transfer to the airport or you may choose to extend your stay and visit Vancouver and the largest island in North America, mighty Vancouver Island.  Those extending their stay can go whale watching, see BUTCHART GARDENS and the city of VICTORIA  on Vancouver Island or travel up to WHISTLER Resort area (North of Vancouver).   
We can pre-book  7 night ALASKA CRUISES at wholesale rates.