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Canada Holidays - man enjoying lake view

First Passage to the West Discovery Self Drive

Reference WW38059
5 nights from
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May - October 2024
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What's Included

Return flights from the UK
2 day Rocky Mountaineer rail journey in SilverLeaf Service
Including 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches
5 nights hotel accommodation
3 days full-size car rental, including one-way drop charges and unlimited kilometres
Calgary Tower
Vancouver Lookout
Rail station transfers in Banff, Kamloops and Vancouver
Luggage handling
Overview

This is a captivating journey by rail and car that includes overnight accommodations in the charming mountain towns of Banff, Lake Louise—aka Canada’s “Diamond in the Wilderness”—and the brash, bold city of Calgary.

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Itinerary

Arrive in Calgary and collect your rental car. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore Calgary on your own. Overnight in Calgary.

Today’s two and a half hour journey from Calgary to Lake Louise takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner, Hoodoos, Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. The day is yours at leisure to enjoy this magnificent location. Overnight in Lake Louise. 

Today, drive the scenic one-hour journey from Lake Louise to Banff. Along the way, watch for deer and elk crossing the specially constructed wildlife bridges over the highway. Alternatively, take a more leisurely drive along the Bow Valley Parkway for views of Castle Mountain and Johnston Canyon (requires a short walk). The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the shops, restaurants, pristine scenery and plentiful wildlife of magnificent Banff National Park. This afternoon return your rental vehicle in Banff. Overnight in Banff. 

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain town of Banff to Kamloops, in the heart of the British Columbia Interior. Your journey takes ou through a spectacular array of scenery as you travel between the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, over mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels, along rocky lakeshores and across the ranchlands of the Interior. Today’s highlights include the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass and Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven. Overnight in Kamloops. 

Your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. On today’s journey you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the Interior, through winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade Mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Vancouver this evening. Overnight in Vancouver. 

Your vacation ends upon checkout from your Vancouver hotel.