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Rockies to the Coast rail and drive tour
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Explore western Canada on this rail and road tour from the Rocky Mountains to the coast of British Columbia. Once you step aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in Banff, and settle in your highback chair, your 13 day journey into the heart of western Canada’s wilderness begins. You’ll travel for two days through the Rocky Mountains, bearing witness to iconic sights such as Lake Louise, the Victoria Glacier, the Icefield Parkway, the Crowfoot Glacier, Banff National Park, Rogers Pass, the Kicking Horse Canyon and the legendary Spiral Tunnels. And then there’s the mountains, seemingly endless forests, crystal clear lakes and thundering waterfalls, all unfolding as you head further west. Arriving in Vancouver, you’ll spend a night there before catching a ferry to Vancouver Island where you’ll spend two nights at a downtown hotel close to Victoria’s colourful Inner Harbour. From Victoria, we depart as a small group – no more than eight – to wind our way north along the east coast of Vancouver Island until we encounter Campbell River. Here, as we enter the Nimpkish Valley, we leave 90% of the population of Vancouver Island behind us. The highway shrinks to single lane and we head inland where black bear, Roosevelt Elk and deer roam freely.
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At Port Hardy, on the north tip of Vancouver Island, we take the Inside Passage ferry to Prince Rupert. This waterway is a northern jewel and a mainstay transportation linkage. A route still travelled by relatively few, its remote and sheltered waters teem with marine life. Thousands of islands extend into an almost infinite wilderness of rugged coastlines, reaches and passes. Snow-capped mountains rise from deep, forested valleys and waterfalls plunge into the ocean. This cruise sets the tone by introducing us to one of the last true wilderness regions of North America. From Prince Rupert, we continue the wilderness experience as far north as Hyder, Alaska, travelling lightly over gravel, paved and mountain roads, encountering isolated communities, always exploring. On highways, back roads and in parks, we bear witness to tremendous wildlife viewing opportunities including grizzly bear, moose, wolves, and dozens of species of birds. We get up close and personal to two glaciers, stretch your legs on a mountain trail and have the opportunity to get 'hyderized". We promise you’ll see sights and live experiences that evade most first time visitors.
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| Season: June to September |
| Requirements: Cost of optional activities, gratuities, most meals, possible fuel surcharges. |
| Suggested Items: Camera, daypack, sunglasses, sunscreen. |
| Suggested Clothing: Warm coat, rain gear, sneakers, hiking boots, long pants, sweater, shorts, t-shirts, hat, bathing suit, towel. |
| Difficulty: Easy |
| Maximum Number of People: 8 |
| Equipment Provided: Two days on the train from Banff to Vancouver, rail station transfers in Kamloops, luggage handling, National Park pass, hotel transfer to bus depot and passage on BC Ferries to downtown Victoria, transfer from Victoria bus depot to Victoria waterfront hotel, all transportation in minibus with maximum 8 passengers, guided village tours, walks and sightseeing, entrance to K’san Native Village and Port Edward Historic Cannery, ferry transportation along the Inside Passage from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, reserved premier seating in the Aurora Lounge BC Ferries, flight from Smithers to Vancouver International Airport. |
| Transportation: Trips begin in Banff, Alberta and end in Vancouver, BC. |
| Accommodations: 12 nights of hotel accommodations along the route. During the course of this tour, we stay in mainly small scale, locally owned accommodation and frequent local shops for meals, supplies and crafts. These practices facilitate a high degree of contact with locals and ensures that the economic development our business brings goes directly to local businesses and communities. We know many locals and artists by name. |
| Meal Information: 13 breakfasts and 2 lunches included. |
| Guide Information: Escorted Driver and guide for 9 days and 8 nights while on Inside Passage portion. |
| Weather Information: In the summer months, most areas offer warm and hot days and cool nights. Average temperatures are between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. |
| Comments: Various First Nations have long inhabited northwest BC area and to this day they make up a considerable percentage of permanent residents; as you’ll see, Aboriginal stories, ceremonies and traditions are woven into the fabric of northern living. From our start point of Vancouver Island, we visit a continuum of First Nations places, including cultural centres, museums, and shops. We also visit a number of First Nation villages including the isolated communities of Kispiox and Gitanyow. |
| Trip Duration |
Price |
13 days
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$4945.00* per person
Red Leaf Service on the train, double occupancy. June 13-25, July 1-13, July 25-August 6, September 19-October 1, 2012 |
13 days
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$5425.00* per person
Silver Leaf Service on the train, double occupancy. June 13-25, July 1-13, July 25-August 6, September 19-October 1, 2012 |
13 days
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$5945.00* per person
Gold Leaf Service on the train, double occupancy. June 13-25, July 1-13, July 25-August 6, September 19-October 1, 2012 |
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*Please add 5% Goods and Services Tax , 7.00% Provincial Sales Tax
If you have any questions or would like more information about a particular adventure, please email us.
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