Day 1: Vancouver, British Columbia - Tour Begins

Join Collette Vacations for a remarkable journey through Alpine vistas, stunning landscapes, charming towns, and beautiful lakes. Explore the beautiful Canadian Rockies by train. Your adventure begins in Vancouver.

Day 2: Vancouver - VIA Rail

A sightseeing tour of Vancouver begins this morning at beautiful Stanley Park, Canada’s renowned urban rainforest, and continues to Chinatown, the city’s waterfront, and Gastown, a turn-of-the-century center comprised of pubs, art galleries, boutiques, and the world-famous steam-powered clock, perhaps the most photographed subject in all of Vancouver. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before boarding VIA Rail’s The Canadian to begin your journey to the majestic Canadian Rockies. Relive train travel in the days of old as you are rocked to sleep tonight in your private accommodations.

Day 3: VIA Rail - Jasper, Alberta

Enjoy a lovely hot breakfast in the dining car as your eastbound train whisks you past the peaks of the Monashee Mountains and the stunning sight of Pyramid Falls cascading down Mt. Cheadle. Relax in the Dome car as you experience 360-degree views of the glistening glaciers of the Albreda Icefields and on a clear day, view Mt. Robson – the highest peak of the Rockies! Moose, mountain goats, bear and caribou call this wonderland home. This afternoon, arrive in Jasper, nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies at the gateway to the incredible Icefields Parkway. This evening enjoy a “Taste of Alberta” dinner complete with several choices featuring various Alberta products and special recipes that highlight the cuisine in the province.

Day 4: Jasper

Begin your day with a trip to the dramatic Maligne Canyon, one of Jasper's most spectacular landmarks. Here, enjoy breakfast* against the backdrop of the picture-perfect sparkling waters of Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. Next you may choose to embark on an optional cruise highlighting the beauty of Spirit Island. Return to Jasper with leisure time to explore this lovely town.

Day 5: Jasper - Icefields Parkway - Lake Louise

Set off for a wonderful day of sightseeing en route to Lake Louise. Journey along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway! Waterfalls, rushing rivers, glacial peaks, imposing cliffs, and snowcapped peaks paint the breathtaking canvas – so have your camera handy! Enjoy a stop at the Athabasca Falls and marvel at its sheer beauty and power. At the Columbia Icefield, enjoy a fun ride** across a mass of glacial ice over 1,000 feet thick – the largest accumulation of ice south of the Arctic Circle. Continuing down the parkway, be on the lookout for bears, furry marmots and stately elk. Enjoy a stop at Peyto Lake – a turquoise glacier-fed lake that evokes pure serenity – before arriving in Lake Louise. Enjoy a stay at the world-famous The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This evening it’s Diner’s Choice. Tonight your dinner is included and you’ll choose the perfect spot from a “menu” of The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s great restaurants.

Day 6: Lake Louise - Banff

En route to Banff, view the spectacular Moraine Lake and the awe-inspiring Valley of the Ten Peaks. The jagged Ten Peaks are distinctively saw-toothed, standing out amidst stunning Alpine scenery. Arrive at the grand The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, known as the “Castle in the Mountains,” for a luxurious two night stay. This evening enjoy another Diner’s Choice. Tonight you’ll choose the perfect spot from one of The Fairmont Banff Springs’ great restaurants.

Day 7: Banff

Set off for a scenic drive through Banff featuring the powerful Bow Falls and impressive Hoodoos – known as the “Land of the Sleeping Giants.” Next, visit a local ammonite specialist to learn about this rare gemstone found only in Alberta. During an afternoon at leisure, perhaps you will take a stroll through Banff’s delightful downtown.

Day 8: Banff - Calgary

Leave the wonders of the Rockies for the prairies of Alberta en route to the Kananaskis Valley. Enjoy a visit to a local ranch where you can play a game of horseshoes, take a line dance lesson and enjoy a wagon ride*** in search of buffalo. Then, enjoy a traditional Albertan barbeque with beautiful views of the mountains in the background. Later, enjoy the views of the prairies before you reach the vibrant city of Calgary.

Day 9: Calgary - Depart for Home