12 days/11 nights.
From Seattle, WA to Vancouver, BC.
Day 1: Arrive in Seattle, WA.
Seattle City Tour, including a trip to the top of the famous Space Needle, from where we see the panorama of the city, the Puget Sound, and the famous Mount Rainier; Downtown, the historic Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, Waterfront, and Washington University.
Night in Lynnwood, WA.
Day 2: Lynnwood - Leavenworth - Kelowna, BC.
Leave Lynnwood in the morning. Our first stop is at the beautiful waterfalls, and the next one is at the original Bavarian Village (Leavenworth, WA), with its famous flower baskets and typical European charm. From there we make our way along the mighty Columbia River, passing through picturesque groves of Washington apple trees. We then cross the international border into Canada and by evening reach the town of Kelowna, British Columbia.
Night in Kelowna, BC.
Day 3: Kelowna - Banff, AB.
We make photo stops at the historic place of completion of the Trans Canada Railway and the beautiful Three Valley Gap, as we continue our journey across the majestic Rogers mountain pass, where we stop for lunch at its summit, which offers dramatic views of the surrounding glaciers. Then on to Kicking Horse mountain pass, and into Yoho and Glacier National Parks. We make a stop at Lake Louise, known as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
By evening we reach Banff National Park.Night in Banff, Alberta.
Day 4: Banff.
All day today we explore the extraordinary beauty of Banff National Park. We see Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Cave and Basin, and the historic Banff Springs Hotel. Then take a breathtaking ride on the Sulphur Mt. Gondola, eating lunch at a mountaintop restaurant, the highest restaurant in Canada. Here you are offered one of the most spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. Free time in late afternoon.
Night in Banff.
Day 5: Banff - Columbia Icefield - Jasper, AB.
We leave Banff in the morning to take the Icefields Parkway - one of the most picturesque roads in the world, along the delightful CANADIAN ROCKIES. We stop at charming Peyto Lake and then Columbia Icefield where we take a ride inside an enormous snowcoach that takes us to the giant 1,000 ft. thick icefield that is considered to be the only remaining evidence of earth's Ice Age.
Disembarkation on the icefield allows for a perfect photo opportunity! Afterwards, our journey resumes with stops at the breathtaking Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls. Evening will bring us to Jasper National Park, where we spend two nights in rustic , but fully equipped and very comfortable cabins
nestled in the woods, by the riverbank! We will encounter elk, deer, and quite possibly...bears!
Night in Jasper, AB.
Day 6: Jasper.
Our sightseeing program in Jasper N.P. includes: Pyramid Lake, Medicine Lake, a cruise on the beautiful *Maligne Lake, with a disembarkation on Spirit Island - one of the most frequently photographed sights in North America.
Night in Jasper.
Day 7: Jasper – Kamloops, BC.
Today we continue our way along the magnificent Canadian Rockies, stopping at Mt. Robson, known as the highest peak of the Rockies. Then on to Spahats Provincial Park, where we see dramatic waterfalls against a canyon backdrop. An afternoon visit to a quaint Dutch Lake follows. Enjoy lunch at the lakeshore restaurant, and a boat ride on row and pedal boats. Our day ends in Kamloops.
Night in Kamloops, BC.
Day 8: Kamloops - Vancouver.
In the morning we leave for Vancouver, make a stop at the border crossing, and then do a city tour, which includes Canada Place, Downtown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, and Queen Elizabeth Park. Evening at leisure.
Night in Vancouver, BC.
Day 9: Vancouver.
Continue Vancouver city tour, including historic Gastown, fascinating suspension bridge overlooking the beautiful canyons, and the bustling Robson Street. Free time after lunch.
Night in Vancouver.
Day 10: Vancouver – Chemainus - Victoria.
We leave Vancouver for Horseshoe Bay, then take a ferry to Nanaimo. From the ferry, we see the panoramic view of Vancouver's waterfront, then relax and enjoy a one-and-a-half hour sail to Vancouver Island, across the beautiful Strait of Georgia. We then drive to Victoria with a stop along the way in Chemainus, the largest outdoor museum in Canada that is also known as the Town of Murals. From there we continue our ride through the scenic evergreen forests of Vancouver Island. Our day ends in the beautiful and "more British that Britain itself" Victoria.
Night in Victoria, BC.
Day 11: Victoria.
A city tour, which includes visits to the upscale community of Uplands, the governor's mansion, the Parliament Buildings, London Royal Wax Museum, and the beautiful coastline. 2:00pm - an exquisite ceremony of English High Tea (dress code: smart casual) at the world-famous Empress Hotel in Victoria. Balance of the day at leisure.
Night in Victoria.
Day 12: Victoria – Vancouver.
In the morning we head to the famous Butchart Gardens. After the visit, we board a ferry in Swarts Bay, taking a 95 minute sail to Tsawassen Bay. Enjoy the views and expect encounters with sea life, i.e. dolphins and possibly killer whales! We then drive North to Vancouver, BC and head to Vancouver International Airport for our return flight.
*In the event of unfavorable weather conditions, Maligne Lake cruise may be replaced by Athabasca River raft tour.
