Discover Canada’s West – land of thriving cities, beautiful mountains, lush green valleys, serene blue lakes and icy-white glaciers – on a motor coach and rail journey offered by Member Choice Vacations. Travel from the sophistication of Vancouver to the awe-inspiring national parks of the Canadian Rockies.
Engaging experiences and highlights include:
• Take a fun ride on the 1,000-foot thick Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield.
• Spend two nights at the magnificent and luxurious Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
• AAA Complimentary Inclusion: Cruise Maligne Lake to beautiful Spirit Island.
$25 per person savings
AAA Complimentary Inclusion: Scenic cruise on Maligne Lake
AAA Vacations® Best Price Guarantee and 24/7 Member Care**
Begin in Vancouver, a cosmopolitan city nestled between the mountains and the ocean that boasts a unique, multicultural flavor to its streets, shops and neighborhoods. Get to know some the city's well-known sights on a guided tour that includes Stanley Park, Canada’s renowned urban rainforest; the charming turn-of-the-century Gaslight District; and Chinatown's bustling waterfront.
Then it's "All Aboard" VIA Rail's The Canadian where you will enjoy private onboard accommodations and 360-degree views of the Albreda Icefields in the Dome car as you travel to Jasper. You’ll know you’ve arrived in the Rockies as you pass by Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954 meters (12,972 ft). Upon arrival, settle into your centrally-located hotel then savor a “Taste of Alberta” dinner that highlights the province’s unique cuisine. The following day, visit dramatic Maligne Canyon then cruise Maligne Lake's deep blue waters on a fully-narrated trip to beautiful Spirit Island. No landmark so perfectly epitomizes the Canadian Rockies like world-famous Spirit Island on Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park. The 90-minute scenic cruise to this diminutive jewel has been crowned as the “Best Boat Tour in Canada.”
Depart Jasper and travel along the scenic Icefields Parkway with its waterfalls, rushing rivers, glacial peaks, imposing cliffs and snowcapped peaks. Enjoy stops at the Athabasca Falls and Columbia Icefield, where you’ll 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. After a night at unforgettable Lake Louise, head to Banff National Park, Canada's oldest, for more adventure. Here you’ll enjoy a two-night stay at the world-famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. See the powerful Bow Falls and impressive “hoodoos” then enjoy an afternoon and evening to explore Banff at your leisure. En route to Calgary, conclude your Canadian Rockies adventure with a visit to a local ranch in Kananaskis Valley where you'll have some leisure time for a game of horseshoes, dancing and an Albertan barbeque.
Price includes:
• 8 nights in first class and superior first class hotels: 1 night in Vancouver, 1 night aboard The Canadian, 2 nights in Jasper, 1 night at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, 2 nights at Fairmont Springs Banff Hotel and 1 night in Calgary
• Daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 4 dinners, including 2 Diner's Choice
• All on-tour transportation by deluxe motor coach and VIA Rail
• Services of a professional tour manager
• Scenic cruise on Lake Maligne plus comprehensive sightseeing
• Hotel to hotel baggage handling
Day 1 - Arrive in Vancouver, British Columbia
Arrive in Vancouver today and make your way to the hotel for check-in.
Accommodation: Centrally-located Vancouver hotel - 1 night
Day 2 - Vancouver Sightseeing / Board your VIA Rail train
A sightseeing tour of Vancouver begins this morning at beautiful Stanley Park, Canada’s renowned urban rainforest. Visit Chinatown, one of the largest in North America, and explore its waterfront. Visit Gastown, a turn-of-the-century neighborhood comprised of pubs, art galleries and boutiques. Gastown’s world-famous steam-powered clock is 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 the elegance of train travel in the days of old as you are rocked to sleep in your own private accommodations.
Accommodation: Overnight aboard The Canadian – 1 night
Day 3 – VIA Rail / Jasper
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 and 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 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 of the province.
Accommodation: Centrally-located Jasper hotel – 2 nights
Day 4 – Maligne Lake Cruise / Jasper
Begin your day with a trip to dramatic Maligne Canyon, one of Jasper’s most spectacular landmarks. Here, enjoy breakfast set against a picture-perfect backdrop. (Note: Breakfast at Maligne Lake is only offered from June 1 to September 30; during other time periods, a hotel breakfast will be supplied as an alternative.)
Behold the sparkling waters of Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. Cruise the deep blue waters of Maligne Lake on a fully-narrated scenic cruise to beautiful Spirit Island. Later 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. Today you’ll journey along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway. Waterfalls, rushing rivers, glacial peaks, imposing cliffs and snowcapped peaks paint a breathtaking canvas – so have your camera ready! Stop at the Athabasca Falls and marvel at its sheer beauty and power. Then 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. (Note: Ice ride is available, weather permitting, throughout the travel season but some attractions may not be available during the “off-season” months and is reflected in the rate.)
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. Here you’ll enjoy an overnight stay at the world-famous The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This evening’s included Diner’s Choice dinner is at your choice of The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s great restaurants.
Accommodation: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – 1 night
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. Enjoy a two-night stay at the grand and world-famous The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, known as “Castle in the Rockies." Choose from one of the hotel’s several dining establishments on your included Diner’s Choice evening and sample some of Alberta’s culinary specialties.
Accommodation: The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - 2 nights
Day 7 - Banff Sightseeing
Set off for a scenic drive through Banff featuring the powerful Bow Falls and impressive Hoodoos – known as the “Land of the Sleeping Giants.” Later, enjoy a visit to a local ammonite specialist to learn about this rare gemstone found only in Alberta. During an afternoon and evening at leisure, you might explore 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 will have some leisure time to play a game of horseshoes, take a line dancing lesson and view some buffalo while on a wagon ride. (Note: Line dancing and the wagon ride at the ranch on Day 8 may not be available in the “off season.”)
Then, enjoy a traditional Albertan barbeque with beautiful views of the mountains in the background. Later, take in view of the endless expanse of the prairies before you reach the vibrant city of Calgary.
Accommodation: Centrally-located Calgary hotel - 1 night
Day 9 - Depart for home
This morning after breakfast, your Canadian Rockies adventure comes to an end.
*Prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking, and may change without notice. Single supplement may apply. Except for packages including air transportation, unless stated otherwise, airfare, taxes and government fees are not included. Offers valid for new bookings only. Member Benefits are per person and apply to first and second traveler only. Member Benefits are available only with advertised fare and are subject to change without notice. Your travel arrangements may be modified or canceled subject to the travel providers’ policies. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply. We make every effort for accuracy at time of printing but reserve the right to correct errors. AAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip protection insurance. Except for packages including air transportation, fares may not reflect additional fuel supplement or port charges and vary by provider.
**Restrictions apply to the AAA Vacations® Best Price Guarantee and 24/7 Member Care. Should you find a valid better rate for the exact same itinerary within 24 hours of booking, AAA will match the lower rate. Ask your AAA Travel Counselor for details.
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