Get back to nature and admire some of nature's most famous landscapes during this 7-day tour of the Canadian Rocky Mountain national parks! Marvel at the stunning vistas, including alpine lakes, waterfalls, giant glaciers and the jagged Rocky Mountains which tower over you at every turn.
Highlights include canoeing on Lake Louise, exploring the Icefields Parkway, hiking or biking in Jasper National Park, viewing Mount Robson, and visiting Whistler and Vancouver.
Day 1 - Seattle to Kamloops
The first day takes you to Kamloops British Columbia where the North and South Thompson rivers meet. Kamloops is abundant with stunning scenery and great wildlife viewing. Cougars, bears, elk, and more inhabit the Thomson River Valley. There will be an en-route stop for a short walk and picnic at Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park.
Day 2 - Yoho National Park
The word Yoho comes from the Cree word for awe and wonder and it soon becomes apparent why. Explore trails around the magnificent Emerald Lake where you can take a walk around the lake or simply relax in the lakeshore café and enjoy the views. This afternoon you will be driven through the Kicking Horse Pass across the Continental Divide into Alberta. Enjoy panoramic vistas of peaks exceeding 10,000 feet on Rogers Pass at the summit in Canada’s Glacier National Park en route to Banff. Banff is a fun mountain town offering some alpine nightlife and numerous cafés and restaurants.
Day 3 - Banff National Park - Lake Louise
Lake Louise is an alpine lake known for its stunning turquoise glacier fed waters ringed by high peaks and overlooked by a stately château. Multiple hiking trails lead up to the Lake Agnes Tea House for bird's-eye views of the lake. Take a hike to the Plain-of-Six-Glaciers, take it easy exploring the lakeshore or choose to canoe on these pristine waters. This afternoon visit Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 6,183 feet for
some epic photos.
Day 4 - Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park
Spend the day driving and exploring the Icefields Parkway. This drive offers endless vistas, jagged mountains, glaciers and wildlife viewing opportunities - truly one of the world's most spectacular drives. Enjoy short walks, views of Bow Glacier and Peyto Lake, take an optional helicopter flight over the Columbia Icefield or strap on some crampons
and step out on the Athabasca glacier.
Day 5 - Jasper National Park
This morning is yours to enjoy Jasper - the largest national park in Canada. Marvel at the snowcapped summits and beautiful lakes in this true wild mountain wilderness. Jasper offers an abundance of wildlife sightings, jagged mountain peaks, alpine lakes and numerous hiking/biking opportunities. Hike/bike the famous trails around stunning Jasper lakeshores. After a full day of activities we follow the Yellowhead Highway, hugging the mighty North Thompson River to our night stop of Cleawater BC. See the base of 12,972-foot Mount Robson (the highest point in the Canadian Rockies) and maybe catch a glimpse of the infamous peak enroute.
Day 6 - Whistler and Vancouver
On to the alpine resort of Whistler, nestled at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. This day is free to explore all that Whistler has to offer. Enjoy spectacular scenery and incredible photo opportunities as you explore this cute ski town and home of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Day 7 - Vancouver and Seattle
This morning, the tour will head to the spectacular Sea to Sky highway for your morning in Vancouver. Tour this great city including the waterfront, Gas lamp district, Chinatown, and Stanley Park. Head to Seattle for your evening downtown or drop-off at the departure hotel.
6 nights in 3-star hotel accommodation
Local food kitty payment ($50 CAD per person; covers 7 lunches)
