Grand Rail Circle

Day 1 Vancouver Arrival
Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your own. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 2 Vancouver Sightseeing
Enjoy a six-hour sightseeing tour of Vancouver’s spectacular North Shore. Travel across the Lions Gate Bridge and into the Coast Mountains. Experience the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Treetops Adventure, discovering the coastal temperate rainforest and British Columbia’s First Nations heritage. Next, visit Grouse Mountain (gondola admission included), the Peak of Vancouver, and take in breathtaking views of the city, ocean, and surrounding mountains. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 3 Vancouver to Kamloops
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. On today’s journey you will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to the desert-like environment of the BC Interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake into Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops. B, L.

Day 4 Kamloops to Banff
Your journey continues eastwards to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again you will see a spectacular array of scenery as you travel across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Canadian Rockies. Today’s highlights include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and, of course, the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Your rail journey ends this evening in the resort town of Banff. Overnight in Banff. B, L.

Day 5 Banff Sightseeing with Summit Helicopter Tour
Today you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff. Among the highlights are visits to Bow Falls, the Banff Gondola (admission included), Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Continue on to Kananaskis for the highlight of today’s adventure, a 12-minute Summit Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure in Banff. Overnight in Banff.

Day 6 Banff to Lake Louise
A half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River. The tour ends in Lake Louise where the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy this magnificent location. Overnight in Lake Louise.

Day 7 Lake Louise to Jasper
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff and Jasper national parks via the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Falls. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and one of the most accessible icefields in North America. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Time will be available for lunch (not included). Arrive in Jasper late this afternoon. Overnight in Jasper.

Day 8 Jasper to Quesnel
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain resort of Jasper in the Canadian Rockies to the charming rural town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo. Pass through the Rocky Mountain Trench, with the steep Rocky and Cariboo Mountains either side, and on to the rolling hills and vast forests of British Columbia’s Northern Interior. Highlights include Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Yellowhead Pass and Moose Lake. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer passes through the town of Prince George and follows the Fraser River into Quesnel. Overnight in Quesnel. B, L.

Day 9 Quesnel to Whistler
Your journey continues south today to the four-season resort of Whistler. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, through the rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau, to the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley. Highlights include sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon, the crossing of Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world, and the shorelines of glacial-fed Seton Lake and Anderson Lake. Your rail journey ends today on arrival in the resort town of Whistler, host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games alpine events. Overnight in Whistler. B, L.

Day 10 Free Day in Whistler and BBQ Lunch
Enjoy a free morning sightseeing in the picturesque mountain resort of Whistler on your own. At noon, transfer to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre for a delicious BBQ lunch and a tour of the SLCC. The remainder of the day is yours to explore. Overnight in Whistler. L.

Day 11 Whistler to Vancouver
The morning is free to explore Whistler Village at your leisure. This afternoon return to Vancouver onboard the Rocky Mountaineer (Whistler Service) through the stunning scenery of the Sea to Sky Corridor. Highlights of the trip include the Cheakamus Canyon, the dome peak of Mount Garibaldi, Brandywine Falls, and breathtaking views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains. An afternoon snack is served onboard. On arrival at the North Vancouver train platform, you will be transferred to your accommodation in downtown Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 12 Vancouver Departure
Your vacation ends upon checkout from your Vancouver hotel.

Tour includes:

4 days onboard the Rocky Mountaineer
Whistler Sea to Sky Climb
1 afternoon snack, 5 lunches, 4 breakfasts
11 nights hotel accommodation
North Vancouver & Banff tours
Icefields Park & Yoho Park tours
Squamish Lil-wat Cultural Centre tour
Station and hotel transfers

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”