Rockies Rail & Inside Passage Cruise
August 15, 2024 thru August 24, 2024
Traveling by train, ship & motorcoach, this tour explores the spectacular scenery of the Canadian Rockies, the vast wilderness of Northern British Columbia, the rugged splendor of the Inside Passage and the urban sophistication of Victoria and Vancouver. Walk on a 3,000 ft thick Glacier, wave at a Killer Whale and “smell the roses” of Butchart Gardens. Is there anything we’ve left out?
View our full presentation here!
Transportation
Roundtrip Air Transportation
Transportation
Deluxe Motorcoach
Transportation
Cruise
Transportation
Train
Duration
10 days, 9 nights
Activity Level 4
Active
Meals
16 meals included
Availability
Call for Waitlist
Documents Required
Passport
Tour Highlights
- Canadian Rockies
- Inside Passage Cruise
- Vancouver
- Orca Whales
- Victoria Glacier
- Athabasca Glacier
- Ride on the Ice Explorer Vehicle
- Banff National Park
- Jasper National Park
- Lake Louise
- Maligne Canyon
- VIA Rail Train
- Butchart Gardens
Inclusions
- Roundtrip air transportation ABQ to Calgary / Vancouver to ABQ (not including baggage and in-flight charges)
- Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
- 9 nights’ lodging at excellent hotels
- Baggage handling at hotels (for one piece)
- VIA Rail & cruise tickets
- 16 meals
- Admission to all listed attractions
- Your professional SUN TOURS Tour Director
- All taxes and tips for included items (except hotel housekeeping)
Day 1 - Arrive in Banff
Welcome to Calgary, Alberta – gateway to the Canadian Rockies. A scenic 90-minute journey by motorcoach brings us quickly into Banff National Park, Canada’s first National Park and the picturesque resort village of Banff. We’ll take a short familiarization tour of the town before arriving at our deluxe accommodation for the next two nights. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner in the hotel and finish the evening with an after dinner walk into town where the shops and galleries remain open in the evening.
Overnight Banff – Banff Caribou Lodge of similar.
Meal inclusions: (D)
Day 2 - Lake Louise and Banff
This morning we’ll start the day with a scenic journey west along the famous Bow Valley Parkway, continuing along the banks of the Bow River to Lake Louise Village. Our journey continues as we wind our way up the mountain road, arriving at one of the most photographed lakes in the world, Lake Louise. You’ll have time to walk along the shoreline, view the spectacular Victoria Glacier and explore the shops and galleries of the iconic Chateau Lake Louise. Later in the morning we’ll return to Banff in time for lunch (on your own) before continuing with a tour of the Banff area. We’ll view Bow Falls, the mysterious Hoodoos and the Cascade of Time Gardens. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the shops, galleries, and cafes on Banff Avenue. Tonight, we board enclosed gondolas for a smooth ride to the top of 7500 ft Sulphur Mountain. You’ll have time to enjoy the panoramic view of the Bow Valley before sitting down to enjoy a delicious meal with the full beauty of the Canadian Rockies as a backdrop. This will be one of many highlights of the tour for sure.
Overnight Banff – Banff Caribou Lodge of similar.
Meal inclusions: (B, D)
Day 3 - Jasper National Park
Today, with cameras ready, enjoy the drive on one of the world’s most spectacular mountain highways – The Icefields Parkway. See unsurpassed mountain scenery with opportunities to see elk, moose, goats, sheep and possibly a bear. As we enter Jasper National Park we’ll stop at the spectacular Columbia Icefields to enjoy a close up look at the Athabasca Glacier and the not-to-be-missed experience of a lifetime – a ride on the gigantic Ice Explorer vehicle. Our journey will take us on glaciers that are hundreds of feet in depth and decades of years old. Later in the afternoon we’ll continue north and along the Endless Chain ranges with a stop to view the breathtaking Athabasca Falls. The end of our amazing day of sightseeing and adventure comes to an end as we enter the picturesque alpine community of Jasper.
Overnight Jasper – Chateau Jasper Hotel or similar.
Meal inclusions: (B)
Day 4 - From Cruises to Riding the Rails
A full and spectacular day of rail travel lies ahead! Our VIA Rail train winds its way northwest through vast areas of forests, rivers and small logging or mining towns. We’ll make a few stops along the way with a multitude of spectacular picture opportunities. In the early afternoon we start to follow the route of the mighty Skeena River. This river drains an area equal to the size of the state of Oregon as it flows to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way we’ll see the ruins of hundreds of Salmon Fishing Canneries that dominated the shoreline only a few decades ago. In the early evening we arrive in the coastal city of Prince Rupert.
Overnight Prince Rupert – Prestige Hotel or similar.
Meal inclusions: (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Explore Prince Rupert
After breakfast, we’ll tour this northern coastal community. Prince Rupert is an important west coast port city which exports coal, grain and other commodities to Asia. It is also the home port for the Salmon and Cod fishing fleets. This morning our tour will take us through one of the last Salmon Canneries still standing on the West Coast. We’ll also explore the Northern Museum which explores the history of the early explorers of the area and the First Nations peoples whose history goes back thousands of years. The afternoon is free to explore the nearby shop of Prince Rupert or take an optional whale watching cruise.
Overnight Prince Rupert – Prestige Hotel or similar.
Meal inclusions: (B)
Day 7 - Cruise the Inside Passage
An early morning departure aboard the new Northern Expedition cruise-ferry starts our amazing journey down the world-famous Inside Passage. Our “reserved lounge seats” allow us to enjoy the activities and viewing decks at will. Keep your camera ready, you may see killer whales, seals, eagles and even a bear or elk on the nearby shore. Explore the ship and enjoy the live nature and cultural presentations, restaurants and lounge areas and a wide range of viewing areas. Our spectacular day of cruising comes to an end as we dock at Port Hardy at the northern end of Vancouver Island.
Overnight Port Hardy.
Meal inclusions: (B, D)
Day 8 - Vancouver Island and Victoria
After a hearty breakfast we board our private motorcoach for a full day of adventure and sightseeing as we make our way south on Vancouver Island to the capital city of Victoria. Our journey takes us through the dense Rainforests of Northern Vancouver Island south past the beaches and resorts of the Islands’ east coast and eventually through the farmland s of the southern island to Victoria. Tonight, take some time to relax and enjoy the beauty of Victoria. Take a stroll along the harbor and enjoy the shops and the beautiful “Old World” architecture of the Parliament buildings and the legendary Empress Hotel.
Overnight Victoria – Coast Hotel or similar.
Meal inclusions: (B)
Day 9 - Butchart Gardens
This morning we make our way to the world famous Butchart Gardens. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the thousands of different plants and flowers in this beautifully transformed rock quarry. Our journey continues with a 90-minute cruise on a BC Ferry through the beautiful Gulf Islands to the mainland and Vancouver. Take some time to wander the decks and keep and eye open for Orca Whales and eagles If time permits, we’ll take a short tour of this fabulous City and view Stanley Park and eclectic Gastown. Tonight, we celebrate the end of our Western Canadian adventure with an exciting Farewell Dinner.
Overnight Vancouver – The Rosedale on Robson or similar
Meal inclusions: (B, D)
Day 10 - Farewell
After Breakfast this morning we’ll transfer to the Vancouver International Airport for our flight home.
Meal inclusions: (B)
Itinerary subject to change.
Hotel Information
Banff Caribou Lodge of similar
Banff, Alberta
Chateau Jasper Hotel or similar
Jasper, Alberta
Coast Inn of the North or similar
Prince George, British Columbia
Prestige Hotel or similar
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Port Hardy
Port Hardy, British Columbia
Coast Hotel or similar
Victoria, British Columbia
The Rosedale on Robson or similar
Vancouver, British Columbia
Package Pricing
Call for Waitlist
Prices May Vary
Deposit: Varies
$6,265 per person
Double Occupancy
Deposit: $250
$7,765 per person
Single Occupancy
Deposit: $250
Final Payment Due:
April 9, 2024
Deposit: N/A
Price Includes
Roundtrip air transportation ABQ to Calgary / Vancouver to ABQ (not including baggage and in-flight charges)
Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
9 nights’ lodging at excellent hotels
Baggage handling at hotels (for one piece)
VIA Rail & cruise tickets
16 meals
Admission to all listed attractions
Your professional SUN TOURS Tour Director
All taxes and tips for included items (except hotel housekeeping)
Booking Policy
**PASSPORT REQUIRED**
FINAL PAYMENT DUE: April 9, 2024
CANCELLATION FEES:
- None through April 9, 2024
- $200 – April 10 – May 14, 2024
- $3,700 – May 15 – June 11, 2024
- 100% after June 11, 2024
TRAVEL PROTECTION IS ENCOURAGED
ACTIVITY LEVEL RATING
Level 4: Active
Expectations: The tour includes well-paced walking tours with regular breaks. Up to 2-3 hours of walking each day. To fully take advantage of all this tour has to offer, guests need to be able to walk longer distances, climb several flights of stairs and navigate steps and uneven terrain walking for extended periods of time over more difficult terrain (e.g. cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, limited or no access to elevators). Your itinerary can include significant changes in temperature and altitude and may require a higher number of longer travel days with morning and/or evening activities. Most trips will feature long touring days, many full-day excursions and a full and active itinerary with a faster pace and longer distances. Excursions require standing and walking to city centers where coaches are prohibited.
Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit, expect a vigorous pace and enjoy participating in two to three hours of physical activity per day.
Visit our Activity Level Ratings page for full information on the ratings system.
ITINERARY
For your reference, we send to you a detailed itinerary approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the scheduled tour departure. This has day-by-day times and events, hotel information where you can be reached in case of an emergency, and airline information.
The times listed on the itinerary are all approximate. We cannot be held responsible for schedule changes due to unforeseen circumstances with the weather, transportation agents, highway conditions, hotels or contracting agents.
AIRLINE TICKETS
You will be issued your boarding pass the morning of our departure, after your arrival at the Albuquerque International Sunport. If you have an American Airlines frequent flyer number, or a TSA number, please call our office at least 3 days prior to the tour to ensure we can note these in your reservation.
If you are joining the tour from locations other than Albuquerque, we make other arrangements for you to join the tour. Please call our office for more details.
AIRPORT SECURITY
Do not forget to bring your government issued picture ID to show at the airport. A Driver’s License or Passport is preferred. If you do not have the proper ID, the airline will turn you away.
BAGGAGE
We have arranged for handling for one piece of luggage per person regarding the skycaps (where available) and hotels. If you check through luggage note that the maximum weight for the checked piece of luggage is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height). If your bag weighs over 50 pounds the airlines will levy an extra fee that you will be responsible to pay. If you feel the need to lock your checked through luggage and your bag is searched, your lock could be damaged in the process. You can purchase a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) accepted and recognized lock at any luggage store. Make sure you ask for a TSA approved lock. These locks are the kind that TSA screeners can open by using a special tool without breaking. Passengers can carry-on 1 bag (dimensions are limited to 10x16x24 inches), plus a personal type bag, like a purse. We advise that you pack your carry-on lightly. There are restrictions regarding your carryon baggage and contents due to enhanced security measures. If you have further concerns, please visit the TSA's Web-site at www.tsa.gov. There is room inside the motorcoach for your hand carried bag.
CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES
On our airline for this tour, passengers are assessed a fee per checked in bag, by the Airlines, upon checking in for the flight.
EMERGENCY CONTACT
It is always a good idea to carry on your person a list of medications that you are taking and an emergency contact phone number while you are traveling. And we suggest making a copy of the itinerary and provide it to a friend or family member.
GRATUITIES/ITEMS INCLUDED IN PRICE
The traditional end-of-tour gratuity is included on this tour. All hotel porterage and airport skycap (when available) fees are included. We also include the gratuities for the coach drivers. Hotel housekeeping tips are not included. Tips for guides/services on optional excursions or individual on-ship services are not included.
LODGING REQUESTS
If you would like to request special accommodations at the hotel(s) where we are lodging, please call us as soon as possible and we will forward these requests for you. The phone numbers of the hotel(s) where we are staying are listed on the itinerary.
Many hotels around the country have instituted a "reconditioning fee" of $300 or more that is levied upon a guest that smokes in a non-smoking room. If this occurs during our tour you will be responsible for paying this fee to the hotel prior to check-out.
TRAVEL REQUESTS
We pay close attention to your requests but please realize that these are merely requests and cannot be guaranteed.
RESPONSIBILITY
SUN TOURS acts solely as an agent in arranging hotels, transportation, sightseeing, baggage-handling, and other services and does not assume any liability for injury, damage, loss or delay due to any act or default of any company or person. We, along with our subcontractors, reserve the right to make changes to an itinerary if it is necessary for the proper handling of a tour.
WEATHER AND CLOTHING/MISC. SUGGESTIONS
Temperature may vary across the tour. In Jasper the average high is mid 70s and the average low is mid 40s. Please be sure to bring a sweater and / or rain jacket, along with good walking shoes and a hat. It's best to bring layers so that you are able to be comfortable throughout the trip.
Inquire About This Tour
Submit your inquiry for more information about a tour. We will get back to you with a (human) response as soon as possible. During the week that’s usually within a couple of hours. Evenings and weekends may take us a little bit longer. Please note that this is an inquiry for tour bookings only and does not constitute or confirm a reservation on a tour.
Call 505.889.8888 to Book Today!
If you aren't ready to inquire by email or would rather call and speak to a team member, we look forward to hearing from you.
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