Journey through the Clouds Explorer

Day 1 Fly to Calgary: On arrival make your own way to your hotel.

Day 2 Calgary/Lake Louise: Journey by road to Kananaskis for what is sure to be the highlight of the day, a 12 minute Panoramic Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies. Continue on toBanff for a sightseeing tour which includes Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner, the Hoodoos and a ride on the Banff Gondola. Arrive in world-famous Lake Louise late this afternoon.

Day 3 Lake Louise/Banff: This morning you are free to explore beautiful Lake Louise on your own. This afternoon you will drive 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 that spans the Kicking Horse River. Continue to Banff.

Day 4 Banff/Jasper: Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff and Jasper National Parks via Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield, Glacier Skywalk 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. After lunch at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre continue to Jasper where you arrive late this afternoon.

Day 5 Jasper: Jasper National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Canadian Rockies' largest national park. Today you will enjoy a scenic half day tour of some of the park's natural attractions and rugged peaks, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the wildlife that calls this region home. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore more of Jasper independently.

Day 6 Jasper/Kamloops: Transfer to the station where you board the Rocky Mountaineer. As you journey west and south you will be surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Continental Divide and by the river valleys of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Today's highlights include Mount Robson, Pyramid Falls, the climb over Yellowhead Pass, and the journey along the North Thompson River as you approach Kamloops, which lies in the heart of the British Columbia Interior. Transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 7 Kamloops/Vancouver: Reboard the Rocky Mountaineer and your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. On today's journey you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the Interior, through winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade Mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Vancouver this evening.

Day 8 Vancouver: The tour concludes as you make your own way to the airport for your onward journey or,alternatively, perhaps extend your stay in Vancouver?