Rocky Mountain Express self-drive tour
8 days from only £825 per person
With the hype and excitement of the Winter Olympics fresh in our minds, now’s the time to book your holiday to Western Canada.
This self-drive tour from Calgary to Vancouver is ideal if you’ve got limited holiday time but want to see as many of the region’s highlights as possible including Banff National Park, the Canadian Rockies, Japser and Mount Robson National Parks and Fraser Canyon. We’ve selected some of the best hotels in the area including the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and also added some ideas for extending your trip in the western Canada area.
As with all of our self-drive itineraries in North America we offer you complete flexibility to add or remove locations, reduce or increase the number of nights and change your accommodation or car hire - we can tailor it to suit your individual needs.
Just speak to one of our experienced team for more information.
Day 1. Arrive Calgary
Upon arrival pick up your hire car and drive to your hotel before spending some time exploring the Stampede City.
Overnight at the Fairmont Palliser.
Day 2. Banff (81 miles)
Leave Calagary and head towards the foothills of the magnificent Rocky Mountains before entering Banff National Park.
Two nights at the Fairmont Banff Springs.
Day 3. Banff National Park
Enjoy a full day in Banff and the surrounding area. Take a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain, go rafting on the Bow River, take a boat tour on beautiful Lake Minnewanka or head in to the Rocky Mountains on a trail ride for panoramic views of the breathtaking scenery.
Day 4. Japser (177 miles)
Drive to Jasper via the spectacular Icefields Parkway, said to be one of the most scenic routes in the world. We suggest stops at Lake Louise and Peyto Lake en route as well as a trip on to the Athabasca glacier in a specially designed Ice Explorer. A visit to Maligne Canyon should not be missed before continuing on to Jasper. Overnight at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
Day 5. Sun Peaks (242 miles)
The Yellowhead Highway will take you on a route first explored by trappers and traders. You’ll see Mount Terry Fox and Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies. If time permits we recommend exploring Wells Gray Provincial Park before continuing on to Sun Peaks. Overnight at the Delta Sun Peaks Resort.
Day 6. Vancouver (251 miles)
Driving past Kamloops you’ll traverse the stunning sagebrush-covered ranch lands along the South Thompson River. As you enter the Fraser Canyon between the towering rock walls you’ll be amazed by the whitewater rapids of the Fraser River below. Continue to Vancouver. Two nights at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel.
Day 7. Vancouver
Full day in the Vancouver area. With a hop-on and hop-off sightseeing trolley tour you’ll be able to explore the city at your own pace. Famous sights include Gastown, Granville Island, Chinatown and Stanley Park.
Day 8. End of Tour
Head to the airport for your return flight to the UK or continue your onward journey with one of our option trip extensions
Prices from: £825 - £1,265 per person including 7 nights room only accommodation including trolley tour in Vancouver, a personalised self-drive information pack and 8 days car hire.
Terms & Conditions
- International flights not included. Please call for our latest fares and offers
- Alternative will be offered if hotels above are not available
- Driving distances are approximate
- Normal booking conditions apply
- Subject to availability
Suggested tour extensions -
Vancouver to Whistler onboard the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb
3 days/2 nights
Board the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb (formerly known as the Whistler Mountaineer) for a scenic 3-hour journey from the heart of Vancouver to the year-round resort village of Whistler. Famous for being one of the premier ski resorts in North America but during the summer Whistler offers a wide choice of activities include hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, golf and zip-lining. Your stay will be at the famous Fairmont Chateau Whistler situated at the base of Blackcomb mountain, this award-winning hotel is perfectly located for exploring the area and a short stroll from the traffic free town centre with its great selection of bars, restaurants and shopping.
Prices from: £450 per person for 2 nights room only accommodation in a Fairmont Room and return rail journey on the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb train with Classic Service (includes light meal service and onboard refreshments, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages) and transfers between various downtown Vancouver hotels and North Vancouver rail station and from Whistler rail station to Whistler Village.
Upgrade to Whistler Dome Service for extra views through full-length dome windows and complimentary alcoholic beverages from an additional £100 per person.
Departs: Daily except Tuesdays and Wednesdays (14 May - 27 Sep 2010) Also operates 9 Jun, 28 & 29 Sep 2010
Elkin Creek Guest Ranch
4 days/3 nights
Nestled deep in the Chilcotin region of central British Columbia is the remote Nemaiah Valley, the spectacular setting for the Elkin Creek Guest Ranch, a 36,000 acre cattle operation where many of the traditions of the early Chilcoton cowboys are still followed today. In addition to the extensive range of activities on offer including horseback riding with wranglers, at Elkin Creek you’ll experience genuine western hospitality with delicious first-rate meals, evenings around the camp fire or in the comfort of your own private log cabin.
Prices from: £940 per person including 3 nights accommodation including all meals, ranch activities, return flights from Vancouver Airport’s South Terminal to Williams Lake and return ground transfers from Williams Lake airport to Elkin Ranch.
Departs: Daily (15 May - 31 Oct 2010)
Luxury Lodges of the West Coast
5 days/4 nights
The very best of luxury accommodation and wilderness adventure are combined with the majesty of British Columbia’s beautiful west coast in this superb package. You’ll fly from Vancouver by floatplane to the serene setting of the West Coast Wilderness Lodge for a two-night stay. Activities include a zodiac boat excursion to the stunning Princess Louisa Marine Park and a guided kayak tour. Another float-plane trip will take you to the luxurious waterfront lodge accommodation of Sonora Resort. You’ll have two days to enjoy the many activities including hiking, kayaking and swimming. Optional activities include whalewatching, nature cruises, salmon fishing and bearwatching trips. Your return trip to Vancouver will be by floatplane or helicopter.
Prices from: £2,435 per person including 4 nights accommodation with all meals, various activities, return floatplane transfers from Vancouver Airport’s South Terminal. More details available upon request.
Departs: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
(15 May - 29 Sep 2010)
Grizzly Bear & Wildlife Watching at Knight Inlet Lodge
6 days/5 nights
Located just over 110 miles north of the city of Vancouver and 50 miles from Campbell River, is a wild and remote area known as Knight Inlet. Glendale Cove in Knight Inlet is the location for Knight Inlet Lodge. Only accessible by air, the lodge floats on large cedar log booms, accommodates just 26 people in comfortable rooms and offers excellent opportunities to spot grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Glendale Cove is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly bears in British Columbia. It is not uncommon for there to be up to 50 bears within 10 kilometres of the lodge in the peak ’fall’ season (August - October), when the salmon are returning to the river. Trained guides will accompany you on daily tours including bearviewing, whalewatching and other wildlife watching excursions.
Prices from: £2,640 per person including 5 nights BV meal plan, daily activities and wildlife watching excursions, ground transfers and return floatplane transfers from Vancouver (via Campbell River). More details available upon request.
2, 3 & 4 night packages also available starting from £980 per person for the 2 night option.
Departs: Daily (21 May - 15 Oct 2010).
Pricing on this offer is no longer valid. For the latest prices call one of our tailor-made travel experts now on 0845 643 6548.
To book, call 0845 643 6548
To book this travel offer, call one of our tailor-made travel experts now, quoting reference WEX1205.
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