7 day First Passage to the West Highlights

• Two days onboard Rocky Mountaineer
• Panoramic Helicopter Tour
• Tours of Yoho and Banff National Parks
• Tour of Vancouver’s North Shore, including Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge

Day 1: Arrive Calgary Arrive in Calgary, ‘The Heart of the New West’, and transfer independently to your downtown hotel.

Day 2: Calgary – Panoramic Helicopter – Banff Depart Calgary in the morning for a full-day tour. First, travel to Kananaskis where you will enjoy the highlight of the day; a twelve minute Panoramic Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies. Continue on to Banff for a sightseeing tour including Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. A trip on the Banff Gondola is also included. Your tour ends on arrival in Banff late afternoon.

Day 3: Banff – Lake Louise Today, 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 that spans the Kicking Horse River. The tour ends in Lake Louise where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 4: Lake Louise – Kamloops Travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain hamlet of Lake Louise to Kamloops, in the heart of the British Columbia Interior. Your journey takes you through a spectacular array of scenery as you travel between the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, over mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels, along rocky lakeshores and across the ranch lands of the Interior. Highlights include the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass and Craigellachie. Overnight in Kamloops. (BL)

Day 5: Kamloops – Vancouver Your Rocky Mountaineer journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. 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. (BL)

Day 6: 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. Note: There are further sightseeing options available on day 6 please ask for details

Day 7: Depart Vancouver Your Rocky Mountaineer tour ends on day seven; perhaps extend your stay with a cruise to Alaska.