Overview. Wondering how to get to those off-the-beaten path Rocky Mountain Lodges when you’re short on time? This circle tour from Vancouver stays in lodges and other unique accommodations, many of which are located in spectacular areas less traveled by other tourists.
We explore four national parks, settings to vast glaciers rimmed with ice, deep forests, and emerald green lakes - some of the most majestic mountain scenery on earth. Along the way, your guide will introduce you to easy walks and hikes, narrate the natural history of the area, and make sure you take in the best of the Rockies on each day we travel. Wildlife viewing opportunites include bears, moose, elk, deer, caribou and bighorn sheep.
2008 Departure Dates: This tour departs every Sunday beginning May 25 and ending October 5.
Itinerary
Vancouver, B.C. Return
Day 1. Salmon Arm, B.C.
Departing Vancouver, an hour’s driver takes us along the agricultural belt of the Fraser Valley, through the lush environs of Hope to the scorching, near desert conditions in the Fraser Canyon. We stop at Boston Bar, the site of the narrowest passage of the Fraser River, and descend in an air tram to the edge of the river to view 1,100 miles of river squeezing through 110 foot wide thundering rock passage. We turn east at Lytton where the mighty Fraser and Thompson Rivers meet. Arriving at Salmon Arm in the late afternoon, we check into our Lodge on the shores of the Shuswap Lake. We can relax on a sandy beach, hike nearby trails or swim in the warm lake waters. Optional canoeing and horseback riding are available.
Accommodation: Resort
Meals on own.
Day 2. Golden, B.C. via Glacier National Park and the Columbia River Valley
On our way to Golden, we stop at Roger’s Pass Discovery Centre in Glacier National Park. Here, In the heart of the Columbia Mountains we learn more about the fascinating engineering that went on to build the trans Canada railway and highway over this rugged and treacherous mountain pass. A short drive from the summit takes us to a nature interpretive walk through an old-growth grove of giant cedar and hemlock.
We arrive in Golden early in the afternoon. Located in the southeast corner of the province of BC, Golden is nestled between the spectacular Rocky Mountains of Yoho National Park to the east and the Purcell Mountain Range to the west. Before checking into the lodge, we’ll have time for an optional jet boat safari on the mighty Columbia River.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3. Kootenay National Park, BC.
Travelling south-east along the Columbia River Valley, we drive through the dramatic entrance of the west gate into Kootenay National Park. The iron rich cliffs tower over the road as we drive through a narrow gorge into Sinclair Canyon. En route passengers have the option to stop and take a soak in the hot and cool mineral pools at Radium Hot Springs. Turning onto a gravel road, we travel into the back country to find our secluded wilderness mountain retreat on the edge of Kootenay National Park. We stay in cabins surrounded by 100 acres of secluded pine trees, mountain views and plentiful wildlife.
Accommodation: Full service Wilderness Lodge and Cabins
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 4. Kootenay National Park , BC.
Today is set aside for guests to relax while wandering the great selection of trails to tranquil alpine meadows, secluded forests, and glacier-fed lakes and rivers.
This area offers some of the finest and most spectacular alpine walking and hiking in the world. The trails range in ability from very easy strolls, to short day hikes, to full day hiking. Many trails lend themselves well to mountain biking and bikes can be rented from the office. This is an excellent area to view and find signs of birds and animals unique to the Canadian Rockies. Abundant wildlife near the cabins include deer, moose, elk, coyote, rabbits, grouse, squirrels, chipmunks, pine martens and the noisy whiskeyjack. Cutthroat trout, bull trout (dolly vardens), rainbow trout, and mountain whitefish are native to rivers and streams in the area. Fishing rods are available at the office.
Accommodation: Full service Wilderness Lodge and Cabins
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5. Banff, AB.
On the way to Banff National Park we stop at several interesting geological formations in Kootenay National Park, including Marble Canyon and the Paint Pots. After a tour of the townsite of Banff,we take a gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain to a spectacular elevation of 2,451 metres. Perched near the summit, the Sulphur Mountain Teahouse offers guests panoramic west and east views of the Bow Valley. A boardwalk on the north side provides access to the summit ridge to the top of Sanson Peak (2256 Metres).
After our visit to the Gondola we’ll sample village life for one night and check into our lodge in Banff, overlooking the Bow River. The rest of the day is spent at leisure to enjoy the town of Banff, or partake in optional activities including boat tours of Lake Minnewanka, Cave and Basin Museum, horseback riding and helicopter sightseeing.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6. Revelstoke, B.C via Lake Louise
After our breakfast we take the less traveled secondary highway to Lake Louise. En route we’ll watch for elk, bear and moose and stop at Castle Mountain, Johnstone Canyon and Moose Meadows. At Lake Louise we take a stroll along the lakeshore and tour the Chateau Lake Louise. We’ll take time to relax and enjoy a refreshment on the patio overlooking the lake.
We then carry on west, stopping at Yoho National Park and Takakkaw Falls. Here we’ll stroll along the 1.5 km trail to the base of the waterfall and feel the mist on our face. Our last stop today is Emerald Lake for a one hour nature walk before we reach our final destination near the mountainous town of Revelstoke.
Accommodation: Guest House / Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7. Return to Vancouver.
Our final drive from Revelstoke to Vancouver takes us through the sunny and scenic Nicola Valley. We stop at the town of Merritt before continuing on over the Coquihalla Highway to Hope and then onto Vancouver. We arrive in Vancouver at approximately 6:00 pm.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- 6 nights accommodation
- services of a driver/leader, included guided hikes
- transportation (15-passenger van)
- entrance fees to provincial and national parks
- entrance fees to Hells’ Gate and the Sulphur Mountain Tram
Not Included: Optional activities, gratuities, and 5% GST. The single supplement is $325.
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
British Columbia
Alberta
Walking Tours
Ecotourism
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