Anne's Journeys - Canadian Rockies Self Drive

9 Nights Vancouver to Calgary
(via Whistler, Sun Peaks & Emerald Lake)
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The Canadian Rockies are home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Pristine lakes, rugged wilderness, abundant wildlife and a wide variety of activities await you in this stunning playground. Driving and making your own way around the area is very easy and straightforward. The roads are fantastic, and this self-drive option, gives you the freedom and flexibiltiy to explore at your own pace.  From prairies to rockies, the BC interior all the way to the West Coast, this flexible self-drive itinerary was our best seller for 2008. 
 

ITINERARY
 
Day 1: Arrive Vancouver (early-mid morning arrival and collect Rental Car )
 
Vancouver Trolley Company
The Vancouver Trolley Company operates Vancouver's only fleet of replica, turn-of-the-century San Francisco style trolleys. Join us on the hop-on, hop-off attractions loop tour stopping at 23 stops and 16 of Vancouver's major downtown attractions. Take the entire tour in two hours or spend the whole day experiencing our beautiful city.  Ticket is valid for 24 hours. Stops at, or near, all downtown hotels.

Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is an excellent place for the whole family to see, explore, and become educated with Marine life!! 
You will see whales in particular a Beluga Whale, dolphins, porpoises, harbour seal, the Steller sea lion, the Northern fur seal, ans the Northern elephant seal, and last but not least the wonderful Sea otters! The Vancouver Aquarium is also a Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for all kinds of Marine life!
 
1 night accommodation in Vancouver
 
Day 2: Drive to Sewell's Marina
 
Sewell's Marina Sea Safari
Grab a seat on our custom-designed, high-speed, 28 ft. rigid hull inflatable, powered by twin Verado Mercury 4 stroke outboard engines. With an experienced guide at the helm, you won't miss a thing on your Guided Group Nature Tour.
Our Howe Sound safari takes you on a 2 hour adventure to the spectacular scenery and wildlife which makes coastal British Columbia world famous!
Safari Includes: 2 hour high-speed eco-tour, Integrity suit, Gloves, Weather goggles, Guided commentary. Operates daily at 10:00am, 1:00pm and 4:00pm from April 1 - October 31.
 
Make own way to Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge

Grouse Mountain - Vancouver
There is so much to explore, just 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver!
Experience a spectacular mountaintop adventure 365 days of the year at the Peak of Vancouver! During summer enjoy helicopter tours, our world famous lumberjack show, the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife, Birds in Motion demonstrations and so much more. In winter, discover a snowy wonderland renowned for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sleigh rides.
Throughout the year, relax and savour great tastes at any one of our superb restaurants form casual to elegant dining.
 
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Capilano Suspension Bridge is breathtakingly suspended 450 feet across and 230 feet above Capilano River. Cross over to a thriving coastal rainforest and the remarkable Treetops Adventure where quests venture from one majestic Douglas fir tree to another via a series of elevated suspension bridges at heights of 100 feet high. Take a nature walk; watch First Nations carvers chisel legend into cedar; listen as voices from the past at the Story Centre mingle with the sounds of nature & Seasonal entertainment. Fabulous shopping and dining complete this West Coast experience.
Open Year-round (excluding Christmas Day) and minutes from downtown Vancouver

1 night  accommodation in Vancouver
 
Day 3: Drive to Whistler
 
Zip Trek Whistler
Experience the exhilaration of flying as you glide along steel ziplines suspended high above the breathtaking white-water river that divides Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Ziptrek Ecotours provides a discovery of mountain ecology that combines adventure with environmental education. Guided tours include five incredible zipline rides that gain progressively in height and length with the longest spanning over 1100ft. The ziplines are joined by a network of ground based boardwalks and trails, and by aerial stairways and bridges at heights of over eighty feet in the tree canopy! Tours run at 9:00am, 12:00pm, & 3:00pm, maximum of 8 people/group.  Tours operate in all weather conditions, 365 days a year.
 
1 night accommodation in Whistler
 
Day 4: Drive to Sun Peaks
 
1 night accommodation in Sun Peaks
 
Day 5: Drive to Jasper
 
1 night accommodation in Jasper
 
Day 6: Jasper

Jasper Tramway with breakfast (Make own way to Tramway)
The experience of riding Canada's longest and highest aerial tramway into Jasper's National Park's alpine tundra will captivate all ages. Discover views unsurpassed in the Canadian Rockies. Gaze over six mountain ranges, glacial-fed lakes, meandering rivers and the scenic Jasper Town site. By the time you reach the upper terminal of Whistler's Mountain you will have gained over 973 metres. At the top enjoy a fabulous breakfast in the Treeline Restaurant...A view with taste!  Available from May 1-September 30, 2009.
 
Maligne Lake Cruise (Make own way to Maligne Lake)
For over 70 years no trip to the Canadian Rockies has been complete without a cruise to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park. This diminutive Canadian icon, floating amid turquoise, glacial waters is accessed via glass enclosed and heated boats. The 90 minute interpretive tours depart every hour on the hour throughout the summer season and are staffed by recognized Heritage Tourism Guides and Ministry of Transport licensed Pilots.
Learn of the local history, geology, wildlife and glaciology of Maligne Lake and of Jasper National Park as some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rockies drift past your window. At Spirit Island the boat lands to allow for a short walk to the viewpoint overlooking the mountain ringed southern shores of Maligne Lake; the equally famous backdrop of Spirit Island.
 
1 night accommodation in Jasper
 
Day 7: Make own way to Emerald Lake (via The Columbia Icefields)
 
Brewster Ice Explorer
Largest of all icefields in the Canadian Rockies, the Columbia Icefield is guarded by 11 of the Rockies' 22 highest peaks. Here, perennial snow accumulates and turns to ice which flows to feed six major outlet glaciers, three of Canada's largest rivers and eventually three oceans. The ice straddles the Continental Divide, two provinces and two national parks. The ice is 365 metres (1,200 feet) thick - about the height of the Empire State Building. You will travel onto the glacier in a specially designed "Ice Explorer" to a turnaround point atop 333 metres of ice. Be sure to bring a sweater or light jacket - it may snow at anytime during your 1 1/2 hour Ice Explorer ride! This excursion operates every 15 to 30 minutes.

1 night accommodation at lodge at Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake Lodge sits on a 13-Acre peninsula overlooking Emerald Lake, in Yoho National Park, close to Lake Louise. The lodge features cabins surrounding the main lodge, some overlooking the lake. Enjoy famous Rocky Mountain Cuisine, an award winning wine list, as well as great Canadian activities like hiking, fishing, canoeing in the summer, or cross country skiing, snowshoeing and our complimentary shuttle to the Lake Louise ski-hill in the winter.
 
Day 8: Drive to Banff
 
Banff Gondola Lift Pass
The resort town of Banff is set amongst the towering mountains of Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade and Norquay. A gentle ride on the Banff Gondola takes you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for a 360 degree panorama of the Bow Valley. Join us as we share with you the story of how these majestic mountains have shaped this unique community. Transportation to/from the gondola is not included.

Banff Upper Hot Springs Swim Pass
Banff’s only natural hot springs open to public bathing. Experience the relaxation of a naturally heated mineral spring pool in a spectacular mountain setting.

1 night accommodation in Banff
 
Day 9: Make own way to Kananaskis
 
Saddle 'n' Paddle
Explore the magnificence of the Canadian Rockies on horseback!
Begin your adventure day with a magical 2 hour guided trail ride along the Bow, Kananaskis or Elbow River Valleys,  with the backdrop of the Rockies. Enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch overlooking the scenic Bow/ Kananaskis or Elbow Rivers! After lunch participants meet for an exciting afternoon for your rafting adventure. Spend 2-2.5 hours on the river surfing, splashing, playing games with water canons and paddling through the rapids on a professionally guided raft.

1 night accommodation in Kananaskis
 
Day 10: Drive from Kananaski to Calgary
 
Package Ends
 

COST:
Self drive package prices start from NZ$2473 per person, double occupancy.

For bookings and full conditions of the package please contact Anne.

 

INCLUDES: 

  • Accommodation in Superior standard hotels
  • Sightseeing: Vancouver Trolley Company, Vancouver Aquarium, Sewell's Sea Safari, Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge, ZipTrek Whistler, Jasper Tramway with breakfast, Maligne Lake cruise, Brewster Ice Explorer, Banff Gondola Lift Pass, Banff Upper Hot Springs Swim Pass, Saddle & paddle Kananaski
  • Government taxes on hotels and sightseeing.
  • Comprehensive self drive itinerary and documentation
     

CONDITIONS:

  • Package is based on promotional pricing and is subject to change.
  • Prices are quoted in NZD per person share twin/double based on leadin standard hotel rooms, in superior hotels, and subject to currency fluctuations.
  • Rental Car hire is additional to package price.
  • Other hotel room grades can be quoted on request. Hotel taxes are subject to change.

*In Association with Travel Managers Group*
 TAANZ Bonded & IATA Licensed