Insight Premium Tours

This comprehensive tour takes in the major highlights of Western Canada, featuring two-night stays in Waterton Lakes, Banff, Jasper and Victoria. Two days of GoldLeaf Service aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train adds to the unforgettable experience.

Name of Tour: Majestic Canadian West
Duration: 13 Days
Exclusive Price Discounts are shown below

Itinerary

DAY 1 – ARRIVE CALGARY. Start your trip with a complimentary transfer from the airport to the hotel. This afternoon, meet your tour director who will answer questions. Join us at 6 p.m. for a Welcome Reception. Hotel: The Westin Calgary.

DAY 2 – CALGARY – WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK. Begin the day with an orientation tour of Calgary before heading south. At the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump, discover how the Blackfoot people hunted the great buffalo herds. Arriving in Waterton Lakes National Park, explore Red Rock Canyon and keep an eye out for the park’s resident wildlife. Hotel: Waterton Lakes Lodge. (B,D)

DAY 3 – WATERTON – MONTANA’S GLACIER NATIONAL PARK EXCURSION. Enjoy a scenic symphony today! Cross the US border to experience the rugged beauty of the mountainous lake-filled Glacier National Park. Enjoy a narrated trip up the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road to the Logan Pass Visitors Center aboard the park’s famous “Red Jammer” coaches (seasonal). (B)

DAY 4 – WATERTON – FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS. Visit the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre to hear how in 1903, Turtle Mountain collapsed burying the mining town of Frank. Cross the Continental Divide and journey back to the gold rush days at Fort Steele Heritage Town. Later, take some time to soak in your resort’s natural hot springs! Hotel: Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. (B)

DAY 5 – FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS – BANFF NATIONAL PARK. Visit Kootenay National Park before entering Banff National Park. Enjoy an interpretive walk along Lake Louise, Canada’s “Diamond in the Wilderness.” See Victoria Glacier, the famous chateau and learn about the history, geology and wildlife of this spectacular area. Stop at Moraine Lake (seasonal) surrounded by 10 soaring peaks. View Bow Falls and the Hoodoos, before arriving at your hotel, styled after a Scottish baronial castle. For dinner this evening, choose from a selection of five outstanding restaurants at the hotel. Hotel: Fairmont Banff Springs. (B,HD)

DAY 6 – BANFF NATIONAL PARK AT LEISURE. A full day at leisure in Banff to pursue your own interests. Options include a float trip down the Bow River or a guided hike to Sunshine Meadows. Why not enjoy a round of golf on the magnificent hotel course, or relax in the Willow Stream Spa …the choice is yours! (B)

DAY 7 – BANFF – JASPER NATIONAL PARK. Journey along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most scenic drives. Venture onto Athabasca Glacier aboard a specially-designed Ice Explorer for a once-in-a-lifetime guided tour over steep grades, snow and ice. Arrive at Jasper National Park. Tonight, a local wildlife expert will lead an informative discussion about some of the park’s most interesting residents which include elk, moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, black bear, beaver and caribou. Hotel: Sawridge Inn. (B,D)

DAY 8 – JASPER NATIONAL PARK SIGHTSEEING. Join a narrated walk along the Maligne Canyon trail past beautiful waterfalls, spectacular rock formations and learn about the underground river system. The delights of Jasper National Park are yours for the rest of the day. Relax on a lake cruise or hike up a glacier... These are just some of the options available to you. (B)

DAY 9 – JASPER – ROCKY MOUNTAINEER. Step aboard Rocky Mountaineer’s GoldLeaf Service for two days of glorious rail travel through Canada’s Western mountains. Enjoy panoramic views from your seat in the GoldLeaf Dome Car and fine meals in the GoldLeaf Dining Car. Highlights include Yellowhead Pass, Moose Lake and the Rockies tallest mountain, Mount Robson. Spend the night in Quesnel, deep in the heart of Cariboo Country. Hotel: Assigned by Rocky Mountaineer. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 – ROCKY MOUNTAINEER – WHISTLER. Journey from the desert-like Fraser Canyon to the lush farmlands of the Pemberton Valley to the towering Coast Mountains. Admire sweeping views of glacier-fed lakes and Deep Creek Bridge – one of the highest railway bridges in the world. The train journey ends in the alpine village of Whistler. Hotel: Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa. (B,L)

DAY 11 – WHISTLER - VICTORIA. Meet a local guide for a walking tour through Whistler Village before heading down the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Cross the Strait of Georgia by ferry to Vancouver Island and drive to Victoria. Hotel: Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour. (B)

DAY 12 – VICTORIA SIGHTSEEING. Begin the day with breakfast at the renowned Butchart Gardens, which have delighted visitors from around the world for over a hundred years. During your visit, a horticulturist will explain the garden’s history and plants. Enjoy ample time to wander through the 55 acres of exquisite floral displays, meandering paths and spectacular views. The afternoon is yours to explore further. Tonight, join us for a farewell dinner at the hotel. (HB,D)

DAY 13 – VICTORIA – VANCOUVER – DEPARTURE OR ALASKA CRUISE. Cruise by ferry across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver and enjoy an orientation tour, including Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, with its famous Totem Poles and English Bay. Guests on the 13-day Coach & Rail tour depart with a complimentary transfer to Vancouver International Airport and the Insight hotel in Vancouver.

Please do not schedule flights before 5 p.m. (B)

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A Brief History on Insight Tours

When it comes to travelling in style and comfort, look no further than Insight's premium touring Vacations!

Insight offers smaller group sizes, greater passenger comfort and up to 100% more legroom than a standard touring coach. Our guests stay in outstanding hotels, enjoy a variety of meals and each unique destination visited features a wealth of included sightseeing! We also offer guaranteed departures on selected travel departures.

We believe the journey is just as important as the destination. Imagine gliding along the ancient canals of Venice, defying gravity on an exhilarating cable car ride to the top of a Swiss mountain peak or a journey onboard the legendary Rocky Mountaineer Train.

Whether you want to explore at a leisurely pace, experience as much as possible in a short amount of time, or get off the beaten track, Insight's complete range of tours means you are sure to find an itinerary that suits you.

New for 2005 are our European Easy Pace extra leisure itineraries. With a majority of three night stays in each city, included sightseeing, delicious meals and excursions, Easy Pace itineraries give you the freedom to explore in-depth at your leisure.

We invite you to experience the Insight difference.

COACH TOUR DISCOUNTS-2008

Save up to 10 %

Insight Premium Coach Tour Program

EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT
Book/pay 12 Months in advance 10% Discount
Book/pay 10-12 Months in advance 7.5% Discount
Book/pay 7-9 Months in advance 5% Discount
Book/pay 4-6 Months in advance 2.5% Discount

AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Free & worth up to $225 per couple! (Conditions Apply-pleae contact us for details)

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Save 20% on QBE Travel Insurance or 10% on HBF Insurance member rates if taken out at time of booking.

SECOND TOUR DISCOUNT
Receive 5% Discount of the shortest tour

TRIPLE ROOM
Great Discounts-please call for details

CHILD DISCOUNTS
Up to 10% (Conditions apply)

SINGLE ROOM

What's Included