Canadian Masterpiece (8920)

12 days from Vancouver to Vancouver

2024 Tour Details

Experience extraordinary beauty and adventure on this affordable Canadian vacation. Travel from the sea port of Vancouver via scenic train through some of Canada’s most breathtaking landscapes. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Vancouver, then board your Rocky Mountaineer train for a 2-day trip through spectacular scenery following the Fraser River through snowcapped peaks to Kamloops. Travel through the Selkirk Mountains before entering gorgeous Yoho National Park, and wind through the Spiral tunnels before your train climbs Kicking Horse Pass. Cross the Continental Divide before entering Alberta and Banff National Park and onto Lake Louise Village for a night.

Spend two nights in Banff with many options to play golf, horseback ride, hike, or relax at the hot springs. Look for big horn sheep, deer, bear, and the elusive wolf, perhaps via helicopter on an optional excursion. See the natural bridge spanning Kicking Horse River and visit Emerald and Moraine Lakes. Ascend Bow Pass for views of glistening Peyto Lake, then ride aboard the Ice Explorer over the 750-foot-thick ice of the Columbia Icefield. Travel through magnificent Jasper National Park, and arrive at the base of 12,972-foot Mount Robson on your way to Sun Peaks. Follow the routes of the historic Gold Rush and the fur traders on your way to Whistler. Take the ferry crossing to Victoria for a visit to beautiful Butchart Gardens and sightseeing followed by a day at leisure. Return to Vancouver via ferry, and celebrate your fantastic vacation in Canada!

Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi where available. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

2-day, all-daylight rail journey on board the Rocky Mountaineer® in SilverLeaf Service (GoldLeaf Service upgrades are available) and a ferry crossing to/from Vancouver Island are included.

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Canadian Masterpiece map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

2 breakfast, 2 lunches


Notes:

Visiting and participating in activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions and vendor dates of operation.

Maximum elevation on tour: 7,500 ft.

Early departures may not be able to visit Columbia Icefield, which opens in early May, or take the Maligne Lake & Spirit Island optional excursion, which opens in mid to late May. Visiting and participating in other activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions and vendor dates of operation as well.

 Itinerary

Day 1 VANCOUVER

Welcome to Vancouver! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.

Day 2 VANCOUVER

This morning, an included city tour highlights Stanley Park, Chinatown, the harbour, beaches, and more. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You could take a water-taxi to lively Granville Island with its outdoor markets, street musicians, and waterfront cafés, or visit historic Gastown with its steam-powered clock, antique shops, and art galleries!

Day 3 VANCOUVER–ROCKY MOUNTAINEER–KAMLOOPS

An exciting morning as you board the Rocky Mountaineer for a 2-day, all-daylight, classic rail journey. The train travels through some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery. Follow the Fraser River through snowcapped mountains, eventually arriving at Kamloops.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 4 KAMLOOPS–ROCKY MOUNTAINEER–LAKE LOUISE

Reboard the train and prepare for spectacular sights, such as Shuswap Lake, the Selkirk Mountains, and Yoho National Park. The train follows railway history as it rolls by Craigellachie, through Rogers Pass and winds through the Spiral Tunnels while climbing Kicking Horse Pass. Cross the Continental Divide into the province of Alberta. Enter Banff National Park, and journey to Lake Louise Village for an overnight stay.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 5 LAKE LOUISE–BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Enjoy a day of scenic grandeur. First visit famous Lake Louise, where green-blue waters form a perfect mirror reflection of Mount Victoria. Then it’s on to Natural Bridge and Emerald and Moraine lakes before arriving in Banff. Upon arrival, an orientation tour highlights Banff’s unspoiled beauty. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for independent activities.

Day 6 BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Today is at leisure. Play golf, horseback ride, hike the many wilderness trails in the area, stroll through Banff, or simply relax at the hot springs. Banff National Park is the perfect place for photographers and wildlife watching, and as a visitor you may be lucky enough to encounter some of these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. If the timing is right, you may spot elk, black bears or grizzlies. Your Tour Director will also have suggestions for an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies and can offer recommendations for dinner.

Day 7 BANFF NATIONAL PARK–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Scale Bow Pass for splendid views of Peyto Lake, then climb Sunwapta Pass for stunning vistas of alpine meadows, waterfalls, and massive glaciers. Next stop: the Columbia Icefield to ride the Ice Explorer that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick.

Day 8 JASPER NATIONAL PARK–MOUNT ROBSON–SUN PEAKS

Stand at the base of the awesome 12,972-foot Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Travel through British Columbia’s Fur Trade and Cariboo regions for tantalizing glimpses of the soaring granite mountains. Watch for wildlife as you continue to the internationally renowned Sun Peaks ski resort.

Day 9 SUN PEAKS–LILLOOET–WHISTLER

Head south, following the once-treacherous Cariboo Wagon Trail. From Lillooet, “Mile 0 of the Gold Rush Route,” our motorcoach will follow the shores of Seton and Duffey Lakes, with a mid-afternoon arrival in Whistler. There are optional activities to choose from, including flightseeing by floatplane over glaciated peaks or a Gondola ride between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains for the perfect bear-spotting perch.

Day 10 WHISTLER–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA

Set sail across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island. In Victoria, sightseeing includes Butchart Gardens, the Empress Hotel, Legislative Buildings, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park.

Day 11 VICTORIA

A day at leisure gives you the chance to stroll around the harbour, go shopping on Government Street, or have lunch in one of the many pubs. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for shopping, dining, and additional sightseeing such as a flightseeing excursion with spectacular vistas of downtown Victoria. You may also choose to join an optional wildlife and whale-watching trip where you’ll cruise the beautiful waters of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, looking for whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles.

Day 12 VICTORIA–VANCOUVER

A scenic ferry crossing to the mainland, where the trip ends with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers to Vancouver International Airport are included. Please schedule flights after 1:30 pm.

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

JENNIFER ROBERTS

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“Hi, I am Jennifer Roberts. I was born and raised near Vancouver, BC, and I am a traveler, adventurer, and lifelong learner. While backpacking around the world, I fell in love with wild places, new experiences, and fresh perspectives. I have spent years guiding guests through Canada, South America, and Antarctica. I have been a Tour Director with the Globus family since 2013, and I have traveled independently to over 75 countries on 7 continents. I am thrilled to share my love of the natural world with guests from all over the globe and looking forward to helping make your travel dreams come true!”

Tour Director - JENNIFER ROBERTS

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Lake Louise
Jasper
Whistler
Victoria

Lake Louise

Helicopter Tours

Helicopter Tours

Discover unparalleled views of the Canadian Rockies and the Banff National Park region by helicopter. There are several options to choose from, but all deliver spectacular opportunities for a once in a lifetime experience in the Rockies.

Price Range: $$$$

Jasper

Athabasca River Float Trip

Athabasca River Float Trip

Enjoy some of Jasper National Park's very best scenery from water level on this exciting rafting float trip along the Athabasca River!

Price Range: $$

Magical Mystical Maligne Canyon Walk

Magical Mystical Maligne Canyon Walk

Take an exciting walk on the edge of Jasper National Park's deepest accessible canyon on this exhilarating guided excursion to Maligne Canyon.

Price Range: $$

Maligne Valley, Canyon & Lake Tour

Maligne Valley, Canyon & Lake Tour

Immerse yourself in the glories of Maligne Valley on this narrated scenic drive focusing on the area's breathtaking natural wonders and fascinating wildlife!

Price Range: $

Whistler

Seaplane Tour

Seaplane Tour

There's no place quite like Whistler, and there's simply no better way to explore it than from the air during an exciting flightseeing tour!

Price Range: $$$$

Victoria

Victoria Panorama by Seaplane

Victoria Panorama by Seaplane

Take to the skies during this thrilling, 20-minute seaplane flight over Victoria Harbour and the rugged coast of Vancouver Island!

Price Range: $$$

Marine Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition

Marine Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition

Discover the wildlife wonders of Vancouver Island during this inspiring cruise in search for the area's abundant marine animals and pods of orca whales!

Price Range: $$$



The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).