Heart of the Canadian Rockies (8910)

10 days from Calgary to Vancouver

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The Canadian Rockies are known for their rugged mountains, glaciers, mighty rivers, and beautiful national parks. On this Heart of the Canadian Rockies tour, you’ll experience all of this and more! Enjoy two nights in Banff National Park, gateway to the Canadian Rockies, with free time to hike, stroll along the river, visit the hot springs, or perhaps take an optional helicopter excursion to see the spectacular scenery from above. You’ll also have two nights in Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, where you can hike, explore the townsite, or join an optional excursion to see Maligne Lake and iconic Spirit Island.

Between Banff and Jasper, two tour highlights await—a stop at stunning Lake Louise, whose turquoise waters reflect the surrounding mountains, and a ride aboard an Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle to the Athabasca Glacier.

Sail across the Strait of Georgia to charming Victoria, where sightseeing includes Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of showcase floral displays. You’ll also have free time to perhaps enjoy high tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, visit the Parliment Buildings, or take the optional Marine Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition. Ferry across the picturesque Gulf Islands to Vancouver, where sightseeing includes Stanley Park and other city highlights.

Create memories to last a lifetime on this Canadian Rockies adventure designed for savvy, value-minded travelers!

The world is within reach 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).

Your Tour Includes:
• Guided city sightseeing in Calgary and Vancouver, featuring the highlights of two of western Canada’s gateway cities
• Entrance fee to Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, home to glacier-fed lakes, mountain peaks, and abundant wildlife
• Orientation tours of Banff, Jasper, and Victoria
• Ride on the Ice Explorer across the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefields
• Ferry to and from Vancouver Island, crossing the scenic Strait of Georgia
• Admission to Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, featuring 55 acres of spectacular floral displays

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Heart of the Canadian Rockies map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

This Cosmos travel package does not include meals. Most of our hotels offer anything from coffee to a full breakfast, so you can start the day the way you like best. At most lunch stops, your Tour Director will have information on local restaurants. Dinnertime is your chance to sample local cuisine. Sometimes your Tour Director will offer an optional dinner outing.


Notes:

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

• Early departures may not be able to visit Columbia Icefield (opens in early May), Maligne Lake & Spirit Island optional excursion (opens late May to early June), or Moraine Lake optional excursion (opens in early June)

• Maximum elevation on tour: 7,500 ft.

 Itinerary

Day 1 CALGARY

Welcome to Calgary! Your Tour Director is on hand from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to answer any questions.

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Day 2 CALGARY–BANFF NATIONAL PARK

The discovery of oil transformed Calgary from a ranching town into a modern city. Sightseeing includes downtown Calgary, The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary), Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Motor west through the foothills into Banff National Park, gateway to the Canadian Rockies. An orientation tour introduces Banff's townsite and surrounding scenery.

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Day 3 BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Banff is one of Canada’s favorite year-round resorts, with summer activities such as hiking, biking, and fishing. With a free day in Banff National Park, your Tour Director will have many suggestions, including an optional helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies for incredible aerial views. Or if you prefer keeping your feet on the ground, join the Panoramas & Peaks* optional excursion to see gorgeous Moraine Lake in the famed Valley of the Ten Peaks.

*This optional excursion begins operating in early June.

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Day 4 BANFF NATIONAL PARK–LAKE LOUISE–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Enjoy a day of spectacular mountain scenery. First stop is Lake Louise, whose turquoise waters reflect the surrounding peaks. Next, stop at the Columbia Icefield to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels onto the Athabasca Glacier, where the ice measures 750 feet/228 meters thick!

Then, drive north into Jasper National Park, where mountain passes reveal deep gorges, snowcapped peaks, and glacier-fed lakes. Later, consider an optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Enjoy an orientation tour of the town of Jasper upon arrival.

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Day 5 JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Today, experience the beauty of Jasper National Park on an optional narrated cruise on the glacial waters of Maligne Lake and Spirit Island* where you’ll embark on a narrated cruise on the glacial waters of Maligne Lake and legendary Spirit Island* where you'll learn about the area’s history, geology, flora, and fauna. The balance of the day is free to enjoy Jasper, from guided hikes and local shops to opportunities to spot wildlife.

*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June.

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Day 6 JASPER NATIONAL PARK–MOUNT ROBSON–KAMLOOPS

Depart Jasper and follow the Fraser River to the base of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Continue along the Yellowhead Highway, following the Thompson River with views of the Monashee Mountains before arriving in Kamloops for the night.

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Day 7 KAMLOOPS–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA

As you travel through British Columbia’s Cascade Mountains and the fertile Fraser Valley to the Pacific coast, the landscape changes from dry grasslands to a coastal temperate rainforest.

Board your ferry for the scenic crossing to Vancouver Island. Before arriving in Victoria, visit Butchart Gardens and explore its 55 acres of beautiful floral displays. Continue downtown to see the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park.

This evening, consider a relaxing stroll along the lively waterfront promenade.

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Day 8 VICTORIA

Today is free to explore Victoria. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for enjoying this charming city. Perhaps enjoy High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, visit the Parliament Buildings or the Royal BC Museum, or choose an optional Wildlife and Whale-Watching Expedition in search of whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles.

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Day 9 VICTORIA–FERRY CROSSING–VANCOUVER

This morning, set sail across the Strait of Georgia, an arm of the Salish Sea, and through the scenic Gulf Islands. In Vancouver, city sightseeing includes Stanley Park and other famous landmarks.

The remainder of the day is free to explore Vancouver, known for its waterfront setting, diverse neighborhoods, and cultural attractions. Perhaps visit Robson Street, one of British Columbia’s premier shopping and entertainment districts.

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Day 10 VANCOUVER

Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Vancouver further.

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 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.

MARK LOVE

Escorting tours for more than 10 years

“Travel has always been my passion. After completing my degree in Tourism, I lived overseas and had the opportunity to visit numerous countries and experience different cultures. My background in the travel industry has enabled me to realize how invaluable a respected and experienced tour operator is. I have 5 years of experience as a Tour Director with Globus family of brands and am proud every time I represent the company and travel with my guests. The Canadian Rockies are my home and I can not imagine a better office space in the world. Regardless if I am viewing wildlife with my group, telling a story of historical significance, or just standing close by as guests enjoy the beautiful scenery of Western Canada, I love my role as a Tour Director. Being a part of a guests travel experience is the best reward that I can ask for!”

Tour Director - MARK LOVE

 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)


Banff National Park

Banff National Park

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: $$$$



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).