Grand Canadian Rockies

Day 1 (Door to Door)

Arrive Vancouver

Enjoy your private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your scheduled flight to Vancouver, where a transfer is provided to your first hotel. Join us at 6pm for a Welcome Drink. Meet your fellow travellers and prepare yourself for an adventure like no other.
Hotel: Fairmont Pacific Rim (D)

Day 2

Vancouver sightseeing - Victoria (2)

During our sightseeing tour we visit Gastown, where Vancouver was originally built in 1867. We then explore Chinatown before stopping in the oasis of Stanley Park to learn the significance of the park's famous totem poles.We discover the eclectic community of English Bay, before boarding the ferry to Victoria. On arrival our orientation tour introduces us to the Inner Harbour, the Parliament Buildings and Bastion Square. Our luxurious hotel is situated near the banks of the Inner Harbour and features fine amenities, with personalised service. Dinner is a gastronomic experience, made with only the best local ingredients and served at one of Victoria's fine restaurants. (FB, HD)
Hotel: Grand Pacific (D)

Day 3

Victoria sightseeing

We greet the day with breakfast at Butchart Gardens, which have delighted visitors from around the world for over a hundred years. A representative will give a talk on the gardens and the history of the Butchart family. Then there is ample time to explore the exquisite floral displays, meandering paths and spectacular views. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Perhaps indulge in a little shopping or partake in the time-honoured tradition of afternoon tea. (FB)
Hotel: Grand Pacific (D)

Day 4

Victoria - Whistler

We journey across the Strait of Georgia and along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway.We enjoy a stop at the beautiful Shannon Falls before climbing over the Coast Mountains. In Whistler we join a local guide for a walking tour of the village and to learn about this 2010 Olympic venue. The remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Our hotel is one of North America's top mountain resorts, so why not take advantage of the hotel's famous spa, surrounded by snowcapped mountains, glaciers and alpine meadows. (FB, D)
Hotel: Four Seasons Resort Whistler (D)

Day 5

Whistler - Kelowna

Today we travel to Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley, Canada's wine capital and home to world-class vintners. We visit a beautiful winery, sample an array of outstanding local wines and develop our palates with the help of some expert insights. Our award winning hotel is beautifully situated on the lake offering inspirational dining. (FB)
Hotel: Delta Grand Okanagan Resort (D)

Day 6

Kelowna - Banff National Park (2)

Today we journey through four of Canada'smost spectacular national parks; Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Yoho and Banff. We travel from primeval forests to Ice Age glaciers, from spectacular waterfalls to soaring peaks. At Kicking Horse Pass we cross the Continental Divide, where all the rivers of North America are diverted to the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. Then we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff before arriving at our hotel. The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is a grand Scottish baronial castle, featuring luxurious amenities and gracious service in a breathtaking location. This evening experience traditional, regional and contemporary dining at your choice of the Fairmont's fine restaurants. (FB, HD)
Hotel: The Fairmont Banff Springs (MD)

Day 7

Banff at leisure

Enjoy some leisure time in Banff. The choice is yours and your Tour Director is on hand to help with suggestions. (FB)
Hotel: The Fairmont Banff Springs (MD)

Day 8

Banff - Yoho National Park

Today we enjoy an interpretive walk along the shore of Lake Louise, Canada's "Diamond in the Wilderness," and learn about the history and geography of this breathtaking area before moving on to another icon of the Canadian Rockies, Moraine Lake, crowned by ten notable peaks. As we approach Yoho National Park we stop at the Spiral Tunnels viewpoint and learn about the construction of these famous tunnels.We pass by the spectacular Natural Bridge, patiently carved by the Kicking Horse River before arriving at Emerald Lake, one of Canada's most outstanding wilderness settings. Our historic hotel is built of hand-hewn timber and features massive stone fireplaces. After dinner, stargaze under the night sky and savour a liqueur and s'mores, a traditional American campfire treat, by a lakeside bonfire. (FB, D)
Hotel: Emerald Lake Lodge (D)

Day 9

Yoho National Park - Jasper National Park (2)

Today we motor along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway and witness amazing scenery such as Crowfoot Glacier hanging improbably from a cliff face some 900 feet above and Columbia Icefield, North America's largest sub-polar ice pack. At Athabasca Glacier, one of the icefield's six principal "toes," we climb aboard a specially-designed Ice Explorer for a once-in-a-lifetime guided tour over steep grades, snow and ice as we ascend partway up the glacier. En route to Jasper, perhaps join an optional gentle float trip down the Athabasca River. Our home for the next two nights is the picturesque Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in the heart of Jasper National Park, an alpine wonderland of immense forests, jewelled lakes, soaring waterfalls, soothing mineral hot springs, rugged glaciers, colourful meadows and majestic mountains. Tonight, enjoy a special Highlight Dinner with wine at the hotel. (FB, HD)
Hotel: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (D)

Day 10

Jasper National Park sightseeing

Join your Tour Director for an interpretive walk at Maligne Canyon, one of the most beautiful gorges in the Canadian Rockies. We stroll along the canyon's trail, past beautiful waterfalls, astounding rock formations, and learn about the underground river system. Join an informative presentation about some of the park'smost interesting residents including elk,moose,mountain goat, bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, black bear, beaver and caribou. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please. Jasper is the base for a host of optional tours and activities. Perhaps enjoy a boat cruise onMaligne Lake or join a guided nature walk at Mount Edith Cavell along the "Path of the Glacier." The choice is entirely yours! (FB)
Hotel: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (D)

Day 11

Jasper - Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops

Relive the golden age of rail travel aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train, one of the world's great rail journeys. For the next two days, enjoy travelling in GoldLeaf Service journeying fromJasper in the RockyMountains to Vancouver and the Pacific Ocean. View spectacular scenery as the train crosses the Continental Divide and over the Yellowhead Pass back to British Columbia. On arrival in Kamloops we transfer to the Rocky Mountaineer-assigned hotel. (CB, L)
Hotel: Assigned by Rocky Mountaineer

Day 12

Kamloops - Rocky Mountaineer - Vancouver

We continue our journey onboard the Rocky Mountaineer and follow the river into the Thompson Canyon with its rugged walls and dry sagebrush landscape until it merges with the Fraser River. On arrival in Vancouver we transfer to our hotel and end the day with a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant before retiring for the night. (CB, L, HD)
Hotel: Fairmont Pacific Rim (D)

Day 13

Depart Vancouver

Today we head out to the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park. We cross the spectacular suspension bridge, 230 feet (70 metres) above the Capilano River, and join the awardwinning Treetops Adventure, a guided nature tour along a series of elevated walkways.We then take a complimentary transfer to Vancouver International Airport for your return flight back to the UK. If you are arranging your own flights please do not schedule them before 2pm. (FB)

Day 14 (Door to Door)

Arrive UK

On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting private car for your door to door transfer to your home.

Dates and prices

Destination Info

Overall customer rating 5 () 4 Reviews

• • Product :
    The content, organisation and accomodation were were excellent. Only the tour guide could have shown a little more enthusiasm and provided more information about the history of the Area. Particularly Vancouver. George Vancouver was not mentioned once & I had to research this on getting home.

  • Service Rating :
    When using Milestones i have always been impressed by the efficiency,helpfulness and accuracy with which my consultant,Sophie, had dealt with all my requests.
    

  • Response :
    Thank you for taking the time to write on Feefo, your positive comments regarding your Personal Travel Consultant Sophie Young will be shared with her. Our consultants pride themselves on providing an excellent service and strive to give you a first class service.
    
    Our Tour Directors are usually very knowledgeable and will enthusiastically share their knowledge with you. Your comments will be shared with our Product Team.
    
    We are delighted that you enjoyed your tour overall and look forward to welcoming you onto a Milestones holiday soon.
    
    Kind Regards
    Shasheen Norton-Laver
    Customer Relations

  • Left 127 days ago

• • Product :
    Fantastic trip and great experience
    Let down by poor second class hotel rooms and had to
    Go for upgrades. Red Leaf train was second class at times but
    Still very memorable
    Poor response and attitude from tour guide really sad especially
    Towards the four of us from the UK
    May well be last time use this way of seeing places

  • Service Rating :
    Personal attention in this country good although concerned about the
    Partnership with other holiday group as we did feel and evidenced
    Less interest in our needs and favourable interest in the other tour
    Company that we became part of. Again we were only UK customers
    And disappointed.
    

  • Response :
    Thank you for your comments in saying this was a fantastic trip and a great experience. We appreciate your thoughts on the attention/service here in the UK.
    
    Please let me explain that Milestones are a division of the Travel Corporation, renowned and trusted around the world for over 60 years of outstanding quality service, reliability and overall fantastic holidays. Insight Vacations who hosted the Grand Canadian Rockies are one of our sister companies and they offer award winning itineraries and as such sell worldwide.
    
    As our tours are sold worldwide no two tours are the same and made up of the same nationalities. Please accept our apologies that in this case you felt less favored and that you did not enjoy being the only UK clients. As our tour directors are very accustomed to many different nationalities it is extremely rare to receive feedback such as this. We will pass on your comments to our operations team in North America who will speak with the tour director.
    
    We will also pass on your comments regarding your the hotels, and the red leaf service on the train. As I am sure you are aware there is the option to upgrade on the train to the Gold leaf on the Rocky Mountaineer which is also very nice. In 2011 this tour was based on red leaf service with the option to upgrade to the gold leaf.
    
    Thank you for taking the time to send your comments into Feefo. Your candid feedback helps us improve on areas in which may require attention.
    
    Kind regards,
    
    Debbie Pullum
    Customer Relations

  • Left 128 days ago

• • Product :
    Amazing holiday, many wonderful different experiences

  • Service Rating :
    They provided everything we needed without asking
    

  • Response :
    We are very pleased that you had such a fantastic holiday experience, your positive comments and feedback are very valuable to us.
    Milestones choose the best tours from all of our tour operators around the world, with included excursions, sightseeing and authentic dining which really help to create such wonderful memories.
    
    Our 2012/2013 brochure is packed full of tours with more to offer on-line. Please remember that as you have travelled with us before, you are now entitled to a further 5% discount as a frequent traveller.
    
    We look forward to seeing you on another tour very soon.
    
    Kind regards,
    
    Debbie Pullum
    Customer Relations

  • Left 128 days ago

• • Product :
    It was comfortable and the food and service were good. The attendant was very helpful and knowledgeable.

  • Service Rating :
    The individual client adviser is a very good idea and works well. The service was efficient and everything went smoothly.
    

  • Response :
    We would like to thank you for taking the time to write about your recent tour. The Milestones Personal Travel Consultants really help to make the whole experience first class, by providing you with as much information and advice that you need to enjoy your holiday to the full. The Tour Directors are a great source of local knowledge and as you have mentioned in your comments, greatly enhance your holiday.
    
    All feedback is very valuable to us, as it helps us to maintain the highest standards. We look forward to welcoming you on another tour in the near future.
    
    Kind regards,
    
    Debbie Pullum
    Customer Relations

  • Left 128 days ago