Day Two, Saturday, July 17 (B,L) VIA Rail over Yellowhead Pass to Jasper National Park.

We follow the mighty Thompson River to its headwaters, then follow the Blue and Fraser Rivers past awesome vistas of Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Traveling between the Monashee and Caribou mountain ranges in the early afternoon, the long silver streamliner crosses the Continental Divide at Yellowhead Pass. This is a triple water divide! West of the pass, rivers flow to the Pacific. To the east, all waters flow either to the Arctic Sea or to Hudson Bay, an arm of the North Atlantic. Here we pass from the endless highlands of British Columbia into the mountain grandeur of Alberta’s Jasper National Park, ending the train journey at Jasper station, in the province of Alberta. Upon arrival at the Jasper train station at 4:00 p.m., we transfer to the Marmot Lodge, our hotel for the night.

Day Three, Sunday, July 18 (B,L,D) Touring in Jasper National Park; SKEENA to Prince George.  

The Jasper General Drive takes us on a very scenic trip through the Maligne River Valley to view emerald-green glacial lakes. We explore the narrow chasm of Maligne Canyon and enjoy the panorama of mountains behind Pyramid and Patricia Lakes. The Maligne Canyon is a highlight. Its narrow gorge with limestone walls is over 160 feet deep, making it the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park.

This afternoon we transfer to the Jasper train station and board VIA Rail’s SKEENA, bound for Prince George. Lunch and dinner are included today, served at our seats in “Touring Class”, and a vista-dome observation-lounge car is exclusively available to “Touring Class” passengers. We follow the emerald-green waters of the north fork of the Athabasca River back to the Continental Divide. After crossing into the province of British Columbia, the train again passes Mount Robson, the Canadian Rockies’ highest peak. The route next follows the Fraser River down through a long, roadless canyon. Keep your eyes open for grizzly bears, moose, beaver and osprey.  Upon arrival in Prince George, we transfer to our hotel, the Sandman Inn.   

Day Four, Monday, July 19 (CB,L,D) VIA Rail SKEENA through the Bulkley and Skeena River Canyons and down the fjord to Prince Rupert.  

This morning we re-board VIA Rail’s SKEENA for the journey to the west coast port of Prince Rupert. Today’s route may be the best-kept railway scenery secret in Canada! To cross the forbidding Coast Ranges, the builders of the Grand Trunk Pacific utilized a route through the deeply incised canyons of the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers. The line hugs narrow shelves above foaming torrents and crosses high trestles suspended over waterfalls. Nearing Terrace, views of authentic totem poles and soaring peaks appear before the line makes a majestic entry to Prince Rupert along the Skeena River Fjord. The mountains rise over eight thousand feet from waters’ edge here! Upon arrival in Prince Rupert, we transfer to our hotel, the Coast Prince Rupert Hotel.

Day Five, Tuesday, July 20 Inside Passage day-cruise to Port Hardy. 

We transfer this morning to the B.C. Ferries Terminal and embark on BC Ferries new M/V Northern Adventure coastal ferry-liner for a full day cruising the sheltered waters of the Inside Passage. During this fifteen-hour journey, a wonderful array of snow-capped mountains combines with rich forests to provide a background for a series of dramatic fjords. Killer whales, sea lions and playful porpoises often appear in these waters, so we keep our cameras close at hand! Large cruise ships usually go out to sea in this region in order to open their casinos, but this causes their passengers to miss one of the most remote and scenic parts of the entire Inside Passage! Upon arrival in the seaport of Port Hardy at the northern tip of Vancouver Island, we transfer to our hotel, the North Shore Inn.

Inside Passage by Vadim Graifer: Courtesy Tourism Victoria

Day Six, Wednesday, July 21 (B, Boxed L) Scenic Vancouver Island drive; ride VIA Rail’s MALAHAT DAYLINER to Qualicum Beach. 

This morning we start the drive down beautiful Vancouver Island to the village of Courtenay. Deep forests, crystalline lakes and towering peaks mark northern Vancouver Island!

The first stop is at Courtenay to board VIA Rail Canada’s MALAHAT DAYLINER for a short ride along the east coast of the island to the pretty resort of Qualicum Beach. We detrain here at the flower-bedecked station and drive across the rugged mountains that form the spine of Vancouver Island. On the West Coast, we enjoy a two-night stay in the fishing and logging village of Port Alberni at the head of a long fjord. Our hotel is the comfortable Coast Hospitality Inn.

Day Seven, Thursday, July 22 (B) All-day fjord cruise on the “M/V Frances Barkley”.

North Alberni Inlet Fjord--route of the M/V Frances Barkley

The west coast of Vancouver Island is marked by a deep fjord that winds inland nearly 50 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Along the way we sail by myriads of tiny islets. The lifeline of the region for over 60 years has been the ships of Lady Rose Marine, with the route served today by the historic coastal vessel the “M/V Frances Barkley”.

The historic M/V Frances Barkley sails the fjord to Bamfield

We enjoy an all-day voyage on this true working ship to the remote port of Bamfield. Enroute, flag stops sometimes are made at little homesteads nestled in isolated coves to drop off small boats, supplies and residents. All around us the mountains soar up from the sea. There is free time at mid-day to walk around the tiny hamlet of Bamfield before our return voyage back up the fjord. This is a truly remarkable day!  

Day Eight, Friday, July 23 (B,L) Alberni Pacific steam train; McLean Mill; MALAHAT DAYLINER to Victoria.  

We return to the rails for two unique train journeys. We begin on the steam-powered Alberni Pacific RR for a trip from Port Alberni to the historic steam-driven McLean Mill. We see the steam saw mill in operation, view the unique lumberjack show, and enjoy an included logger’s lunch. After a drive back over the pass to Qualicum Beach, we re-board VIA Rail’s MALAHAT DAYLINER on the E&N Railway for the trip south to Victoria. The route follows pretty coastal coves, then makes a rugged climb above the fjords over Malahat Summit and across the soaring Niagara Canyon Viaduct before descending to Victoria. Upon arrival in Victoria, we transfer to our hotel for the next two nights, the Executive House. The hotel has a great location only a block from the Inner Harbour and directly adjacent to the Fairmont Empress. 

Malahat Dayliner at the Niagara Canyon by Jack Weeks: Courtesy Tourism Victoria

Day Nine, Saturday, July 24 (D) Tour Victoria and Butchart Gardens.

Eagle Totem by Gary Woodburn: Courtesy Tourism Victoria

There is free time this morning to explore Victoria. Our hotel is only a block from the Royal Victoria Museum, one of the finest history and natural history galleries in Canada (admission not included). The Inner Harbor and the shops of downtown are also just a block away.  A few blocks away are the pretty gardens and lovely paths in Beacon Hill Park.  

BC Parliament by Deanne Gillespie: Courtesy Tourism Victoria

Later we tour the city, viewing historic points of interest including the City Centre, Chinatown, Beacon Hill and spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and the Straits of Juan de Fuca. We proceed through elegant residential areas to world-famous Butchart Gardens. This 50-acre botanical showcase is famous for its skillful blending of rare and exotic plants and trees mixed with native flora in a colorful series of formal gardens joined by gentle paths. We enjoy a lovely afternoon and evening here, with a fine included Farewell Dinner in the pretty buffet restaurant, before the day ends with the spectacular weekly Saturday night fireworks show! 

Butchart Gardens by Nick Redding: Courtesy Tourism Victoria

Day Ten, Sunday, July 25 Scenic B.C. Ferries Gulf Islands crossing to Vancouver; tour ends. 

Transfers are included to the Victoria bus terminal this morning. We board a regularly scheduled motorcoach for the transfer to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, where the coach drives us on-board the ferry for the relaxing voyage through the Gulf Islands. We debark from the coach for the hour-and-a-half cruise through islands renowned for their picturesque seascapes and rustic character.

Occasionally, killer whales can be seen from the ferry’s decks. Upon arrival in Tsawwassen, we continue to the Vancouver Airport for flights departing after 12:00 noon and then to downtown Vancouver’s joint bus and rail depot (Pacific Central Station) where the tour ends about noon. Extra nights can be reserved in Vancouver at special tour rates upon request. Ask us for options.

Orca by Gary Woodburn: Courtesy Tourism Victoria

TOUR PRICES include all rail, coach, ferry and Inside Passage fares; Touring Sleeper Class in the room type selected on the CANADIAN; “Touring Deluxe First Class” seats on the SKEENA; lounge seating on the Inside Passage voyage; all sightseeing and meals noted as “included” above; transfers; hotels; and the services of a full-time Tour Manager. Not included are connecting travel into Vancouver, items of a personal nature, and other meals.  

The basic tour price includes a Section lower berth for singles or a full Section with upper and lower berths for couples on the one night spent on the train. VIA Sections share toilets on the car, while Roomettes and Bedrooms have private toilets. All VIA sleeper passengers have access to a locking single occupancy shower room with towels, shampoo and soap provided for the use of sleeping car passengers on the car.  All hotel rooms have full private baths. The Canadian Goods and Services Tax is included in the tour price and no longer is subject to any rebate to U.S. citizens. 

$3699.00 per person, double occupancy using a Section (upper and lower berth) on the CANADIAN

$4199.00 single occupancy, using a Section lower berth on the CANADIAN

Optional Sleeper Upgrades on the CANADIAN

For the additional cost of $225.00 per person, participants can upgrade to single occupancy Roomettes or double occupancy Bedrooms for the one night spent in Pullman cars on the CANADIAN. These compartments include in-room toilet facilities.