Ffestiniog Travel

Monday 18 June to Thursday 5 July 2012

This is an epic journey that takes you to some of the most stunning places in the world. A holiday that includes awesome locations, natural wonders and wildlife. The magnificent Rockies and Coast Range, superb coastal scenery, interesting and colourful cities and the deluxe Rocky Mountaineer train – this really is the very best of Western Canada.

Day 1   Flight to Vancouver

Our flight takes us direct to Vancouver, a jewel of a city on Canada’s west coast, for a 2-night stay.

Day 2   A leisurely day in Vancouver

We have a free day to enjoy the city and its surroundings. Enjoy the city skyline from the Seabus ferry to North Vancouver, browse the boutiques of False Creek, take a stroll in Stanley Park or simply soak up the atmosphere. A day ticket for all public transport in the whole Greater Vancouver area can be purchased for a few dollars and the nearest Skytrain (metro) station is just minutes away from your hotel.

Day 3   Ferry to Victoria

A morning’s journey by coach and coastal ferry brings us to Victoria, capital of Vancouver Island. Often regarded as the most “English” of Canadian cities, Victoria is both elegant and charming. Floral displays add to the colour and you can enjoy a free afternoon here.

Day 4   Duncan Logging Museum

We have a full day excursion by coach to Duncan and the Cowichan Provincial Park. We will visit the BC Forest Discovery Centre, a world renowned attraction tracing the history and development of the timber industry including, naturally, a steam train ride. On a different note, we will also drive through the Provincial Park to Cowichan Lake before returning to our hotel in Victoria.

Day 5   Free day in Victoria

In addition to simply relaxing in the city or taking a city tour, you can also visit the nearby Butchart Gardens – a mass of colour at this time of year – or perhaps take a whale watching cruise with a qualified naturalist guide.

Day 6   The Malahat Train and Port Alberni

VIA Rail Canada’s isolated line on Vancouver Island is one of the very few routes on the North American Continent still operated by the once numerous Budd RDC railcars. The comfortable stainless steel train links Victoria with Courtenay travelling through lush forest and along a dramatic coastline dotted with small islands. We alight at Parksville and transfer to Port Alberni to ride the Alberni Pacific Steam Railway and visit the working steam powered saw mill museum, another treasure from the logging industry. We overnight in Port Alberni.

Day 7   North to Port Hardy

We travel by coach today through more forest scenery to the northernmost tip of the island at Port Hardy.

Day 8   Cruise the Inside Passage

The well-appointed ferry service linking Port Hardy with Prince Rupert takes a full day and provides a vital lifeline for the west coast communities not well served by roads. There is, of course, a restaurant on board plus the usual lounges and open deck accommodation. Overnight in Prince Rupert.

Day 9   A Grizzly Bear Watch

Today we cruise through the Chatham Sound, home to porpoise, seals, blue heron and bald eagles, to the pristine wilderness of the Khutzeymateen Valley, to marvel at the world’s largest concentration of grizzly bears. As there are no roads, boat is the only way to see the bears in their natural water margin habitat. Lunch and binoculars provided!

Day 10   The Skeena Train

The Skeena train between Prince Rupert and Jasper was formerly a day and overnight journey but, recognising the fact that most passengers are tourists nowadays, VIA Rail has thoughtfully divided the journey with an overnight in Prince George so that you don’t miss any of the scenery! This morning we follow the Skeena River inland past small salmon fishing ports and through farming and forestry settlements. We travel in Touring Class giving access to the dome car and with cold meals included, reaching Prince George, one of the main centres of British Columbia’s timber industry, in time for a relaxing night in our hotel. This is probably one of the most underrated rail journeys in Canada as the scenery is truly stunning.

Day 11   Mount Robson and the Yellowhead Pass

We continue eastwards and soon spot the Rocky Mountains ahead. We join the main line from Vancouver and, soon afterwards, pass Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, on our left. Now we cross the Yellowhead Pass and glide past tranquil mountain lakes before our descent to the mountain resort of Jasper where we stay for two nights.

Day 12   Maligne Lake and Canyon

Amongst various excursions available from Jasper, we have chosen to see Mailgne Lake - one of the best trips. We stop at the awe inspiring Maligne Canyon en route and then follow the valley up to the lake. Highlight of the day will be a cruise on the lake, surrounded by high snow covered peaks. You can go ashore near Spirit Island and take the same photo you may have already seen on countless postcards and calendars – but it’s much nicer to actually be there.

Day 13   Columbia Icefield, Lake Louise and Banff

We now take the road up the stunning Athabaska Valley, stopping for photos at the Athabaska and Sunwapta Falls before arriving at the summit at the Columbia Icefield at lunchtime. Here we find a restaurant and, after a short break, take a snowmobile out onto the glacier itself. After rejoining our own coach, we continue past the aptly named Bridal Veil where a myriad tiny streams fall down an almost vertical rock face. By late afternoon we are at the famous Lake Louise where we have a short stop before finally reaching Banff in the early evening. This has been a remarkable day of unbroken mountain scenery.

Day 14   The Rocky Mountaineer

The train journey from Banff to Vancouver follows the Canadian Pacific Railway route, the first Canadian transcontinental line, completed in 1885. The train itself has three classes ranging from RedLeaf with reclining seats and cold meal service through to GoldLeaf where all passengers are accommodated in bi-level coaches with dome-lounge above and dining car below. Hot meals from a menu are served here. Meals are included in the price in all classes. The train retraces yesterday’s route as far as Lake Louise and then climbs both Kicking Horse and Rogers Passes to cross the Rocky Mountains and Selkirks. The train stops at Kamloops for an overnight in a hotel.

Day 15   The Fraser Canyon

Now on the Canadian National route, our second day aboard the Rocky Mountaineer finds us in the Fraser Canyon, just feet away from the raging river. Thousands of Chinese labourers completed this section of line in the most appalling winter conditions. The final station on the line is also conveniently close to our hotel and we check in for another 2-night stay.

Day 16   Free day in Vancouver

A day set aside for your own choices – a visit to Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver is recommended.

Day 17   Flight to London

After another free morning for last minute shopping, we transfer to the airport for our direct flight home.

Day 18   Arrive home

We arrive home in the morning after a truly memorable holiday.