Rockies Grandeur: 12 days Victoria to Vancouver

Welcome to Canada! You will be met at Victoria International Airport and transferred to your hotel. Sitting on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is British Columbia's capital and a memorable place to begin your journey. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.
Two Night Stay: Chateau Victoria or similar

Please book your flight to arrive into Victoria prior to 05:00 PM.

Victoria is a graceful harbour city with a relaxed coastal feel, known for its heritage charm, waterfront setting and long connection with gardens. In the morning you will visit Butchart Gardens before an orientation tour of Victoria. The rest of the day is yours to personalise with a choice of five DiscoverMORE experiences.

Included Excursion
This morning, visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens, a 22-hectare showplace of colourful gardens that began as a reclaimed limestone quarry and has grown into one of Canada’s most celebrated natural attractions. Wander through its beautifully designed spaces. The Sunken Garden at its heart is particularly striking with its sweeping flowerbeds creating one of the most memorable scenes in the gardens.

Included Excursion
Victoria’s Sights
Later, enjoy an orientation tour of Victoria’s most iconic sites, taking in the elegant Inner Harbour, historic Bastion Square, leafy Beacon Hill Park and the city’s attractive residential neighbourhoods.

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Whale Watching Cruise (extra expense, pre-booking recommended)
Head out on the Salish Sea and into some of the richest marine waters on the Pacific coast. Over three hours, expert on board naturalists guide you through an ecosystem where orcas and humpback whales feed and breach, sea lions haul out on rocky outcrops, and bald eagles circle overhead.

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Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour (extra expense, pre-booking recommended)
Few cities suit a horse-drawn carriage quite like Victoria. Clip through the elegant streets before rolling into Beacon Hill Park, one of Canada’s oldest, where ancient oak meadows and wildflower fields open up at every turn. This is slow travel at its absolute finest.

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Take to the Skies Over Victoria (extra expense, pre-booking recommended)
A floatplane flight over the Pacific coast is something else entirely. Take off from Victoria’s Inner Harbour and watch the dramatic shoreline unfold below. Watch the Strait of Juan de Fuca stretching to the horizon and the snow-capped Olympic Peninsula rising in the distance, before touching back down on the harbour waters where it all began.

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Victoria Bites & Sights Tour (extra expense, pre-booking recommended)
Cross the Inner Harbour by ferry, then duck into Canada’s oldest Chinatown where hidden alleys, secret courtyards, and extraordinary stories are waiting around every corner. A historic pub stop for a snack and a craft beer or local cocktail, sets the tone nicely. From there, cobblestone paths layered with history lead you toward a classic Canadian treat and Victoria’s most beloved chocolate shop, complete with one of the city’s most deliciously scandalous backstories.

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Afternoon Tea at The Empress (extra expense, pre-booking recommended)
Few afternoon teas carry the weight of history quite like this one. For over a century, the world-renowned Fairmont Empress has been welcoming royalty, celebrities, and dignitaries to its iconic Lobby Lounge for one of England’s most beloved rituals. The exclusive Empress Blend, the immaculate setting, the unhurried pace — this is not just a Victoria tradition, it’s a Victoria institution.

After breakfast, drive north along Vancouver Island to Nanaimo. Board the BC Ferry and travel through the Georgia Strait to Horseshoe Bay. The views of the Coast Mountains rising above the water make for a striking crossing and a fitting introduction to the landscapes ahead. Journey inland along the Sea to Sky Highway as the road follows the rugged coastline with views of Horseshoe Bay on your left and forested parks and mountains on your right. Continue to Whistler Village, a lively alpine resort at the base of two world-class ski mountains.

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Peak 2 Peak Gondola (extra expense, pre-booking recommended)
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, opening up an entire alpine world in a single day. Explore both summits, linked by a gondola crossing that spans over three kilometres of open sky. Few commutes anywhere in the world come close to matching it. On the other end, some of the finest high alpine terrain in North America is waiting.

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Whistler Tasting Tour (extra expense, pre-booking recommended)
Your guide leads you through Whistler Village on a leisurely evening stroll, stopping at four restaurants that locals actually rate. Four courses, plenty of local stories, blind wine tastings, and a poker twist that ties the whole night together in a way that feels far more like a great night out than an organised tour.

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Zip Lining Over Whistler Valley (extra expense, pre-booking recommended)
Soar above the valley between Whistler and Blackcomb on four thrilling ziplines, flying high over ancient forests and glacial creeks that stretch out far below. Lines range from gentle glides to full-speed flights, connected by suspension bridges, elevated boardwalks, and forest trails that are worth the visit on their own.

Overnight Stay: Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa or similar

Travel along the scenic Duffy Lake Road, where thick forest, turquoise lakes and winding mountain curves create one of British Columbia’s most memorable drives. Passing through the town of Lillooet, the landscape gradually shifts from coastal mountain terrain to the drier, more open scenery of the interior, offering a quietly dramatic contrast along the way. Continue into the picturesque Thompson Valley, where the North and South Thompson rivers meet, for your overnight stay. With its peaceful riverside setting and warm character, this region offers a relaxed pause during your journey.
Overnight Stay: South Thompson Inn or similar

Continue along the Trans-Canada Highway past Castle Mountain and Mount Temple to Lake Louise, the “Diamond in the Wilderness”, long celebrated for its striking alpine setting and historic place in Canada’s mountain story. Here you will have free time to stroll the lakeshore and take in the shifting shades of turquoise and jade. Continue to Emerald Lake for your overnight stay, named for the vivid colour of its glacier-fed waters, where the surrounding peaks and peaceful setting make it one of the most rewarding stops on your journey.
Two Night Stay: Emerald Lake Lodge or similar

This morning, we travel north along the Icefields Parkway. Stretching 230 kilometres between Banff and Jasper, it's widely regarded as one of the great drives of the world. Enjoy dramatic mountain scenery as you pass rugged peaks and glaciers fringed by thick forest and shimmering lakes. Keep your eyes on the verges, elk, bighorn sheep, and the occasional bear are frequently spotted along this stretch of road. After this experience, you will return to Emerald Lake.

Included Excursion
Columbia Icefield & Ice Explorer
At the Columbia Icefield, board the Ice Explorer, a purpose-built glacier vehicle designed to travel safely onto the surface of the 300-metre-thick Athabasca Glacier. Standing on this ancient ice with the mountains rising around you is a remarkable way to appreciate the sheer scale and raw beauty of the Canadian Rockies.

As you leave Emerald Lake this morning, take a moment to admire the stunning glacial hues of Moraine Lake, nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks (accessible seasonally). Continue to Banff, where a sightseeing tour introduces the Bow River and Bow Falls. Framed by mountain scenery and located within Banff National Park, Banff is a charming town of boutique shops, galleries and café-lined streets.

Included Excursion
Upon your arrival in Banff, enjoy a sightseeing tour taking in Bow River and Bow Falls, two natural landmarks that capture the character of this mountain town. Fed by glacier melt high in the Rockies, the Bow River winds through Banff National Park and has long shaped both the landscape and the town itself, while Bow Falls is known for its broad, powerful rush of water and dramatic mountain setting.

Two Night Stay: Mount Royal Hotel or similar

Surrounded by soaring peaks and pine forests, the charming town of Banff invites you to slow down and take it all in, with a relaxed pace and striking scenery in every direction. Today, you can choose how you’d like to explore with a selection of four DiscoverMORE experiences, before coming together this evening for a memorable EmeraldPLUS experience.

EmeraldPLUS
This evening, ascend the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, where far-reaching views across Banff, the Bow Valley and the surrounding Rocky Mountains unfold around you. Then enjoy dinner at Sky Bistro, a striking mountaintop setting where locally inspired dishes are served alongside one of the most impressive outlooks in the region.

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Heli Flightseeing Banff (extra expense, pre-booking recommended)
Lift off and venture by helicopter into one of earth’s most dramatic mountain landscapes. Weave between the iconic Three Sisters Peaks as sheer rock faces rise around you, and the scale of the Canadian Rockies truly sinks in. Rugged peaks, glittering lakes, and untouched wilderness surround you on every side. Your return follows the winding Bow River, a breathtaking finale to an experience that cannot be replicated from the ground.

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Bow River Float Trip (extra expense, pre-booking recommended)
The Bow River runs straight through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, and there is no better way to take it all in than from the water. Just minutes from downtown Banff, climb onto your raft, and let the current carry you past towering peaks, wildflower banks, and gliding water birds. No experience needed, just a willingness to slow down and take it all in. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but they have a habit of showing up.

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Discover Banff & Its Wildlife (extra expense, pre-booking recommended)
Banff is extraordinary from any angle, but the stories behind the scenery are what make it truly unforgettable. Wind through iconic heritage landmarks and sweeping mountain vistas by coach, uncovering the layered history of this World Heritage Site along the way. Keep your eyes on the treeline, wildlife has a way of appearing without warning, and it never gets old. End with a pause at a breathtaking viewpoint, hot chocolate and maple cookie in hand, as the scale of the Canadian Rockies properly sinks in.

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E-Bike & Hike Johnston Canyon (extra expense, pre-booking recommended)
Get out of town and into the Rockies on a guided e-bike tour. Ride past shimmering lakeshores and through mountain forest before trading the saddle for the trail at Banff’s most beloved canyon. Walk deeper into towering rock walls as the sound builds until the spectacular Lower Falls finally thunders into view, rounding out one of the most satisfying days the Rockies have to offer.

Set off on a two-day rail experience on the Rocky Mountaineer. Settle back in your SilverLeaf carriage (or choose to upgrade to GoldLeaf at additional expense) where oversized panoramic windows and attentive hosts ensure you don’t miss a moment of the unfolding scenery. As you travel west through the Canadian Rockies, take in ever-changing landscapes of dense forest, sweeping river bends and dramatic mountain ranges, including views of Mount Robson, Canada’s highest peak at 3,954 metres, whose imposing wall of rock and ice dominates the horizon on clear days.

From breakfast to lunch, enjoy freshly prepared, regionally inspired cuisine served at your seat, paired with a selection of premium beverages. All drinks are included, from wines, beers and spirits to soft drinks, coffee, tea and juices, allowing you to fully relax and savour the experience as the landscape transforms outside your window before arriving at your half-way point of Kamloops in the evening.
Overnight Stay: Hotel in Kamloops (assigned by Rocky Mountaineer)

Reboard the Rocky Mountaineer and continue your rail journey west towards the coast. Follow the Thompson River and pass through the fertile Fraser Valley, where the scenery gradually opens from rugged canyon country to wide green farmland, small towns and the softer landscapes of coastal British Columbia. Breakfast and lunch are once again served on board, with a full range of included beverages, allowing you to relax and enjoy the final stage of this remarkable rail experience.

Arrive in Vancouver in the late afternoon, where mountains and ocean frame one of Canada’s most naturally striking cities. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.
Two Night Stay: Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre or similar

With its harbourside setting, relaxed pace and mix of urban energy and natural beauty, Vancouver is a wonderful city to explore in more depth today. As you take in more of the city, you’ll discover a place that feels both vibrant and easy-going, with a strong sense of character at every turn.

Included Excursion
Today you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Vancouver including Stanley Park with its intricately carved totem poles, the waterfront area and Granville Island, which is famous for its fresh food markets, artist studios, restaurants and bars.

Included Excursion
Later, visit the Suspension Bridge Park where you can make your way across this spectacular suspension bridge, 70 metres above the Capilano River. From here, take in the surrounding old-growth forest and join the award-winning Treetops Adventure along a series of elevated walkways high above the forest floor.

Begin your day with a special EmeraldPLUS experience. Later, transfer to Vancouver Airport to board your homeward flight.

EmeraldPLUS
Start your day with unique experience of breakfast with the bears at Grouse Mountain. The mountain sits above the city's North Shore and is home to a grizzly bear sanctuary. Watching the bears move through their habitat over breakfast is an unexpectedly moving way to begin the day.

Please book your flight to depart out of Vancouver after 05:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Tours cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Hotels are indicative and subject to change.