Heart of the Canadian Rockies
Heart of the Canadian Rockies
Heart of the Canadian Rockies
10 Days Starting in CALGARY and ending in VANCOUVER
Visiting: Calgary, Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Columbia Icefield, Jasper National Park, Mount Robson, Kamloops, Ferry Crossing, Victoria, Vancouver
Tour operator:
Tour code:
8910-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
0-0
Special diets catered:
Please Advise Request
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
The Canadian Rockies are known for their stunning scenery, rugged mountains, breathtaking glaciers, mighty rivers, and gorgeous national parks. On this Heart of the Canadian Rockies tour, you’ll experience all of this and more! You’ll overnight in Calgary, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Kamloops, Victoria, and Vancouver. In Banff National Park, Canada’s oldest national park and gateway to the Canadian Rockies, you’ll have time on your own to stroll along the river, explore the hot springs and quaint shops, and also take an optional excursion to view the incredible scenery by helicopter. You’ll also enjoy two nights in Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. You can hike, peruse the shops, and join an optional excursion to see beautiful Maligne Lake and Spirit Island. Between Banff and Jasper, you’ll experience a highlight of this Canadian Rockies tour—a thrilling ride aboard an Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle to the Athabasca Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice in the Canadian Rockies. Your journey also includes a stop in Lake Louise, whose turquoise waters create a natural mirror that reflects the surrounding mountains and pristine wilderness. This tour also includes ferry crossings between Vancouver and Victoria as well as sightseeing in both. In Victoria, your sightseeing includes world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of showcase floral displays. You’ll also have free time in Victoria to explore on your own. Perhaps enjoy high tea at the Empress Hotel, walk and discover Victoria’s delightful historic buildings and harbour, or take the optional Marine Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition to seek out the resident pods of orca whales. All of this and more await you on this once-in-a-lifetime Canadian Rockies tour designed for savvy, value-minded travelers!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Calgary
Location: Calgary
Accommodation Name: Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Welcome to Calgary! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
CALGARY Welcome to Calgary! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
Day 2: Calgary,Banff National Park
Location: Calgary, Banff National Park
Accommodation Name: Rundlestone Lodge
The discovery of oil converted this ranching town into a sophisticated city. It is also home to the world-famous Calgary Stampede. See many of the city’s attractions, including Canada Olympic Park and the Saddledome. Motor west through the foothills and into Banff National Park, gateway to the majestic Canadian Rockies. An orientation tour highlights Banff’s unspoiled beauty.
CALGARY–BANFF NATIONAL PARK The discovery of oil converted this ranching town into a sophisticated city. It is also home to the world-famous Calgary Stampede. See many of the city’s attractions, including Canada Olympic Park and the Saddledome. Motor west through the foothills and into Banff National Park, gateway to the majestic Canadian Rockies. An orientation tour highlights Banff’s unspoiled beauty.
Day 3: Banff National Park
Location: Banff National Park
Banff is one of Canada’s favorite year-round resorts, with summer activities such as hiking, boating, and fishing. With a free day, your Tour Director will have many suggestions, including a sky-high adventure with an unforgettable optional helicopter ride over the incredible Canadian Rockies.BANFF NATIONAL PARK Banff is one of Canada’s favorite year-round resorts, with summer activities such as hiking, boating, and fishing. With a free day, your Tour Director will have many suggestions, including a sky-high adventure with an unforgettable optional helicopter ride over the incredible Canadian Rockies.
Day 4: Banff National Park,Lake Louise,Columbia Icefield,Jasper National Park
Location: Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Columbia Icefield, Jasper National Park
Enjoy a day of scenic grandeur. First stop is Lake Louise, whose turquoise waters create a natural mirror that reflects the surrounding mountains. Up next, a stop at the Columbia Icefield to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick! Then, drive north into Jasper National Park, where precipitous gorges, snowcapped summits, and lakes of exquisite blues and greens come into view as your journey scales three mountain passes. Later, consider an optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Enjoy an orientation tour of the town of Jasper upon arrival.BANFF NATIONAL PARK–LAKE LOUISE–COLUMBIA ICEFIELD–JASPER NATIONAL PARK Enjoy a day of scenic grandeur. First stop is Lake Louise, whose turquoise waters create a natural mirror that reflects the surrounding mountains. Up next, a stop at the Columbia Icefield to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick! Then, drive north into Jasper National Park, where precipitous gorges, snowcapped summits, and lakes of exquisite blues and greens come into view as your journey scales three mountain passes. Later, consider an optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Enjoy an orientation tour of the town of Jasper upon arrival.
Day 5: Jasper National Park
Location: Jasper National Park
Today, experience the magic of nature on an optional excursion to Maligne Lake and Spirit Island* where you’ll embark on a narrated cruise to learn about the history, geology, flora, and fauna amid stunning scenery. The balance of the day is free to enjoy everything Jasper has to offer—from guided hikes and quaint shops to meandering wildlife.*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June.JASPER NATIONAL PARK Today, experience the magic of nature on an optional excursion to Maligne Lake and Spirit Island* where you’ll embark on a narrated cruise to learn about the history, geology, flora, and fauna amid stunning scenery. The balance of the day is free to enjoy everything Jasper has to offer—from guided hikes and quaint shops to meandering wildlife.*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June.
Day 6: Jasper National Park,Mount Robson,Kamloops
Location: 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. The Yellowhead Highway continues south along the mighty Thompson River, with spectacular views of the Monashee Mountains. Overnight in KamloopsJASPER 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. The Yellowhead Highway continues south along the mighty Thompson River, with spectacular views of the Monashee Mountains. Overnight in Kamloops
Day 7: Kamloops,Ferry Crossing,Victoria
Location: Kamloops, Ferry Crossing, Victoria
As you travel through British Columbia’s Cascade Mountains and the fertile Fraser Valley to the majestic Pacific coastline, the vegetation changes from desert landscape to lush alpine forest. Board your ferry for the scenic crossing to Vancouver Island. Prior to arriving in Victoria, visit world-famous Butchart Gardens and view the beautiful floral displays. Continue downtown and see the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. This evening, consider a relaxing stroll along the lively Waterfront Promenade.KAMLOOPS–FERRY CROSSING–VICTORIA As you travel through British Columbia’s Cascade Mountains and the fertile Fraser Valley to the majestic Pacific coastline, the vegetation changes from desert landscape to lush alpine forest. Board your ferry for the scenic crossing to Vancouver Island. Prior to arriving in Victoria, visit world-famous Butchart Gardens and view the beautiful floral displays. Continue downtown and see the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. This evening, consider a relaxing stroll along the lively Waterfront Promenade.
Day 8: Victoria
Location: Victoria
Today is free to explore on your own. Your Tour Director will have ideas for enjoying this most British of Canadian cities. Perhaps enjoy High Tea at the Empress Hotel or choose an adventure at sea with an optional Wildlife and Whale-Watching Expedition, looking for whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles.VICTORIA Today is free to explore on your own. Your Tour Director will have ideas for enjoying this most British of Canadian cities. Perhaps enjoy High Tea at the Empress Hotel or choose an adventure at sea with an optional Wildlife and Whale-Watching Expedition, looking for whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles.
Day 9: Victoria,Ferry Crossing,Vancouver
Location: 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, Gastown, Chinatown, and other famous landmarks. The remainder of the day is free to explore this vibrant city known for its incredible scenery, thriving art scene, and diverse culture. Perhaps visit Robson Street and experience British Columbia’s premier shopping and entertainment location.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, Gastown, Chinatown, and other famous landmarks. The remainder of the day is free to explore this vibrant city known for its incredible scenery, thriving art scene, and diverse culture. Perhaps visit Robson Street and experience British Columbia’s premier shopping and entertainment location.
Day 10: Vancouver
Location: Vancouver
Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Vancouver further.
VANCOUVER Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Vancouver further.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodations include Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel, Bow View Lodge in Banff National Park, Marmot Lodge in Jasper National Park, The Plaza Hotel in Kamloops, Royal Scot Hotel & Suites in Victoria, and Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown.
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Transportation
Transportation throughout the tour, including ferry crossings and travel through British Columbia's Coast Mountain Range.
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Sightseeing Tours
Sightseeing tours in Victoria including the world-famous Butchart Gardens, Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park.
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Ice Explorer Ride
A thrilling ride aboard an Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle on the Athabasca Glacier in the Columbia Icefield.
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National Park Visits
Visits to Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and other scenic locations.
What's Not Included
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International Travel
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Optional
Any sightseeing noted as being an optional excursion
Notes
Early departures may not be able to visit Columbia Icefield, which opens in early May, or take the Maligne Lake & Spirit Island optional excursion, which opens in mid to late May. Visiting and participating in other activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions and vendor dates of operation.Maximum elevation on tour: 7,500 ft.
UNESCO Sites
Banff National Park|Jasper National Park
Accommodation
Calgary:Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown HotelBanff National Park:Banff Rocky Mountain ResortJasper National Park:Marmot LodgeKamloops:The Thompson Hotel & Conference CentreVictoria:Royal Scot Hotel & SuitesVancouver:Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, 5 years or above
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to limited coach capacity, we only allow one suitcase per person. Your bag should have dimensions not exceeding 30"x21"x11" (62" linear dimensions) or weight exceeding 50 lbs. Carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 12"x11"x6
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What is the maximum group size?
Usually max 43 people
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.