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Banff & Jasper - Winter Magic

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10 days From $3,863 per person
4.0 stars(4 reviews)
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Explore the Canadian winter wonderlands of Banff and Jasper through nature hikes and guided tours that provide great views of wilderness and wildlife.

Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary

2024 Tour code: PP-BJWW-24

About the tour

Enjoy three nights in Banff exploring the beauty of this charming area covered in blankets of snow. You'll take an Icewalk in Johnston Canyon, discover Banff National Park and its wildlife, and relax with a sleigh ride set against the backdrop of the beautiful Canadian Rockies. Learn about how these natural wonders were formed and their history as you spot wildlife along your journey. Then explore the vast, glacier-carved Bow Valley including the Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada.

Next, it's on to Jasper National Park, where you'll have a guided tour through Athabasca Valley to discover the local wildlife. You'll also learn about the winter survival tactics of the animals. There's plenty of time to explore Jasper on your own before you take an Icewalk through Maligne Canyon, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park. Enjoy the winter sights and famous Icefalls.

Wrap up your tour with an overnight train ride to Vancouver on VIA Rail's Canadian. After one night in Vancouver, your winter adventure ends.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome to Banff

Arrive into Calgary and board a scheduled motorcoach transfer to the mountain town of Banff. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore your new surroundings. Overnight Banff.

Day 2 – Banff Winter Adventures

This morning, take a guided walking tour through Johnston Canyon. Your ride along the Bow Valley Parkway to the trailhead offers fantastic opportunities for wildlife viewing as your guide explains the mysteries of the canyon's creation. Trek across steel walkways built into the canyon walls and witness breathtaking views of the gorge below. The catwalks lead you into the frozen lower waterfalls, framed by gigantic ice pillars. After this invigorating excursion, you'll have the rest of the day to explore Banff at your own pace. Overnight Banff.

Day 3 –Banff Wildlife Morning Tour & Evening Sleigh Ride

Start on your morning off with a 3-hour tour that takes you to Banff's landmarks and also provides a chance to view wildlife in their natural habitat. Learn about the history of Bow Valley and the wildlife's behavior, habitat, and winter survival adaptations.

This afternoon, enjoy a tranquil horse-drawn sleigh ride* among the Canadian Rockies and add a perfect "western touch" to a winter holiday. Overnight Banff.

*Banff Sleigh Ride operates between December 14 - March 15

Day 4 – Transfer from Banff to Jasper

Today travel north through the Rockies as you bid Banff farewell and welcome the beautiful area that is Jasper. Overnight Jasper.

Day 5 – Wildlife Discovery Tour

Knowledgeable guides conduct an incredible tour as they drive you through the Athabasca Valley, seeking out all of the park's most iconic creatures. Elk, deer, sheep, goats, coyotes, wolves, and moose are just a sample of Jasper's wild mountain fauna that you might see on this tour. Learn how these animals contribute to the rich diversity of the National Park and how they survive the mountain winters. Overnight Jasper.

Day 6 – Maligne Canyon Icewalk

You have the morning free to explore the alpine town of Jasper on your own. Then in the afternoon, take a fascinating 3-hour tour through the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park. You'll walk on the frozen floor of the canyon and stop for photos of the Queen of Maligne and Angel Icefalls. Overnight Jasper.

*Maligne Canyon Icewalk operates between December 15 - March 15

Day 7 - VIA Rail Canadian from Jasper to Vancouver

After breakfast on your own, make your way to Jasper's train station to board VIA Rail's Canadian. Settle into your accommodations and get acquainted with the train by exploring the sightseeing lounges and Park Car. Overnight on train. 

Includes
  • Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Vancouver

Upon arrival in Vancouver this morning transfer on your own to your hotel. Spend the day exploring all this beautiful ocean-side city has to offer. From world-class dining, arts and culture, to pristine nature, Vancouver offers something for everyone. Overnight Vancouver.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 9 – Departure

Wrap up your winter adventure as you head back home.

Additional information

Please Note

Maligne Canyon Icewalk operates between December 15 - March 15 Banff Sleigh Ride operates between December 14 - March 15

Cabins purchased on VIA rail for a single traveler are Cabins for 1. For upgrade options, ask your rail specialist for details.

Pricing Plans

Deluxe
·Hotels include Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and Fairmont Waterfront or similar; subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
·VIA Rail accommodations are in Sleeper Plus Class in a private cabin featuring two comfortable sofa chairs during the day that are replaced by an upper and lower bed at night, with en suite washroom and access to shower facilities.
·Meals are included onboard the Canadian in the dining car. You will exclusive access to the Park Car for spectacular views.

Prestige
·Hotels include upgraded rooms at the Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and Fairmont Waterfront or similar; subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
·VIA Rail accommodations on the Canadian are in Prestige Class in a private cabin featuring a large, comfortable leather couch, fold-down double bed, private washroom with shower, flat-screen TV with video selection, fully stocked minibar, and personalized service by the Prestige Concierge.
·Meals are included onboard the Canadian in the dining car. You will exclusive access to the Park Car for spectacular views.

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff

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Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper

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Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver

Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver

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Train

VIA Rail's Canadian

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Reviews

4.0 stars4.0 / 5 · 4 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (3)
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  5. 1 star
    (1)

CATHLEEN SONSONA

1 stars

Submitted 02 Jan 2023

From the very first hotel check in to the last hotel check in, we had a problem. Maybe because they couldn’t handle our party size of 6 people. The tour was booked and purchased under my name but hotel rooms were booked under my children’s name. One hotel it was under our 13 year daughter’s name. At the first hotel when we first had issues the hotel blamed the tour company that made the reservation and when we contacted the tour company they blamed the hotel. Christmas Day we had a confirmed tour for 9 am. Got my family up to wait for 45 minutes to find out they don’t run the tour until 1 pm because of Christmas. There was another group with the same problem up early for absolutely nothing on Christmas Day. More of this continued. Never will recommend this company. Never will use this company again. What a stressful vacation constantly having to worry about your accommodations/tours. If I wanted that I would have planned this trip myself. Useless. If you are looking to take this trip do yourself a favor and plan it yourself.

Collected by Trustpilot

John S., Rockaway Park, NY

5 stars

Submitted 26 May 2018

Everyone was very nice and the places were beautiful. Great accommodations.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Helena B., Wick, Worcestshire

5 stars

Submitted 03 Dec 2017

Everything was great and when the train was delayed Suzanne sorted out the hotels.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Bonnie B, Rapid City, SD

5 stars

Submitted 07 Feb 2017

The scenery was spectacular. It was a once in a lifetime excursion.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

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