8-Day Lakes & Mountains Tour to Vancouver, Jasper, Columbia Icefield, Lake Louise, Banff**Starts in Calgary**<br>** Ends in Vancouver**

Upon arrival in Calgary, we'll transfer via scheduled motor coach service to Banff. We'll travel through the foothills of the Rockies, past the mountain town of Canmore. Upon arrival into the mountain town of Banff, you will be dropped off at your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring the area.

Today you'll explore the lovely town of Banff and the surrounding national park. First you will take a ride to the peak of Sulphur Mountain for a 360 degree view of the Banff Town site and the Bow Valley. Afterwards you'll visit Bow Falls before ascending Tunnel Mountain Drive to view Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos, overlooking the Bow River. You'll continue to Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park, where you may enjoy an hour long cruise beneath the jagged peaks of Mount Aylmer and Mount Inglismaldie to the Devils Gap. Big horn sheep, deer and eagles are often spotted at the water’s edge. You'll return to Banff via the Minnewanka Loop with a stop at Two Jack Lake.

In the morning we'll depart Banff and travel to beautiful Johnston Canyon, following a winding path along the base of the Bow Valley. Here you'll discover Moraine Lake, with the Valley of the Ten Peaks reflecting off its turquoise waters. Then we'll continue to Lake Louise, the “Jewel of the Rockies,” with its backdrop of the glistening Victoria Glacier. After a lunch break at Lake Louise, cross the Continental Divide and enter Yoho National Park. Visit the scenic Yoho Valley and such sights as Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Pass and the Natural Rock Bridge which spans the Kicking Horse River. We'll return to Lake Louise for this evening’s accommodation.

Head north along the famous Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular highways in North America, as we travel to Jasper. We'll pass through Banff and Jasper National Parks with stops at the Columbia Icefield & the newly opened Glacier Skywalk. At the Columbia Icefield you'll board a Brewster Ice Explorer and travel onto the icy slopes of Athabasca Glacier. You'll travel to the center of the glacier while your guide will point out the unique geological features and formation of the region. At the icefall below the glacial headwall, take the option of stepping out onto the ice formed from snow that fell 400 years ago. Only a few minutes from the Athabasca Glacier is the Glacier Skywalk, Jasper National Parks’ newest attraction. Winner of the 2011 World Architecture Future Projects award, the Glacier Skywalk consists of a 400 metre interpretive boardwalk and a glass-floored observation platform extending 30 metres out over the Sunwapta Valley. The walkway contains interpretive stations highlighting the ecology, geology, glaciology, Aboriginal history and social history of the area. After your adventure, your camera should be ready to capture the majesty of the Athabasca Falls, prior to your arrival into Jasper.

Today you'll begin your tour of the gorgeous Jasper National Park as you explore this lovely and unspoiled region. You'll enjoy a morning excursion along the might Mount Athabasca and learn about the valley's ecosystem. Then you'll head to Maligne Lake where you'll learn about the local legends surrounding the waters. And make sure to bring your camera, cause you're bound to spot a variety of mountain wildlife.

You can continue to explore Jasper in the morning before we transfer to the Jasper Train Station to board VIA Rail’s “Canadian” for a journey through the Rockies to Vancouver. This experience, with its award-winning service, is luxury on rails. Points of interest include Hell’s Gate (gorge), Suicide Rapids in the North Thompson Canyon, and the Cisco Tunnels above the Fraser River.

We'll continue overnight to Vancouver aboard our train. Upon arrival at the Vancouver train station in the morning, transfer to your hotel. Then we'll visit Vancouver’s newest attraction, FlyOver Canada . At its core, FlyOver Canada is a breathtaking, all-ages, flight simulation ride like no other! You will take off into a huge dome screen with the latest in projection and ride technology creating a true flying experience (complete with wind, scents, and mist!).

Transfer from your hotel to Vancouver International Airport (transfer not included) for your homeward or onward flight by city transit, taxi or limousine.