Rocky Mountaineer: Rockies & Vancouver Island

After included airport lounge access, you’ll board your flight to Calgary where a private transfer will see you to your lakeside hotel  in the heart of the Rockies. Indeed, the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise takes pride of place at the head of Alberta's most famous lake, offering unmatched views of mountain-framed valley. It is truly one of the most spectacular settings in the Rockies. Tonight, perhaps indulge in an authentic Swiss fondue at the hotel's alpine-cosy Walliser Stube, or indulge with gourmet dining and signature cocktails at the Fairview restaurant.

After breakfast, you'll head out on an included excursion to Jasper's Icefields Parkway, winding amid impenetrable forests, shimmering lakes and giant waterfalls before an off-road adventure see you onto the otherworldly white expanse of the Columbia Icefield. Take in the stunning glacier views, and perhaps head to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk before heading to your accommodation for this evening – the cosy Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

With a welcoming lounge, stone-clad walls, heated indoor pool, sauna and Jacuzzi, it’s the perfect place to relax after a day of adventure. Wrap up an exciting day with a drink in the aptly named Fireside Lounge before dining in the lodge's Great Hall, which offers stunning views of Lac Beauvert and Whistlers Mountain.

This morning, a private transfer will see you to the gleaming glass-domed carriages of Rocky Mountaineer. As you indulge in a sumptuous breakfast onboard, take in the dramatic views through panoramic windows as you wind your way through the Rocky Mountain Trench to marvel at Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Later, during a gourmet lunch, your route takes in everything from the thick forests of Yellowhead Pass to gorgeous aqua-blue lakes framed by soaring snow-dappled peaks. A guide will be on hand throughout to answer any questions and help bring the landscapes to life. Today ends in the pretty mountain town of Kamloops.

Stay: Kamloops accommodation

Immerse yourself further in nature today as you roll past dramatic river canyons, dense fir forests and the immense sprawl of the Cascade mountains, all accompanied by a delicious breakfast onboard. You'll enjoy the use of split-level carriages, a private dining car and outdoor viewing platforms, ideal for those all-important holiday snaps. Then, after another gourmet lunch and views of the British Columbian interior’s semi-arid landscapes and giant forested slopes, you'll arrive in Vancouver. After disembarking, check into your luxurious hotel, where stylish rooms, a sauna and Jacuzzi lie just moments from the city's myriad attractions.

This morning you'll experience Vancouver's sprawling parks and historic neighbourhoods on a guided city tour. Drive through the bustling streets of Gastown and Chinatown, take in the views at scenic English Bay, and marvel at the sights from picturesque Vancouver harbour. It really is a superb setting.

After breakfast on day six, transfer to Victoria. Its appeals are evident in stunning flower-filled parklands, farm-to-table restaurants and colonial Victorian architecture. The 55 acres of Butchart Gardens are a highlight, where vibrant floral displays bloom alongside intricate water features and impressive statues. You'll also enjoy an included ferry trip amid the picturesque Gulf Islands, venture out on an ocean-hugging drive and a visit Victoria’s delightful Inner Harbour. In the evening, check into your hotel, the Chateau Victoria, a stylish offering with contemporary suites, in-room spa treatments, a Jacuzzi and a rooftop grill for tapas and martinis alongside nightly live music. 

Stay: The Fairmont Empress, Victoria

Enjoy a thrilling final day on Vancouver Island as you join a coastal excursion in search of orcas, minke whales, grey whales, porpoises, harbour seals and other marine wildlife, all in the company of a certified marine biologist. The rest of the day is then free to explore Victoria before departing mid-afternoon on a scenic floatplane flight to Coal Harbour, before checking back into the Loden Hotel for a final night's stay.

After breakfast, spend the day at leisure exploring the city before a transfer to Vancouver airport for your overnight flight back to the UK, arriving on day 9.