【Winter Tour VIA Rail】7-Day Canadian Tour from Calgary with Free Day and Airport Transfers:Marble Canyon, Banff National Park, Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise| 3 Nights in Banff Town【Product Code: 9071】

Welcome to Calgary! Enjoy the dazzling mountain peaks, lush alpine meadows, blue-green lakes, dense forests and abundant wild animals. Immerse yourself in nature, and enjoy local delicacies. Your choices of [Self-Guided City Tour - City Tour C/D (Add-on fees)] if you arrive in Calgary before 12:00PM.

Depart from Calgary, and head to [Surprise Corner] Named after its spectacular views of the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel that is cozily nestled at the heart of a dense forest with the beautiful Sulphur Mountain as a backdrop. This beautiful scene is elevated with Bow River cascading down into the Bow Falls as a foreground. The magnificent scene at Surprise Corner will make you feel as if you have travelled into a fairytale story.

Then head to a must-see scenic spot, [Bow Falls]. The roaring landscape in the summer is like being enchanted by time. You can still hear the river pounding under the ice as if it is going to break through the confinement of time. 

Next, stepping into a wonderland with beautiful scenery. Ride the Sulphur Mountain [Banff Gondola (additional charges)] (**Winter Maintenance TBC**) to reach the top of the mountain. At this moment, it seems that a fascinating picture has unfolded. A 3-minute “Above Banff” experience allows you to explore Banff through an eagle-eye perspective with stunning sound effects, advanced visual film processing technology, 3D effects, and perfectly shows the full picture of Banff National Park.

It is time to replenish energy. After the lunch break, You can choose from the optional activities of the unique experience of [Banff Upper Hot Springs] (Admission is first come first serve at your own cost/**Please bring a swimsuit for hot springs**) Relax and soak under the views of Cascade Mountain. Or explore on a [Winter sleigh ride (additional charges)] snowy town inspiration to immerse yourselves in the winter wonderland.

Itinerary:

Calgary - Surprise Corner (15 min) - Bow Falls (15 min) - Banff Gondola (90 min/Optional with additional charges) - Banff Town (120 min) (Optional with additional charges of Banff Upper Hot Springs (90 min/Purchase admission at reception) or Winter Sleigh Ride (40 min/from Mid-December) - Banff

Note:

The winter schedule and itinerary could be impacted by extreme weather and road conditions, while we may make necessary adjustments. We appreciate your understanding in case of any delays or changes.

This is a combined bus tour. Additional pickup and drop-off locations may be added to the tour. 

In the morning, we will pass by the well-defined  [Castle Mountain]. It is a famous mountain in the Rocky Mountains between Banff and Lake Louise and is the Trans-Canada Highway. An impressive road sign. Don’t let the scenery along the way pass you by, it will bring you another unparalleled scenery.

[Marble Canyon] there are 7 bridges in Marble Canyon that you can hike on in winter, walking in a zigzag pattern on the deep limestone canyon and the winding creek below. The canyon is the junction of Tocum Creek and Suzaku River. Fossils of Cambrian soft-bodied creatures millions of years ago were found here, which is quite magnificent. A narrow path over a creek, from the bridge you can see the canyon below, with a frozen waterfall cascading from above on the right, the stunning landscape and refreshing pools are impressive.

In the afternoon, the trip continues to explore another fairy tale secret in the Rocky Mountains: the snow-white [Lake Louise], backed by the [Victoria Glacier], from January to April every year (according to the official opening hours), the grand [Ice Magic] is launched here. Artists and ice sculpture enthusiasts from all over the world gather here to build a beautiful fairy tale world. The [Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise] located on the lakeside looks like a painting, with snow-capped mountains and glacial lakes complementing each other. [Snow Shoeing (free borrow)] (this activity is subject to weather and lake freezing conditions), step in the soft snow, and experience the ice and snow adventure.

Recommended optional (additional fees) activities in the Lake Louise area (you can choose two at the same time):

-Snow Shoeing (free borrowing of snow shoes, this activity is subject to weather and snow conditions)

-Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Afternoon Tea (optional with additional fees)

-Lake Louise 45min Horse Sleigh Rides (optional with additional fees)

Itinerary:

Banff – Castle Mountain (15 minutes) – Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park (60 minutes) – Lake Louise and winter light outdoor activities (180 minutes) – Banff

Meet up at the hotel then head to Banff National Park. Banff National Park is Canada's first national park and is a destination on numerous people’s bucket lists from all around the world. It was built in 1885 and is located in the northern part of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada.

We will first stop by [Two Jack Lake] for photo taking then head to [Lake Minnewanka]. During winter, when water freezes and the bacteria feed expels methane gas, you may see the magical phenomena of icy bubbles at Lake Minnewanka.

[Cave and Basin Historic site] Stepping into Banff history to visit the Cave and Basin Historic site which is the first hot springs to be discovered in the 19th century. You can take several trials like the Discovery Boardwalk, and the Marsh trail to enjoy amazing natural scenery while studying the history of Banff National Park. (Complimentary admission)

Lunch time You can take a walk in Banff Avenue to restaurants to enjoy a delicious lunch!

Next, visit the iconic [Banff LOGO] which features a picturesque mountain landscape with rugged peaks as the backdrop for Instagrammable photos.

Final stop at [Johnston Canyon] Banff National Park's most popular hiking destination takes you into the Johnston Canyon and amongst spectacular waterfalls. See the impressive lower falls and walk through a tunnel to get an even closer look at the powerful effects of water. Enjoy Ice Walk (Free borrow of Rivet crampons) in the amazing Johnston Canyon. 

Itinerary:

Banff - Lake Minnewanka (20 min) - Two Jack Lake (Photo Stop) - Cave and Basin National Historic Site (45 min/Complimentary Admission) - Banff Town Lunch Stop (60 min) - Banff LOGO (Photo Stop) - Johnston Canyon (75 min) - Banff

Enjoy half free day in Banff. Please wait at the hotel lobby from 14:30 - 14:45PM to board the Banff - Jasper bus, heading to Banff National Park. We will travel along the famous Icefields Parkway(view on bus and there is no stop), recognized as one of the "Top 10 Scenic Drives in the World" by National Geographic. Along the way, you'll be captivated by the breathtaking winter scenery with everything covered in a blanket of glistening snow.

We will arrive in Jasper Town at approximately 6:30-7:00 PM in the evening. With the addition of winter snow, the town takes on a magical ambiance.

**Banff - Jasper bus: Each passenger is allowed to bring 1 piece of carry-on luggage, 1 suitcase, and 1 personal item. Additional luggage requests will incur an extra fee. SUNDOG, additional luggage is CAD$15+GST per item, ski equipment is CAD$30+GST per item, can be paid on the bus.

Depart from Jasper Hotel at approximately 08:00am in the morning. Guests will go to the [Canada National Rail VIA] station to check in by themselves. (The departure time is subject to the final notification from Jasper Railway Station, please go to the railway station to check in at least 1 hour in advance)

The train departs at 09:00am (there is no driver-guide service on the train), and you will start the special Rocky Mountain train Brigade - 800 kilometers of magnificent mountains and rivers along the way, allowing you to enjoy the scenery of the Rocky Mountains. Crossing the alpine meadows, driving in the snow-capped waterfalls under the blue sky is the snow-white glaciers, having the opportunity to see the highest peak in Canada, Mount Robertson, and looking down at the emerald lake, just like the words of the literati: "The Rocky Mountains are a A temple where people can worship and purify their souls.” The sun sets, night falls, and tonight you will fall asleep in pure nature.

Arrive at [Pacific Railway Station] at approximately 8:00am in the morning, Vancouver time. Welcome to Vancouver. After arriving at Vancouver Pacific Railway Station, the tour ends on your own.

Pacific Railway Station Address: 1150 Station St, Vancouver, BC V6A 4C7