Itinerary

Day 1: Fly from Dublin to Vancouver (Probably direct)

·        Arrive at Vancouver and travel downtown

·        Check into your hotel

·        Evening at leisure

Day 2: Exploring Vancouver

·        Breakfast in the hotel included

·        Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Vancouver. Highlights are:

o   Canada Place, Totem Poles in Stanley Park, Prospect Point Lookout, English Bay, Gastown and the famous Steam Clock, Granville Island and the Vancouver Lookout.

·        Remainder of the day is at leisure

Day 3: Vancouver

·        Breakfast at hotel. Full day to relax. We may swap the sightseeing tour on Day 4.

Day 4: Vancouver to Whistler

·        8:45 AM pick up at your hotel to start your Rockies Adventure.

·        Depart Vancouver at 9:00 am

·        Stop at Shannon Falls

·        Travel the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway

·        Stop at Brandywine Falls

·        Arrive in Whistler Village and enjoy a walking tour

·        Option to go zip-trekking, e-biking, ride the famous Peak 2 Peak Gondola, and more

·        Check into your centrally located hotel in Whistler Village

·        Leisure time to enjoy the hotel amenities and explore Whistler Village

·        Evening option to participate in Vallea Lumina - a multi-media night walk in pursuit of hidden wonders (additional cost)

Day 5 – Whistler to Clearwater, Wells Gray Provincial Park

·        Breakfast in the hotel (included) then depart Whistler

·        Drive through Pemberton and Lillooet

·        Enjoy an authentic Indigenous Experience with Xwisten Experience Tours:

·        Visit the Bridge River Fishing Grounds, the past and current fishing area of the St'át'imc People. Learn about the traditional wind-dried method of preserving the salmon still used by its people today

·        After the tour, partake in a Salmon BBQ, complete with salmon, rice, salad, and bannock. Dessert is a traditional dish of whipped berries (sxúsum)

·        Check into your hotel in Clearwater

·        Evening at leisure to relax in your hotel. Hotel amenities include a pool and hot tub

Day 6 – Clearwater, Wells Gray Provincial Park to Jasper

·        Breakfast in the hotel (included)

·        Explore Wells Gray Provincial Park

·        Visit Helmcken Falls and Spahats Falls

·        Stop at Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies

·        Check into your centrally located hotel in the town of Jasper

·        Free time to explore the town of Jasper and have dinner

·        Option to visit the Jasper Planetarium this evening

Day 7 - Jasper National Park

·        Breakfast in the hotel (included)

·        Explore Maligne Canyon - Walk along scenic bridges and trails and see ancient fossils in rock, and many waterfalls

·        Visit Maligne Lake which is famous for the colour of its azure water, the surrounding peaks, the three glaciers visible from the lake, and Spirit Island, a frequently and very famously photographed islet

·        Option to take a boat cruise to Spirit Island (additional cost) or enjoy a nice walk along the lakeside trail

·        Free time in the afternoon to explore Jasper or take part in other optional activities including but not limited to: Jasper Food Tours and Jasper Sky Tram

Day 8 - Jasper & Icefields Parkway to Banff

·        Breakfast (included)

·        Travel to the Columbia Icefields and go on the world-renowned Glacier Adventure (included)

·        Stop at Saskatchewan Crossing and have the option to go on a Helicopter Tour with Rockies Heli Canada

·        Continue traveling along the Icefields Parkway with stops at Bow Lake and Peyto Lake

·        Arrive in the town of Banff and check in to your hotel

Day 9 – Banff

·        Breakfast (included)

·        Take the Banff Mountain Gondola and enjoy the amazing views of the Rockies (included)

·        Enjoy a tour of Banff townsite including Bow Falls, Hoo Doos, Banff Springs Hotel

·        Free time for shopping and sightseeing on Banff Avenue or participating in an exciting outdoor activity such as e-biking, horseback riding, canoeing (bow river float), hiking, hot springs, helicopter tour, and more

·        Evening at leisure in Banff

Day 10 – Lake Louise & Kelowna

·        Breakfast in the hotel (included) then check out

·        Explore beautiful Lake Louise & Moraine Lake

·        Travel through Roger's Pass

·        Check into your centrally located hotel in downtown Kelowna

·        Explore the town of Kelowna with many dining options to choose from

Day 11 - Okanagan Valley to Vancouver

·        Breakfast in the hotel (included)

·        Explore the Okanagan Valley with a stop at a farmer's market and winery

·        Return to Vancouver at approximately 7:30pm and check into your hotel

Day 12: Victoria Day Tour

·        Breakfast in the hotel

·        Meet your guide at 8 am

·        Today's adventure begins with a 90-minute sailing aboard BC Ferries.

·        Arrive on Vancouver Island

·        Sightseeing tour of the top locations in downtown Victoria, including Mile 0, Ogden Point, Empress Hotel, and Historic Chinatown, including the famous Fan Tan Alley and shops.

·        Walking tour led by a local guide (optional participation).

·        Enjoy some free time to explore Victoria on your own.

·        Visit Butchart Gardens. (This is one of my personal highlights – Alan)  Originally a quarry over 100 years ago, it has been transformed into a modern masterpiece featuring a sunken garden. (We will either visit Butchart Gardens before or after sightseeing in downtown Victoria depending on the season and hours of operation)

·        Relax as we cruise back to the Mainland this evening, explore the outside decks and views.

·        At approximately 9:30pm return to Vancouver

Day 13: Vancouver - Home

·        Breakfast included

·        Check out before 12 pm

·        Transfer to the airport and flight home

Day 14: Arrive back in Dublin. Tour ends.

Fares:

Based on sharing a double or twin room - £5150

Based on single occupancy - £6575

Supplement for Business Class - £1525 return



We have not offered Premium Economy, as it only £200 cheaper than Business Class and it is definitely not worth it! There are a total of 11 Business Class seats available!

See below for inclusions.

Price includes

·        Return Airfares from Dublin to Vancouver

·        12-nights hotel accommodation (3 pre and 2 post nights in Vancouver)

·        Daily Breakfast

·        Indigenous Experience & Salmon BBQ Lunch

·        Winery tour and tasting

·        Admission to:

o   Sulphur Mountain Gondola

o   Icefields Glacier Adventure

·        Discover Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour (including transportation, BC Ferries, and admission to the Butchart Gardens

·        Discover Vancouver City Tour (including admission to the Lookout Tower)

·        All taxes and park fees

Not included

·        Any meals other than breakfasts and one barbecue lunch. (See note nelow)

·        Drinks of any description

·        Any items of personal expense

·        Travel insurance

Meals

               On most Acetours holidays or tours, we include evening meals. Travelling in North America, whether it be Canada or USA, is a nightmare for travel organisers and most do not include evening meals anymore. When one tales into account the number of allergies and food intolerances, with the unknown quantities of taxes and tips, most operators run a mile! They simply don’t want to be sued! So, on this tour, we have only included breakfast on a daily basis, leaving you to eat in the evening as you desire. You could do a “McDonalds” or “IHOP” and you could get away with £10 but if you want to eat in a top Vancouver restaurant, make it £100! We estimate you should budget on around £40 -£50 per day, including tips and taxes, for a snack lunch and an evening meal, but you could eat for a lot less…or a lot more!

Each evening, your host Alan will choose a mid-range restaurant and, if you wish to join him, you will be most welcome…but you have to pay your own bill, I’m afraid.

Tipping

Although this is Canada, it’s still Norther America and tipping is a way of life, even an expensive way of life. You will be expected to top for everything! In restaurants, 18% to 22% is now the norm. Hotel porterage is no longer $1 per bag each time you require it. Reckon on $2.50 each time, at least! Whatever you do, that involves money, will almost always need tipping. So, please set aside a small budget for tips…..it’s a way of life” (One which we at Acetours hate!)