Clients On the Go: Canadian Rockies with Tauck & Rocky Mountaineer
Poe Travel guests Ellen & Max recently returned from a Tauck journey through Canada, including a couple of days on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer train. Their feedback says it all. . .
All photos courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer & Tauck
Western Canada has so much to offer, from the thriving city of Vancouver through the Canadian Rockies and over to incredible destinations such as Banff and Lake Louise. The team at Poe Travel has always loved putting together Canadian adventures, and we worked with our pals at Tauck to put together something really special for Ellen and Max’s great journey.
“Tauck was all we hoped for plus more,” said Ellen. “What a great trip.”
When it comes to what made the trip great, Ellen said,
“Our guide and driver were both fabulous, and the Rocky Mountaineer train and historic hotels in Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff were—as Fairmonts—very well-run. . . The weather was great early, sunny and low 70s. It got wet and cool later, but still quite the improvement over [home in] Little Rock. We hope to travel with Tauck again.”
Since Ellen and Max had such a great time, we thought we would share their day-by-day itinerary to give you an idea of what’s possible during a Tauck trip in this neck of the woods. Each trip is different, of course, but this should set you daydreaming!
Day 1
Vancouver
Ellen and Max departed Little Rock early on their first day for their flight to Vancouver. On arrival, a Tauck representative met them for transfer to their hotel, the Fairmont Waterfront.
When they checked in at the hotel, they did so as members of the exclusive Tauck group and were advised of the evening’s activities and timings, including a welcome dinner and drinks reception. The rest of the afternoon was theirs to settle in and enjoy Vancouver on their own.
Day 2
Vancouver
With the rest of their Tauck group, Max and Ellen set off on a sightseeing tour this morning to take in Vancouver, home to an active cultural scene and abundant natural resources. Their sightseeing began up high, taking in the city with a bird’s eye view on a float plane! Afterwards, they explored the stunning green oasis of Stanley Park before enjoying lunch on their own at their choice of Granville Island’s tempting eateries.
In the afternoon, they headed to the Bill Reid Gallery for a docent-led tour of the showcase of contemporary Aboriginal art of the Northwest Coast. One of Canada’s great artists, Bill Reid was an acclaimed Haida master goldsmith, carver, sculptor, and writer, whose work is on display here.
Ellen and Max enjoyed dinner with the group at a local restaurant this evening.
Day 3
Board the Rocky Mountaineer
Along with the rest of their group, Max and Ellen made an early start this morning for the train station to board the Rocky Mountaineer, thus beginning their awe-inspiring journey through the Canadian Rockies. Breakfast was served onboard.
Relaxing in their Gold Leaf Service glass-domed coach, they witnessed dramatic changes in scenery from the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to British Colombia’s desert-like interior. A sumptuous lunch was served onboard.
In the evening, they disembarked the train in Kamloops, where the group was transferred to their accommodations. A light dinner was served, which was all they needed after the food onboard the train.
Day 4
The Rockies & Jasper National Park
Max and Ellen’s second and final day on the Rocky Mountaineer took them to the breathtaking Canadian Rockies in Alberta. As they made their way, they were surrounded by dramatic scenery as the train snaked along the North Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains, climbing ever nearer to the high peaks of the Continental Divide. They were able to spot Mount Robson, whose staggering peak is 12,972 feet high, the highest in the Canadian Rockies. They also spotted Pyramid Falls and climbed over Yellowhead Pass.
Their Rocky Mountaineer rail trip came to an end in the picturesque town of Jasper. On arrival, they were transferred to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. A light dinner was served in the evening for them.
Day 5
Jasper
Ellen and Max enjoyed a morning at leisure at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, where they had time to take in Jasper National Park’s incredible scenery. There were many optional activities available this morning at the lodge, including trail riding, tennis, golf, hiking, and swimming.
In the afternoon, they embarked on a private cruise across Maligne Lake, past towering peaks and glaciers, to the peaceful and remarkable Spirit Island. This is the perfect place to sit back and relax. The local guide provided vibrant anecdotes, including the history of the lake and its earliest explorers, along with geology, glaciology, and the flora and fauna of the area.
After the cruise, they returned to their comfortable hotel for another evening.
Day 6
Icefields Parkway & Lake Louise
It was a scenic drive on the way to Lake Louise today. The Icefields Parkway, which links Jasper and Lake Louise, is one of North America’s most spectacular drives. Max and Ellen were able to travel the road, which winds between snow-domed peaks and immense hanging glaciers. Along the way, it is not uncommon to spy elk, deer, bighorn sheep, or even bears.
Their ultimate destination for today was the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise inside pristine Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 7
Banff
The morning was spent enjoying their lovely surroundings at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise during some well-deserved time at leisure.
In the early afternoon, the group set out for lunch at a local hotel before traveling to Banff. Styled after a Scottish baronial castle, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel was built in the 1880s by the Canadian Pacific Railway to open tourism to the Rocky Mountains.
After checking in at this fabulous alpine resort, the group enjoyed dinner at their leisure tonight.
Day 8
Banff
Max and Ellen’s final day on their Tauck tour was an unforgettable one, as they started the day with a float trip along the Bow River.
After their exhilarating rafting excursion, they were able to spend the rest of the day exploring Banff National Park as they wished. One of the world’s major recreation destinations, the national park encompasses over 2,500 square miles of valleys, mountains, glaciers, meadows, and forests. After a lunch on their own, Ellen and Max were given the opportunity to take advantage of the resort’s many amenities. There was also a wide range of optional activities on offer, such as golf, tennis, guided walks along the park’s nature trails, and horseback riding.
In the evening, the group came back together for a farewell reception and dinner.
The next morning, they were driven about 80 miles to Calgary for their departure flight home.
One last note from Ellen: “If you have any interest in this trip, I advise you to take it.”
If you would like to Go Away to Canada with Tauck, contact us. We will create a customized itinerary to set you on your way.