Morant's Curve near Lake Louise, Rocky Mountaineer

Wild Canada

With David Wickers

1st – 13th September 2016

The Ultimate Travel Company

Escorted Tours

Vancouver

Wild Canada

With David Wickers

1st – 13th September 2016

Contact Sophie Pullan

Direct Line 020 7386 4677

Telephone 020 7386 4620

Fax 020 7386 8652

Email sophie@theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk

David Wickers

David established Bridge & Wickers ten years ago, specialising in arranging top end, tailor made travel to

Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Since the company’s acquisition by The Ultimate Travel Company, he

remains a Director of the company he founded. In previous lives, David was a comedy writer (for performers

including Dave Allen and the Two Ronnies) and children’s book author before becoming a full time travel

writer. He was the Chief Travel Correspondent of The Sunday Times for 17 years, which meant spending

several months ‘on the road’ researching and writing features and visiting more than 100 countries. On three

occasions he was voted the UK’s ‘Travel Writer of the Year. He is currently also Travel Editor of Good

Housekeeping.

Detailed Itinerary

If you are lover of nature, of magnificent seascapes, stunning scenery and remarkable wildlife, our

Director’s Tour to western Canada in September 2016 should be high on your wish list.

We’ll fly into Vancouver, a highly liveable waterfront city with towering mountains in its back

garden. There’ll be time to rent bikes and cycle round the enormous Stanley Park (a glimpse of the

Canadian wilderness to come!), visit the second largest Chinatown in the west, explore the

outstanding Museum of Anthropology and hop over to Granville Island with its food market,

waterside restaurants, art galleries, boat rental and brewery.

Sculpted by fjords and studded with islands, we’ll first have a bird’s eye view of the Pacific coast as

we fly north by seaplane to Sonora, a coastal resort which offers an immersion in pure wilderness

but in Relais & Chateaux luxury. It is also one of the prime spots for sighting bears, whales and

bald eagles. The interior of western Canada is dominated by the Rockies which we will approach on

a two day spectacular journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer railway, enjoying the luxury of its

Gold Leaf class. From one of the world’s most scenic train journeys we will continue by one of the

world’s most scenic drives, following the Icefields Parkway through the heart of the Rockies

between Jasper and Banff, past a pageant of lakes, saw tooth peaks and glaciers, before flying home

from Calgary.

Day 1: Thursday, 1st September London / Vancouver

Depart London Heathrow on a British Airways lunchtime flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival at Vancouver

Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to Vancouver downtown. Check into the four star Fairmont

Waterfront Hotel where two nights are spent. Located on Vancouver’s dynamic harbour front the hotel is a

short walk from the historic Gastown and offers unparalleled West Cost views. Welcome Dinner at the ARC

Restaurant in the hotel.

Stanley Park Historic Gastown, Vancouver

Day 2: Friday, 2nd September Vancouver

Morning orientation tour of Vancouver by coach to see the sights of the city, including Granville Mall, the

fashionable Robson Street, Chinatown, the city’s oldest neighbourhood Gastown, Vancouver’s city centre

and financial district as well as Stanley Park a 1,001-acre public park that is almost entirely surrounded by

waters of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay. Return to the hotel.

Lunch under own arrangements. Afternoon at leisure to explore the city. Dinner under own arrangement.

Day 3: Saturday, 3rd September Vancouver / Sanora Island

This morning, depart the hotel with a small bag (maximum of 25 lbs) and walk over to the floatplane

terminal across from the hotel, your main luggage will be stored at the hotel. Check in with Harbour Air for

your short flight in a floatplane directly to Sonora Resort for your two night stay. Sonora Resort is one of

Canada's best eco adventure travel destinations amid one of Canada's most alluring, pristine environments.

Expect luxurious accommodation, unparalleled service and five star facilities.

Your stay includes gourmet meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner and appetizers at the tapas bar as well as

beverages, (liquor, house wine, domestic beer, fizzy drinks, juices and water) as well as complimentary bar

fridges in each room Dinner at the resort.

Sonoara Resort Rocky Mountaineer

Day 4: Sunday, 4th September Sanora Island

Full breakfast, lunch and dinner at the resort.

The day is at leisure to enjoy the included resort amenities such as outdoor heated pool, hot tubs, steam

rooms, saunas and two mineral pools, fitness room, yoga/pilates studio, gym facilities, tennis court, games

room with billiards, shuffle board, foos ball, virtual golf games, state of the art movie theatre, rainbow fly-

fishing pond, mountain bikes and archery lessons. Or book an outdoor adventure activity such as grizzly bear

tours, guided salmon fishing tours or a nature tour in a zodiac boat (at a supplementary cost).

Day 5: Monday, 5th September Sonora Island / Vancouver

Morning at leisure to enjoy the resort.

Lunch at the lodge. This afternoon return to Vancouver by floatplane, and check in to the Fairmont

Waterfront Hotel for one night. This evening walk to a nearby local restaurant for dinner.

Day 6: Tuesday, 6th September Vancouver / Kamploops

Early morning departure from the hotel (with luggage) and transfer to the nearby railway station. Board the

Rocky Mountaineer for a comfortable day of sightseeing in Gold Leaf Class. Breakfast and Lunch are served

on board. On board complimentary snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are served at the seat

The train passes through the rich fields of the Fraser River Valley and the towering peaks of the Coastal

Mountains before entering the Fraser Canyon. It follows the Thompson River through spectacular landscapes

to historic Kamloops, gateway to the interior of BC. Upon arrival in Kamloops transfer by coach to a nearby

hotel. Dinner under own arrangements.

Day 7: Wednesday, 7th September Kamloops / Jasper

Morning transfer to the railway station and re-board the Rocky Mountaineer train for the continuing journey

to Jasper. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board.

The route follows the Thompson River through rolling plateaus to the snowy peaks of the Monashee

Mountains. View Pyramid Falls and the expansive glaciers of the Albreda Icefields and keep your eyes open

for grizzly, moose, beaver and osprey! Pass by Mount Robson, at 3,954 meters the highest peak of the

Canadian Rockies. Crossing into the province of Alberta, arrive late afternoon in the peaceful alpine town of

Jasper. Transfer to the nearby Sawridge Inn where two nights are spent, this is one of the best places to stay

in order to explore the surrounding area and has a renowned restaurant. Dinner under own arrangements.

Icefields Parkway links Jasper with Lake Louise and Banff Lake Louise

Day 8: Thursday, 8th September Jasper

Explore the small town of Jasper plus Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake as well as Whistler Mountain by

coach. Following this embark on a gentle rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of

Jasper National Park.

Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue the tour to Maligne Canyon, walk alongside the gorge before arriving at

Maligne Lake. Late afternoon is the best time to see wildlife and learn more about Jasper’s original

inhabitants which are bear, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, coyotes, wolves, moose and many other

small and big mountain creatures. Return to the hotel. Dinner at the award-winning dining room of the hotel,

Walter’s Restaurant.

Day 9: Friday, 9th September Jasper / Emerald Lake

Today embark on a full day’s sightseeing on one of the most scenic highways in North America, the Icefield

Parkway. Stop at Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls en-route before arriving at Columbia Icefield the largest ice

field in the Rocky Mountains, it covers an area of nearly 325 km2 and reaches a depth of 320 metres.

Lunch under own arrangements. Continue to Emerald Lake with stops on the way to take pictures and view

wildlife, this highway is renowned for sightings of bear, elk, moose and mountain goats. See Bow and Peyto

Lakes and enjoy a stroll on the shore of famous Lake Louise with Victoria Glacier in its backdrop. Check in

at the four star Emerald Lake Lodge where one night is spent, nestled amid the towering trees of Yoho

National Park and next to to the sparkling water of Emerald Lake. Dinner at the hotel lodge.

Day 10: Saturday, 10th September Emerald Lake / Banff

Depart the lodge (with luggage) for a tour into Yoho National Park. Yoho, named for a Cree word expressing

awe, is a park of rock walls, waterfalls and glacial lakes, snow-topped mountain peaks, roaring rivers and

silent forests. It's a park whose history is bound up with a railroad: spiral tunnels inside mountains and stories

of runaway trains. Stops will be made at the natural rock bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River and

Emerald Lake. See Spiral Tunnels, hear about the Continental Divide and walk to Takakkaw Falls, with a

free fall of 254 m, the third highest waterfall in Canada.

Picnic Lunch. Continue into the Valley of Ten Peaks to see the turquoise shimmering Moraine Lake. Drive

to Banff only a short drive away for a sightseeing tour of the town and see amongst others the Hoodoos,

Surprise Corner, Bow Falls, Sulphur Mountain, Lake Minnewanka and Tunnel Mountain Drive. Check into

the Buffalo Mountain Lodge, where two nights are spent. A peaceful mountain retreat, the lodge is

surrounded by 9 acres of towering fir, pine, and spruce trees, and a short walk from downtown Banff.

Observe the deer and elk that frequently nibble on the lawn, right outside the lodge’s windows. Dinner under

own arrangements.

Banff National Park Male Elk, Banff

Day 11: Sunday, 11th September Banff

Day at leisure to explore the local area independently. Enjoy a game of golf at the hotel’s award-winning

golf course or take the complementary shuttle from the lodge into the town of Banff. Optional activities are

available such as a Gondola ride through Banff, a Bow River nature Float or a Helicopter Tour of the local

area, prices available upon request.

Lunch under own arrangements. Early evening transfer by coach for a farewell dinner at one of the best

restaurants in town.

Day 12: Monday, 12th September Banff / Calgary

Morning at leisure.

Lunch under own arrangements. Mid-afternoon check out of the lodge and transfer by coach to Calgary

International Airport for your overnight British Airways flight to London.

Day 13: Tuesday, 13th September London

Arrive into London Heathrow in the afternoon.

Tour Price

COST PER PERSON: £5,995

Single supplement: £1,295

Business Class upgrade: TBC

A fee of £95 per person will be charged for those who would like to travel out or back separately

from the main group.

The tour cost includes:

economy class scheduled flights

air passenger duty, passenger service charge, airline security charges, airport taxes and fuel surcharges

where applicable – currently £488 (liable to change without notice)

accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary

breakfast daily; 4 lunches; 7 dinners. At Sonora Resort appetisers at the Tapas Bar and all beverages

(including alcohol) plus complimentary minibar use in room included.

all visits and excursions as per the itinerary

all transportation as detailed in the itinerary

all entrance fees

local English-speaking guide/s

gratuities in restaurants

gratuities to driver/s

gratuities to guide/s

porterage

the services of your tour leader throughout

The tour cost does NOT include:

travel insurance

items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.)

Meals than listed as included and drinks with meals

eTA application ($7 per person)

government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 16/06/15

Changes to the Itinerary

Please note, that certain elements of this itinerary, and/or the order of events, may well be subject to

alteration due to circumstances beyond our control.

Fitness to travel

Whilst we do not impose any age limitations on joining a tour, participants must be reasonably fit. The very

nature of the sightseeing involved in our tours (and the difficulties of direct access by coach in various

places) means that a considerable amount of walking and standing is unavoidable on almost all tours. We

regret that our tours are not suitable for people who have difficulty in walking, may require wheelchair

assistance at any time, or are unable to keep pace with the group. If you are in any doubt as to the suitability

of a tour, please make this known to us before you book and we will advise you accordingly. The Ultimate

Travel Company reserves the right to decline a reservation without necessarily giving a reason.

Airline Tickets

As a tour operator we have access to special airfares. While these offer good value, they do carry certain

restrictions applied by the airline. Please ask us for details.

Note: If you are thinking about using air miles to upgrade to a premium cabin on the flights, please check

with us first as fare restrictions might not permit this.

Health Requirements

No vaccinations are required for entry into Canada however primary courses and boosters should be up to

date including Tetanus and Diptheria. There is no risk of malaria. No yellow fever certificate is required.

Please check recommended practice with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic or for medical advice

please visit the following website: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations.aspx

Passport and Visa Information

Passengers should hold a full passport. British passport holders do not require a visa to visit Canada.

Nationals of other countries should consult their local Consulate. Please ensure that your passport is valid for

at least six months from the date of entry.

All British passport holders must apply for an eta application form which can be done online from 1st

August 2015. Details will be included in our confirmation letter. The ETA application currently has a fee of

$7 Canadian Dollars.

FCO Advice

Travel advice issued by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office can be viewed at

www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo.