Golden Holidays

Home Destinations Special Offers Extras About us Contact us

Your journey starts here...

Alpine Explorer (Vancouver to Calgary)
Motorcoah Tour
Gateway: Vancouver Operated by: Brewster Travel Canada

From the Coast Mountains in British Columbia to the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, you will see it all! Just sit back, relax and let us show you the best that nature has to offer!

Highlights

Print details

Itinerary

DAY 1

Vancouver to Kelowna

Your two-day journey through western Canada starts with a morning departure from the sights and sounds of downtown Vancouver. The first leg of travel today travels from cityscape, through the lush Fraser delta region, and over the Coquihalla Pass. Start along the mighty Fraser River (named after Simon Fraser, a fur trader who explored the area in 1808), a major salmon spawning route. Up to 10 million fish a year travel up to this waterway each fall to the exact stream bed of their birth where they will complete their life cycle by spawning and dying. This act, in turn, will attract and feed many predators such as eagles and bears who depend on this yearly feast to build body fat that will sustain them during the lean winter months ahead. Later in the day, a two hour stop at Minter Gardens will feed your body and soothe your senses with a delectable lunch (included) and guided walk through the exquisite gardens. After lunch, continue your trek on the Coquihalla Highway up into the heart of ranching country. A brief stop at the Merritt Visitor Centre allows time to stretch and learn about this historic territory, one of the premier ranching settlements in British Columbia from 1880.
Turning east, the road takes you into the famed wine region of the Okanagan Valley. The last stop of the day is at a local winery for an exclusive tour and educational wine tasting. Sample a variety of hand-crafted Okanagan wines in this unique and authentic setting, surrounded by the actual vineyards where the fruit is produced on site. Kelowna is the cosmopolitan and cultural centre of the Okanagan Valley, including five pristine golf courses, white sand beaches, orchards and Big White ski area, in addition to over a dozen local wineries. An evening arrival at your selected Kelowna hotel allows time for dinner (meal not included) and exploration of the lakefront. Overnight in Kelowna.

DAY 2

Kelowna to Banff

After a hearty breakfast (included), embark on another day of exploration that leads north through the Okanagan Valley, through the town of Vernon, home of Silver Star ski area, and into the small town of Armstrong. Enjoy a short stop before continuing on your journey. Driving further north, after a quick stop in Sicamous, the 'Houseboat Capital of Canada', you reconnect with the Trans-Canada Highway #1, where the road winds its way into the Monashee Mountains and travels past Craigellachie, which is the site of the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885. This railway system connects Canada from coast to coast. A lunch stop (included) is made in the alpine town of Revelstoke, founded in 1880 when the CP Railroad was built through the area. Today, it's a growing favourite destination among outdoor enthusiasts for golf, hiking, skiing and heli-skiing. Ascending Roger's Pass, the summit of Glacier National Park, this route follows the Canadian Pacific rail line all along the way. One of the highlights of the trip is a stop at the Spiral Tunnels. This unique feature is an engineering marvel that loops into the heart of Mount Stephen. This was created in 1909 in order to reduce the steep grade of the rail line, a hazard of early travel that caused the concern for runaway cars due to the 4.5% grade (2.2% is the desired grade).
Shortly afterwards, enter Banff National Park and make the last stop of the day at world famous Lake Louise, one of the most stunning emerald green lakes in the Canadian Rockies. It was originally named 'Emerald Lake' by Tom Wilson former member of the North West Mounted Police and CP Rail employee, before being renamed for Princess Louise, the 4th daughter of Queen Victoria. There will be enough time to walk to the lakeshore for your own photo shoot of this famous scene and explore the magnificent Fairmont Chateau Lake on your own. Continue to the town of Banff for your overnight.
Overnight in Banff.

DAY 3

Banff to Columbia Icefield (Round Trip)

Today's journey travels north along the famous Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular highways in North America. A kaleidoscope of new experiences are yours to discover amidst the waterfalls, mountain lakes and awesome glaciers, which dominate the landscape. The Columbia Icefield, located in Jasper National Park, presents an awesome sight when first viewed from the Icefields Parkway. It is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and one of the most interesting and accessible icefields in North America. The opportunity is yours to take the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. The ice is 365 metres (1,200 feet) thick - about the height of the Empire State Building. Travel in a specially designed Brewster Ice Explorer to the middle of the glacier while the driver/guide explains how the glaciers are formed and points out interesting geological features (Ice Explorer included). At the icefall below the glacial headwall, take the option of stepping out onto the ice formed from snow that fell over 400 years ago. After the unique ice adventure, time is allowed at the Columbia Icefield Centre to relax over lunch (not included) and visit the new and expanded Parks Canada Interpretive Centre. The return to Banff is once more along the Icefields Parkway.
Overnight in Banff.

DAY 4

Banff to Calgary

This morning's excursion tours through the town of Banff and its environs. Ascend Tunnel Mountain Drive to view Bow Falls and the hoodoos, followed by a visit to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. Then take a ride (included) on a gondola car to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Early this afternoon, depart Banff and travel to Calgary. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off either your downtown hotel or the Calgary Airport.

This tour commences with an early morning departure - an overnight stay is essential the night before the tour starts.
We recommend an overnight stay at your final destination prior to taking any onward travelling arrangements.

4 Ways To Obtain A Quote

1. Click on the Select and Continue button, choose your holiday type (Tours Only*) and input your required dates and number of people travelling. On the "Customise Your Accommodation" page you are able to obtain a quote for all types of accommodation featured on this tour.
*You are able to select Tours Including Flights but the search will not provide you with our cheapest & direct (where possible) flights. Please contact us using one of the methods below for our best flight-inclusive prices. **Please note that scheduled airlines release their seats 11 months in advance, if you are planning a holiday beyond 11 months' time, please contact us using one of the methods below so we can help you organise your holiday.
2. Click on the Enquiry button to complete an online enquiry form, we will reply to your online enquiry within one working day
3. Click Here to Email Us
4. Call us on 0845 085 8080. Please click Contact Us for details of our current opening hours.

Please select a holiday type
Hotels / Villas including Flights
Tours including Flights
Accommodation only
Tours only
Charter Flight to Grenada & Tobago (30kg Baggage Included)

Duration

4 days / 3 nights

Package Includes:

Visit Banff, Lake Louise , Columbia Icefield and Kelowna
Hotel accommodation including taxes for 3 nights
Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure
Photograph at the Columbia Icefield
Sightseeing excursion of Banff
Banff Gondola
Exclusive sightseeing between Banff and Vancouver
Admission to Minter Gardens with guided walking tour
Winery tour in Kelowna
1 breakfast and 2 lunches
Discount coupon for any additional Brewster Sightseeing Excursions
Luggage handling at hotels
National Park fees

Price Excludes:

Transfers between airports, hotels and bus depots (unless noted)
Meals (unless noted)
Gratuities to sightseeing motor coach drivers, rail personnel, and taxi drivers

Tour Start Dates
Sunday, Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursdays departures:


April 2012
29

May 2012
1,2,3,6,8,9,10,13,15,16,17,20,
22,23,24,27,29,30,31

June 2012
3,5,6,7,10,12,13,14,17,19,20,21,
24,26,27,28

July 2012
1,3,4,5,8,10,11,12,15,17,18,19,
22,24,25,26,29,31

August 2012
1,2,5,7,8,9,12,14,15,16,19,21,
22,23,26,28,29,30

September 2012
2,4,5,6,9,11,12,13,16,18,19,
20,23,25,26,27,30

October 2012

2,3,4,7,9,10,11,14,16,17

Best Value, Moderate & Deluxe 
Programs

Site map

Please wait...

4 Ways To Obtain A Quote