Highlights of the Rockies

Glide onto the icy expanse of the Athabasca Glacier on board an Ice Explorer, immersing yourself in the ancient beauty of this frozen landscape. Later, in Jasper, retreat to the cosy comforts of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, nestled amidst the awe-inspiring wilderness of Jasper National Park.

Scenic Freechoice Dining:
Select from a range of included restaurants at your hotel tonight, from Italian to a steakhouse.

Spanning an impressive area of approximately 11,000 square kilometres, World Heritage-listed Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Explore this stunning region today, choosing from a range of Scenic Freechoice experiences.

Scenic Freechoice:
Peak Nic Hike:  In July 2024, a massive wildfire burned over 33,000 hectares in Jasper National Park, the largest in over 100 years. A year later, the land is recovering, with new flora, wildlife, and a hopeful future. On the hike, you’ll trek 4 km through the fire-impacted area, learning about plant species, wildlife, and the natural history of the park. At the peak, enjoy panoramic views and a hot lunch while discussing the role of wildfires in nature’s cycle. It’s a unique experience to witness the power and recovery of nature firsthand.

Athabasca River rafting: Join an experienced guide and raft down the Athabasca River.

Maligne Canyon & Lakes Tour: Marvel at sheer cliffs and stunning vistas from the top of Maligne Canyon. Enjoy a scenic drive through Jasper’s stunning lake area.

Harley Davidson SidecarTM tour: Hit the open roads of Jasper National Park on a chauffeured motorcycle sidecar tour.

Snowshoeing: (Early season only) Put on your snowshoes and explore with an experienced guide through the pristine wilderness of Jasper National Park.

Nestled amidst British Columbia’s scenic beauty lies Sun Peaks, a bustling ski resort village. Surrounded by lush forests, winding rivers and sparkling lakes, it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Overnight at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel.

Travel through scenic landscapes past the Thompson and Fraser rivers to the town of Lillooet, steeped in gold rush history. Continue to the famous alpine resort of Whistler.

On arrival, visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre which embodies the cultures and traditions of two unique Nations, the Squamish and Lil’wat.

Enjoy your two-night stay at Fairmont Chateau Whistler, a slice of alpine luxury at the base of Blackcomb Mountain.

Nestled in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Whistler is a renowned destination for outdoor enthusiasts. With its stunning alpine scenery, world-class ski slopes and vibrant village atmosphere, Whistler offers a perfect blend of excitement and relaxation in every season. Today, choose from a range of activities to explore this captivating town.

Scenic Freechoice:
Whistler helicopter flightseeing: Soar above Whistler on a 12-minute helicopter flight for awe-inspiring views of this mountain region.

Zip lining: Hold on tight and fly like an eagle over the Fitzsimmons Valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.

Peak 2 Peak Gondola: Travel by gondola or chairlift on Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains, transferring between both on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola.

Whistler tasting tour: Explore the eclectic culinary scene. Enjoy a delicious multi-course lunch whilst visiting some of the best local eating spots. Indulge your sweet tooth at a chocolate shop.

Mountain adventure tour: Enjoy a mountain sightseeing tour of Whistler Blackcomb and the surrounding valley.

Sea to Sky Gondola: (Early season only) Reconnect with nature safely at the Sea to Sky Gondola. Enjoy the journey to the summit whilst taking in sweeping views of the stunning ocean and mountain vistas of Howe Sound.

Victoria, the capital of a province whose license plates brazenly label it “The Best Place on Earth,” is a walkable, livable seaside city of fragrant gardens, waterfront paths, engaging museums, and beautifully restored 19th-century architecture. In summer, the Inner Harbour—Victoria’s social and cultural center—buzzes with visiting yachts, horse-and-carriage rides, street entertainers, and excursion boats heading out to visit pods of friendly local whales. Yes, it might be a bit touristy, but Victoria’s good looks, gracious pace, and manageable size are instantly beguiling, especially if you stand back to admire the mountains and ocean beyond. At the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria dips slightly below the 49th parallel. That puts it farther south than most of Canada, giving it the mildest climate in the country, with virtually no snow and less than half the rain of Vancouver. The city’s geography, or at least its place names, can cause confusion. Just to clarify: the city of Victoria is on Vancouver Island (not Victoria Island). The city of Vancouver is on the British Columbia mainland, not on Vancouver Island. At any rate, that upstart city of Vancouver didn’t even exist in 1843 when Victoria, then called Fort Victoria, was founded as the westernmost trading post of the British-owned Hudson’s Bay Company. Victoria was the first European settlement on Vancouver Island, and in 1868 it became the capital of British Columbia. The British weren’t here alone, of course. The local First Nations people—the Songhees, the Saanich, and the Sooke—had already lived in the areas for thousands of years before anyone else arrived. Their art and culture are visible throughout southern Vancouver Island. You can see this in private and public galleries, in the totems at Thunderbird Park, in the striking collections at the Royal British Columbia Museum, and at the Quw’utsun’Cultural and Conference Centre in nearby Duncan. Spanish explorers were the first foreigners to explore the area, although they left little more than place names (Galiano Island and Cordova Bay, for example). The thousands of Chinese immigrants drawn by the gold rushes of the late 19th century had a much greater impact, founding Canada’s oldest Chinatown and adding an Asian influence that’s still quite pronounced in Victoria’s multicultural mix. Despite its role as the provincial capital, Victoria was largely eclipsed, economically, by Vancouver throughout the 20th century. This, as it turns out, was all to the good, helping to preserve Victoria’s historic downtown and keeping the city largely free of skyscrapers and highways. For much of the 20th century, Victoria was marketed to tourists as “The Most British City in Canada,” and it still has more than its share of Anglo-themed pubs, tea shops, and double-decker buses. These days, however, Victorians prefer to celebrate their combined indigenous, Asian, and European heritage, and the city’s stunning wilderness backdrop. Locals do often venture out for afternoon tea, but they’re just as likely to nosh on dim sum or tapas. Decades-old shops sell imported linens and tweeds, but newer upstarts offer local designs in hemp and organic cotton. And let’s not forget that fabric prevalent among locals: Gore-Tex. The outdoors is ever present here. You can hike, bike, kayak, sail, or whale-watch straight from the city center, and forests, beaches, offshore islands, and wilderness parklands lie just minutes away. A little farther afield, there’s surfing near Sooke, wine touring in the Cowichan Valley, and kayaking among the Gulf Islands.

Explore the enchanting Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, renowned for its stunning floral displays and serene landscapes. Wander through vibrant flowerbeds, tranquil ponds and winding pathways, discovering the beauty of this botanical paradise.

This afternoon, choose from a selection of immersive Scenic Freechoice excursions to explore this region.

Scenic Freechoice:
Whale watching: Join a cruise on a boat or Zodiac and search for a variety of whales, including orcas, plus seals and bald eagles.

Scenic floatplane flight: Soar above for a bird’s eye view of Victoria and a literal ‘overview’ of all that Vancouver Island has to offer.

Bites & Sights Tour: An adventure through history, flavours, and hidden gems that will leave you in awe of this charming capital city!

Victoria Gorge Tour: A guided Victoria gorge boat tour that offers a unique glimpse into the city’s past and present.

Afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress: Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in the Tea Lobby of the Fairmont Empress, a delightful experience that touches on the city’s British heritage.

This evening, join your Tour Director and fellow adventurers for a celebratory farewell dinner.

Victoria, the capital of a province whose license plates brazenly label it “The Best Place on Earth,” is a walkable, livable seaside city of fragrant gardens, waterfront paths, engaging museums, and beautifully restored 19th-century architecture. In summer, the Inner Harbour—Victoria’s social and cultural center—buzzes with visiting yachts, horse-and-carriage rides, street entertainers, and excursion boats heading out to visit pods of friendly local whales. Yes, it might be a bit touristy, but Victoria’s good looks, gracious pace, and manageable size are instantly beguiling, especially if you stand back to admire the mountains and ocean beyond. At the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria dips slightly below the 49th parallel. That puts it farther south than most of Canada, giving it the mildest climate in the country, with virtually no snow and less than half the rain of Vancouver. The city’s geography, or at least its place names, can cause confusion. Just to clarify: the city of Victoria is on Vancouver Island (not Victoria Island). The city of Vancouver is on the British Columbia mainland, not on Vancouver Island. At any rate, that upstart city of Vancouver didn’t even exist in 1843 when Victoria, then called Fort Victoria, was founded as the westernmost trading post of the British-owned Hudson’s Bay Company. Victoria was the first European settlement on Vancouver Island, and in 1868 it became the capital of British Columbia. The British weren’t here alone, of course. The local First Nations people—the Songhees, the Saanich, and the Sooke—had already lived in the areas for thousands of years before anyone else arrived. Their art and culture are visible throughout southern Vancouver Island. You can see this in private and public galleries, in the totems at Thunderbird Park, in the striking collections at the Royal British Columbia Museum, and at the Quw’utsun’Cultural and Conference Centre in nearby Duncan. Spanish explorers were the first foreigners to explore the area, although they left little more than place names (Galiano Island and Cordova Bay, for example). The thousands of Chinese immigrants drawn by the gold rushes of the late 19th century had a much greater impact, founding Canada’s oldest Chinatown and adding an Asian influence that’s still quite pronounced in Victoria’s multicultural mix. Despite its role as the provincial capital, Victoria was largely eclipsed, economically, by Vancouver throughout the 20th century. This, as it turns out, was all to the good, helping to preserve Victoria’s historic downtown and keeping the city largely free of skyscrapers and highways. For much of the 20th century, Victoria was marketed to tourists as “The Most British City in Canada,” and it still has more than its share of Anglo-themed pubs, tea shops, and double-decker buses. These days, however, Victorians prefer to celebrate their combined indigenous, Asian, and European heritage, and the city’s stunning wilderness backdrop. Locals do often venture out for afternoon tea, but they’re just as likely to nosh on dim sum or tapas. Decades-old shops sell imported linens and tweeds, but newer upstarts offer local designs in hemp and organic cotton. And let’s not forget that fabric prevalent among locals: Gore-Tex. The outdoors is ever present here. You can hike, bike, kayak, sail, or whale-watch straight from the city center, and forests, beaches, offshore islands, and wilderness parklands lie just minutes away. A little farther afield, there’s surfing near Sooke, wine touring in the Cowichan Valley, and kayaking among the Gulf Islands.