Canada — The Americas — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

BRITISH COLUMBIA ve ou d nc lan Va Is WHISTLER Cheakamus Lake MacMillan PP Douglas Firs Wells Gray PP Crook Meadows Helmcken Falls Lake Maligne lds fie Ice S a s k a t ch e Walks & wildlife wa F r a s er THE AMERICAS Banff National Park/Alberta Tourism CANADA Rocky Mountains & Pacific Coast Ref RK Rockies Escape TREKKING GRADE A/B Ref LRK JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 16 DAYS HOTELS/MOTELS NATIONAL PARKS OF THE ROCKIES AND PACIFIC NORTH WEST JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 9 DAYS TWIN CENTRED LODGES HIKING: MOUNTAINS, LAKES AND FORESTS Rocky Mountains & Pacific Coast Ref RK R Robson 3954 JASPER NP n Athabasca Falls CLEARWATER Spahats Creek walk Columbia 3750m ALBERTA Lake Louise A memorable hiking adventure visiting icefields, glaciers and lakes in magnificently forested valleys surrounded by immense snow-capped mountain ranges. This short twin centre tour introduces travellers to some of the most impressive conservation areas of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Our itinerary includes the national parks of Banff and Yoho. Western-Style Living & Horseback Riding Our first tour days are spent at the Brewster's Mountain Resort in Banff. One full day's hike in Banff National park and a further half day's hike in Kananaskis county's Peter Lougheed Provincial Park allow us to appreciate the rugged majesty of this spectacular county blessed by nature and offering stunning scenery. A highlight of our stay is a half day trip on horseback accompanied by a local guide and finished off with a traditional western-style BBQ dinner. On our final day here we take the scenic Icefield Parkway towards Jasper, visiting the Columbia Icefield and its incredible Athabasca Glacier. Banff & Lake Louise Leaving Banff village, we continue to the beautiful blue-green Lake Louise. We then climb the deservedly popular trail to Lake Agnes and relax in the Tea House from where we admire the famous glacier and the lake and valley below. We progress to Moraine Lake for a further short hike and at the end of the day we continue on to our lodge in Golden which will be our base for the rest of the tour. There are excellent views from each room and the lodge has large grounds with nature trails and access to its own river front. Yoho National Park We visit the great glacial valley of the Yoho National Park and admire the breathtaking Takakkaw Falls exploding off a clifftop to fall a thousand feet. Later, and in contrast, we discover the beauty and serenity of placid Lake Emerald and its surroundings. Throughout these trips, stops are taken for short hikes and picnic lunches. In the evenings, after dinner in the guest lodge, we relax on the terrace surrounded by mountains. o c This non-camping adventure combines the remarkable scenery of the Canadian Rockies with the wildly beautiful Vancouver Island and Pacific Coast. The itinerary is designed to minimise driving distances so there's plenty of time for exploring and walks in the magnificent national parks and the chance to try canoeing, sea kayaking or go whale watching. Banff & Jasper The Rockies rear up like a tidal wave from the plains around Calgary and we spend our first few days exploring the highlights of Banff National Park on the eastern side of these incredible mountains. Following well-marked trails we will discover cascading waterfalls, stunning vistas and the picture-postcard Lake Louise and Lake Moraine. Our journey then takes us to Jasper along the famous Icefields Parkway with regular stops to explore the lakes and glaciers that line this stunning route. In Jasper we plan to explore the park's canyons and waterfalls on foot and there is the option to try canoeing on Maligne Lake. Clearwater & Whistler We continue our journey westwards via Mount Robson to our ranch in Clearwater. During our two days here in the high-country' we will walk to the nearby Sapahats Creek Falls and there is the chance to try canoeing or, if you really want to get in the spirit of things, saddle-up and go horse riding! Our next stop is the vibrant and cosmopolitan town of Whistler, where the options for exploration and activities are endless. Vancouver Island From Whistler we go west to Horseshoe Bay where we take a ferry across to 192 PA C I F I C O C E A N k ay rkw Pa y M Banff NP n s a i n t o u Horseshoe Bay Sulphur Mountain 2451m CANMORE CALGARY PACIFIC RIM NP Coastal hikes Optional whale watching or sea kayaking r NANAIMO VICTORIA VANCOUVER City tour CANADA Visit Kananaskis country km 0 250 USA Vancouver Island. Here will walk in the Pacific Rim National Park, stare in awe at the towering Douglas Firs and have the chance to go sea-kayaking or whale watching. We also explore the small colonial town of Victoria before finally taking a ferry to Vancouver one of the world's most beautifully located cities. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Calgary. 2 Calgary city tour, drive Canmore and visit Emerald Lakes. 3 Drive to Banff, aerial tram up Sulphur Mountain (optional) and trail walks. 4 Walks around Lake Louise and Morraine Lake. 5 Drive along Icefields parkway, visit Columbia Glacier and Athabaska Falls. 6 Visit Maligne canyon and lake; optional walk in Opal Hills. 7 Drive to Clearwater via Mount Robson; walk to Sapahats Creek Falls. 8 Explore Wells Gray, visit Helmkin Falls; afternoon canoeing or horse riding (optional). 9 Drive to Whistler, visit Cheakamus Lake. 10 Free day in Whistler; optional cable car or cycling. Drive Horseshoe Bay and ferry to Nanaimo. 11 Drive to Pacific Rim NP via McMillan Provincial Park. 12 Free day in Pacific Rim NP; optional sea kayaking or whale watching. 13 Drive to Victoria, free afternoon for sight-seeing. 14 Ferry to Vancouver, guided city tour. 15 Fly London. 16 Arrive London. Reverse itinerary (Ref. RKR): Certain departures operate in reverse: Day 1 Fly London/Vancouver. 2 City tour, ferry to Vancouver Island. 3 In Victoria, drive to Pacific Rim NP. 4 In Pacific Rim NP. 5 McMillan Park, drive Nanaimo. 6 Ferry and drive to Whistler. 7 AM in Whistler; afternoon Drive Clearwater. 8 In Clearwater. 9 Drive Jasper. 10 In Jasper. 11 Drive Canmore. 12 In Banff NP. 13 In Banff NP. 14 Morning Emerald Lakes drive Calgary. 15 Fly London. 16 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 14nts hotel/motel. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Maxi-wagon/Ferry/On foot. Comment: A non-camping adventure taking in some of the finest scenery of western Canada. All walks are optional, however, if you are a keen hiker your tour leader can recommend longer walks. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader/driver. Group Size: Approx. 9 to 12. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Calgary, drive to Banff for 4 night stay. 2 Hiking in Banff National Park. 3 Guided trail ride on horseback; hiking in the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park; Western BBQ dinner. 4 Drive along the Icefield Parkway en route to Jasper with several stops for short hikes and visits to the Columbia Icefields and the Athabasca Glacier. 5 Visit Lake Louise and glacier; hike to Lake Agnes; visit Moraine Lake; drive to Golden for 4 night stay. 6 Hiking in Yoho National Park; visit Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake. 7 Hike in Kootenay NP; optional whitewater rafting or optional bus ride to Lake O'Hhara in Yoho NP. 8 Drive to Calgary; fly London. 9 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts lodge; 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 4 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: On Foot/Horse/Minibus. Comment: An exciting twin centre trip offering the very best of the Rockies. We split our time between a lodge in Banff and Golden to get a real feel for the area. Hiking is graded as easy to moderate and we include a morning on horseback, with optional whitewater rafting. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader/driver plus Horse guide. Group Size: Approx. 9 to 12. Rockies Escape Ref LRK Athabasca Glacier Ice Field Parkway Scenic drive Hike to Takakkaw Falls Banff NP & Emerald Lake A L B E R TA Lake Louise GOLDEN Agnes Trail hike Yoho Ranch NP BANFF Horse riding Bo Kananaskis R O C K Y w BRITISH COLUMBIA Kootenay NP N S T A I U N M O Calgary Radium Hot Springs Optional hiking or white water rafting km 0 100 For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk Ko o te Hiking in Peter Lougheed PP na y CANADA

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