b'MORAINE LAKE ULTIMATE CANADA AND THE ROCKY MOUNTANEERYOUR ITINERARY Days 1-2 - London and VancouverAfter our flight from London Heathrow, we land in Vancouver for two nights, checking into our hotel on arrival. On Day 2 we join a morning sightseeing tour of one of the countrys largest and most cosmopolitan cities. We visit historic Gastown, an area of coffee shops, galleries and native art stores that make up one of Vancouvers best-loved neighbourhoods. We also experience Stanley Park, larger than New Yorks Central Park and famous for its large collection of colourful totem poles, before uncovering the enticing scents and sights of Chinatown.Days 3-4 - The Rocky MountaineerWe embark on a daylight journey into the Rockies on the world-THE CANADIAN renowned Rocky Mountaineer, starting our journey in Vancouver and travelling to Kamloops along one of the most dramatic stretches of the line. Leaving the Pacific Coast, we pass through lush green forests and dramatic valleys, home to an abundance of Canadian wildlife, and make our way along the dramatic Thompson and Fraser Canyons before entering the desert-like environment of Canadas interior. Keep your eyes peeled for the Rainbow Canyon here, which gets its name from the huge number of colours that can be seen reflected in the rocks. Youll also want to watch for hoodoos - tall skinny spires of rock that protrude from the dry arid surroundings of the Thompson Plateau. Local mythology describes these as giants that were turned to stone by the Great Spirit. The train arrives in Kamloops and we disembark for an overnight stay. Re-boarding the Rocky Mountaineer on Day 4, we enter the towering landscapes of the Rocky Mountains, following the First Passage to the West and crossing Stoney Creek Bridge. We experience the legendary spiral tunnels, allowing trains to easily overcome the steep TORONTO gradients of the Rockies, and traverse the Continental Divide, the highest section of the line, before arriving in the town of Banff, our base for two nights.Days 5-7 - Banff and Jasper National Parks Immersing ourselves in the natural beauty of Banff National Park with our local guide, we visit the Spiral Tunnels, seeing them from a different vantage point, as well as Emerald Lake, renowned for its vivid colours. We continue to the idyllic waters of Lake Louise, admiring the views of soaring peaks covered in verdant pine forests that slope away from the shore. Afterwards, we meet a retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, known locally as a Mountie, who gives a talk on the history of the force. On Day 6, we depart by coach along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, a 144-mile road that links Banff with Jasper. Travelling along a lake-lined valley, past many of the highest and most rugged peaks in the Rockies, we stop at the Icefields Centre, set at the foot of the vast Columbia Icefields. From here, we can marvel at the NIAGARA FALLS breathtaking Athabasca Glacier. Arriving in Jasper for two nights, we admire the majestic mountain scenery that helped make this area a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. Day 7 is free. You could head into Jasper National Park to see Maligne Canyon, a 164-feet deep gorge of sheer limestone walls with a number of interesting rock formations, and Maligne Lake - the largest glacier-fed body of water in the region. Days 8-10 - The Canadian to Toronto We begin our epic journey aboard The Canadian, travelling to Toronto over the next two days and nights. We settle into our berths for the journey through the foothills of the Rockies, passing pine forests, glaciers, plunging canyons and soaring peaks. Day 9 is our first full day on board, and we travel through the province of Saskatchewan, crossing the prairie lands on our way towards Winnipeg, a fascinating city home to over 50 different ethnic communities. Day 10 is spent crossing the 48 CANADA'