Western Canada with Inside Passage
Western Canada with Inside Passage
$3570
Western Canada with Inside Passage
14 Days Starting in Calgary, Canada and ending in Vancouver, Canada
Visiting: Calgary, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Victoria, Vancouver
Tour operator:
Tour code:
8980-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Have a fantastic adventure on this affordable vacation in Canada. You’ll begin in Calgary taking a city tour before traveling to the majestic Canadian Rockies and beautiful Banff National Park where you’ll spend two nights. Explore the park by hiking or horseback riding, shop in the townsite or take a once-in-a-lifetime optional helicopter tour over the magnificent Canadian Rockies! Stop at gorgeous Lake Louise, its turquoise waters perfectly mirroring the surrounding mountains and glaciers, then continue to the Columbia Icefield to experience a ride on the Ice Explorer that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick! Journey through breathtaking wilderness before arriving in Jasper National Park for two nights. There you can join the optional excursion to see Maligne Lake and the much-photographed Spirit Island. Then have time to explore this amazing park with its abundant wildlife. As you travel to Prince George, visit Mount Robson Provincial Park. Mount Robson is the highest of Canada’s Rockies at nearly 13,000 feet. Next board VIA Rail’s Skeena train for a memorable all-daylight journey through the rugged Coast Mountains. Retrace the steps of the ancient First Nations trading routes and follow the paths of the earliest fur traders before arriving in Prince Rupert for a two-night stay. Here, visit the North Pacific Historic Fishing Village, a national Historic Site and take a guided tour of British Columbia’s oldest cannery village. Then it’s time for an unforgettable voyage! You’ll cruise on the Inside Passage seeing some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. Along the way, be sure to watch for whales, sea lions, porpoise, eagles, and other wildlife. Overnight in Port Hardy and then make your way south to charming Victoria where sightseeing includes Bastion Square, the Inner Harbour, and Thunderbird Park with its interesting collection of totems poles. You’ll have free time to shop, have high tea at the Empress Hotel or perhaps take an optional excursion to Butchart Gardens with its stunning 55-acres of floral displays. Then set sail across the picturesque Strait of Georgia and Gulf Islands for an arrival in Vancouver. Here you’ll see city highlights like Stanley Park, Chinatown, and more. This amazing value tour is jam-packed with beauty and adventures that are not to be missed!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Calgary
Location: Calgary
Accommodation Name: Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Welcome to Calgary! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
Day 2: Calgary,Banff National Park
Location: Banff National Park
Accommodation Name: Rundlestone Lodge
This morning, take a city tour of Calgary, home to the world-famous Calgary Stampede. Highlights include downtown, Fort Calgary, Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park. Then travel west into the majestic Canadian Rockies and beautiful Banff National Park where you’ll spend the next two nights. Have an orientation tour upon arrival.
Day 3: Banff National Park
Location: Banff National Park
Accommodation Name: Irwin's Mountain Inn
Enjoy your day exploring Banff, one of Canada’s favorite year-round resorts, with summer activities including hiking, boating, horseback riding, and fishing. Your Tour Director will have lots of suggestions. Lift your sights higher on an exhilarating optional helicopter ride with spectacular views over the Canadian Rockies.
Day 4: Banff National Park,Columbia Icefield,Lake Louise,Jasper National Park
Location: Banff National Park
Accommodation Name: Tonquin Inn
As we journey north, view precipitous gorges, snowcapped mountain ranges, and lakes of exquisite blues and greens. Stop at Lake Louise, its turquoise waters perfectly mirroring the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Continue to the Columbia Icefield to experience a ride on the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick! Winding our way up the western fringe of Alberta, our journey takes us through some of the Canadian Rockies’ most breathtaking wilderness. Later, drift through natural wonders on an optional float trip down the Athabasca River. In Jasper, an orientation tour showcases the area’s unspoiled beauty.
Day 5: Jasper National Park
Location: Jasper National Park
Accommodation Name: Tonquin Inn
Make your day magical with an optional narrated cruise on Maligne Lake and see much-photographed Spirit Island*. The balance of the day is free to enjoy everything Jasper has to offer, from guided hikes and quaint shops to meandering wildlife.*This optional excursion begins operating in late May/early June.
Day 6: Jasper National Park,Mount Robson,Prince George
Location: Prince George
Accommodation Name: Ramada Plaza Prince George
Depart Jasper and follow the Fraser River to the base of Mount Robson, the highest of Canada’s Rockies at almost 13,000 feet. Continue to Prince George, the province’s “northern capital” for an overnight stay.
Day 7: Prince George,Smithers,Via Rail The Skeena,Prince Rupert
Location: Prince Rupert
Accommodation Name: Crest Hotel
Today board VIA Rail’s Skeena train for the trip of a lifetime. Sit back and enjoy an all-daylight journey that winds its way through the majestic Coast Mountains, follows the mighty Skeena River—often referred to as the “River of Mists.” Retrace the steps of the ancient First Nations trading routes and follow the paths of the earliest fur traders. Soaring bald eagles, inquisitive black bears, browsing moose, and other wildlife may be spotted. Disembark in Prince Rupert for a two-night stay.NOTE:Train travel is subject to unforeseen delays.
Day 8: Prince Rupert
Location: Prince Rupert
Accommodation Name: Crest Hotel
Enjoy an orientation tour of Prince Rupert. Then visit the North Pacific Historic Fishing Village, a National Historic Site, for a guided tour of British Columbia’s oldest cannery village. Learn of the canning process and what life was like in the village in the last century during peak production. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.
Day 9: Prince Rupert,Inside Passage Cruise,Port Hardy
Location: Prince Rupert
Accommodation Name: Kwa'lilas Hotel
Early this morning, embark on one of the world’s most beautiful ocean voyages! The scenery is spectacular, with towering mountains, roaring waterfalls, endless islands, and virgin rainforests. Marine life abounds, often with sightings of sea lions and porpoises—you may even spot a killer whale! Late-evening arrival into Port Hardy.NOTE:Cruising time through the Inside Passage is approximately 16 hours. Please come prepared with all medications, eyeglasses, and any other items you will need.
Day 10: Port Hardy-Chemainus,Victoria
Location: Victoria
Accommodation Name: Royal Scot Hotel & Suites
An early departure from Port Hardy follows the eastern coastline of Vancouver Island, through the port of Campbell River, the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Continue south with a stop in Chemainus, a unique village with more than 30 murals depicting pioneer settlement of the area. Late afternoon arrival into Victoria.
Day 11: Victoria
Location: Victoria
Accommodation Name: Royal Scot Hotel & Suites
Morning sightseeing includes the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park with its unusual collection of totem poles. The rest of the day is yours to explore this charming city. Perhaps have high tea at the Empress Hotel, visit the Royal British Columbia Museum, or stop to smell the roses and countless other gorgeous blooms on an optional excursion to Butchart Gardens with its 55-acres of magnificent floral displays. This evening, consider taking a relaxing stroll along the lovely Waterfront Promenade.
Day 12: Victoria-Ferry Crossing,Vancouver Area
Location: Vancouver
Accommodation Name: Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport
Today we set sail across the Strait of Georgia through the spectacular Gulf Islands, an area known for its Mediterranean-like climate. Late afternoon arrival in Vancouver.
Day 13: Vancouver Area
Location: Vancouver
Accommodation Name: Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport
This morning, an included city tour highlights Stanley Park, Chinatown, the harbour, beaches, and more. The rest of the day is at leisure, and your Tour Director will have suggestions for your further exploration of the city. Maybe take a water taxi to lively Granville Island with its outdoor markets, street musicians, and waterfront cafés, or visit historic Gastown with its steam-powered clock, antique shops, art galleries, and street vendors.
Day 14: Vancouver Area
Location: Vancouver
Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Vancouver further.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at various hotels including Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel, Rundlestone Lodge, Irwin's Mountain Inn, Tonquin Inn, Ramada Plaza Prince George, Crest Hotel, Kwa'lilas Hotel, Royal Scot Hotel & Suites, and Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport.
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City Tours
City tours are included in Calgary, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Prince Rupert, Victoria, and Vancouver.
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Inside Passage Cruise
An Inside Passage Cruise is included, offering spectacular views of mountains, waterfalls, islands, and marine life.
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VIA Rail's Skeena Train
A journey on VIA Rail's Skeena train from Prince George to Prince Rupert is included.
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Columbia Icefield Experience
A ride on the Ice Explorer at the Columbia Icefield is included.
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Orientation Tours
Orientation tours are provided in Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and Prince Rupert.
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Ferry Crossing
A ferry crossing from Victoria to Vancouver is included.
What's Not Included
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as a helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies, a float trip down the Athabasca River, a narrated cruise on Maligne Lake, and a visit to Butchart Gardens are not included.
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Meals
Meals are not included unless specified otherwise.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional activities, and other incidentals are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Notes
Early departures may not be able to visit Columbia Icefield, which opens in early May, or take the Maligne Lake & Spirit Island optional excursion, which opens in mid to late May. Visiting and participating in other activities in this region may be subject to favorable weather conditions and vendor dates of operation.Maximum elevation on tour: 7,500 ft.
UNESCO Sites
Banff National Park|Jasper National Park
Accommodation
Calgary:Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown HotelBanff National Park:Rundlestone LodgeBanff National Park:Irwin's Mountain InnJasper National Park:Tonquin InnPrince George:Ramada Plaza Prince GeorgePrince Rupert:Crest HotelPort Hardy:Kwa'lilas HotelVictoria:Royal Scot Hotel & SuitesVancouver:Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport
Check out our Q&As
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What activities are available in Banff National Park?
In Banff National Park, you can enjoy a variety of summer activities including hiking, boating, horseback riding, and fishing. Additionally, there is an optional helicopter ride offering spectacular views over the Canadian Rockies.
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What can I expect during the Inside Passage Cruise?
During the Inside Passage Cruise, you will experience one of the world's most beautiful ocean voyages with spectacular scenery including towering mountains, roaring waterfalls, endless islands, and virgin rainforests. Marine life such as sea lions, porpoises, and possibly killer whales can often be spotted. The cruise lasts approximately 16 hours.
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What is included in the city tour of Calgary?
The city tour of Calgary includes highlights such as downtown, Fort Calgary, Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park.
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What optional activities are available in Jasper National Park?
In Jasper National Park, you can opt for a narrated cruise on Maligne Lake to see Spirit Island, or take a float trip down the Athabasca River. The park also offers guided hikes, quaint shops, and opportunities to see meandering wildlife.
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What can I do during my free time in Victoria?
During your free time in Victoria, you can explore the city, have high tea at the Empress Hotel, visit the Royal British Columbia Museum, or take an optional excursion to Butchart Gardens. You might also enjoy a relaxing stroll along the Waterfront Promenade.
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What will I see on the VIA Rail Skeena train journey?
On the VIA Rail Skeena train journey, you will travel through the majestic Coast Mountains and follow the Skeena River, often referred to as the 'River of Mists.' You may spot wildlife such as bald eagles, black bears, and moose. The journey retraces ancient First Nations trading routes and the paths of early fur traders.
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What is the significance of the North Pacific Historic Fishing Village in Prince Rupert?
The North Pacific Historic Fishing Village in Prince Rupert is a National Historic Site and British Columbia's oldest cannery village. During the guided tour, you will learn about the canning process and what life was like in the village during peak production in the last century.
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What are some highlights of the city tour in Vancouver?
The city tour in Vancouver includes highlights such as Stanley Park, Chinatown, the harbour, and beaches. You can also explore further by taking a water taxi to Granville Island or visiting historic Gastown.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.