Western Canada with Inside Passage & Calgary Stampede
Western Canada with Inside Passage & Calgary Stampede
Western Canada with Inside Passage & Calgary Stampede
16 Days Starting in Calgary, Canada and ending in Vancouver, Canada
Visiting: Calgary, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Vancouver Island, Victoria, Vancouver
Tour operator:
Tour code:
8984-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Welcome to Calgary! More fun than a 10-gallon hat can hold, it’s no wonder the Calgary Stampede is “the greatest outdoor show on Earth.” This celebration of the Old West brings frontier days to life with entertainment and exhibits, great food, world-famous Chuckwagon horse races, and the Calgary Stampede Rodeo. Then continue your adventure 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, home of the Calgary Stampede! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
Day 2: Calgary Stampede Grounds
Location: Calgary
Accommodation Name: Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Welcome to Calgary and “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” Your hotel is ideally located on the train line that will take you to Stampede Park, allowing you to come and go as you please! Dressed in your best Cowboy fashion from belt buckles, to hats and boots, step through the gates of Stampede Park into a world of wonder, fun, and “Wild West” excitement with your included admission. Walk back in time and experience the traditions and culture of Canadian First Nations at Elbow River Camp or stroll the streets of a recreated frontier town. Enjoy a wide variety of exciting talent on the many entertainment stages, and then maybe head into the dazzling array of international exhibits and displays of Western art. This evening, watch the heart-stopping Chuckwagon Races in an all-out dash for the finish line, an amazing contest of nerves and horsepower. You’ll be out of your seats cheering on your favorite driver during each heat. Afterward, get ready for an outdoor stage show featuring hundreds of singers, dancers, and musicians in a lavishly produced and choreographed musical variety spectacular.
Day 3: Calgary Stampede Grounds And Rodeo
Location: Calgary
Accommodation Name: Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fuel up for the day’s activities by visiting Fluor Rope Square at Olympic Plaza for a pancake breakfast. Return to the Stampede grounds this morning to see anything you missed yesterday, and cheer on your favorite rodeo contenders. If you haven’t already, get suited with a cowboy hat, threads, and boots at one of the many stalls before heading to the Grandstand for the Calgary Stampede Rodeo this afternoon. See the best of the best as they saddle up for world-class rodeo action. Top professionals take on the West’s wildest horses. You’ll also enjoy rodeo’s most famed event—bull riding! You will be in awe of the talent as you sit on the edge of your seat. Make the most of your time here and discover Canada’s country core. With square dancing, mock gun fights, country bands, bars, restaurants and livestock, there is loads to see.
Day 4: Calgary,Banff National Park
Location: Banff National Park
Accommodation Name: Irwin's Mountain Inn or 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 5: Banff National Park
Location: Banff National Park
Accommodation Name: Irwin's Mountain Inn or Rundlestone Lodge
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 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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 10: 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 11: 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 12: Port Hardy,Chemainus,Victoria
Location: Vancouver Island
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 13: 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 14: 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 15: 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 16: 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 at various hotels including Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel, Irwin's Mountain Inn, Rundlestone Lodge, Tonquin Inn, Ramada Plaza Prince George, Crest Hotel, Kwa'lilas Hotel, Royal Scot Hotel & Suites, and Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport.
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Calgary Stampede Admission
Included admission to the Calgary Stampede, allowing you to experience the 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.'
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City Tour of Calgary
A city tour of Calgary, including downtown, Fort Calgary, Stampede Park, the Saddledome, and Canada Olympic Park.
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Ice Explorer Ride
Experience a ride on the Ice Explorer at the Columbia Icefield.
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Orientation Tours
Orientation tours in Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and Prince Rupert.
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Inside Passage Cruise
An ocean voyage through the Inside Passage with spectacular scenery and potential wildlife sightings.
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City Tour of Vancouver
A city tour of Vancouver highlighting Stanley Park, Chinatown, the harbour, beaches, and more.
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Ferry Crossing
Ferry crossing from Victoria to Vancouver through the Gulf Islands.
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, and a narrated cruise on Maligne Lake.
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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.
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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 other service personnel 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 can I expect during the Calgary Stampede?
During the Calgary Stampede, you can expect a variety of activities including visiting Stampede Park, experiencing the traditions and culture of Canadian First Nations at Elbow River Camp, and strolling through a recreated frontier town. You can enjoy entertainment stages, international exhibits, and displays of Western art. In the evening, you can watch the Chuckwagon Races and an outdoor stage show featuring singers, dancers, and musicians.
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What activities are available in Banff National Park?
In Banff National Park, you can enjoy a range of summer activities such as hiking, boating, horseback riding, and fishing. There is also an optional helicopter ride offering spectacular views over the Canadian Rockies.
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What will I see on the journey from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park?
On the journey from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park, you will see precipitous gorges, snowcapped mountain ranges, and lakes with exquisite blues and greens. You will stop at Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefield, where you can ride the Ice Explorer. The journey also includes an optional float trip down the Athabasca River.
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What can I do in Jasper National Park?
In Jasper National Park, you can take an optional narrated cruise on Maligne Lake to see Spirit Island. The rest of the day can be spent enjoying guided hikes, visiting quaint shops, or observing wildlife.
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What is the VIA Rail Skeena train experience like?
The VIA Rail Skeena train journey is an all-daylight trip through the majestic Coast Mountains and along the Skeena River. You will retrace ancient First Nations trading routes and paths of early fur traders, with opportunities to spot wildlife such as bald eagles, black bears, and moose.
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What will I experience on the Inside Passage Cruise?
On the Inside Passage Cruise, you will embark on a scenic ocean voyage with views of towering mountains, roaring waterfalls, endless islands, and virgin rainforests. Marine life sightings may include sea lions, porpoises, and possibly killer whales. The cruise lasts approximately 16 hours.
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What can I do in Victoria?
In Victoria, you can enjoy morning sightseeing of the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. The rest of the day is free to explore the city, with options such as high tea at the Empress Hotel, visiting the Royal British Columbia Museum, or taking an optional excursion to Butchart Gardens.
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What are the highlights of the city tour in Vancouver?
The city tour in Vancouver includes highlights such as Stanley Park, Chinatown, the harbour, and beaches. The rest of the day is at leisure, with suggestions to visit Granville Island, historic Gastown, or other attractions.
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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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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.
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