Overview
You’ll also enjoy two nights in Jasper National Park, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. You can hike, peruse the shops, and join an optional excursion to see beautiful Maligne Lake and Spirit Island. Between Banff and Jasper, you’ll experience a highlight of this Canadian Rockies tour—a thrilling ride aboard an Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle to the Athabasca Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice in the Canadian Rockies.
Your journey also includes a stop in Lake Louise, whose turquoise waters create a natural mirror that reflects the surrounding mountains and pristine wilderness. This tour also includes ferry crossings between Vancouver and Victoria as well as sightseeing in both. In Victoria, your sightseeing includes world-famous Butchart Gardens with its 55 acres of showcase floral displays. You’ll also have free time in Victoria to explore on your own. Perhaps enjoy high tea at the Empress Hotel, walk and discover Victoria’s delightful historic buildings and harbour, or take the optional Marine Wildlife & Whale-Watching Expedition to seek out the resident pods of orca whales. All of this and more await you on this once-in-a-lifetime Canadian Rockies tour designed for savvy, value-minded travelers!
10 Days
Calgary
Vancouver
Classic
3 - 3.5 Star
Affordable
5-99 Years
50
Fully Guided
8910
Itinerary
Welcome to Calgary! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
The discovery of oil converted this ranching town into a sophisticated city. It is also home to the world-famous Calgary Stampede. See many of the city's attractions, including Canada Olympic Park and the Saddledome. Motor west through the foothills and into Banff National Park, gateway to the majestic Canadian Rockies. An orientation tour highlights Banff's unspoiled beauty.
Banff is one of Canada's favorite year-round resorts, with summer activities such as hiking, boating, and fishing. With a free day, your Tour Director will have many suggestions, including a sky-high adventure with an unforgettable optional helicopter ride over the incredible Canadian Rockies.
Enjoy a day of scenic grandeur. First stop is Lake Louise, whose turquoise waters create a natural mirror that reflects the surrounding mountains. Up next, a stop at the Columbia Icefield to experience the Ice Explorer, an all-terrain vehicle that travels on ice measuring 750 feet thick!
Then, drive north into Jasper National Park, where precipitous gorges, snowcapped summits, and lakes of exquisite blues and greens come into view as your journey scales three mountain passes. Later, consider an optional float trip down the Athabasca River. Enjoy an orientation tour of the town of Jasper upon arrival.
Today, experience the magic of nature on an optional excursion to Maligne Lake and Spirit Island* where you'll embark on a narrated cruise to learn about the history, geology, flora, and fauna amid stunning scenery. 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.Depart Jasper and follow the Fraser River to the base of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. The Yellowhead Highway continues south along the mighty Thompson River, with spectacular views of the Monashee Mountains. Overnight in Kamloops.
As you travel through British Columbia's Cascade Mountains and the fertile Fraser Valley to the majestic Pacific coastline, the vegetation changes from desert landscape to lush alpine forest. Board your ferry for the scenic crossing to Vancouver Island. Prior to arriving in Victoria, visit world-famous Butchart Gardens and view the beautiful floral displays. Continue downtown and see the Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park. This evening, consider a relaxing stroll along the lively Waterfront Promenade.
Today is free to explore on your own. Your Tour Director will have ideas for enjoying this most British of Canadian cities. Perhaps enjoy High Tea at the Empress Hotel or choose an adventure at sea with an optional Wildlife and Whale-Watching Expedition, looking for whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles.
This morning, set sail across the Strait of Georgia, an arm of the Salish Sea, and through the scenic Gulf Islands. In Vancouver, city sightseeing includes Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, and other famous landmarks. The remainder of the day is free to explore this vibrant city known for its incredible scenery, thriving art scene, and diverse culture. Perhaps visit Robson Street and experience British Columbia's premier shopping and entertainment location.
Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore Vancouver further.
Trip Inclusions
- The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available), as well as a ferry crossing from/to Vancouver Island.
- Calgary: Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel (First-Class)
- Banff National Park: Banff Rocky Mountain Resort (First-Class)
- Jasper National Park: Marmot Lodge (First-Class)
- Kamloops: The Thompson Hotel & Conference Centre (First-Class)
- Victoria: Royal Scot Hotel & Suites (First-Class)
- Vancouver: Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown (First-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- 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.
Operator
Enjoy inside visits to Canada's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their vacations, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Trip Reviews (13)
Global Journeys have made an interesting holiday at a reasonable price. It is a shame that no breakfasts are supplied as some of us need something to get us moving in the mornings. The accommodation in places was excellent in most places. Wonderful trip with great memories.
We were happy with most of the accommodation, which was usually central and of a reasonable standard. As we were read more aware that this tour did not include meals, the lack of breakfast being included didn't bother us but most of the other people on the bus tour felt that it should have been included, especially as we had a few early morning departures. Our main complaint was the tipping at the end of the tour. As Australians we are not used to tipping, however we were aware that in Canada we would have to tip waitresses, taxi drivers etc and a few dollars here and there didn't' bother us. But Cosmos asked us each to tip the tour guide and driver $5-7 US a day. My husband and I had to pay out hundreds of dollars in tips at the end of our trip (when money was getting tight). I agree with another reviewer that this tipping seemed outrageous and I wished I had been aware before the tour how much money we were expected to pay out in tips to the tour guide and coach driver. (GJ: Thanks for your feedback Liv & Stan. With regards to tipping, some Operators include it in the price of the tour, others - like Cosmos - allow you to pay it at the end of your trip, or prepay it before you leave. I know it's not really tipping when you are expected to pay, or feel bad if you don't, but everyone is different. Ask your GJ Consultant to include it in your quote if you'd prefer next time - we hope!)
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Cosmos Canada & USA (2026)
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. For all itineraries that include a cruise, Cosmos may apply a surcharge depending on the cabin categories available on your selected departure. Your Travel Advisor will provide this information in your quote if applicable. Your Travel Advisor will also apply any appropriate discounts automatically and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
