This tour focuses on the highlights of Western Canada as well as the way people live in this part of the world. During this trip we make certain you get to see the real Canada with local flavour, playing and relaxing like the locals do. The program touches on the great places and sights in British Columbia and Alberta, the fjords of the Pacific coast, ranches and logging towns of the interior plateau, majestic peaks and turquoise alpine lakes of the Rocky Mountains. Learn about the history of the First Nation people, stay in their cabins, listen to their stories, and take a glimpse into the pioneering days as well as the modern way of life in this vast and colourful country.

VANCOUVER - Transfer from the airport to your hotel (The Sandman Vancouver Airport Hotel offers a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel. The shuttle arrives at YVR (Domestic & International) arrivals section on the ground level every 30 minutes: 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. The trip takes roughly 10-15 minutes. The service begins at 4:00AM (from the hotel), and the last bus is 12:45AM (from the airport). The shuttle is white and marked with the Sandman logo. Should the shuttle not arrive, please call the hotel on 604-303-8888).

Meet the guide this evening at 6.30pm for pre trip information.

LAKE LOUISE / BANFF NATIONAL PARK- Stock up on fresh cherries, peaches or pears at a fruit stand beside the road. The visitor center at Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park shows the ongoing battle between the highway and railroad builders and Mother Nature with her avalanches, raging rivers and rock slides. Next stop is Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Have your cameras ready as you soar over 4000 vertical feet (1220 m) on the Express Gondola (included). At the summit you soak up the panorama of snowy peaks of the Selkirk, Columbia and Rocky Mountains while dining at the Eagle’s Eye restaurant. Here you also visit Boo, the resident grizzly who lives on a 22 acre (9 ha) sanctuary which provides a home and a second chance for orphaned grizzly cubs. You reach the Rocky Mountains in Yoho National Park where a stop is made at the Natural Bridge and beautiful Emerald Lake. The village of Lake Louise is base for the next two days. Now you are in the heart of the Rockies with picture postcard scenery and premier hikes close by..

JASPER NATIONAL PARK - Today you travel the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most scenic high alpine routes with photo opportunities and so many reasons to stop and admire. At the Columbia Icefields you have the opportunity to take a driving tour on the glacier or a short but very rewarding hike with the guide. Then on to Jasper and your log cabin by the river. For dinner the guide will be happy to arrange the first barbeque, all the necessary utensils are part of the group equipment. Today’s special is Bison burger with all the trimmings.

PRINCE GEORGE - Driving west to you pass beneath Mount Robson, with 3954 m highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. During a walk beside the roaring Robson River you realize how this colossus of a mountain creates it’s own micro climate. In Prince George, the hard working logging town, we can check out the local entertainment: a game of baseball, the bowling alley, or try your luck at the bingo hall.

PRINCE RUPERT - Today’s highlight is a visit and tour of the ‘Ksan Indian Village in Hazelton. The reconstructed Native settlement consists of five traditional longhouses and several totem poles. You then continue to Prince Rupert, the harbour town on the Pacific. In the guide’s favourite tavern they serve beer by the jug, perhaps you should share.

PORT HARDY - A day to enjoy the natural wonders. There are trails through the resort with viewing areas to observe the rich variety of birds and marine wildlife, even the occasional black bear. Join the guide for a side trip to Cape Scott at the northern tip of the island and a walk in truly amazing wilderness setting. At the resort you can prepare your own catch of fish, enjoy a meal in the café next door or at a restaurant in Port Hardy.

TOFINO / UCLUELET - It is a magical place to relax and explore the trails of Pacific Rim National Park in a fairy tale forest of ferns and mosses and thousand year old trees. There is more: many artists have made the charming villages of Ucluelet and Tofino their home, small shops offer unique and special souvenirs. A 7-hour boat excursion (optional) features a short hike to natural hot springs. Grey and humpback whales spend summers in these waters, you can join a tour where you get very close to bears feeding on crabs and clams in tidal pools. Surfing lessons, sea kayaking are other safe and fun activities can all be arranged. Talk your guide into organizing a clam bake by the shore, the oysters don’t come any fresher

VANCOUVER - Taking the scenic Marine Drive you arrive at the ferry terminal for the 90 minute crossing back to the mainland. In downtown Vancouver the guide takes you on an orientation tour with Gastown, Chinatown and Stanley Park. Your hotel is on lively Robson Street within walking distance to English Bay, the cruise ship harbour and Canada Place.

Empire Landmark Hotel

1400 Robson Street

Vancouver

British Colombia V6G 1B9

Tel: +1-604-687-0511

This tour is operated in conjunction with our local partners in Canada.  You will be joined by other Kumuka passengers as well as travellers who have booked through other agencies.

The itinerary will be followed as closely as possible. However, this tour visits areas that can be unpredictable and there may be times when it is necessary to change the route according to abnormal weather patterns, the presence of wild animals, or any unforeseen local conditions that are out of our control. Please be flexible and respect the changes that your Tour Leader may have to make during the tour.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise care in keeping it safe. It should be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. We advise that you take photocopies of your passport in case of loss or damage. Alternatively, you can scan copies of these pages and email them to yourself so that you can access them if you happen to lose your passport whilst abroad and have to apply for a new one at your nearest Embassy.

If you wish to spend a few additional days in your starting or finishing city, then we can arrange accommodation for you. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

In North America tipping is a way of life and very much expected, as well as appreciated. For many, receiving tips is a means of supplementing their salary which is usually based on minimum wage. The standard amount in restaurants and bars is 15% of the total bill (please note that sales and service taxes are automatically imposed in some restaurants and bars).  Chambermaids usually receive $1 or $2 per night in a hotel, simply left on the bedside table.

It is also customary in North America to show appreciation of your Tour Leader by tipping him/her at the end of the tour.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.