Lakes & Lodges

Lakes & Lodges

Enjoy some of the most amazing scenery as you journey through the heart of the Rockies, the Caribou and Monashee mountains. You’ll also explore routes set by explorers in the gold rush times on your voyage to Vancouver.

Enjoy wonderful settings with sparkling lakes reflecting icing- sugar topped mountain peaks, verdant forests and alpine meadows. These vivid locales include the resort towns of Banff and Jasper, and Emerald Lake, Moraine Lake and Lac Le Jeune as well as Tyax Mountain Lake Resort.

Relax in some of the best mountain lodges you’ll find anywhere, where peace and tranquillity rule the day and you can be at one with nature and your surroundings.

Enjoy the moment, enjoy the freedom … enjoy the journey.

What's Included:

• Return flights.
• 12 nights in lodges (accommodation as specified or similar).
• Mixed meal plan basis.
• Selected excursions, activities and entrance fees.
• 11 days car rental.
• 11 days GyPSy Guide rental.
• Comprehensive document pack.

Highlights:

• Emerald Lake, a Rockies gem.
• Moraine Lake Lodge, tranquillity by the water.
• Jasper, a mountain delight.
• Tyax Wilderness Lodge, nestled on Tyaughton Lake with views of snow- capped mountains.

Day 1: London - Calgary - Banff (75 miles)

Upon arrival into Calgary, collect your rental car and begin your Rockies adventure. Take the short drive from Calgary to Banff on either the Trans-Canada Highway or the more scenic 1A Highway. Once in Banff check in at your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight - Buffalo Mountain Lodge: Lodge Room Hotel for 2 nights: Buffalo Mountain Lodge - Lodge Room.

Day 2: Banff

A full day to explore Banff and area. In town you’ll find lots of excitement - shopping, cafés, nightlife, museums. Check out the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Banff Gondola (included) where you will see a panoramic view of the Bow Valley, then take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the Upper Hot Springs.
Overnight - Buffalo Mountain Lodge: Lodge Room

Day 3: Banff - Emerald Lake (60 miles)

Today is a leisurely drive from Banff. Choose the Bow Valley Parkway, beside the Bow River with an option for you to take a stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footway to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing into Yoho National Park and Emerald Lake Lodge.
Overnight - Emerald Lake Lodge: Lake Room Meals - Dinner

Day 4: Emerald Lake Lodge

A day to relax and enjoy your new surroundings.Built of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces, the Lodge includes a formal dining room, quiet reading and sitting rooms. From the upper or lower large verandahs, enjoy the serene views of this wilderness landscape.
Overnight - Emerald Lake Lodge: Lake Room Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Emerald Lake - Moraine Lake (23 miles)

Return back through scenic mountain passes to Moraine Lake Lodge located on the shore of Moraine Lake and known for its iridescent turquoise colour, Moraine Lake has become known as The Jewel of the Rockies.
Overnight - Moraine Lake Lodge Meals - Breakfast

Day 6: Moraine Lake - Jasper (148 miles)

Today, travel through the spine of the Canadian Rockies along the amazing Icefield Parkway. You’re sure to be enthralled by the scenery, wildlife, incredible blue lakes and sparkling waterfalls en route and a stop at Peyto Lake along the way is a must. Don’t miss the Columbia Icefield for a ride onto the Athabasca Glacier on board an Ice Explorer (included) before continuing your journey to Jasper.
Overnight - Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge: Fairmont Room Meals - Breakfast
Please note: Mountain lakes in this region will be frozen through to mid June

Day 7: Jasper

Today, explore this charming mountain village close to many terrific scenic highlights. Take a tram ride up Whistlers Mountain or a boat cruise on Maligne Lake, in the evening soak in the pools at Miette Hot Springs, and watch the sunset over Pyramid and Patricia lakes (sightseeing not included).
Overnight - Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge: Fairmont Room

Optional Add-On - Jasper Rafting (Duration 2 ½ hrs)

Enjoy a gentle rafting tour on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park. The 16 kilometre, 2½ hour round trip passes through many small sets of rapids and calm stretches, which allows your National Park Licensed guide to point out the natural and human history of Jasper. Specially designed rafts offer a safe, comfortable ride that any first time rafter will enjoy. This trip is for everyone from toddlers to seniors. Supplement applies, see price panel.

Day 8: Jasper - Lac Le Jeune (297 miles)

Leaving Jasper National Park, travel the ‘Yellowhead’ route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Beyond Mount Robson, the highway follows the Thompson River through the snowy peaks of the Monashee and Caribou Mountains to Lac Le Jeune Resort, located in a stunning wilderness setting. Please note this rustic lodge offers peace and relaxation without phones or a television in the room.
Overnight - Lac Le Jeune Resort: Cabin

Day 9: Lac Le Jeune - Gold Bridge (203 miles)

Begin the day travelling along Logan Lake route to the gold rush town of Cache Creek. Continue the journey south to Lillooet, known as the land of the Gold Rush Trail and was ‘Mile Zero’ of the Old Caribou Wagon Road during the Gold Rush Years. Departing Lillooet travel for 2 hours along a well maintained gravel road to Tyax Mountain Lake Resort nestled on the shores on Tyaughton Lake.
Overnight - Tyax Resort: Forest View Room

Day 10: Tyax Mountain Lake Resort

Tyax offers a wide array of optional activities for all ages including western horseback riding, guided fly fishing tours, fly casting and gold panning lessons, mountain biking on gentle rolling or challenging single track, floatplane adventures over the Chilcotin Wilderness and drop off’s at remote alpine lakes; as well as ATV safaris along old mining trails leading to the wildflower carpeted alpine meadows.
Overnight - Tyax Resort: Forest View Room

Optional Add-On: Sundance Guest Ranch

• 2 nights Located in British Columbia’s high country, with magnificent scenery and clear fresh air - a genuine bit of the old West. Call for details.

Day 11: Gold Bridge - Vancouver (145 miles)

Depart Gold Bridge and travel back to Lillooet and onto the Duffey Lake Road to Whistler, then continue along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Vancouver. Highlights along the way include the cascading Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief Rock where climbers from all over the globe migrate to climb the granite cliffs. Drop off your rental car when you arrive in Vancouver.
Overnight - Fairmont Waterfront Hotel: Deluxe Partial Harbour View Room

Day 12: Vancouver

Today is a free day to enjoy the sights of the city. We highly recommend the Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge Tour (not included) which take will take you from sea level to 4,100 feet above Vancouver on the Grouse Mountain Skyride for breathtaking views of the city, ocean and surrounding mountains.
Overnight - Fairmont Waterfront Hotel: Deluxe Partial Harbour View Room

Day 13: Vancouver - London

Your tour ends on check-out from your hotel. Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. This tour is also available in reverse.

Alaska Cruise Extension

A journey such as this can never be bettered, only enhanced, and what better way than to finish (or start) your voyage of discovery than with a cruise along the Inside Passage to Alaska and back. You’ll cruise in some of the most pristine waters on the planet; see living glaciers calving vast icebergs into the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy wildlife swimming alongside your ship and visit old time towns of the gold rush era. We have a range of cruises to suit all moods, from the ultra-deluxe vessels for those seeking five star service and accommodation to adventure cruises for those seeking “close up and personal” nature experiences.