Day 1: Depart Chicago
All Glacier and Canada’s Mountain Majesty tour members will meet the Tour Director in Chicago’s Union Station. Early this afternoon we will board Amtrak’s Empire Builder for the 1620-mile journey across five states to Whitefish Montana.
Relax in your comfortable reclining coach seat with leg rest. Roomettes or Bedrooms are available at an additional cost.
Go to the glass-walled Sightseer Lounge car for spectacular viewing. All tastefully prepared, full-course dining car meals are included. We’ll arrive in Minneapolis - St. Paul at 10:31 p.m.
Meal(s): D
Day 2: En Route/East Glacier
During the day we will roll across the remote flatlands of North Dakota and eastern Montana. First-class sleeping car passengers will enjoy a wine and cheese party in the dining car this afternoon. This evening we’ll arrive in Whitefish, Montana. Our two nights at Glacier National Park will be spent at the Grouse Lodge.
Meal(s): B, L & D
Day 3: Glacier National Park
We’ll depart this morning on an all-day tour of one of America’s most beautiful attractions. Our group will travel over the spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Highway, acclaimed as one of the outstanding scenic roadways of the world. The 50-mile-long drive affords magnificent views of the mountain scenery. Dense forests, picturesque lakes, brilliant flowers and abundant wildlife enhance the awesome views. We’ll stop for a leisurely “on-your-own” lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge and return to our hostelry in Whitefish by late afternoon.
Day 4: En Route/Banff
We’ll board our motor coach this morning and begin a full day of stimulating travel northwest to Banff. The scenery will be breathtaking as we cross into British Columbia and begin to encounter the awesome Canadian Rockies.
We’ll stop in Cranbrook, B.C., for an “on-your-own” lunch. We’ll also visit Cranbrook’s interesting Railway Museum and Gallery. You’ll tour the perfectly restored 1929 Trans-Canada Limited.
By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in the beautiful mountain village of Banff. Our lodging for the next two nights will be the attractive, conveniently located Banff Aspen Lodge.
Day 5: Banff
This morning we’ll embark on a Discover Banff Tour. The highlight of the tour will be the gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for a spectacular view.
You’re free this afternoon to rest, shop along Banff Avenue or visit the Natural History or Parks Canada Museums.
Meal(s): CB
Day 6: Jasper
Today our travelers will experience the Icefields Parkway, North America’s most scenic highway. We’ll visit the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Falls. A ride out onto the Athabasca Glacier in a specialized Snocoach will be a highlight of the tour. Frequent photo stops will be made.
Another high point will be the visit to Lake Louise and its famous Chateau. The setting is one of the most picturesque in the Rockies. A boxed lunch will be served en route. We will arrive in Jasper by late afternoon. Our lodging for the next two nights will be the conveniently located Whistlers Inn.
Meal(s): CB & L
Day 7: Maligne Lake Cruise
This morning we’ll travel to nearby Maligne Lake and embark on a scenic cruise. This afternoon we’ll board our motor coach and travel west through the Yellowhead Pass about 50 miles to enjoy more of the spectacular Canadian Rockies scenery. We’ll drive by Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 12,972 feet.
We’ll return to Jasper for a second night at the Whistlers Inn.
Day 8: Icefields Parkway/Lethbridge
This is one of the extraordinary tours where you experience North America’s most scenic highway in BOTH directions. There will be no major scenic stops along the way today. There will be an “on-your-own” lunch stop scheduled.
Dinner in the Calgary area is included.
We’ll arrive at the Comfort Inn (July) or Heidelberg Inn (August) in Lethbridge at mid evening.
Meal(s): D
Day 9: En Route
Breakfast this morning is included. We’ll continue a hundred miles south to Shelby, Montana. At 11:43 a.m. we’ll board Amtrak’s Empire Builder for Chicago. You’ll experience the same kind of accommodations and amenities you experienced on the westbound trip.
Meal(s): B, L & D
Day 10: En Route
The Empire Builder is scheduled to arrive in Chicago’s Union Station by late afternoon.
Meal(s): B & L
Valid Passport required for this tour.