Tour Europe and North America with Cosmos Discount Tours: Official Site

WESTERN CANADA & ROCKY MOUNTAINEER - 2010

10 days from Calgary to Vancouver (8930)

Optional Excursions

Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency; you can use our online currency converter for exchange rate information.

CITY: Banff

Banff Gondola
A scenic 8-minute Gondola ride will give you 360 panoramic views of Banff, the Bow Valley and the Rocky Mountains. Witness the breathtaking views in every direction or go up into the restaurant area where you can sit in comfort and still admire the view. Above the restaurant level is the upper observation deck for the best view yet! Afterwards, we'll visit thundering Bow Falls where plenty of great photo opportunities await you.
Approximate value: CAD $31 per person

Wagon Ride And Steak Fry
Enjoy a leisurely one-hour trail ride in a covered wagon to the BBQ site, located near the Sundance Canyon trail. Try your hand at roping, challenge friends to a game of horseshoes or relax in the picnic area, while our cook prepares your steak to order. After a hearty meal you will ride back to Warner Stables for an hour along the banks of the Bow River. Feeling a little more adventurous? Horse back riding is available at an additional cost.
Approximate value: CAD $89 per person

Royal Canadian Helicopter Tour
This 25-minute helicopter flight offers a magnificent overview of the Rocky Mountains and the Banff area. The Olympic Nordic Center, Sundance Range, and Spray Lakes are just some of the highlights you will see. Additional helicopter excursions available; please consult your Tour Director.
Approximate value: CAD $230 per person

Horseback Ride And Steak Fry
Enjoy a leisurely one-hour trail ride on horseback to the BBQ site, located near the Sundance Canyon trail. Try your hand at roping, challenge friends to a game of horseshoes or relax in the picnic area, while our cook prepares your steak to order. After a hearty meal you will ride back to Warner Stables for an hour along the banks of the Bow River. Looking for something a little more relaxing? Covered wagons are available to ride along in the same route at a discounted rate.
Approximate value: CAD $107 per person

Minnewanka Cruise And Dinner At Maple Leaf
Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies during your early evening cruise on Lake Minnewanka. After soaking up the mountain splendor enjoy true Canadian cuisine at the Maple Leaf Grill. This is available mid May through the beginning of October due to conditions at the lake. Your Tour Director will have alternate suggestions in the event this is not available.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person

CITY: Jasper

Jasper Raft On The Athabasca River
Follow the route of the old fur traders while traveling down the Athabasca River in rubber rafts. The excursion is under the supervision of experienced guides who will also point out the natural and human history of the area. This is a moderate trip with a few easy sets of rapids (class II) and calm stretches; guides do all the rowing so you can sit back & enjoy the majestic scenery. A truly remarkable way to experience Jasper! (Subject to favorable weather and water conditions.)
Approximate value: CAD $58 per person

Cottonwood Nature Walk
Enjoy the freshness of an early morning walk or after the heat of the day. A walk through one of the best bird and beaver habitats near Jasper. On this casual walk the guides' knowledge of birds and animal habits and habitats and the flowers and the plants adds to this experience. You will be provided with walking sticks, binoculars and raincoats as needed. Bring your camera, comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for the weather. Allow up to three hours for this excursion.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person

Mount Edith Cavell Nature Walk
An absolute must for the most snow and ice avalanche activity! Join your experienced guide on this two-hour hike on the "Path of the Glacier" walk with Mount Edith Cavell's snowcapped peak towering a mile overhead. Experience three kinds of glacier formations, icebergs, waterfalls and the emerald green of "Lake of Forgiveness." An exceptional "soft adventure" to one of Jasper's gems. You need to wear good walking shoes, but no previous hiking experience is necessary. This excursion operates mid June to the first week in October.
Approximate value: CAD $68 per person

Maligne Lake Cruise To Spirit Island
A forty-five minute drive takes you to beautiful Maligne Lake. Enjoy the ninety-minute narrated cruise, with a brief stop at Spirit Island for photos of the magnificent mountains that surround you. Learn of the local history, geology, wildlife and glaciology of Maligne Lake and of Jasper National Park as some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rockies drift past your window. Note: subject to conditions on the lake, may not be available in April, May and October tours.
Approximate value: CAD $55 per person

Behind The Scenery - Dinner & Discovery
This is a wildlife safari that may include some walking with a Jasper Naturalist. The emphasis will be on animals, but topics of conversation may cover Fire Controls, the Park and its many ecosystems, the habits and habitats of the locals (animals) and how the maturing ecosystems are affecting these locals. Dinner is included at one of Jasper's most eclectic hot spots, where the atmosphere is casual and the food is gourmet.
Approximate value: CAD $81 per person

Nature Walk / Birding & Beaver
Enjoy the freshness of an early morning walk or after the heat of the day. A walk through one of the best bird and beaver habitats near Jasper. On this casual walk the guides' knowledge of birds and animal habits and habitats and the flowers and the plants adds to this experience. You will be provided with walking sticks, binoculars and raincoats as needed. Bring your camera, comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for the weather. Allow up to three hours for this excursion.
Approximate value: CAD $58 per person

CITY: Kamloops

Rhythms On The Rails - Red Leaf
During your stay in Kamloops, take a musical journey with a young singer/songwriter on his quest to write his one great legacy song, while travelling across Canada by rail. This highly energetic show features internationally known hit music from the past 50 years. The show follows a sumptuous buffet dinner.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person

Rhythms On The Rails
During your stay in Kamloops, take a musical journey with a young singer/songwriter on his quest to write his one great legacy song, while travelling across Canada by rail. This highly energetic show features internationally known hit music from the past 50 years. The show follows a sumptuous buffet dinner.
Approximate value: CAD $83 per person

Rhythms On The Rails - Gold Leaf
During your stay in Kamloops, take a musical journey with a young singer/songwriter on his quest to write his one great legacy song, while travelling across Canada by rail. This highly energetic show features internationally known hit music from the past 50 years. The show follows a sumptuous buffet dinner.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person

CITY: Victoria

Victoria Panorama
This half-hour flight is an ideal introduction to seaplane aviation and includes spectacular vistas of downtown Victoria, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Olympic Mountains in the distance. Enjoy unique views of the buildings ringing the harbour and grand houses perched above the rugged coastline. The exhilarating spray of the water is always a highlight during take-off and landing.
Approximate value: CAD $111 per person

Victoria By Night With Dinner At The Canoe Brewpub
Climb aboard one of the jaunty little boats for a unique perspective of the city, a tour from the waterside. After the harbour tour you will take a short walk to the CANOE Brewpub where you will take a brewery tour in this 1894 heritage landmark building on Victoria's downtown waterfront. You will have the opportunity to sample the award winning handcrafted beers that are renowned in the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy local West Coast cuisine while soaking up the views of the sunset over the harbour.
Approximate value: CAD $82 per person

Marine And Wildlife Whale Watching
Whale watching is an experience many say they will never forget. Spend two to three hours cruising the waters of the beautiful San Juan and Gulf islands, looking for whales, porpoises, seals, and eagles. A marine biologist will be on hand to answer all your questions. Bring your camera and your excitement because this will be a trip you will remember forever!
Approximate value: CAD $111 per person

  
Tour Europe and North America with Cosmos Discount Tours: Official Site