Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf and Sonora Resort

Day 1 - Fly to Calgary and transfer to Banff

Fly from the UK to Calgary, where a coach transfer takes you west into the mountains to Banff, a journey of around two hours. Your hotel sits on Banff Avenue, right in the centre of town, so it's easy to stretch your legs with an evening stroll.

Day 2 - Discover Banff & its Wildlife

Your guided Discover Banff & its Wildlife tour picks you up from your hotel this morning. You'll ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for sweeping views over the town and the Bow Valley, and explore the interpretive trails at the top. Lower down, the tour takes in Lake Minnewanka, the Hoodoos Lookout, Bow Falls and the classic view of the Fairmont Banff Springs, with your guide sharing stories of the park and pointing out wildlife along the way. Look out for elk and bighorn sheep.

You'll be back in Banff by early afternoon, with the rest of the day free to explore the town's shops and galleries at your own pace.

Day 3 - Banff to Lake Louise

A short coach transfer this morning follows the Bow Valley to Lake Louise, passing Castle Mountain and Mount Temple on the way. We've included a night here so you can enjoy the lake when the day visitors have gone, particularly in the early morning and evening light. Your hotel stands on the lakeshore itself, with the Victoria Glacier at the far end of the water. Spend the day walking the lakeshore trail or, if conditions allow, the path up to Lake Agnes. Early in the season the lake is often still frozen, which has a quiet beauty of its own.

Day 4 - Icefields Parkway to Jasper

Today your small group tour follows the Icefields Parkway north to Jasper, one of Canada's great scenic routes, stopping at Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, the Weeping Wall and Athabasca Falls. A picnic lunch is included.

At the Columbia Icefield, an Ice Explorer takes you out onto the Athabasca Glacier, where you can step onto the ancient ice itself. You'll then visit the Glacier Skywalk [URL TBC], a walkway along the cliff edge with a glass floored platform high above the Sunwapta Valley. It's a full day, and you'll reach Jasper in the early evening.

Day 5 - Maligne Valley

Your Maligne Valley Sightseeing Tour with Walk begins in the morning with a short tour of Jasper before crossing the Athabasca River into the Maligne Valley. The first stop is Medicine Lake, which drains away each year through underground channels, and your guide will explain the karst landscape behind this unusual sight. Keep a look out for wildlife as you travel the valley.

The highlight is Maligne Lake itself, where you'll join a guided walk on the Mary Schäffer Loop, named after the explorer who reached the lake over a century ago. The walk covers just over 3 km and takes around 90 minutes, weather permitting. You'll be back in Jasper by mid afternoon, with the rest of the day free.

Day 6 - Rocky Mountaineer Jasper to Kamloops

Today you board the Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf for the first day of your journey to the coast. GoldLeaf coaches have a full glass dome on the upper level for uninterrupted views, with breakfast and lunch served in the dining room below and drinks included throughout. Leaving Jasper, the train passes Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, before following the North Thompson River south through forests and ranch land. Because the train travels only in daylight, you'll stop overnight in Kamloops, where a hotel is included as part of your Rocky Mountaineer journey.

Day 7 - Rocky Mountaineer Kamloops to Vancouver

The second day of your rail journey shows how quickly the scenery changes in British Columbia. From the dry, open hills around Kamloops, the train follows the Thompson River into the dramatic Fraser Canyon, where the river forces its way through Hell's Gate, before the valley widens into the rich farmland of the Fraser Valley. Breakfast and lunch are again served on board, and you'll arrive in Vancouver in the late afternoon. Your hotel is in the heart of downtown, within easy walking distance of the city's main sights.

Day 8 - Vancouver

A free day to explore Vancouver at your own pace. Stanley Park, with its seawall and views across the harbour to the North Shore mountains, is easy to reach on foot or by bike. Gastown and Granville Island are also well worth your time, and small ferries cross False Creek throughout the day.

Day 9 - Helicopter to Sonora Resort

After a relaxed morning in Vancouver, a private transfer takes you to the airport's South Terminal for your helicopter flight to Sonora Island. The flight takes around 50 minutes, and it's a memorable way to arrive, with views over the coastline, the forested islands and the mountains that rise straight from the sea. You'll land at the resort itself, with time to settle in before a Pacific Northwest dinner. Your stay includes gourmet meals, house wine and beer, and use of all the resort's indoor and outdoor facilities.

Day 10 - Sonora Resort

Your first full day on the island. With no roads in and nothing to organise, this is the time to slow down. Wander the grounds, take in the views across the water or simply relax in the lodge, and leave every meal to the kitchen.

Day 11 - Sonora Resort

Sonora Island sits among the channels of the Discovery Islands, where strong tides sweep between the islands and draw in marine life. Watch for bald eagles overhead and, if you're lucky, seals, porpoises or whales in the water. Guided excursions and spa treatments can be arranged at the resort at an extra cost.

Day 12 - Sonora Resort

A final full day to enjoy the peace and seclusion of the resort. We've included four nights here so the stay feels like a proper rest rather than a stopover, and a slow day at the end of the trip is a welcome contrast to the mountains and the city.

Day 13 - Helicopter to Vancouver

Enjoy a leisurely last morning on the island before your helicopter returns you to Vancouver in the afternoon, with a final view of the coast from the air. A private transfer takes you from the South Terminal to your downtown hotel for your last night in the city.

Day 14 - Fly home

A  private transfer takes you to Vancouver International Airport for your overnight flight to the UK.