I am senior citizen planning first tour of Canadian Rockies and would like to hear if anyone can recommend a mid-priced tour company. Was told about YMT tours that cover up to 2 weeks sightseeing. I a
I am senior citizen planning first tour of Canadian Rockies and would like to hear if anyone can recommend a mid-priced tour company. Was told about YMT tours that cover up to 2 weeks sightseeing. I am thinking of doing between 8 and 10 days arriving in Calgary, then onwards Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and might return from either Kalispell or work my way back to Vancouver as I have not been to any of these places. I have lots of travel experience in Europe and considered either joining a tour or just covering as much as possible with public transportation. Any advice. I am thinking of doing this trip in September if I can get it together. Thanks, Kate
Your suggestion is appreciated. I have looked at this company which appears expensive considering their single supplement is hefty. I am now considering a Cosmos or Travelspere tour which might be less expensive than doing it independently. I would do city to city trips if there was adequate public transport, bus or trains but have read that there is limited transport and that some of the routes used are not the most scenic. I could spend several days in Vancouver taking ferry to Victoria on a day trip. Getting from Vancouver to Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise/Jasper without a car might be difficult.Any other ideas? Thank you. Kate
Is Cosmos for youth travelers, or am I outdated in thinking that? Posted by buttoncat
Cosmos is a part of Globus. Their prices are cheaper than Globus; therefore, cheaper hotels, less included sites, etc. I have traveled many times with Globus and they are very good and reliable. I assume Cosmos would be the same. You will love the Canadian Rockies!
Hi Cavangal... sounds like you have a great trip ahead of you no matter what you decide. I traveled with Trafalgar a few years back up to Vancouver and Victoria and it was amazing. I was actually talking about my trip to my friend the other day who is looking to go up there himself. He's looking at their Rockies Panorama tour. I think it is 11 days (one more than what you mentioned below, but probably worth it). It does go to Jasper, Banff, Victoria and ends in Vancouver and stays two nights in each city. I think it also takes the Rocky Mountaineer train through Kammloops. Looks like a great trip for him, and sounds exactly like what your looking for. Happy Travels!
There have been some less than complimentary posts regarding YMT (Your Man Tours) on various travel websites. Suggest you view TripAdvisor before making your final decision. The Rocky Mountaineer train trip is exceptional, but may not fit your indicated resonable cost budget. You may care to look at Gray Line or Maverick coach tours.
I lived in Banff for a decade and was just there for a month. Consider a local business such as Brewster Transportation & Tours or Canadian Mountain Holidays. They hire incredible local guides, and are very reputable.
I just booked one of Trafalgar's tours for next summer, but to Eastern Canada. They have a special going on right now so I was able to save almost $800 for my husband and myself. We paid early too which helped with the savings.
I took a Gray Line of Seattle tour thru the Canadian Rockies years ago and it was excellent. The hotels were about the level of Globus, which I have traveled with in Colorado and Spain.
I took a Cosmos tour of Atlantic Canada 7 years ago and that was also good.
I took YMT to Hawaii in 2001 and was disappointed. (This is a totally different type of tour, because of the limited bus travel and 4 days partly on our own in Oahu. Flights from island to island were of course necessary). The guide was not always around to answer questions once we got to our hotels. I was a single traveller and the tour was full of many parties of relatives, so I did not find many kindred spirits among the other tourists. The hotels were ok, but most did not even provide little shampoo bottles for guests. At the Kauai hotel, the "wonderrful beach" they had told me about on the phone before the tour, turned out to have signs warning of danger and not to go in the water.
The budget price should be a clue that the amenities may not be up to standards of other tours.
I am senior citizen planning first tour of Canadian Rockies and would like to hear if anyone can recommend a mid-priced tour company. Was told about YMT tours that cover up to 2 weeks sightseeing. I am thinking of doing between 8 and 10 days arriving in Calgary, then onwards Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and might return from either Kalispell or work my way back to Vancouver as I have not been to any of these places. I have lots of travel experience in Europe and considered either joining a tour or just covering as much as possible with public transportation. Any advice. I am thinking of doing this trip in September if I can get it together. Thanks, Kate Posted by Cavangal
I am senior citizen planning first tour of Canadian Rockies and would like to hear if anyone can recommend a mid-priced tour company. Was told about YMT tours that cover up to 2 weeks sightseeing. I am thinking of doing between 8 and 10 days arriving in Calgary, then onwards Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and might return from either Kalispell or work my way back to Vancouver as I have not been to any of these places. I have lots of travel experience in Europe and considered either joining a tour or just covering as much as possible with public transportation. Any advice. I am thinking of doing this trip in September if I can get it together. Thanks, Kate Posted by Cavangal
Try Globus. Had a great trip with them to the Canadian Rockies several years ago. Met some great people too.
My 89 y/o mother and I used Caravan Tours for their Grand Canyon/Western Parks tour this April and were very happy with service and value. It was a large group -- but clean bus, bathroom (also necessary stops), lots of cold water, and a few empty seats made it very comfortable.
Our guide and driver were both excellent and we saw and did much more than when we visited Calgary/Banff/Lake Louise on our own in 2002. Also, I could kick back and relax as I have to drive, navigate and research most trips.
If you feel their itinerary suits at least part of your needs, Caravan's website was very accurate. If using a tour, you might want to check out Pennsylvania Travel for a small discount. Enjoy your trip.
My husband and I (both seniors) took a wonderful 8 day trip to the Canadian Rockies with Caravan Tours in July. We started in Calgary at the Hilton Garden Inn, went south to Waterton Lakes where we stayed 2 nights and toured Glacier Park in Montana and then headed north to Banff for 2 nights, and Jasper Park for another 2 nights. The last night we stayed again at the Hilton in Calgary. We had a very personable and knowledgeable guide and a wonderful coach driver. I can't speak highly enough of either of them. All of the side trips are included in the price, as are all breakfasts and some dinners. There was plenty of free time for shopping and sightseeing on our own. In July we had light until 11:00 PM and warm days. We had a very compatible group made up of folks from all over the USA. This was our second trip with Caravan and we're in the process of planning a third.
I would second that recommendation for caravan tours. We have taken three tours already and have booked one for next year. Did there Yellowstone tour last year which was had us staying at the old faithful inn in the park. There Canada trip looks very good but we just did that trip on our own 2 years ago. Definitely take a look at them.
They arranged everything for our trip, hotels, buses, trains. They were wonderful. Give them a call and see if it is something that would work for you.
Try Accent on Travel accentontravel@juno.comThey arranged everything for our trip, hotels, buses, trains. They were wonderful. Give them a call and see if it is something that would work for you. Posted by nantippe
Took the Rocky Mountainere trip last Oct. and it was wonderful. Was booked through Collette tours. Would recommend it highly.
Took the Rocky Mountainere trip last Oct. and it was wonderful. Was booked through Collette tours. Would recommend it highly. Posted by Sparky
Good morning, My wife and I are hosting a Canadian Rockies by Rail/Coach tour in July 2009. We use Collette Vacations for the tour and fly from our home to Vancouver to begin. Short stay at Vancouver with trip to Bouchart Gardesn, then the Rocky Mountaineer sightseeing train to Kamloops & Jasper. Motor coach then to Banff, on to Lake Louise, and end up in Calgary where we fly back home. Primarily Seniors on our trips and we would love to have you join us.
Faye & 'Moe' Greenwood. E-mail= Moefayetravel@AOL.com. NOTE: That E-mail address is descriptive of our life style.
