Royal Canadian Pacific
Golden/Crowsnest tour
6 Days, 5 Nights
September 19-24, 2002
With Eleanor Hardy, Vice-President and Tour Director of The Society of International Railway Travelers.
Day 1
Private check-in at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel on the eighth
floor Entrée Gold Level for an overnight stay - suggested
arrival time at 15:00 (3 p.m. Mountain Standard Time). Your upgraded
accommodation includes private check-in, larger guest rooms,
an exclusive lounge with complimentary hors d'oeuvres, personalized
wake up calls, overnight shoeshine, turn down service and a welcome
gift upon arrival. Dinner is served in the Rimrock Dining Room.
Baggage Tags for the Royal Canadian Pacific Excursion will be
placed in your room.
Day 2
A deluxe continental breakfast is served in the Entrée
Gold lounge. The Palliser Concierge will take care of your luggage
and transfer it to the train prior to departure. The Royal Canadian
Pacific Train Manager will be present during breakfast to help
with any questions. Our Royal Canadian Pacific Service Team will
pick you up from your suite and guide you to the train station,
which is 
conveniently located in a glass pavilion next
to your hotel. You will board the Royal Canadian Pacific vintage
rail cars for your 4-day/3-night rail adventure.
As the train heads west along the Canadian Pacific Railway main line through the Bow River valley, towards Canada's glorious Rocky Mountains, you can toast the City of Calgary's skyline. The train will continue to Lake Louise and the Continental Divide that separates the Atlantic and Pacific watersheds, and Alberta from British Columbia. At the Station in Lake Louise passengers will board a motorcoach for an interpretive tour of one of the most popular scenic sites in Canada. After a 1 1/2 hour tour, you will re-board the train with the Naturalist / Interpretive Guide Bruce Bembridge.
Back on board, lunch is served in two dining rooms, the train will pass through a very picturesque area in Yoho National Park. You will travel through the famous Spiral Tunnels into Field, BC. At Golden, your train leaves the Canadian Pacific Railway transcontinental main line, departing south along the "coal route" through the beautiful interior valleys carved by the Columbia River, while enjoying tea or any other beverages offered throughout the day. Along the way, you travel through the continent's largest natural wetland, also called "The Rocky Mountain Trench" marveling at the plentiful and diverse wildlife around you. Towards the evening, your train arrives at Invermere, your first overnight stop. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres are served before dinner. You will be able to take a leisurely walk around the area after dinner.
Day 3
As you breakfast on the train, you will continue south through
the valley to the early 20th-century town of Fort Steele. After
stepping off the train at Fort Steele, the motorcoach will transport
you to the recreation of the historic Fort Steele, first known
as "Galbraith Ferry" during the 1864 Kootenay Gold
Rush. The private guided tour, including a lunch served in the
RCMP barracks, will be a fine example of Canadian heritage. After
Fort Steele the motorcoach will transfer the guests to downtown
of Cranbrook where you will have the option of visiting the Canadian
Museum of Rail Travel or enjoying a walk in the city.
In the early afternoon, guests will re-board the motorcoach for a twenty minute drive to the waiting train at Fort Steele and travel eastbound to Crowsnest Lake, beautifully situated at the height of Crowsnest Pass, surrounded by rugged peaks. Arriving in the early evening at your second overnight stop you will be able to get off the train, enjoying a stroll and the cocktails served on the shore of Crowsnest Lake accompanied by live music. After a superb dinner you will retire to the Observation Room for coffee and after dinner drinks where Don Glasrud and Tobi Jurchuk will perform for you on guitar and violin.
Day 4
Breakfast will again be served on board this morning, and the
train will depart to Fort McLeod where the familiar motorcoach
will pick up the passengers for a guided tour. A guide from the
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage site will join you
for the twenty minutes trip to the site and introduce you to
the area and history.
After the 1 1/2 hour tour, the coach will transfer you to the train, which has in the meantime been staged on the other side of the Lethbridge viaduct, the longest, highest bridge of its kind in the world. You will see the bridge from below by motorcoach and travel across by train a few minutes later. Lunch will be served on board, while traveling towards Okotoks through the open expanse of rolling ranch country. Upon arrival in Okotoks, you will, for one final time, meet the driver of the motorcoach for a short drive and a private guided tour at Spruce Meadows. Spruce Meadows is an internationally acclaimed Show Jumping Facility and our tour will include a private exhibition of equestrian skills. After the tour we return to the train in time to change for the final cocktails and a dinner to enjoy among your acquainted guests and friends. Overnight on board.
Day 5
We are a one-hour train ride away from Calgary and the departure
from Okotoks is planned for 09:00. During breakfast on board
and the final leg of your journey into downtown Calgary, you
will reminisce with fellow guests about the great excursion and
experience. The train will arrive into Calgary before noon where
you will detrain at the Canadian Pacific Railway Pavilion. You
will be guided to your accommodations on the Entrée Gold
Level floor of the Fairmont Palliser Hotel where you will enjoy
a relaxing evening and dinner served in the Rimrock Dinning Room.
Day 6
Deluxe continental breakfast is served in the Entrée Gold
lounge, and check out from the hotel completes your tour.
Included in this excursion:
· Two nights accommodation in Calgary's Palliser Hotel,
Entrée Gold Level
· Three nights on board the train in superior accommodation
with en suite shower, toilet and sink
· Guided day tours
· All meals
· Baggage Handling
· Admission to off-train tours
· World-class hospitality on board the Royal Canadian
Pacific
· Transfers within the tour and to and from the Calgary
Airport
· Services of two full-time tour leaders
Tour Cost:
$4,995 + GST per person, double occupancy
$5,325 + GST single occupancy, on a space available basis
Canadian Goods and Services tax is 7%
Royal Canadian Pacific
Terms & Conditions
How to Book: Call our tour desk at 1-800-IRT-4881 to make a reservation. A deposit of 33% of the total trip cost (including GST) is required. Deposits can be made by check or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, or Discover). Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Final payment is made by check 130 days before departure, on May 12, 2002.
Goods and Services Tax: All prices are subject to Canadian Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is 7%. Non-Canadian residents purchasing the rail tour outside of Canada may qualify for a partial rebate (3.5%) on the GST. A claim for partial rebate on GST can be made with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.
Cancellations: Notice of cancellations must be received by this office in writing. If cancellation is made more than 130 days prior to departure (May 12, 2002), it is subject to a $300 per-person administrative fee. Cancellations made 130-90 days prior to departure are subject to loss of the deposit, or 33% of total tour cost. Cancellations made within 90 days of departure are non-refundable. No refunds will be made in the event of "no-shows" or cancellations the day of the trip. No refund will be given for unused portions of the tour.
Insurance: We highly recommend that all passengers protect themselves with tour insurance to cover your costs in case you must cancel your journey. We will include the cost of MedTrip insurance on your invoice; if you do not wish to purchase this valuable coverage, deduct the amount and sign and return the invoice to IRT.
Passport: U.S. citizens do not require a passport for entry into Canada but must have valid proof of birth/citizenship and picture ID. A passport, however, is recommended. If traveling to Canada from countries other than the U.S., a passport is required.
Minimum/Maximum Participants: This tour will take a minimum of 20 passengers and a maximum of 22.
Prices: This tour price is based on currency exchange rates in effect at the time of printing. In the event of revaluation or devaluation of U.S. currency, the tour operator reserves the right to make adjustments.
Price does not include: Passport and/or visa fees; personal expenses such as laundry; telephone calls; room service at the Palliser; optional sightseeing excursions; services other than those specifically mentioned in the included section; gratuities to drivers and hotel staff; accident; sickness, trip cancellation and baggage insurance; and excess baggage charges on aircraft.
Medical: Any physical or mental condition which may require special medical attention must be reported in writing. All Society trips require some walking to take full advantage of the areas we visit.
Baggage: Baggage and personal effects are taken at owner's risk throughout the trip, and baggage insurance is strongly recommended.
Responsibility: The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. (IRT) and Hardy Publishing Co., Inc. (HPC), parent company of The Society of International Railway Travelers, act only as agents for the passenger with respect to travel services. IRT and HPC do not own or operate any of the suppliers of services or accommodations for your trip. As a result, IRT and HPC are not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such supplier of any other third party over whom IRT and HPC have no control. We can assume no responsibility nor liability in whole or in part for any delays, delayed or changed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections, loss, damage, weather, strikes, acts of God, circumstances beyond our control, force majeure, war, quarantine, criminal activity, expense, accident, sickness, injury or death to person or property, or mechanical defect, failure, or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodations, restaurant, transportation or other services, for any substitution of hotels or of common carrier equipment beyond our control, with or without notice, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby. If due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors you are required to spend an additional night, you will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers and meal costs. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour due to these causes or voluntary cancellations. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
No revisions of the printed itinerary or the "included" section are anticipated; however, IRT and HPC reserve the right to make changes at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and IRT and HPC shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to passengers by reason of such cancellation, substitution or changes. All fares as well as ship and train schedules, port calls, hours of arrival and departure, special programs, and guest lecture series (if applicable), are subject to change without prior notice. IRT and HPC shall not be required to refund any portion of the fare nor make any other compensation under these circumstances. IRT and HPC cannot be responsible for penalties assessed by air carriers that may result due to operational and/or itinerary changes, regardless if the passenger and/or IRT and HPC make the flight arrangements. Any additional expenses resulting from the above will be paid by the individual passenger. IRT and HPC reserve the right to substitute a similar category for those listed in this brochure. IRT and HPC reserve the right to increase the tour price in the event of cost increases due to changes in air fares, currency fluctuations or fuel surcharges and such increases are to be paid to IRT and HPC by the tour participant upon notice to the tour participant of such increases.
The air tickets when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the air company concerned and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. The airlines and other transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their conveyances.
By forwarding of deposit, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers and accepts the terms of this contract.
Behavior: Passengers are expected to behave in a reasonable manner toward other passengers, tour leaders, train staff and other persons with whom we have contact during our tour. If a passenger behaves, in the opinion of the tour manger, in a way likely to disrupt the enjoyment or endanger to safety of other passengers the tour manager will issue him or her with a verbal warning. Should this not resolve the matter a second, written, warning will be issued. If the disruptive behavior continues after the second warning then the passenger will be removed from the tour and will have to make his or her own arrangements to return home. No refunds for the untravelled portion of the tour will be entertained. The right is retained to refuse any application for reservation(s), cancel any reservation(s) or decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour group at any time should such a person's health, mental condition, physical infirmity or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other participants.
Rates quoted are based on tariffs and exchange current at the time of printing and are subject to changes therein, at or before the time of departure. No revisions of the printed itinerary or its included features are anticipated; however, the right is reserved to make any changes without notice, that might become necessary, with the mutual understanding that any additional expenses will be paid by the individual passenger. Baggage is at the owner's risk throughout the trip, unless insured. The right is retained to refuse any application for reservation(s), cancel any reservation(s) or decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour group at any time.
Complaints: We strive to offer the very best value in travel services to our members. However, if you have a complaint during your journey, please bring it to the attention to one of your tour leaders. Should the problem remain unsolved, please write to the Society at its main office (Hardy Publishing Co., and The Society of International Railway Travelers are located at 1810 Sils Ave., Louisville, KY 40205). We will not consider any claims not made to us within two months of completion of your journey. All claims will be settled by arbitration in Louisville, Kentucky.
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-478-4881 or 502-454-0277
www.irtsociety.com
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