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Canadian Rockies & British Columbia
Tauck Partners' Savings – Deduct $220 per person on all departures! Certain restrictions apply; ask at booking for details. A comprehensive Alberta and British Columbia travel adventure combines the rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies with the charms of the far west of Canada. Explore the Pacific coastal cities of Victoria and Vancouver before setting off across British Columbia for the adventures that await you in Canada’s majestic mountains; visit The Butchart Gardens and a new First Nations cultural complex. Stay in world-famous Fairmont hotels and resorts in Canada’s western cities and finest national parks, and see nature’s wonders as an insider. Enjoy a scenic rail journey aboard the Whistler Mountaineer, jet boat along freshwater rivers, and climb up the surface of a mighty glacier aboard an Ice Explorer – just a few highlights of your Rockies and British Columbia travel experience operating round-trip from Seattle.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
2009 Itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to the Emerald City
Your Pacific Northwest / Canadian Rockies / British Columbia travel adventure begins: The Fairmont Olympic Hotel at 3:00 PM. A transfer is included upon arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in the heart of Seattle, dubbed the Emerald City. We invite you to meet your fellow travelers and enjoy a different view of the city this evening during a reception and dinner cruise on Lake Washington and Lake Union.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle, WA
Day 2 – British Columbia beckons
Travel by boat across Puget Sound to Washington’s scenic Olympic Peninsula for lunch. Continue on by ferry to Vancouver Island and the lovely city of Victoria, British Columbia’s provincial capital, for a two-night stay at a grand landmark Fairmont hotel on Victoria's Inner Harbor.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Empress, Victoria, BC
Day 3 – The Butchart Gardens in bloom
Fifty-five acres of stunning floral displays await your exploration on a visit to the world-famous themed gardens that comprise The Butchart Gardens. Later, explore the delights of Victoria, a bit of Britain on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, including a Tauck exclusive – an "insider's walk" through your historic hotel with a guide dressed in period attire, a highlight of your British Columbia travel.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: The Fairmont Empress, Victoria, BC
Day 4 – Vancouver visions
Between Vancouver Island and the city of Vancouver lie the beautiful Gulf Islands. Ferry among them on your way to one of Canada’s most breathtaking cities. See Vancouver’s Prospect Point, Stanley Park and historic Gastown as you enjoy the city’s cosmopolitan ambiance on a sightseeing tour; rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver, BC
Day 5 – Ride the rails to Whistler & discover First Nations culture
Tauck takes pride in providing special experiences that other British Columbia travel adventures may not. Board the Whistler Mountaineer today for a wonderful rail journey along the Sea to Sky corridor's spectacular scenery to Whistler, Canada’s renowned year-round resort area. Then learn about the traditions of local First Nations peoples on a visit to the Squamish and Lil'wat Cultural Center. Schedule permitting, you'll have a chance to explore wonderful Whistler "peak-to-peak" aboard a gondola.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Whistler, BC
Day 6 – British Columbia’s high desert country
Experience another side of western Canada as you traverse the fertile Pemberton Valley and enter the high-desert interior of British Columbia. Arrive in the quaint community of Blue River, surrounded by glacier-fed lakes, pristine forests and majestic mountain peaks, for a one-night stay in a hand-crafted log cabin at a rustic mountain resort.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Mike Wiegele’s Helicopter Skiing Resort, Blue River, BC
Day 7 – Scenic wonders of Western Canada by jet boat
A jet boating adventure* should be a part of all British Columbia travel, and Tauck is pleased to include just such an exciting experience through the hidden scenery of British Columbia for your enjoyment today. Then, journey through the Yellowhead Pass to Canada’s highest mountain, lofty Mount Robson, and onward to a two-night stay in Jasper National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper National Park, AB
Day 8 –Sample the joys of Jasper National Park
Enjoy a day at your leisure to take advantage of the many optional activities available to you in this lovely wilderness park. Available options (at additional cost) range from golf to guided nature walks to white water rafting on the Athabasca River to the soothing services of the Lodge’s spa.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper National Park, AB
Day 9 – Incredible Icefields Parkway
Your British Columbia travel takes you along the scenic Icefields Parkway, where you have a treat in store. After journeying among waterfalls, hanging glaciers and snow-capped mountains, savor the unique thrill of climbing along the Athabasca Glacier in an Ice Explorer. Your accommodations at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will be the perfect end to a wonderful day.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Banff National Park, AB
Day 10 – Lovely Lake Louise and more of Banff National Park
Drink in the views of one of Canada’s most beautiful lakes and the spectacular scenery surrounding its sparkling waters before setting off to explore another part of Banff National Park. You’ll enjoy a two-night stay at The Fairmont Banff Springs, truly one of British Columbia’s legendary hotels.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff National Park, AB
Day 11 – The Beauty of Banff
The day is yours to enjoy in Banff National Park as you please. Your hotel offers a wide range of optional activities (available at addtional cost) to enhance the pleasure of your stay in this special place. You may want to reserve the optional services of the renowned Willow Stream Spa, explore the charming village of Banff on your own, or visit Banff's museums with Tauck's included Heritage Pass. End your delightful day in Banff by joining us for a farewell reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff National Park, AB
Day 12 – Journey Home
Travel from Banff National Park to Calgary, approximately 80 miles. Tour ends: Calgary International Airport at 10:00 a.m. Passengers on flights traveling directly to the United States will clear US Customs at Calgary. Allow a minimum of two hours for flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
* For activities marked with an asterisk (*) in day-by-day descriptions, participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.
Experience all the delights of the Canadian Rockies &
British Columbia travel for yourself in 2009!
Prices
12 Days from $4,690 plus airfare
| 2009 Price per Person | Double | Single | Triple |
| May |
$4690 | $6329 | $4261 |
| June 1 – 20 |
$4890 | $6529 | $4461 |
| June 23 – August 23 |
$4990 | $6629 | $4561 |
| August 26 – September 16 |
$4890 | $6529 | $4461 |
25 meals included.
Tauck Partners' Savings – Deduct $220 per person on all departures! Certain restrictions apply; ask at booking for details.
Airfare is additional – Tauck can book your air, to Seattle and from Calgary, for travel originating in the U.S., subject to availability; inquire upon booking for special airfares that may be available.
Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive Guest Protection Plan.
Need to Know
Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach and ferry transportation, the three-hour railroad excursion from North Vancouver to Whistler aboard The Whistler Mountaineer, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling, and the services of your Tauck Director, local guides and drivers are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at Seattle Airport and provide transportation to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, regardless of the day and time of your arrival, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to your departure date. The tour ends at Calgary International Airport at 10:00 AM on the last day of the tour. If you choose to book additional nights at the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary, you will ride to the airport with the group before returning to Calgary. Tauck will provide you with transportation from the hotel to Calgary International Airport regardless of the day or time of your departure. If you choose to spend additional nights at Banff Springs Hotel, you must arrange and pay for your own transportation to your departing airport.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms with a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Canadian Rockies & British Columbia is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All gratuities for restaurant and hotel staffs and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms with a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Canadian Rockies & British Columbia is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All gratuities for restaurant and hotel staffs and local guides are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Protection Plan for more information.
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport transfers, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities - The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director and driver are not included.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures - In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, and aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
You may also visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Internet website to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items by clicking here.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of publication.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 3 p.m. at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. Please allow sufficient time to claim your luggage and clear customs, if applicable, in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends at Calgary International Airport at 10:00 a.m. on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow at least two hours for flight check-in.
Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing To Go
Air Conditioning – The Fairmont Seattle, The Fairmont Vancouver, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, and the Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing Resort provide air-conditioning; The Fairmont Empress Hotel, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise do not. The Fairmont Banff Springs has an air-cooling system, which is less than robust than an air-conditioning system. The motor coaches and the Whistler Mountaineer are air-conditioned.
ATM and Credit Cards - We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Clothing and Packing – Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering in unpredictable mountain temperatures. Casual, cotton clothing is recommended. A light sweater or jacket will provide warmth on a chilly early morning walk or a late night stroll. During the evenings some dining rooms require smart casual attire for dinner (no jeans) and some fine dining rooms recommend jackets for the gentlemen, but they are not required.
For dining in finer restaurants and for the welcome reception and farewell dinner you may want to dress up a bit – a jacket for men and a casually-elegant outfit for ladies – but by all means be comfortable.
You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room. Irons and ironing boards are available upon request. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also available for a fee at all the hotels except the Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing Resort which has self-service laundry facilities.
We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription (or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you), a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to the Canadian Rockies:
- Sports jacket and optional tie for men
- Casually-elegant outfits for women
- Short and long sleeve shirts
- Shorts, slacks and jeans
- Tee shirts
- Socks
- Light-weight sweater
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Light-weight jacket; medium-weight in spring and fall
- Comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes (with good tread) that have already been broken-in
- Hiking boots if you would like to hike on some of the more extensive trails
- Raincoat and rain hat
- Collapsible umbrella
- Swimwear
- Gym wear
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- Insect repellent
- Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and plenty of film
- Binoculars
- Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling
Elevation - The maximum land elevation on this tour is approximately 7,200 feet (2,195 meters) on the Athabasca Glacier. The maximum overnight elevation is 5,680 feet (1,731 meters) at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Health – You should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances over uneven terrain, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. Some of the activities included on the tour are: a dinner cruise on Lake Washington, three ferry crossings, the three-hour railroad excursion on The Whistler Mountaineer, a gondola or chairlift ride on Whistler or Blackcomb mountain, a jet boat ride on the Blue River, and a ride in the Ice Explorer on the Athabasca Glacier. We do not recommend this tour for anyone who has moderate to severe difficulty walking, or for anyone looking to take a leisurely-paced tour.
Regarding Wheelchairs
If you require a wheelchair while traveling, you must meet the specifications of each of the tour’s suppliers, including the motor coach, The Whistler Mountaineer and the Ice Explorer. You may bring a collapsible, lightweight wheelchair on tour that weighs less than 100 lbs (45.4 kg), but you must be able to maneuver on and off each conveyance with limited assistance. We strongly recommend that if you require a wheelchair for travel or have moderate to severe difficulty walking that you bring a companion to assist you. Before you book this tour, you will need to provide us with the exact specifications of the wheelchair, including: size, model, and all components that accompany it to determine its motor coach storage capabilities.
Regarding Oxygen
If you require portable oxygen while traveling, you will be responsible for any maintenance and operation that the tank requires while on tour, and for locating health facilities on the tour route that can perform tank maintenance. If you choose to bring a tank on tour, you will need to provide us the exact specifications of the tank, including size, model, and all components that accompany it prior to booking the tour to determine motor coach storage capabilities. You may inquire about having them filled at a local hospital, but tank maintenance facilities are limited in the Canadian Rockies.
We regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
If you are a U.S. citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Canada. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also logon on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Canada and of the U.S. to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.
Luggage Restrictions:
Checked Luggage – General
Health – You should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances over uneven terrain, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. Some of the activities included on the tour are: a dinner cruise on Lake Washington, three ferry crossings, the three-hour railroad excursion on The Whistler Mountaineer, a gondola or chairlift ride on Whistler or Blackcomb mountain, a jet boat ride on the Blue River, and a ride in the Ice Explorer on the Athabasca Glacier. We do not recommend this tour for anyone who has moderate to severe difficulty walking, or for anyone looking to take a leisurely-paced tour.
Regarding Wheelchairs
If you require a wheelchair while traveling, you must meet the specifications of each of the tour’s suppliers, including the motor coach, The Whistler Mountaineer and the Ice Explorer. You may bring a collapsible, lightweight wheelchair on tour that weighs less than 100 lbs (45.4 kg), but you must be able to maneuver on and off each conveyance with limited assistance. We strongly recommend that if you require a wheelchair for travel or have moderate to severe difficulty walking that you bring a companion to assist you. Before you book this tour, you will need to provide us with the exact specifications of the wheelchair, including: size, model, and all components that accompany it to determine its motor coach storage capabilities.
Regarding Oxygen
If you require portable oxygen while traveling, you will be responsible for any maintenance and operation that the tank requires while on tour, and for locating health facilities on the tour route that can perform tank maintenance. If you choose to bring a tank on tour, you will need to provide us the exact specifications of the tank, including size, model, and all components that accompany it prior to booking the tour to determine motor coach storage capabilities. You may inquire about having them filled at a local hospital, but tank maintenance facilities are limited in the Canadian Rockies.
We regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
If you are a U.S. citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Canada. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also logon on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Canada and of the U.S. to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.
Luggage Restrictions:
Checked Luggage – General
While it is common that airlines allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.
Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
Carry-on Luggage – General
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.
Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
Carry-on Luggage – General
Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not be accessible during daytime travel.
Travel Document Requirements – Currently, all U.S. citizens, including children, and citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda traveling by air, land or sea between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document to enter or depart the U.S. Click here for more information on the U.S. Department of Customs and Border Patrol website.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not require a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation. If you are a frequent traveler to Canada from the U.S., you may benefit from the NEXUS program which is joint initiative between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at Vancouver International Airport, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions. For further information, you may log on to the Nexus Internet site by clicking here.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Canada and of the U.S. to determine what travel documentation will be required.
Anyone with a criminal record (including some misdemeanors such as Driving While Impaired (DWI) charges) may be excluded or removed from Canada, and should contact a Canadian embassy or consulate well in advance of any planned travel to ensure proper travel documentation.
We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not be accessible during daytime travel.
Travel Document Requirements – Currently, all U.S. citizens, including children, and citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda traveling by air, land or sea between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document to enter or depart the U.S. Click here for more information on the U.S. Department of Customs and Border Patrol website.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not require a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation. If you are a frequent traveler to Canada from the U.S., you may benefit from the NEXUS program which is joint initiative between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at Vancouver International Airport, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions. For further information, you may log on to the Nexus Internet site by clicking here.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Canada and of the U.S. to determine what travel documentation will be required.
Anyone with a criminal record (including some misdemeanors such as Driving While Impaired (DWI) charges) may be excluded or removed from Canada, and should contact a Canadian embassy or consulate well in advance of any planned travel to ensure proper travel documentation.
We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Travel with Children -
Age Recommendations – Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting – Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Safety and Welfare Responsibility – We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. For safety and security purposes, children under 18 years of age must be booked into a room with at least one accompanying adult. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
Special Travel Documentation for Children
Authorization for Travel
If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so.
CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.
All children who are U.S. citizens should also have a certified copy of their birth certificate or baptism record for ID. Children over the age of 14 are also required to have a photo ID.
Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all guests to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information is available from each country’s consulate.
Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your service extends to Canada and the state of Washington.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The currency used in Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), and in the U.S., the U.S. dollar (USD), and both are divided into 100 cents. In Canada, one-dollar coins are also known as ‘loonies’ (due to the picture of a loon, a type of bird, on the coin), and two-dollar coins as ‘toonies’. Banks and exchange bureaus will change money and travelers’ checks, as will some hotels, but the rate will not be as good. Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are plentiful. U.S. dollars are largely accepted in Canada, though due to fraud, larger notes might not be and change is usually given in Canadian dollars.
To obtain the up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – You should familiarize yourself with Canada’s specific required customs declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The currency used in Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), and in the U.S., the U.S. dollar (USD), and both are divided into 100 cents. In Canada, one-dollar coins are also known as ‘loonies’ (due to the picture of a loon, a type of bird, on the coin), and two-dollar coins as ‘toonies’. Banks and exchange bureaus will change money and travelers’ checks, as will some hotels, but the rate will not be as good. Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are plentiful. U.S. dollars are largely accepted in Canada, though due to fraud, larger notes might not be and change is usually given in Canadian dollars.
To obtain the up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – You should familiarize yourself with Canada’s specific required customs declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries.
You may access Canada’s Border Services Agency by clicking here.
If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.
If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
Canada levies a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on most consumer goods and services. Canada has canceled its Visitor Rebate Program and you can no longer request a refund of the GST if you bring the items purchased out of the country. You may still ship purchases directly from a Canadian business to your non-resident address without being taxed.
The individual states within the U.S. levy sales taxes on consumer goods and services. There is no federal tax similar to the Value Added Tax (VAT) or GST used by other countries that permits non-residents to obtain refunds of the sales taxes levied by each state.
Electrical Current – The electrical current in Canada and the U.S. is 120 V, 60 Hz, AC. If your electrical devices do not conform to this standard, you will need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters. These items can be purchased in a store that specializes in travel products.
Internet Access is available as indicated below:
The individual states within the U.S. levy sales taxes on consumer goods and services. There is no federal tax similar to the Value Added Tax (VAT) or GST used by other countries that permits non-residents to obtain refunds of the sales taxes levied by each state.
Electrical Current – The electrical current in Canada and the U.S. is 120 V, 60 Hz, AC. If your electrical devices do not conform to this standard, you will need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters. These items can be purchased in a store that specializes in travel products.
Internet Access is available as indicated below:
Fairmont Olympic Hotel – High-speed access in rooms and at Business Center for a fee
Fairmont Empress Hotel - High-speed access in rooms for a fee
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – High-speed access in rooms for a fee
Fairmont Chateau Whistler – High-speed access in rooms for a fee
Mike Wiegele's Helicopter Ski Resort - Wireless access in rooms for a fee
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Dial-Up access in rooms for a fee
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – High-speed and dial-up access in rooms for a fee; wireless access is available in several public areas, including restaurants and bars, throughout the facility.
Fairmont Banff Springs – High-speed access in rooms for a fee
Time Zones – Seattle and Vancouver are 8 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Calgary is 7 hours behind. From early March through early November, these locations switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 7 and 6 hours behind, respectively. To determine current time major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website www.timeanddate.com.
Weather – The summer weather in Seattle and Vancouver is warm and dry. In the Canadian Rockies the weather can change instantly and is often unpredictable as in any mountainous region. From June through early September, normal temperatures range from 50 to 80˚F (10 to 27˚C). However, the Canadian Rockies could experience some unusually warm weather (80 to 90˚F) (26 to 32˚C) during the summer months. Therefore, we suggest including some light warm weather clothing in your travel wardrobe. Conditions vary widely by location and can change radically from one valley to the next, or change during the course of the day. Due to its geographic location, Western Canada generally has long hours of daylight and in mid-summer the sun will rise as early as 5:00 a.m. and set as late as 10:00 p.m. In the early spring and fall, daylight hours average about 14 hours, from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Weather – The summer weather in Seattle and Vancouver is warm and dry. In the Canadian Rockies the weather can change instantly and is often unpredictable as in any mountainous region. From June through early September, normal temperatures range from 50 to 80˚F (10 to 27˚C). However, the Canadian Rockies could experience some unusually warm weather (80 to 90˚F) (26 to 32˚C) during the summer months. Therefore, we suggest including some light warm weather clothing in your travel wardrobe. Conditions vary widely by location and can change radically from one valley to the next, or change during the course of the day. Due to its geographic location, Western Canada generally has long hours of daylight and in mid-summer the sun will rise as early as 5:00 a.m. and set as late as 10:00 p.m. In the early spring and fall, daylight hours average about 14 hours, from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
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Average Temperature
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Seattle, WA, USA
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Jasper, Canada
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Month
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Hi/Lo ºF
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Hi/Lo ºC
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Hi/Lo ºF
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Hi/Lo ºC
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January
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46 / 36
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8 / 2
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21 / 3
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-6 / -16
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February
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50 / 37
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10 / 3
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31 / 11
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-1 / -12
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March
|
53 / 39
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12 / 4
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39 / 18
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4 / -8
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April
|
58 / 42
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14 / 6
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50 / 27
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10 / -3
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May
|
64 / 47
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18 / 8
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59 / 35
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15 / 2
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June
|
70 / 52
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21 / 11
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67 / 42
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19 / 6
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July
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75 / 55
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24 / 13
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72 / 46
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22 / 8
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August
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76 / 56
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24 / 13
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71 / 45
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22 / 7
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September
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70 / 52
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21 / 11
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61 / 37
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16 / 3
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October
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60 / 46
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16 / 8
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50 / 30
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10 / -1
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November
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51 / 40
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11 / 4
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32 / 16
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0 / -9
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December
|
46 / 36
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8 / 2
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22 / 6
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-6 / -14
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Banff, Canada
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Month
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Hi/Lo ºF
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Hi/Lo ºC
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January
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23 / 5
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-5 / -15
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February
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32 / 12
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0 / -11
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|
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March
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39 / 18
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4 / -8
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April
|
48 / 27
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9 / -3
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|
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May
|
58 / 35
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14 / 2
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June
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66 / 42
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19 / 6
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July
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72 / 45
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22 / 7
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August
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71 / 44
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22 / 7
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September
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61 / 37
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16 / 3
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October
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50 / 30
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10 / -1
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|
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November
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33 / 17
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1 / -8
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December
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23 / 7
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-5 / -14
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Average Rainfall
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Seattle, WA, USA
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Jasper, Canada
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Month
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Inches
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Millimeters
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Inches
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Millimeters
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January
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5.1
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130
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1.2
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30
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February
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4.2
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106
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0.7
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18
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March
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3.8
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95
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0.6
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15
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April
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2.6
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66
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0.8
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20
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May
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1.8
|
45
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1.1
|
28
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June
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1.5
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38
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2.0
|
51
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July
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0.8
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20
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2.2
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56
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August
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1.0
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26
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2.0
|
51
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September
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1.6
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41
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1.5
|
38
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October
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3.2
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81
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1.2
|
30
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November
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5.9
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150
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1.1
|
28
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December
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5.6
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143
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1.1
|
28
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|
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Banff, Canada
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Month
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Inches
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Millimeters
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|
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January
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1.2
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30
|
|
|
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February
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0.9
|
23
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|
|
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March
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0.8
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20
|
|
|
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April
|
1.3
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33
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|
|
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May
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2.3
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58
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|
|
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June
|
2.4
|
61
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|
|
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July
|
2.0
|
51
|
|
|
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August
|
2.0
|
51
|
|
|
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September
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1.7
|
43
|
|
|
|
October
|
1.2
|
30
|
|
|
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November
|
1.2
|
30
|
|
|
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December
|
1.4
|
36
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|
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To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com.
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in its Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers a Tauck Protection Plan.
If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties waived. Click here for more details.
If you choose not to purchase the Tauck Protection Plan, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60 days or more before departure
$350 per person (the amount of the deposit)
59-8 days before departure
$600 per person
7-1 days before departure
$900 per person
$350 per person (the amount of the deposit)
59-8 days before departure
$600 per person
7-1 days before departure
$900 per person