Go Amtrak- “Portland to Canada Excursion” 4-days & 3-nights”
Dates: Year around excursions
Duration: 4-days & 3-nights (dppl-transportation, hotel, tour guide and all entry fees to attractions included in pricing)
Pricing: Retail Rate P/P Double Room $1,295.00p Contact us for group rates)
Passports: Please remember your passport. All passports should be valid for the entire duration of the visit to Canada. Please contact the Canadian High Commission www.cic.gc.ca or for relevant visa information.
Amtrak is the largest passenger rail company operating in the United States. Panoramic windows and natural tones inside the train are designed to showcase the spectacular Pacific Northwest scenery. From the train, view the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges, the Puget Sound, the Columbia River and snow-capped Mount Hood rising skyward near Portland. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your trip.
Itinerary
Day 1
1:30 pm Arrive at Portland Union Station – 800 NW 6th Ave, Portland 97209 and meet America’s Hub World Tour guide to prepare for preboarding train # 516 departing at 2:50 pm from Portland to Vancouver, BC.
6:00 pm Arrive at Seattle King Street Station for a short stop before continuing onto Vancouver, BC.
10:50 pm Arrives at the Pacific Central Station via Amtrak:
Transfer to hotel: Offering affordable luxury, full service 3 Diamond hotels situated in Vancouver’s vibrant West End, close to the beach at beautiful English Bay and world famous Stanley Park.
Day 2
Today’s activities include walking with exposure to the elements. Please ensure you are dressed accordingly and wearing comfortable, flat-soled shoes.
10:30 am Meet your AHWT- tour guide in the hotel lobby for breakfast.
10:30 am We will board the Vancouver Trolley and depart on a sightseeing tour taking you through the city, Stanley Park and across to the North Shore mountains.
This live commentated, 26 stop, Hop on, Hop off sightseeing tour is visitors natural transportation link between Vancouver’s top attractions. Their fleet of propane fueled Trolley’s provide summer service (April – November) every 20 minutes, and winter service (November – April) every 45 minutes.
10:45 am Arrive at the Vancouver Aquarium for a guided tour: The Vancouver Aquarium Marine & Science Centre is Canada’s largest aquarium and home to over 70,000 animals. As a non profit organization the Vancouver Aquarium continually dedicates efforts to the conservation of aquatic life through display, interpretation, education, research, and direct action. Visitors will meet curious beluga whales and be amazed by acrobatic dolphins and irresistibly cute sea otters. They will step into the steamy Amazon and enjoy the company of free roaming birds, lizards, tortoise, two toed sloths and seasonal butterflies. They will get immersed in our 4D Experience theatre. After a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium, visitors truly will be engaged, amazed & inspired!
12:00 pm Depart the Aquarium and drive across the renowned Lions Gate Bridge to Vancouver’s North Shore.
12:30 pm Arrive at the Capilano Suspension Bridge for a guided tour: Breathtakingly suspended 230 feet above and 450 feet across Capilano River, the Capilano Suspension Bridge takes visitors to towering evergreens, serene trails and Treetops Adventure seven suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet above the rainforest floor for thrilling encounters with the heart of the forest. Guided eco walks, a First Nations cultural experience and voices from the past at the Story Centre mingle with the ever present sounds of nature. Shopping, dining and seasonal entertainment complete this entertaining West Coast experience.
1:30 pm Depart the Capilano Suspension Bridge and continue up the road to the base of Grouse Mountain. Enjoy a ride on the Sky ride to the top while learning about the various activities and attractions offered by Grouse Mountain.
From sophisticated entertainment to unspoiled nature, Grouse Mountain is the pre eminent all in one, four season destination with something for everyone. The wilderness paradise is located 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, and the famous Grouse Mountain Sky ride (North America’s largest aerial tram system) takes visitors on a one mile aerial journey to the Alpine Station, 3,700 feet above sea level. Breathtaking panoramic views of the city, sea and surrounding mountains unfold, culminating with a summit altitude of 4,100 feet. Grouse Mountain boasts zip line adventures, six different restaurants and function venues as well a Refuge for Endangered Wildlife complete with two Grizzly Bears.
Today, Grouse Mountain enjoys the status of Vancouver’s most visited attraction receiving over 1.2 million visitors each year. Vancouver’s first commercially viable wind turbine, The Eye of the Wind, was inaugurated in February 2010, as part of Grouse Mountain’s goal to become carbon neutral. The Eye of the Wind is now open for the public to learn about this limitless form of alternative energy.
2:00 pm Lunch in Altitude’s Bistro.
3:00 pm After lunch, enjoy leisure time to explore the shops in the lodge, take a walk in the snow or savour the view overlooking the city.
4:00 pm Meet AHWT-guide at the top of the Sky ride for the return journey to the base where you will board your waiting coach.
4:30 pm Depart Grouse Mountain and return to the city centre.
5:00 pm Enjoy a moment to relax and freshen up in your hotel before an evening of dining and entertainment
6:15 pm Meet AHWT-guide in the hotel lobby and depart for the short drive to dinner.
6:45 pm Arrive at the Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel Downtown dinner in P2B. Only steps away from Canada Place, the Cruise ship Terminal and just minutes away from the best entertainment, food and culture the city has to offer.
6:45 pm After dinner enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure Downtown Vancouver.
Return to your hotel with your AHWT-guide or via taxi after some fun entertainment downtown.
Day 3
Today’s activities include walking with exposure to the elements. Please ensure you are dressed accordingly and wearing comfortable, flat-soled shoes.
8:30 am Meet AHWT-guide in the hotel lobby and enjoy breakfast.
10:00 am Board the Vancouver Trolley coach and depart on a Vancouver city sightseeing tour through Chinatown and Gastown.
10:45 am Arrive at the Vancouver Lookout for a guided tour and enjoy the spectacular 360 degree views of the city from the top of the tower. This spectacular 360 degree view from the top of downtown Vancouver’s tallest building is a great first stop in Vancouver. Facts, interesting stories and Vancouver trivia cover all aspects of the view plus energetic, well informed guides provide tours every hour. Tickets are valid for the entire day so visitors can return and view Vancouver by night. 360 degree view. 365 days a year.
11:30 am Re-board the coach and continue the tour past the Olympic Cauldron, along Coal Harbour and English Bay into Yaletown.
12:00 pm Arrive at the Marinaside Crescent and board the waiting Aquabus Ferry for a tour of False Creek to Granville Island. Aquabus offers foot passenger ferries and mini cruises in beautiful False Creek where visitors may enjoy tours that include the famous “Sea Village”, Stamp’s Landing, Habitat Island and the 2010 Olympic Athletes Village, Telus World of Science, BC Place, Plaza of Nations, and Yaletown. The friendly crew will take visitors in style over the sheltered waters of False Creek and to the edge of English Bay.
12:30 pm Arrive at Granville Island and walk to the Granville Island Hotel for lunch at the Dockside Restaurant. The Granville Island Hotel is a beautiful boutique hotel located on the waterfront of Vancouver’s artisan district: “Granville Island”
Dockside Restaurant and Brewing Company, is most famous for: stunning views and spectacular food. Westcoast flair cuisine, with a strong focus on seafood, is showcased in this upscale yet casual dining room, highlighted by an in house brewery, 50 foot aquarium, wood burning oven and one of the best patios in the city. Many locals consider to be the best kept dining secret in Vancouver.
2:30 pm After lunch spend some time exploring Granville Island market place just minutes away.
4:15 pm Re-board the coach and depart Granville Island for the return drive to your hotel.
6:15 pm Meet in the hotel lobby and depart for the short walk to dinner in Yaletown.
6:30 pm Arrive at Yaletown Brewing Co. for dinner: Vancouver`s original brew pub where families, singles and couples can enjoy a varied menu in a fun atmosphere.
8:30 pm After dinner, return to the hotel and/or enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Day 4
5:45 am Meet in the hotel lobby for transportation to the Pacific Central Station and check-in for your Amtrak rail journey.
6:40 am Amtrak Cascades train # 153 departs for Portland.
10:55 am Train arrives in Seattle.
2:50 pm Train arrives in Portland.
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Dress:
March generally marks the end of winter and beginning of spring in British Columbia; weather is generally cool and can be wet. Bring layered clothing, light rain gear, comfortable shoes, hat and an umbrella. Bring binoculars and cameras to capture moments to remember. Be sure to check Environment Canada’s weather forecast a day or two before departure: www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca.
Passports:
Please remember your passport. All passports should be valid for the entire duration of the visit to Canada. Please contact the Canadian High Commission www.cic.gc.ca or for relevant visa information.
Travel Insurance:
This is your responsibility; please ensure it covers you for all activities.
Credit Cards & Money:
All major credit cards are accepted in British Columbia. (AMEX, Diners, Visa, and MasterCard) however some hotels require a credit card for check-in and you will be responsible for any additional room charges.
