Western & Oriental has launched a tailor-made Canada selection for the first time, expanding in a country where it previously only offered ranching holidays.
W&O’s online programme features multi-centre city breaks, self-drives, rail journeys, escorted tours and independent touring in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. There are also Alaska cruises and wildlife encounters on offer, where whales can be viewed and grizzly and brown bears tracked.
The operator had previously only featured Canada as part of its Ranch America programme. But David Pointer, senior product manager for North America, said with the country marking its 150th anniversary in 2017, there was “no better time to visit than during this vibrant celebration of Canadian culture, history and natural beauty”.
Itineraries include a 10-day escorted tour to the Canadian Rockies, with a two-day ride on the Rocky Mountaineer train in a GoldLeaf carriage.
There are also optional excursions such as encounters with rescued wolf dogs and helicopter sightseeing. Prices for the 10-day trip start from £4,970pp, including flights to Calgary with a return from Vancouver, accommodation, nine breakfasts,
two lunches and five dinners.
An option to tour the Rockies with an 18-day self-drive itinerary followed by an Alaska cruise also features, from £4,690pp.
It includes Banff national park, Lake Louise, the Athabasca Glacier and Caribou Mountains, with a glacier excursion on an Ice Explorer vehicle. Guests then board SilverSea’s Silver Shadow for a week-long cruise through the Inside Passage and along the British Columbia and Alaskan coastline.
The route takes in Hubbard Glacier, the largest in North America.
Included are flights to Calgary, returning from Anchorage, accommodation (room-only at hotels, full-board on the cruise), seven days’ car rental, transfers and some excursions.