8 days Canadian Rockies by Train
Climb aboard as VIA Rail’s The Canadian takes you between Vancouver and Jasper a once-in-a-lifetime overnight train journey. Relax in the dome car and experience panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, rushing rivers and the sheer unspoiled wilderness of Canada. In Jasper and see the dramatic Maligne Canyon and its picture-perfect lake, where you enjoy breakfast with a view! Journey along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway. Stop at Columbia Icefield and choose from a Glacier Experience across this mass of glacier ice or take a walk on the Glacier Skywalk. Feel like royalty while overnighting in the region’s most elegant hotels and resorts. Discover the natural beauty of Moraine Lake, the powerful Bow Falls and impressive Hoodoos. Experience a day on a ranch in the Alberta plains, complete with a wagon ride in search of buffalo and a BBQ lunch in the great outdoors.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calgary, Alberta - Tour Begins | Your tour opens in the province of Alberta - get ready for an adventure that brings together the beautiful expanse of the prairie and the soaring majesty of the Canadian Rockies. Westin Calgary |
| 2 | Calgary - Banff | Leave Calgary behind as you head into the wondrous Rockies. Visit a local ranch where you can play a game of horseshoes, take a line dance lesson and enjoy a wagon ride* in search of buffalo. Meet the family that lives there to gain insight into their daily life on the ranch. Then, delight in a traditional Albertan barbecue with beautiful views of the mountains in the background. Arrive at the grand Fairmont Banff Springs, known as the “Castle in the Rockies,” for a luxurious 2-night stay. This evening it’s Diner’s Choice...you’ll choose the perfect spot from one of the Fairmont Banff Springs’ great restaurants. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel |
| 3 | Banff | Set off for a scenic drive through Banff featuring the powerful Bow Falls and Hoodoos – known as the “Land of the Sleeping Giants.” Next, enjoy a visit to a local ammonite specialist to learn about this rare gemstone found only in Alberta. During an afternoon at leisure, perhaps you will take a stroll through Banff’s delightful downtown. Breakfast The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel |
| 4 | Banff - Lake Louise | En route to Lake Louise, view the spectacular Moraine Lake and the awe-inspiring Valley of the Ten Peaks. The jagged Ten Peaks are distinctively saw-toothed, standing out amidst stunning Alpine scenery. Enjoy a stay at the world-famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This evening experience another Diner’s Choice...you’ll choose the perfect spot from one of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise's great restaurants. Breakfast & Dinner The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise |
| 5 | Icefields Parkway - Glacier Experience or Glacier Skywalk - Jasper | Set off for a wonderful day of sightseeing en route to Jasper. You’ll journey along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway. Waterfalls, rushing rivers, glacial peaks, imposing cliffs and snowcapped peaks paint the breathtaking canvas – so have your camera handy! Enjoy a stop at the Athabasca Falls and marvel at its sheer beauty and power. Then, it’s your choice! Stop at the Columbia Icefield and choose a fun ride* across this mass of glacial ice which is over 1,000 feet thick – the largest accumulation of ice south of the Arctic Circle. Or, take a walk on the Glacier Skywalk to experience the breathtaking views of the Sunwapta Valley and witness the dramatic landscape from the glass-floored platform. Continuing down the parkway, be on the lookout for bears, furry marmots and stately elk. Enjoy a stop at Peyto Lake – a turquoise glacier-fed treasure that evokes pure serenity – before arriving in Jasper, nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Breakfast & Dinner Sawridge Inn And Conference Centre |
| 6 | Jasper - VIA Rail | This morning we travel to Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, and enjoy breakfast** against the backdrop of the picture-perfect sparkling waters of the lake. Later, enjoy the dramatic Maligne Canyon, one of the area’s most spectacular landmarks. This afternoon, board VIA Rail’s The Canadian to continue your journey through the majestic Canadian Rockies. Relive train travel in the days of old as you are rocked to sleep tonight in your private accommodations. The train whisks you past the peaks of the Monashee Mountains and the stunning sight of Pyramid Falls cascading down Mt. Cheadle. Relax in the dome car and experience stunning 360-degree views of the glistening glaciers of the Albreda Icefields. Breakfast & Dinner Via Rail Canada |
| 7 | VIA Rail - Vancouver | Enjoy a lovely hot breakfast in the dining car before arriving in the vibrant city of Vancouver. A city tour of Vancouver begins this morning at beautiful Stanley Park, Canada’s renowned urban rainforest, and continues to Chinatown, the waterfront, and Gastown, a turn-of-the-century center comprised of pubs, art galleries, boutiques, and the world-famous steam-powered clock, perhaps the most photographed subject in all of Vancouver. Stroll picturesque Granville Island and its fascinating markets. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner overlooking the city skyline. Breakfast & Dinner Westin Bayshore |
| 8 | Vancouver - Tour Ends | Your tour ends today in British Columbia. |