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Alpine Canadian Train to the Rockies | Canadian Rockies

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Alpine Canadian Train to the Rockies | Banff

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Alpine Canadian Train to the Rockies | Banff

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Alpine Canadian Train to the Rockies | Lake Louise

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Alpine Canadian Train to the Rockies | VIA Rail

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Alpine Canadian Train to the Rockies | Columbia Glacier Skywalk

Alpine Canadian Train to the Rockies | VIA Rail

Canadian Rockies One-Way Itinerary

6 Days / 5 Nights

Vancouver to Calgary or Calgary to Vancouver

Price fromUSD$2,793per person

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Our Alpine Canadian Train Trip to the Rockies highlights the best of the Rocky Mountains in 6 Days.

Stay in the resort towns of Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper, witness breathtaking scenery of the Icefield Parkway and travel overnight on VIA Rail with your very own cozy sleeper cabin.

Be sure to keep your eyes open for wildlife, as you are likely to see elk, bears and bald eagles.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1

Vancouver to Jasper | VIA Rail

Day 2

Arrive Jasper | VIA Rail

Day 3

Jasper to Lake Louise | Sightseeing with picnic lunch

Ice Explorer Ride onto the Athabasca Glacier + Glacier Skywalk

Day 4

Lake Louise to Banff | Coach

Day 5

Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions

Option 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff Gondola

Option 2. Discover the Grizzly Bears, Lake & Waterfalls

Option 3. Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or Dinner

Day 6

Banff to Calgary | Coach

The below itinerary reflects our recommendations for this specific trip. This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction.

Departing Vancouver|Departing Calgary

Day 1 Vancouver to Jasper | VIA RailThis afternoon, board VIA Rail’s ‘Canadian’ train for the famous rail journey to the majestic Canadian Rockies. Step back in time to the days of classic rail travel, riding in the original steel ‘streamliner’ railcars made famous by the ‘Canadian’ in the 1950s. Each car has been lovingly restored with air conditioning, a dining car, lounge car, and dome car. Pass through the rich fields of the Fraser Valley and the towering peaks of the Coastal Mountains before entering the Fraser Canyon. Follow the Thompson River through spectacular landscapes as you enjoy dinner (included), then retreat to your private quarters that have been converted into a bedroom.

Day 2 Arrive Jasper | VIA RailRise to the snowy peaks of the Canadian Rockies today as you arrive in Jasper and transfer to your hotel. The day is free to explore this unique alpine community. (breakfast included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 3 Jasper to Lake Louise | Sightseeing with picnic lunchYour sightseeing tour today will encompass the ultimate glacier exploration as you travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. From walking on ancient ice at the Glacier Adventure (included), to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies. (picnic lunch included today)

Day 4 Lake Louise to Banff | CoachDepart Lake Louise mid-morning for a short drive via the scenic Bow Valley to Banff, arriving midday.

Day 5 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 ExcursionsToday you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursionsOption 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff GondolaExplore the natural wonders near the town of Banff on this half-day, small-group tour. Admire the unparalleled beauty of natural sights including Bow Falls, the surreal Hoodoos rock formation, and beautiful Lake Minnewanka, among others. Then Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.Option 2. Discover the Grizzly Bears, Lake & WaterfallsPursue the elusive Canadian Grizzly Bear on this 10-hour excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks, perfect for animal- and nature lovers alike. Head out for a gondola ride up to 7,700 feet for a mountaintop lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant, and then take a chairlift ride up to the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat to see Boo the resident bear rescued as a cub.Option 3. Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or DinnerSaddle up for a ride along the Bow River in Banff and a Western style cookout. Choose from riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain

Day 6 Banff to Calgary | CoachToday you will leave behind the fresh mountain air and colourful sights of the Rockies. We will schedule a transfer to bring you to downtown Calgary, or to the Calgary Airport to connect with your flight home.

Day 1 Calgary to Banff | CoachLeave the Stampede City of Calgary on the express service to Banff, where you’ll arrive to a picturesque resort town surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Located within Banff National Park, Banff is renowned for its scenic natural beauty and stunning wildlife.

Day 2 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 ExcursionsToday you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursionsOption 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff GondolaExplore the natural wonders near the town of Banff on this half-day, small-group tour. Admire the unparalleled beauty of natural sights including Bow Falls, the surreal Hoodoos rock formation, and beautiful Lake Minnewanka, among others. Then Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.Option 2. Discover the Grizzly Bears, Lake & WaterfallsPursue the elusive Canadian Grizzly Bear on this 10-hour excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks, perfect for animal- and nature lovers alike. Head out for a gondola ride up to 7,700 feet for a mountaintop lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant, and then take a chairlift ride up to the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat to see Boo the resident bear rescued as a cub.Option 3. Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or DinnerSaddle up for a ride along the Bow River in Banff and a Western style cookout. Choose from riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain

Day 3 Banff to Lake Louise | CoachDepart Banff early afternoon for a short drive via the scenic Bow Valley to Lake Louise.

Day 4 Lake Louise to Jasper | Sightseeing with picnic lunchYour sightseeing tour today will encompass the ultimate glacier exploration as you travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. From walking on ancient ice at the Glacier Adventure (included), to standing on a glass platform almost one thousand feet in the air at the Glacier Skywalk (included), today’s experiences will leave you with a special appreciation for this treasured region of the Rockies. (picnic lunch included today)

Day 5 Jasper to Vancouver | VIA RailThis morning, board VIA Rail’s ‘Canadian’ train for the journey from Jasper to Vancouver. Using the original steel railcars from the 1950s, sit back and relax in the dome car to enjoy a dramatic change in scenery as you travel the ‘Yellowhead’ route past the sprawling grandeur of Mount Robson. Watch the landscape transition from mountains to desert as you follow the Thompson River into central British Columbia. Brunch and dinner is included onboard VIA Rail, and your private quarters will once again be transformed into a bedroom for the overnight journey.

Day 6 Arrive Vancouver | VIA RailWaking to the coastal city of Vancouver today, your tour ends upon arrival. (continental breakfast included today onboard VIA Rail)

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Deluxe & Deluxe Plus Grade Hotel

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Deluxe & Deluxe Plus Grade Hotel

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Deluxe & Deluxe Plus Grade Hotel

Forest Park Hotel Jasper

Superior Grade Hotel

Lake Louise Inn

Moderate & Superior Grade Hotel

Banff Caribou Lodge

Superior Grade Hotel

Lobstick Lodge

Moderate Grade Hotel

8 Days / 7 Nights

Vancouver to Calgary

1 of 10

"We definitely want to come back and we know who to contact."

We have just come back from our tour Canada. We had a great time. Thanks Canada Rail Vacations, especially to Karen for putting together and planning such a trouble free, smooth running package to make our visit even more unforgettable. Every place we have been to have been carved very deeply in our memories. We fell in love with the Rockies, its wild life, ice fields, beautiful towns and the friendly people. We definitely want to come back and we know who to contact.

Lutfu Istanbul

2 of 10

"Thanks for a great holiday."

Thanks for a great holiday. The Rockies and Eastern Canada - awesome, Victoria- beautiful. Whistler- magic. All the itinerary was excellent. Well done team!!

Mark Sydney, Australia

3 of 10

"It was a very memorable trip and I highly recommend to all."

I booked a Rail Tour from Vancouver to Calgary, departing in August to celebrate my 75th Birthday and the the weather was gorgeous. The train was wonderful. Sleeping compartment small but very adequate. Bed extremely comfortable with private washroom . Food was excellent and nice variety of choices. Everyone was extremely accommodating. The bus tours were amazing. The tour bus has plush leather seats that recline to almost a bed. It only holds 30 people and there were only 11 on our trip. It stops many times to let us off and take pictures. One of the highlights that many people would not see if they drive themselves is the Athabasca Falls. It is not visible from the highway so you would really have to watch for signs or miss it. It was only a block from the highway. The driver was excellent and provided a lot of information. The highway was #93 also called the Icefelds Parkway. The driver said it is the 7th in the world known for its beautiful scenery. I believe it. The Glacier ride was fun, cool, and a little slippery, but I would not miss it. The Sky Walk was very exciting, but made me a little dizzy if I looked down while walking. No problem, just look ahead. Ha ha.We walked from our Hotel to the Fairmont Chateau Lake louise and had dinner overlooking the Lake. Beautiful. The full day in Banff was fun and relaxing. We saw one Elk on the wildlife tour plus the beautiful Banff Springs Hotel. We ate at St. James Gate Pub on main street in Banff. It is a pub from Ireland they dis-assembled and brought to Banff and re-assembled. The Yorkshire Pudding appetizer was to die for. It was a very memorable trip and I highly recommend to all.

Cherie Arizona, United States

4 of 10

"Being a repeat customer attests to the quality"

My planner this year was Mandy. I was very happy with her from start to finish. I did the same type of trip last year to Vancouver Sunshine Coast and Island and was very happy with the travel designer I had then too. Same with another trip earlier was to the Atlantic provinces.Being a repeat customer attests to the quality.Thank you Mandy - I appreciate the extra care you took.

Annabelle Delaware, United States

5 of 10

" I would give it ten stars if it was possible."

I toured on the Vancouver, Whistler and Vancouver Island tour. It was brilliant. The bus drivers were very helpful and knowledgeable. The sea to sky experience was wonderful and it was great going to the top of the mountains and the cultural museum was very interesting. The whales very kindly decided to perform when I was whale watching. Apparently it was only the third time this year the marine biologist had seen them so active and of course the Butchart Gardens were magnificent and the Canadian Rockies Spectacular. I could not fault anything, even the weather was hot and sunny. I would give it ten stars if it was possible.

Janet New Eltham, United Kingdom

6 of 10

"We had a wonderful time, everything was perfect."

We had a wonderful time, everything was perfect. We would recommend trips organized by Canada Rail Vacations to anyone who is interested in actively exploring parts of the country. Many thanks for an outstanding job.

Astrid Ottawa, Canada

7 of 10

"From start to finish it was an ideal trip for us to enjoy Canada scenery, atmosphere and hospitality"

We would like to express our appreciation for a wonderful trip arranged through Kris, Canada Rail Vacations. From start to finish it was an ideal trip for us to enjoy Canada scenery, atmosphere and hospitality. We were afforded the right amount of activity for the trip yet relaxing. The suggested route from Calgary to Jasper was just spectacular. The hotels we stayed in are in town. And of course the train ride is A plus. Again Thank you.

Manuel United States

8 of 10

"This was an A++ experience! I'll definitely use Canada Rail Vacations for our next trip to Canada."

Paulina booked an amazing Canada for my family. This was so easy to arrange. I just told her what we wanted to do and the time frame we had. She got back to me within a day with an outline of what she had arranged and shortly after that, I had a finalized tour. The price was very reasonable for the tour. This was an A++ experience and I'll definitely use Canada Rail Vacations for our next trip to Canada.

Kathleen Texas, United States

9 of 10

"We had a marvelous trip. Everything fell into place."

Worked with Jennifer planning a road trip from the Calgary Stampede through Lake, Louise, Banff, Jasper, Sun Peaks and finishing in Vancouver. We worked together using some of my ideas and many of her ideas. She booked most of our hotels, sight seeing venues and train. We had a marvelous trip. Everything fell into place and each hotel she selected was great and a little different from the one before. Thank you Jennifer for all your help. Will never forget this trip.

Anne New Jersey, United States

10 of 10

"We will be recommending you to others and will use you again when we return for more adventure."

We are leaving Calgary today to return to Vancouver after our week trip that you organized for us. Just want to thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The train and the places we stayed were great. Everything was so easy with transport and accommodation. We will be recommending you to others and will use you again when we return for more adventure.

Kay New Zealand