Day 1 Vancouver to Kamloops | Rocky Mountaineer
Board Rocky Mountaineer this morning and begin your unforgettable journey east from Vancouver through the ever-changing landscapes of British Columbia. Travel through the fertile Fraser Valley before following the mighty Fraser River into the dramatic Fraser Canyon, where steep rock walls, rushing whitewater and remarkable railway engineering create one of the most memorable stretches of the route. Highlights along the way include the thundering waters of Hell’s Gate and historic Cisco Crossing, before the scenery opens to the rolling hills, sagebrush country and wide lake vistas of the Interior on approach to Kamloops. (Breakfast & lunch is included today)
Day 2 Kamloops to Banff | Rocky Mountaineer
Rejoin Rocky Mountaineer this morning and continue east as the scenery becomes even more dramatic on approach to the Canadian Rockies. Travel past rugged ranchlands, forested valleys, glacier-fed rivers and soaring mountain passes, with a series of legendary rail highlights unfolding throughout the day. Look out for Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the dramatic setting of Rogers Pass, the engineering marvel of Stoney Creek Bridge, the sheer walls of Kicking Horse Canyon and the famous Spiral Tunnels. By evening, arrive in Banff surrounded by the magnificent peaks of the Rockies. (Breakfast & lunch is included today)
Day 3 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 6 Excursions
Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions.
Option 1. Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour + Banff Gondola
Discover Banff's natural wonders on this half-day, small-group tour. Marvel at sights like Bow Falls, Hoodoos rock formation, and Lake Minnewanka. Conclude your exploration with a relaxing gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain's peak, maximizing your views of Banff National Park effortlessly. Enjoy the enchanting beauty of these landmarks with minimum exertion.
Option 2. Banff National Park Explorer Moraine Lake & Lake Louise | Small Group Tour with Picnic Lunch
Join this small group tour for a curated experience of Banff National Park's highlights, with the added chance to spot wildlife through expert local guidance. Enjoy unhindered access to Moraine Lake & Lake Louise, spending over 1½ hours at each, discovering hidden gems and serene trails. The final phase of the tour is tailor-made in Banff by your guide, considering recent wildlife sightings and your interests, ensuring the day concludes on a high note.
Option 3. Rockies Hidden Gems Yoho & Kootenay National Parks | Small Group Tour with Picnic Lunch
Avoid the crowds with this full-day adventure in the Kootenay and Yoho National Parks, featuring picturesque waterfalls and Canadian Rockies views. Start with a relaxing stroll in Kootenay National Park's Marble Canyon, marveling at turquoise glacial waters and striking canyon walls. Enjoy Emerald Lake's neon blue waters, where optional canoe rentals, hiking trails, and lakeside picnics are available. The day concludes with a visit to Canada's 2nd tallest waterfall, Takakkaw Falls, accessible through backroads offering mountain vistas and wildlife sightings.
Option 4. Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch or Dinner
Saddle 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.
Option 5. Signature Guided Hike | Small Group Hike with Picnic Lunch
Experience the best of Rocky Mountain National Parks' backcountry with our curated hiking tours. Revel in spring's wildflowers, summer's clear glacier views, and the golden hues of fall's larch trees. Our passionate local guides will lead you on classic hikes in the Banff and Lake Louise area, including Stanley Glacier, Larch Valley, Kootenay National Park Trails, and Plain of 6 Glaciers. Immerse yourself in nature's beauty across seasons in the Rockies.
Option 6. Personalised Tailor-made Excursion
Talk with one of our local Canada specialists to tailor your day in Banff to your preferences. Choose from a variety of experiences, including guided hikes, evening wildlife e-bike tours, river explorer canoe tours, a foodie tour at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, or upgrade to a selection of private tours of the region. Alternatively, you can spend the day relaxing and enjoying the fresh mountain air, and we'll credit the cost of your excursion.
Day 4 Banff to Jasper Tour | with picnic lunch
Includes Ice Explorer Ride onto the Athabasca Glacier + Glacier Skywalk
Travel along the breathtaking Icefields Parkway today, one of North America’s most spectacular mountain highways. Begin with time to experience the turquoise waters and soaring peaks of Lake Louise before continuing through dramatic Canadian Rockies scenery. This full-day sightseeing journey showcases jagged peaks, glacier-fed rivers, hanging glaciers, deep valleys and cascading waterfalls, with possible stops including Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, the Weeping Wall and Athabasca Falls. At the Columbia Icefield, board the Ice Explorer for an unforgettable ride onto the ancient Athabasca Glacier, then step out over the Sunwapta Valley on the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk before continuing to Jasper. (Picnic lunch included today)
Day 5 Jasper to Vancouver | VIA Rail
This morning, board VIA Rail’s legendary Canadian for your overnight journey from the Canadian Rockies to Vancouver. Settle into the nostalgia of classic rail travel aboard restored stainless-steel railcars, then make your way to the panoramic dome car as the train follows the scenic Yellowhead route. Watch for the towering presence of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, before the landscape begins to shift from alpine valleys and forested slopes to the dramatic canyons, rivers and rolling desert scenery of central British Columbia. Enjoy brunch and dinner onboard, then settle into your comfortable upper or lower berth, prepared for the overnight journey. (Brunch & dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)
Day 6 Arrive Vancouver | VIA Rail
Wake onboard as the train continues west toward the Pacific Coast, passing through the fertile Fraser Valley before arriving in the vibrant coastal city of Vancouver. Enjoy a continental breakfast onboard before your rail journey comes to an end, bringing with it the memorable experience of travelling from mountain wilderness to oceanfront city by classic overnight train. (Continental breakfast included today onboard VIA Rail)
