The below itinerary reflects our recommendations for this specific trip. We also offer tailored private excursions, allowing you to personalize the itinerary to match your custom preferences.
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 Lake Louise with Moraine Lake Tour
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Banff. This afternoon, travel via the scenic Bow Valley Parkway toward Lake Louise, with stories along the way about how local landmarks got their names. Continue to world-renowned Moraine Lake, nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, and take a short walk up the Rockpile for the postcard-perfect view once featured on Canada’s historic $20 bill. Then arrive at Lake Louise, where turquoise waters shimmer beneath rugged mountain peaks and the majestic Victoria Glacier.
Seasonal note (May 1-31): Moraine Lake Road is closed during this period, and the tour is replaced with a mid-day or afternoon scheduled coach transfer to Lake Louise. You will have free time to canoe, hike to the Lake Agnes Teahouse, or enjoy afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Private transfers are available at an additional cost.
Day 5 Lake Louise 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. This full-day sightseeing journey showcases jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, glacier-fed rivers, hanging glaciers, deep valleys and cascading waterfalls, with possible stops including Athabasca Falls, the Weeping Wall, Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier. 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. Continue through dramatic mountain passes and glacier-carved scenery toward your overnight destination. (Picnic lunch included today)
Day 6 Depart Jasper | VIA Rail
Spend the morning at leisure in Jasper, with time to enjoy the relaxed pace of this mountain town before beginning one of Canada’s great rail journeys. This afternoon, board VIA Rail’s legendary Canadian and settle in as the train rolls east from the Rockies. From the comfort of the lounge or dome car, watch the scenery shift from forested valleys and distant mountain peaks to the wide-open landscapes of Alberta. As evening falls, enjoy dinner onboard while the train continues across the heart of Western Canada, with endless skies, quiet farmland and prairie horizons setting the scene for the days ahead. Overnight onboard VIA Rail. (Dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)
Day 7 On-board VIA Rail | Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Wake to the vast beauty of the Canadian Prairies, where golden fields, open skies, small towns and classic grain elevators create an ever-changing panorama from your window. The pace of the journey is part of the experience today - time to relax in the dome car, enjoy meals onboard, read, socialize or simply watch Canada unfold mile by mile. As the train continues east through Saskatchewan and into Manitoba, the landscape gradually shifts from open farmland to lakes, forest and the approaching edge of the Canadian Shield. Overnight onboard VIA Rail. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)
Day 8 On-board VIA Rail | Ontario
Today’s journey takes you deep into the rugged beauty of Northern Ontario, where the Canadian Shield reveals a landscape of ancient rock, dense boreal forest, quiet lakes and remote wilderness. From the dome car, watch for sparkling waterways, forested ridges and small railway communities that offer a glimpse into a quieter side of Canada. This is a day to slow down and enjoy the rhythm of the train, with all meals served onboard as you continue your remarkable journey east. Overnight onboard VIA Rail. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)
Day 9 Arrive Toronto | VIA Rail
Your final morning onboard brings changing views of Ontario’s lake country, forested hills and rural landscapes as the train continues toward Canada’s largest city. Enjoy continental breakfast and brunch onboard before the scenery gradually transitions from quiet countryside to the urban skyline of Toronto. Arrive at Union Station by mid-afternoon, completing an unforgettable transcontinental rail journey from the mountain wilderness of Jasper to the heart of downtown Toronto. (Continental breakfast & brunch included today onboard VIA Rail)
