Day 1 Vancouver to Jasper | VIA Rail This afternoon, board VIA Rail’s ‘Canadian’ train for the famous rail journey to the majestic Canadian Rockies. 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 | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 Private Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursionsOption 1. Morning Maligne Valley with Medicine Lake TourExperience the most incredible sights in Jasper National Park’s Maligne Valley during this guided excursion to the region’s most scenic lakes & majestic canyons, enjoy a gentle guided walk along the shores of this pristine lake.Option 2. Evening Discover Jasper & its WildlifeAdmire diverse animal life in the Canadian wilderness on this evening wildlife tour. Delve into Jasper National Park with your guide. Travel through the mighty Athabasca Valley and marvel at the park’s beautiful landscapes by twilight.
Day 4 Jasper to Banff | Private Sightseeing with Gourmet Picnic Lunch Your sightseeing tour today will encompass the ultimate glacier exploration as you travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway. From walking on ancient ice with the Ice Explorer ride (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 (gourmet picnic lunch included today)
Day 5 Banff | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Private Excursions Today 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 tour. 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, Lakes & WaterfallsMeet Boo, a bear with paws the size of hubcaps, a mouth full of sharp teeth and enormous muscles moving beneath his shaggy fur. He saunters slowly through his 20-acre habitat allowing you to watch him explore, hunt and forage just like his wild cousins. The tour includes stops at gorgeous Takakkaw Falls and stunning Emerald Lake. We’ll also take a gondola ride up to the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, where you’ll enjoy lunch with a view at the highest restaurant in Canada.Option 3. Signature HikeWe have selected what we consider the best of the best for spending time in the National Parks. From the explosion of wildflowers in the spring, to the clear glacier views in the summer, to the brilliant golden of the larch trees in the fall, hiking in the Rockies should not be missed.
Day 6 Banff to Kamloops | Rocky MountaineerAll aboard Rocky Mountaineer for the scenic rail journey to Kamloops in the interior of British Columbia. As the train crosses over the continental divide you pass through the spiral tunnels in Yoho National Park, a remarkable engineering achievement. Continue on through the Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park with endless views of snow capped mountains and stunning glaciers. Pass by Craigellachie, where the last spike was driven completing the Canadian Pacific Railway Trans Canada link in 1885. (breakfast & lunch is included today)
Day 7 Kamloops to Vancouver | Rocky MountaineerRe-board the Rocky Mountaineer Train and follow the Thompson River through Ashcroft - one of Canada’s driest towns (with an average rainfall of just 18 centimetres). Pass through Rainbow Canyon with its cliffs striped with pinks, greens and greys creating a stunning effect. Continue on to the Fraser Canyon where at Hell’s Gate you will observe a water torrent past the canyon walls at its narrowest point. The last leg of the journey takes you through the lush farming region of the Fraser Valley to arrive in the Pacific port of Vancouver late afternoon. (breakfast & lunch is included today)
