Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies Rail Vacation

Day 1 Vancouver | Arrival Upon arrival in Vancouver transfer (own cost) to your hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the sights.

Day 2 Vancouver | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 9 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions. Option 1. Half Day Whale Watching Excursion Set out on a half-day whale watching cruise from Vancouver through the scenic Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound. Encounter orcas, humpbacks, seals, and bald eagles as expert naturalists share fascinating insights into the region’s diverse marine life. Option 2. Victoria & Butchart Gardens Take in the beauty of coastal British Columbia on a memorable day trip to Victoria and the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Sail through the scenic Gulf Islands, enjoy time in Victoria’s charming harbourfront downtown, and wander through spectacular floral displays in one of Canada’s most celebrated garden Option 3. Whistler, Shannon Falls & Sea to Sky Gondola Journey along the dramatic Sea to Sky Highway on a spectacular day out from Vancouver, where coastal mountain scenery, the cascading beauty of Shannon Falls and panoramic views from the Sea to Sky Gondola create an unforgettable experience. With time to explore vibrant Whistler Village, this excursion blends iconic landscapes with the relaxed charm of one of British Columbia’s most famous mountain resorts. Option 4. Vancouver City Highlights & Capilano Suspension Bridge This tour is the perfect blend of city and nature. Explore downtown Vancouver’s urban elements and immerse yourself in the rugged North Shore wilderness. Highlights include Capilano Suspension Bridge, Chinatown, Gastown, Stanley Park, Granville Island, and Vancouver Option 5. Granville Island Market Tour Discover Granville Island, Canada's second most-visited destination. Enjoy a vibrant tour through Vancouver’s renowned Public Market, savoring delicious bites while uncovering the captivating stories, culture, and history behind each creation. Experience the hidden gems that even locals miss! Option 6. Grand E-bike Tour of Stanley Park, Granville Island & Vancouver Explore Vancouver's highlights on this all-encompassing tour! Visit Stanley Park, ride the Seawall, discover hidden forest trails, cross to Granville Island, see False Creek's stunning views, and explore Olympic Village, Science World, Chinatown, and historic Gastown. Enjoy a 45-minute lunch break at Granville Island Public Market. Option 7. Vancouver City Skyline by Floatplane Experience the thrill of flying in a classic floatplane above Vancouver’s stunning skyline. Soar over coastal mountains and city landmarks on a truly unique adventure that begins and ends on water. Option 8. Helicopter Tour of Vancouver Take to the skies on a thrilling helicopter tour over Vancouver’s iconic landscapes. Soar above the city skyline, Stanley Park, and the North Shore Mountains, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. This unforgettable aerial adventure offers a fresh perspective of Vancouver’s natural and urban beauty. Option 9. UNESCO Biosphere & Bowen Island Zodiac Boat Tour Embark on an exhilarating 4-hour Zodiac boat tour from Vancouver to explore the stunning fjord of Howe Sound, a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Discover hidden coves, see a lively seal colony, pass by Lighthouse Park, visit Horseshoe Bay, and take in breathtaking coastal mountain scenery along the way.

Day 3 Vancouver to Jasper | VIA Rail This afternoon, board VIA Rail’s legendary Canadian for your overnight journey from Vancouver to the majestic Canadian Rockies. Settle into the nostalgia of classic rail travel aboard restored stainless-steel railcars, complete with a dining car, lounge car and panoramic dome car. As the train leaves the city behind, watch the scenery unfold from the fertile Fraser Valley to the rugged Coast Mountains and dramatic Fraser Canyon. This evening, follow the Thompson River through changing landscapes as you enjoy dinner onboard, then settle into your comfortable upper or lower berth, prepared for the overnight journey. (Dinner included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 4 Arrive Jasper | VIA Rail Wake to the beauty of the Canadian Rockies as the train continues through mountain valleys, forests and snow-capped peaks on its approach to Jasper. Enjoy breakfast onboard before arriving in this welcoming alpine town, surrounded by the wilderness of Jasper National Park. After transferring to your hotel, the rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace, browse the local shops and cafés, or simply take in the fresh mountain air. (Breakfast included today onboard VIA Rail)

Day 5 Jasper to Lake Louise 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 Lake Louise to Banff with Moraine Lake Tour Enjoy a relaxed morning at Lake Louise. This afternoon, depart Lake Louise, where turquoise waters sit beneath rugged peaks and the Victoria Glacier, and continue to Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Walk up the Rockpile for the classic viewpoint once featured on Canada’s historic $20 bill. Then travel to Banff via the scenic Bow Valley Parkway, with stories along the way about how local landmarks got their names. Seasonal note (May 1–31): Moraine Lake Road is closed during this period, and the tour is replaced with a mid- or late-afternoon scheduled coach transfer to Banff. 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 7 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 8 Banff to Calgary | Coach Today 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 | Coach Leave 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 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 3 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 4 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 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)

Day 7 Vancouver | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 9 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions. Option 1. Half Day Whale Watching Excursion Set out on a half-day whale watching cruise from Vancouver through the scenic Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound. Encounter orcas, humpbacks, seals, and bald eagles as expert naturalists share fascinating insights into the region’s diverse marine life. Option 2. Victoria & Butchart Gardens Take in the beauty of coastal British Columbia on a memorable day trip to Victoria and the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Sail through the scenic Gulf Islands, enjoy time in Victoria’s charming harbourfront downtown, and wander through spectacular floral displays in one of Canada’s most celebrated gardens. Option 3. Whistler, Shannon Falls & Sea to Sky Gondola Journey along the dramatic Sea to Sky Highway on a spectacular day out from Vancouver, where coastal mountain scenery, the cascading beauty of Shannon Falls and panoramic views from the Sea to Sky Gondola create an unforgettable experience. With time to explore vibrant Whistler Village, this excursion blends iconic landscapes with the relaxed charm of one of British Columbia’s most famous mountain resorts. Option 4. Vancouver City Highlights & Capilano Suspension Bridge This tour is the perfect blend of city and nature. Explore downtown Vancouver’s urban elements and immerse yourself in the rugged North Shore wilderness. Highlights include Capilano Suspension Bridge, Chinatown, Gastown, Stanley Park, Granville Island, and Vancouver Option 5. Granville Island Market Tour Discover Granville Island, Canada's second most-visited destination. Enjoy a vibrant tour through Vancouver’s renowned Public Market, savoring delicious bites while uncovering the captivating stories, culture, and history behind each creation. Experience the hidden gems that even locals miss! Option 6. Grand E-bike Tour of Stanley Park, Granville Island & Vancouver Explore Vancouver's highlights on this all-encompassing tour! Visit Stanley Park, ride the Seawall, discover hidden forest trails, cross to Granville Island, see False Creek's stunning views, and explore Olympic Village, Science World, Chinatown, and historic Gastown. Enjoy a 45-minute lunch break at Granville Island Public Market. Option 7. Vancouver City Skyline by Floatplane Experience the thrill of flying in a classic floatplane above Vancouver’s stunning skyline. Soar over coastal mountains and city landmarks on a truly unique adventure that begins and ends on water. Option 8. Helicopter Tour of Vancouver Take to the skies on a thrilling helicopter tour over Vancouver’s iconic landscapes. Soar above the city skyline, Stanley Park, and the North Shore Mountains, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. This unforgettable aerial adventure offers a fresh perspective of Vancouver’s natural and urban beauty. Option 9. UNESCO Biosphere & Bowen Island Zodiac Boat Tour Embark on an exhilarating 4-hour Zodiac boat tour from Vancouver to explore the stunning fjord of Howe Sound, a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Discover hidden coves, see a lively seal colony, pass by Lighthouse Park, visit Horseshoe Bay, and take in breathtaking coastal mountain scenery along the way.

Day 8 Vancouver | Departure Upon check-out of your hotel it’s time to say goodbye to your incredible Canadian adventure.