Canadian Rockies by Train

Take a remarkable journey through the stunning landscapes, charming towns and beautiful lakes of the Canadian Rockies. Your adventure opens in Vancouver.
Hotel Name: Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre

A city tour of Vancouver begins this morning at beautiful Stanley Park, Canada’s renowned urban rainforest. Then, continue to the waterfront, and Gastown - a turn-of-the-century center comprised of pubs, art galleries, boutiques and the world-famous steam-powered clock, perhaps the most photographed subject in all of Vancouver. Stroll picturesque Granville Island and its fascinating markets. Later, board VIA Rail’s The Canadian to begin your journey to the majestic Canadian Rockies. Relive train travel in the days of old as you are rocked to sleep tonight in your private accommodations.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: VIA Rail's The Canadian

Visit Area: British Columbia
Canada's western-most province is the country's gateway to and from the Orient. It is the terminus of the trans-continental railroad and indeed the reason for the railroad's inception! The province is rich in resources ranging from lush hardwood forests to abundant waters teeming with fish. The picturesque ocean views and the majestic mountain scenery contrast beautifully with modern cityscapes and industrial vignettes. The population is multi-cultural, enriching the province with diverse cuisine, music, literature and other traditions. Big, beautiful, British Columbia!

Your eastbound train whisks you past the peaks of the Monashee Mountains and the stunning sight of Pyramid Falls cascading down Mt. Cheadle. Relax in the dome car as you experience 360-degree views of the glistening glaciers of the Alberta Icefields and on a clear day, view Mt. Robson – the highest peak of the Rockies! Moose, mountain goats, bear and caribou call this wonderland home. This afternoon, arrive in Jasper, nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies at the gateway to the incredible Icefields Parkway.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Forest Park Hotel

Visit Area: Vancouver
Located on the west coast of Canada is Vancouver, a city of just over 600,000. Comprised of various neighborhoods and areas such as Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown and Granville Island, Vancouver was a perfect choice for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Originally named Gastown after one of the lumber proprieters, Vancouver today is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada and a popular destination for cruise and rail travelers.

This morning, travel to Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, and enjoy breakfast* against the backdrop of the picture-perfect sparkling waters of the lake. While at Maligne Lake, you may choose to embark on an optional cruise highlighting the beauty of Spirit Island. Later, enjoy the dramatic Maligne Canyon, one of the area’s most spectacular landmarks. Return to your hotel with time to independently explore this lovely town.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: VIA Rail
Listen to the peaceful sounds of a bygone era while natural beauty dances to life before your eyes in a scenic wonderland; it’s a veritable journey back in time as you travel from Vancouver to Jasper. Relax and discover the delight of overnight training aboard VIA Rail’s The Canadian. Heralded in 1955 as “the first and only all-stainless steel ‘dome’ streamliner in Canada,” The Canadian has been exceeding passenger expectations ever since. Enjoy first-class meals and awe-inspiring Canadian Rockies vistas during the day. Spend the night in the comfort of your own bed inside a private sleeping room that includes a private washroom. From the moment you board VIA Rail’s The Canadian, you’ll embrace the nostalgia of a golden era; rail lines trace history while whisking travelers through scenery far removed from the highway.

Set off for a wonderful day of sightseeing en route to Lake Louise. Journey along the unforgettable Icefields Parkway. Waterfalls, rushing rivers, glacial peaks, imposing cliffs and snowcapped peaks paint the breathtaking canvas – so have your camera handy! Enjoy a stop at the Athabasca Falls and marvel at its sheer beauty and power. Then, it’s your choice! Stop at the Athabasca Glacier and choose a fun ride** across this mass of glacial ice which is over 1,000 feet thick – the largest accumulation of ice south of the Arctic Circle -OR- take a walk on the Columbia Icefield Skywalk to experience the breathtaking views of the Sunwapta Valley and witness the dramatic landscape from the glass-floored platform. Continuing down the parkway, be on the lookout for bears, furry marmots and stately elk. Enjoy a stop at Bow Lake – a beautiful crystal-clear lake fed by Bow Glacier – for photographs and a walk along its shore before arriving in Lake Louise.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Fairmont Chateau

Visit Area: Alberta

Today, view the spectacular Moraine Lake and the awe-inspiring Valley of the Ten Peaks, distinctively saw-toothed, standing out amidst stunning Alpine scenery. Continue for a scenic drive through Banff featuring the powerful Bow Falls and Surprise Corner, known for its picture-perfect panoramic views. Finish your day as you arrive at the charming mountain town of Banff for a 2-night stay.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Fairmont Banff Springs

Visit Area: Jasper
From the humble beginnings in 1813 of the Jasper Hawes Fur Trading Post in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper became the name of the current bustling town in 1914. Today Jasper is a global village comprised of descendents of the initial settlement; First Nation, European fur traders and Greek fishermen that made their way from the Eastern Atlantic Coast.

Start your day at Cave and Basin National Historic Site, whose protected land led to the birth of Canada's first national park. Next, meet a local ammolite specialist to learn about this rare gemstone found only in Alberta. During leisure time, perhaps you will take a stroll through Banff’s delightful downtown.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Maligne Lake

Leave the wonders of the Rockies for the prairies of Alberta en route to the Kananaskis Valley. Visit a local ranch for a line dance lesson and enjoy a wagon ride** in search of buffalo. Then, delight in a traditional Albertan barbecue with beautiful views of the mountains in the background. Later, enjoy the views of the prairies before you reach the vibrant city of Calgary. Tonight, join in a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a memorable trip.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Calgary Marriott Downtown

Visit Area: Athabasca Glacier
Marvel at the raw beauty of the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park. Stretching for almost 4 miles, take in the glacier by either driving around the ice field or from a lookout point on the glass Glacier Skywalk.

Your tour ends today in Calgary.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Choice on Tour: Ice Explorer Glacier Tour or Columbia Icefield Skywalk
Today in the Icefields, you have the choice between two activities. First, you may choose to ride onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier by Ice Explorer, a massive vehicle specially designed for glacial travel. An experienced driver-guide shares a wealth of fascinating information about glaciers, icefields and their impact on our environment. Your other option is to walk beyond nature's edge and enjoy the view from a fully-accessible, cliff-edge walkway that leads to a glass-floored observation platform 918 feet (280 meters) above the Sunwapta Valley. Ice Explorer Glacier Tour Activity Level: 1 Guests should be able to get on and off a coach and walk around on a glacier. Columbia Icefield Skywalk Activity Level: 2 Guests should be able to get on and off a coach and walk around for a 45-minute, self-guided tour.