Anderson Vacations · Independent rail, ferry & coach circle tour

12 Day Rail, Rockies, and Ocean Circle Explorer

Vancouver loop combining Rocky Mountaineer, Via Rail, and BC Ferries

12 Day Rail, Rockies, and Ocean Circle Explorer, a rail journey with Anderson Vacations

Anderson Vacations operates this 12-day, 11-night independent circle tour that departs and returns to Vancouver, combining rail, coach, and ferry travel to cover the Canadian Rockies, Northern British Columbia, and Vancouver Island. The route opens with two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service, from Vancouver to Kamloops and on to Banff, followed by coach days through Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefields Parkway, where an Ice Explorer ride climbs onto the Athabasca Glacier. From Jasper, VIA Rail continues north to Prince George and west to Prince Rupert along the Skeena River, before a full-day BC Ferry crossing of the Inside Passage to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. The trip closes with sightseeing in Victoria, including a choice of whale watching or a zipline adventure, and a stop at Butchart Gardens on the ferry back to Vancouver. This suits travelers who want to combine several kinds of Western Canada scenery and transport in one independent trip rather than a single point-to-point rail journey.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence does not name any hotels or state an accommodation standard for this trip.
  • About a third of the days involve rail travel; the rest use coach, ferry, or an optional short flight.
  • The grizzly bear tour on day 8 is season dependent, with whale watching as the alternative.
  • The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Anderson Vacations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Kamloops

    Vancouver to Kamloops on board Rocky Mountaineer (SilverLeaf)

    Depart onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Kamloops, seeing dramatic changes in scenery from the Fraser River Valley through forests and river canyons surrounded by the Coast and Cascade Mountains.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Banff

    Kamloops to Banff on board Rocky Mountaineer (SilverLeaf)

    Continue eastward with Rocky Mountaineer into the Canadian Rockies and Alberta, across ranch lands, rocky lakeshores, high mountain passes and historic rail tunnels.

  3. Day 3overnight: Banff

    Banff Sightseeing (Small Coach)

    A small group tour visiting Banff's landmarks and historic places, with a pass for the Banff Gondola and an evening small-group wildlife safari.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lake Louise

    Banff to Lake Louise (Coach)

    Travel the Bow Valley Parkway to Johnston Canyon and Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, crossing the Great Divide into Yoho National Park via Kicking Horse Pass and Takakkaw Falls.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Lake Louise to Jasper via Columbia Icefield (Small Coach)

    Travel the Columbia Icefields Parkway, visiting the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Prince George

    Jasper to Prince George on board VIA Rail

    Ride the Jasper SkyTram to the top of Whistlers Mountain, then board VIA Rail for a journey across British Columbia's Cariboo region, passing Mount Robson.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Prince Rupert

    Prince George to Prince Rupert on board VIA Rail

    Continue west by VIA Rail following the Skeena River through spectacular canyons and open valleys.

  8. Day 8overnight: Prince Rupert

    Prince Rupert Sightseeing (Small Coach)

    Choice of a grizzly bear tour into the Khutzeymateen wilderness (season dependent) or a whale-watching excursion.

  9. Day 9overnight: Port Hardy

    Prince Rupert to Port Hardy (BC Ferry)

    A full day boat trip on the BC Ferry through the Inside Passage to Vancouver Island, past fjords, forested shorelines and wildlife.

  10. Day 10overnight: Victoria, BC

    Port Hardy to Victoria

    Travel by short flight or rental car through forested mountains and a scenic coastline to Victoria; visit the Royal BC Museum in the afternoon.

  11. Day 11overnight: Victoria, BC

    Victoria Sightseeing

    Choice of a luxury supercat whale-watching excursion or a zipline eco-adventure across coastal temperate rainforest.

  12. Day 12

    Victoria to Vancouver (Coach/Ferry)

    A tour along Marine Drive past Beacon Hill Park and the University of Victoria, stopping at Butchart Gardens, then onboard BC Ferries back across to Vancouver where the package ends.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The Rocky Mountaineer's first day out of Vancouver passes the Fraser River Valley, forests, and river canyons framed by the Coast and Cascade Mountains.
  • Day 5The Columbia Icefields Parkway includes an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.
  • Day 7VIA Rail's route from Prince George to Prince Rupert follows the Skeena River through canyons and open valleys.
  • Day 9A full-day BC Ferry crossing of the Inside Passage to Vancouver Island passes fjords, forested shorelines, and wildlife.
  • Day 12The return to Vancouver stops at Butchart Gardens before boarding BC Ferries back across the strait.

Included

  • 11 nights of accommodation
  • Rocky Mountaineer rail tour in SilverLeaf Service
  • VIA Rail from Jasper to Prince Rupert in touring class
  • Meals included on board the train
  • Transportation
  • Sightseeing and attractions as listed

Not included

  • Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
  • Taxes as applicable
  • Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
  • Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers, and/or Bus Drivers
  • Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
  • Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price of this trip?
Yes. The Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service (Vancouver to Banff via Kamloops) and VIA Rail in Touring class (Jasper to Prince Rupert via Prince George) are included, with meals included onboard the train.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail, ferry, and coach circle tour, with small-coach guided sightseeing included at several stops.
Which trains are used on this trip?
The Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service and VIA Rail in Touring class.
What hotels does the trip use?
The evidence includes 11 nights of accommodation but does not name specific hotels or state a star rating.
How much walking is involved?
The operator rates this a low level of physical demand tour, though some activities or sightseeing may require walking short distances.
How much does this trip cost?
Anderson Vacations prices this trip from CAD $7,942 per person.

Similar journeys, different answers