Anderson Vacations · Independent self-drive & rail

17 Day Scenic Lodges of the West with a Canadian Rockies Rail Experience

Self-drive lodge tour through the Rockies and Vancouver Island plus rail

17 Day Scenic Lodges of the West with a Canadian Rockies Rail Experience, a rail journey with Anderson Vacations

Anderson Vacations operates this 17-day, 16-night independent self-drive and rail trip across Western Canada, from Calgary to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Most of the journey is by rental car, starting with Waterton Lakes National Park and the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump before continuing through Kananaskis, Banff, and two-night stays at Emerald Lake Lodge and Pyramid Lake Resort in Jasper. A two-day rail journey then links Jasper to Vancouver, following the Fraser River past Mount Robson, before a second rental car takes over for the west coast portion: a ferry to Quadra Island for whale watching, then Ucluelet near Tofino, and finally Sooke before ending in Victoria. Travelers can choose between Via Rail or the Rocky Mountaineer in Silver Leaf or Gold Leaf class for the rail leg, at different price points. With named lodges at nearly every stop and a low level of physical demand, this trip suits independent travelers who want to combine mountain lodges, a scenic rail journey, and Vancouver Island's coast in one long circuit.

What to know before you look closer

  • Meals are not included except where specifically listed in the itinerary.
  • This is primarily a self-drive trip with two separate car rentals; the rail journey covers only two of the 17 days, from Jasper to Vancouver.
  • The price varies by which train option is chosen: Via Rail from CAD $5,246, Rocky Mountaineer Silver Leaf Experience from CAD $5,929, or Rocky Mountaineer Gold Leaf from CAD $6,704.
  • The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Anderson Vacations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Calgary

    Arrive in Calgary

    Welcome to Calgary. Explore Calgary's Public Library, the Bow Valley River pathways or downtown Stephen Avenue, with an included Calgary foodie walking tour.

  2. Day 2overnight: Waterton

    Calgary to Waterton

    Drive south to the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a Blackfoot Nations guide, before continuing to Waterton Lakes National Park.

  3. Day 3overnight: Waterton

    Waterton Sightseeing

    Waterton Lakes National Park offers a leisurely boat cruise on Waterton Lake, hikes, horseback riding, canoeing, Red Rock Canyon and scooter rentals.

  4. Day 4overnight: Kananaskis

    Waterton to Kananaskis

    Take the cowboy trail north to Kananaskis via the Bar U Ranch to experience 1800s ranching life, through the artisan towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley.

  5. Day 5overnight: Emerald Lake Lodge

    Kananaskis to Banff to Emerald Lake Lodge

    A short drive to the town of Banff, flanked by Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay and Cascade Mountain, along the Bow Valley Parkway with a stop at Johnston Canyon, continuing into British Columbia for two nights at Emerald Lake Lodge.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Emerald Lake Lodge

    Emerald Lake Lodge

    A day at Emerald Lake Lodge, built in 1902 by the Canadian Pacific Railway on secluded Emerald Lake, with short trips available into Yoho National Park, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Banff.

  7. Day 7overnight: Jasper

    Lake Louise to Jasper

    Travel the Icefields Parkway via Peyto Lake and the Columbia Icefields for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, and Athabasca Falls, to Pyramid Lake Resort for two nights in Jasper.

  8. Day 8overnight: Jasper

    Jasper Sightseeing

    Ride the Jasper SkyTram up Whistler Mountain, explore Maligne Canyon and drive to Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies.

  9. Day 9rail

    Jasper to Vancouver by Rail (day 1 of 2)

    Travel through scenic valleys, the Coast Mountains and the Fraser Canyon, following the Fraser River past the Alberta Glacier, Pyramid Falls and Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Vancouver

    Jasper to Vancouver by Rail (day 2 of 2)

    The rail journey from Jasper continues (page combines days 9 and 10 into a single narrated leg) with arrival into Vancouver.

  11. Day 11overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver Sightseeing

    Explore Vancouver at your own pace: pick up a car rental, walk or bike Stanley Park's seawall, visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and take the gondola up Grouse Mountain.

  12. Day 12overnight: Quadra Island

    Vancouver to Nanaimo to Quadra Island

    Take the ferry to Vancouver Island and drive up to Campbell River, then board the ferry to Quadra Island, known for its art community and sportfishing.

  13. Day 13overnight: Quadra Island

    Quadra Island Sightseeing

    An included whale watching excursion by zodiac, with the chance to see seals and other wildlife.

  14. Day 14overnight: Ucluelet

    Quadra Island to Campbell River to Ucluelet

    Drive via Little Qualicum Falls and Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park, through Port Alberni and along the Pacific Rim Highway towards Tofino and Long Beach.

  15. Day 15overnight: Ucluelet

    Ucluelet Sightseeing

    Drive to Tofino for a choice of half-day activity: bear watching, whale watching, or guided sea kayaking.

  16. Day 16overnight: Sooke

    Ucluelet to Sooke

    Drive south to the bottom tip of Vancouver Island to the seaside town of Sooke, with time to relax by the water, walk local trails or take a sea kayak excursion.

  17. Day 17

    Sooke to Victoria

    Return the car rental in Victoria to conclude the tour of Western Canada.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 6A day at Emerald Lake Lodge, built in 1902 by the Canadian Pacific Railway on secluded Emerald Lake, with optional trips into Yoho National Park and Lake Louise.
  • Day 7The Icefields Parkway passes Peyto Lake and the Columbia Icefields, where an Ice Explorer ride climbs onto the Athabasca Glacier.
  • Day 9The rail journey from Jasper follows the Fraser River past the Alberta Glacier, Pyramid Falls, and Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
  • Day 13An included whale watching excursion by zodiac from Quadra Island offers the chance to see seals and other wildlife.
  • Day 14The drive to Ucluelet passes Little Qualicum Falls and the old-growth forest of Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park.

Included

  • 16 nights of remote lodge accommodation including: Prince of Whales Resort, Pomeroy Kananaskis Lodge, Emerald Lake Lodge, Pyramid Lake Resort, April Point Lodge, Black Rock Resort and Prestige Oceanfront Resort
  • 16 day intermediate car rental (2 separate rentals)
  • Rail journey from Jasper to Vancouver (Via Rail or Rocky Mountaineer available)
  • Attractions and sightseeing as above

Not included

  • Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
  • Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers, and/or Bus Drivers
  • Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
  • Taxes as applicable
  • Airfare unless specified as included within 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, a rail journey from Jasper to Vancouver is included, with a choice of Via Rail or Rocky Mountaineer in Silver Leaf or Gold Leaf class at different price points. The rest of the trip is by rental car.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent self-drive and rail trip. Travelers drive rental cars for most of the journey and take the train for the Jasper to Vancouver leg.
Which trains can be used on this trip?
Via Rail, or the Rocky Mountaineer in Silver Leaf Experience or Gold Leaf class.
What lodges are included?
16 nights at named lodges: the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton, Pomeroy Kananaskis Lodge, Emerald Lake Lodge, Pyramid Lake Resort in Jasper, April Point Lodge on Quadra Island, Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet, and Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke.
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?
From CAD $5,246 per person with the Via Rail option, CAD $5,929 with Rocky Mountaineer Silver Leaf Experience, or CAD $6,704 with Rocky Mountaineer Gold Leaf.

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