Anderson Vacations · Independent rail circle tour

8 Days Rainforest and Peaks Circle Rail Journey

8-day rail circle with two Rocky Mountaineer journeys through the Rockies

8 Days Rainforest and Peaks Circle Rail Journey, a rail journey with Anderson Vacations

Anderson Vacations runs this 8-day, 7-night independent rail circle tour through British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies, built around two separate Rocky Mountaineer journeys in Silver Leaf service. The trip opens with a 3-day rail journey from Vancouver to Jasper by way of Whistler and Quesnel, passing Howe Sound, Brandywine Falls, and Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Two days in Jasper include an interpretive tour of the Maligne Valley, with a choice between a boat cruise to Spirit Island or a guided hike along the Mary Schaffer Loop. The Icefields Parkway then connects Jasper to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, by way of the Columbia Icefield's Ice-Explorer ride and Glacier Skywalk, before a transfer to Banff for a gondola ride and an evening wildlife safari. A second Rocky Mountaineer journey completes the circle from Banff back to Vancouver via Kamloops. This suits travelers who want two distinct scenic rail journeys within one trip rather than a single one-way run.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 4's Maligne Lake activity is a choice between a boat cruise to Spirit Island or a guided hike along the Mary Schaffer Loop, not both.
  • Only the Lake Louise hotel, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, is named; hotels in Whistler, Quesnel, Jasper, Banff, and Kamloops are not specified in the evidence.
  • Five of the six overnight stops, Whistler, Quesnel, Lake Louise, Banff, and Kamloops, are a single night each; only Jasper gets two nights.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Whistler

    Vancouver to Whistler onboard Rocky Mountaineer

    Shuttle transfer from downtown Vancouver, then the Rocky Mountaineer through the Sea to Sky Corridor, with views of Howe Sound, the Coast Mountains, Brandywine Falls, Mount Garibaldi and Cheakamus Canyon, arriving in Whistler.

  2. Day 2overnight: Quesnel

    Whistler to Quesnel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer

    Travel to Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo region, through the Pemberton Valley, Fraser Canyon and Cariboo Plateau, past Anderson Lake, Seton Lake and Deep Creek Bridge.

  3. Day 3overnight: Jasper

    Quesnel to Jasper onboard the Rocky Mountaineer

    Follow the Fraser River north to Prince George, then east through northern BC's forests, the Rocky Mountain Trench and past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, through Yellowhead Pass to Jasper.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Jasper Sightseeing

    An interpretive tour up the Maligne Valley including Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake with a boat cruise to Spirit Island or a guided hike along the Mary Schaffer Loop.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lake Louise

    Jasper to Lake Louise

    Travel the Icefields Parkway via Athabasca Falls and the Columbia Icefield for an Ice-Explorer ride and Glacier Skywalk, to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

  6. Day 6overnight: Banff

    Lake Louise to Banff and Banff Sightseeing

    Transfer to Banff with passes to the Banff Gondola, and an evening wildlife safari to seek out elk, big horn sheep and bear.

  7. Day 7overnight: Kamloops

    Banff to Kamloops onboard Rocky Mountaineer

    Travel from Banff to Kamloops, crossing the Continental Divide and passing the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass and Craigellachie.

  8. Day 8

    Kamloops to Vancouver onboard Rocky Mountaineer

    Continue toward the Pacific Ocean and Vancouver, through the desert-like Interior, river canyons and the Fraser Valley, including Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The Rocky Mountaineer travels through the Sea to Sky Corridor from Vancouver to Whistler, with views of Howe Sound, the Coast Mountains, and Brandywine Falls.
  • Day 3Follow the Fraser River north to Prince George, then past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, through Yellowhead Pass to Jasper.
  • Day 5The Icefields Parkway passes Athabasca Falls and the Columbia Icefield for an Ice-Explorer ride and Glacier Skywalk on the way to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
  • Day 7Board the Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Kamloops, crossing the Continental Divide and passing the Spiral Tunnels and Craigellachie.
  • Day 8The Rocky Mountaineer's second day continues through the desert-like Interior, river canyons, and the Fraser Valley's Hell's Gate to Vancouver.

Included

  • 7 nights of hotel accommodation in selected hotels
  • Rocky Mountaineer Silver Leaf 3 day experience from Vancouver to Jasper
  • Rocky Mountaineer Silver Leaf 2 day experience from Banff to Vancouver
  • Meals included on board the train
  • Shuttle transfer from Lake Louise to Banff
  • Sightseeing and activities as highlighted

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?
Yes, two Rocky Mountaineer Silver Leaf legs: a 3-day experience from Vancouver to Jasper (via Whistler and Quesnel) and a 2-day experience from Banff to Vancouver (via Kamloops).
Is it escorted or independent?
Independent; Anderson Vacations lists this as an 'Independent rail circle tour.'
Which train is used?
The Rocky Mountaineer, in Silver Leaf service (Gold Leaf is available as an upgrade).
What hotels are included?
7 nights of hotel accommodation, including the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise; other hotels are not named in the evidence.
How much walking is involved?
The operator rates the tour's physical demand as low. Day 4 offers an optional guided hike along the Mary Schaffer Loop as an alternative to a boat cruise.
What is not included?
Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary, gratuities, travel insurance, taxes, and airfare.

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