Anderson Vacations · Independent rail journey

9 Day Rail, Peaks, and Glaciers

Independent Rockies to Pacific coast journey with an overnight VIA Rail sleeper

9 Day Rail, Peaks, and Glaciers, a rail journey with Anderson Vacations

Anderson Vacations runs this 9-day independent rail journey through the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific coast, starting near Calgary and finishing in Victoria, British Columbia. The first four days are spent touring by coach and small coach, from Banff's Bow Falls and Lake Minnewanka to the Icefields Parkway, where the itinerary crosses Crowfoot Glacier and Peyto Lake before an Ice Explorer ride onto the Columbia Icefield, then on to Jasper's Maligne Valley. Day 5 shifts the trip onto VIA Rail for an overnight journey from Jasper to Vancouver in a private sleeper cabin, with meals in the dining car and views from the Park Car's dome. The final days mix Vancouver sightseeing with a ferry crossing to Victoria, the Butchart Gardens, and a whale-watching cruise before a floatplane transfer back to Vancouver. It suits travellers who want Rockies scenery and one overnight train experience without a long, multi-day rail itinerary, and who are comfortable with an independent, low physical demand pace.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one day of this 9-day tour is actually spent aboard a train, the overnight VIA Rail journey from Jasper to Vancouver; the rest of the itinerary is coach touring, a ferry crossing and a floatplane transfer.
  • Gratuities for local guides, tour managers and bus drivers, and travel insurance, are listed as not included in the price.
  • The evidence does not list current departure dates or availability; confirm directly with Anderson Vacations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Banff

    Calgary to Banff (Coach)

    Arrive in Calgary and board a motorcoach transfer from Calgary Airport to Banff.

  2. Day 2overnight: Banff

    Banff Sightseeing (Small Coach)

    Visit Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, the Banff Hoodoos and Lake Minnewanka.

  3. Day 3overnight: Jasper

    Banff to Lake Louise to Jasper (Small Coach)

    Pass Vermilion Lakes and Castle Mountain to Lake Louise and the Chateau Lake Louise, then the Icefields Parkway via Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake and the Weeping Wall to the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride, and Athabasca Falls.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Jasper Sightseeing (Small Coach)

    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 5railovernight: Onboard Via Rail

    Jasper to Vancouver Overnight on board VIA Rail

    Travelling in sleeper class with access to the Park Car lounge and Dome Car's panoramic windows; gourmet meals included in the dining room.

  6. Day 6overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver Sightseeing (Coach)

    A hop-on-hop-off pass on a trolley bus with 23 stops including 16 major downtown attractions, plus the FlyOver Canada experience.

  7. Day 7overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver Sightseeing

    A morning Vancouver Harbour Cruise, then an evening Forbidden Vancouver walking tour covering the city's history of crime, corruption and sin.

  8. Day 8overnight: Victoria, BC

    Vancouver to Victoria (Coach/Ferry)

    A 95-minute BC Ferry crossing through the Gulf Islands, then coach to the Butchart Gardens, Victoria's Marine Scenic Drive, downtown Victoria and the Royal BC Museum.

  9. Day 9

    Victoria to Vancouver (Floatplane)

    A whale-watching excursion aboard a five-star supercat with resident and transient orcas, then a floatplane transfer from Victoria's inner harbour to downtown Vancouver.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The Icefields Parkway passes Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake before an Ice Explorer ride onto the Columbia Icefield.
  • Day 4A boat cruise on Maligne Lake reaches Spirit Island, or travelers can take a guided hike along the Mary Schaffer Loop instead.
  • Day 5An overnight VIA Rail journey from Jasper to Vancouver in a private sleeper cabin includes dining car meals and views from the Park Car's dome.
  • Day 8A 95-minute BC Ferry crossing through the Gulf Islands is followed by a visit to the Butchart Gardens on the way into Victoria.
  • Day 9A whale-watching cruise aboard a supercat looks for resident and transient orcas, before a floatplane transfer back to Vancouver.

Included

  • 7 nights of accommodation
  • Shuttle transfer to Banff
  • Via Rail private cabin for two from Jasper to Vancouver
  • Meals included on board the train
  • Floatplane Victoria to Vancouver
  • 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 the train travel included?
Yes. Anderson Vacations includes a VIA Rail private cabin for two from Jasper to Vancouver, with meals included on board.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
The operator describes it as an independent rail journey.
Which train is used?
VIA Rail, travelling in sleeper class in a private cabin for two from Jasper to Vancouver.
What is not included?
Airfare unless specified, taxes, travel insurance, gratuities for guides and drivers, meals not specifically mentioned, and attractions or entrance fees not listed in the itinerary.
How much walking is involved?
The operator rates the tour as having a low level of physical demand, with some sightseeing that may require walking short distances.

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