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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

A Week in the Canadian Rockies Featuring Rocky Mountaineer

Eight-day Canadian Rockies loop from Calgary on Rocky Mountaineer train

Illustration of A Week in the Canadian Rockies Featuring Rocky Mountaineer

Vacations By Rail's eight-day independent vacation takes you through Canada's three most celebrated mountain destinations: Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise. You begin in Calgary and travel to Banff for two nights of guided exploration in Banff National Park, spotting waterfalls, mountain vistas, and wildlife. On Day 3, you board the Rocky Mountaineer's Passages to Peaks route, a limited-time daylight train journey that carries you across the Continental Divide and through the Spiral Tunnels, with meals served aboard as you take in views of Castle Mountain, Morant's Curve, and Kicking Horse Pass. Day 4 brings a second day of rail travel through the mountains to Jasper. You then have a full free day in Jasper National Park to hike, visit the downtown, or book optional activities such as the Maligne Lake cruise or Wildlife Discovery Tour. On Day 6, a scenic coach journey along the Icefields Parkway delivers you to Lake Louise, stopping at glaciers and waterfalls and culminating in an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights to and from Calgary and airport transfers are not included in the package price.
  • Hotels are listed with options: the Fairmont Banff Springs or Moose Hotel & Suites in Banff; the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge or The Crimson Hotel in Jasper. Confirm your final hotel choice when booking.
  • The Rocky Mountaineer operates on a daylight-only schedule; overnight travel is by coach on the Icefields Parkway.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Banff

    Arriving in the Canadian Rockies

    Your Rocky Mountain immersion begins as your plane touches down in Calgary. An included motorcoach transfer takes you into the Canadian Rockies to the resort town of Banff, where you check into your hotel for the first of two nights.

  2. Day 2overnight: Banff

    Sightseeing in Banff National Park

    A guided sightseeing tour of Banff National Park takes in Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, Tunnel Mountain Drive, Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake, with a chance to see hoodoos and wildlife. An optional full-day Explore Banff tour (with Banff Gondola and Lake Minnewanka cruise) can be upgraded to.

  3. Day 3overnight: Kamloops

    Boarding the Rocky Mountaineer

    Transferred to the station, you board the Rocky Mountaineer's limited-time Passages to Peaks route for a daylight-only journey to Kamloops, passing Castle Mountain, Morant's Curve, the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Pass, with views of Shuswap Lake before arriving in Kamloops.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    From Kamloops to Jasper on Rocky Mountaineer

    Back aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, the journey continues along the North Thompson River past Pyramid Falls and Mt. Robson before climbing Yellowhead Pass to Jasper, where you transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    A free day in Jasper

    A full day at leisure to explore Jasper National Park's 660+ miles of hiking trails and downtown Jasper, with optional excursions including the Jasper SkyTram, a Wildlife Discovery Tour, an Explore Jasper tour with a Maligne Lake cruise, or a foodie tour.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lake Louise

    Traveling Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise

    A scenic coach journey along the Icefields Parkway passes Athabasca Falls, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier, with a stop at Columbia Icefields for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, plus a buffet lunch, before arriving at the five-star Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for a two-night stay.

    Meals: Lunch

  7. Day 7overnight: Lake Louise

    Discovering Lake Louise at your leisure

    A full free day at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, with walking/hiking trails, horseback riding, kayak/canoe rental and spa treatments available.

  8. Day 8

    Tour conclusion

    Your vacation comes to a close with an included transfer back to Calgary airport. Transfers accommodate flights after 11:00 AM.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3You board the Rocky Mountaineer for the Passages to Peaks daylight journey to Kamloops, passing the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Pass, and Continental Divide, with views of Castle Mountain and Morant's Curve.
  • Day 4The Rocky Mountaineer continues along the North Thompson River past Pyramid Falls and Mt. Robson, climbing Yellowhead Pass to arrive in Jasper.
  • Day 6The Icefields Parkway coach journey passes Athabasca Falls, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and Crowfoot Glacier, with a stop for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk.

Included

  • 7 nights' hotel accommodation
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Choice of SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service on Rocky Mountaineer
  • 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes all rail travel on the Rocky Mountaineer's Passages to Peaks route (Banff to Kamloops to Jasper) in your choice of SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf service, plus all coach travel throughout the tour.
Is this trip guided or independent?
Vacations By Rail calls this an independent vacation: you travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary. Day 2 and Day 6 include guided sightseeing tours; Days 5 and 7 are free to explore on your own or book optional activities.
What meals are included?
Two breakfasts and three lunches are included. Breakfast and lunch are served aboard the Rocky Mountaineer on Days 3 and 4; lunch is provided on Day 6 during the Icefields Parkway journey.
How much walking is involved?
Day 2 includes a guided sightseeing tour of Banff National Park. Day 6 involves an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and a walk on the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Days 5 and 7 offer optional hiking and horseback riding; walking trails are available but not required.
What are the hotel options?
In Banff, you can choose the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel or the Moose Hotel & Suites (two nights). In Jasper, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge or The Crimson Hotel (two nights). In Lake Louise, the five-star Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (two nights).
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, and optional activities (such as the Explore Banff tour, Jasper SkyTram, horseback riding, and kayak rental) are not included.

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