Search

Rocky Mountaineer · Rail vacation package

Best of the Rockies Circle Journey - 12-nights

13-day Canadian Rockies circle combining five days on Rocky Mountaineer trains

Illustration of Best of the Rockies Circle Journey - 12-nights

Rocky Mountaineer operates this 13-day circle journey from Vancouver through the heart of the Canadian Rockies and back, designed for travellers who want substantial time in mountain resort towns alongside multi-day rail experiences. The itinerary weaves two Rocky Mountaineer routes across five days: the First Passage to the West takes you from Vancouver through Hell's Gate and the Fraser Canyon into Banff, while the Rainforest to Gold Rush carries you north from Jasper through Mount Robson country and down the Whistler corridor via one of the world's highest railway bridges. Between rail segments, guided full-day and half-day motorcoach tours unlock the Columbia Icefield, the Icefields Parkway, and Jasper National Park, with included glacier tours and glacier skywalk access. Stays of two or three nights in Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and Whistler punctuate the journey, offering free days to book activities like the Banff Gondola, canoeing on Lake Louise, the Jasper SkyTram, or simple rest. This suits couples, repeat rail travellers, and photographers seeking premium comfort with guided structure and self-directed exploration woven together.

What to know before you look closer

  • Some hotels are noted as moderate 3-star properties; the pack uses phrases like 'or similar' but confirms specific stars only for the Whistler 4-star and Kamloops and Quesnel 3-star hotels
  • Pricing displayed is an estimate per guest based on single room with double occupancy; final price confirmed after selecting a specific departure date
  • The operator does not list current departure dates in this pack; confirm availability and dates directly with Rocky Mountaineer before booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic coastal city on your own - historic Gastown, lively Yaletown, or the Stanley Park Seawall.

  2. Day 2overnight: Kamloops

    Vancouver to Kamloops

    Depart early morning aboard Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Kamloops. Highlights include Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the Thompson River.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Banff

    Kamloops to Banff

    Continue eastward to the Canadian Rockies. Highlights include Craigellachie, Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon and the Spiral Tunnels. The rail journey ends this evening in Banff.

  4. Day 4overnight: Banff

    Banff (free day)

    Free time to relax or book activities at leisure - the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, the Banff hot springs, or outdoor wildlife adventures.

  5. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Banff (second free day)

    A second free day in this mountain town to explore, relax, or book activities at leisure.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lake Louise

    Banff to Lake Louise

    A guided half-day motorcoach transfer into Yoho National Park, taking in the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River, ending in Lake Louise.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lake Louise

    Lake Louise (free day)

    Free time to relax or book activities at leisure - learn about local wildlife, paddle the lake by canoe, or simply relax amongst the scenery.

  8. Day 8overnight: Jasper

    Lake Louise to Jasper

    A guided full-day sightseeing tour via the Icefields Parkway, taking in Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield (Ice Explorer glacier tour), Glacier Skywalk and Athabasca Falls, with lunch at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Arrive in Jasper in the late afternoon.

  9. Day 9overnight: Jasper

    Jasper

    Free morning to explore Jasper on your own; in the afternoon, a half-day guided sightseeing tour of Jasper National Park, with highlights including Patricia Lake, the Jasper SkyTram, and Pyramid Lake.

  10. Day 10overnight: Quesnel

    Jasper to Quesnel

    Depart early morning aboard Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper to Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo, via the Rocky Mountain Trench, Mount Robson, Yellowhead Pass and Moose Lake, then Prince George and the Fraser River.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Whistler

    Quesnel to Whistler

    Continue southwest to Whistler through the Fraser Canyon, the Cariboo Plateau and the Pemberton Valley. Highlights include Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world, and the shorelines of Seton and Anderson Lakes. The rail journey ends at Pemberton Station, with a motorcoach transfer on to Whistler.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Vancouver

    Whistler to Vancouver

    Free morning in Whistler Village; in the afternoon, continue by rail through the Sea to Sky Corridor - Cheakamus Canyon, Mount Garibaldi, Brandywine Falls and Howe Sound - to North Vancouver, with a transfer to your downtown Vancouver accommodation. Includes admission to the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre.

  13. Day 13

    Depart Vancouver

    Journey ends upon checkout from your Vancouver hotel.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Rocky Mountaineer departs Vancouver early morning, passing Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and following the Thompson River toward Kamloops
  • Day 3Day 3: The train reaches the Canadian Rockies, crossing the Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Canyon before arriving in Banff
  • Day 8Day 8: The guided Icefields Parkway tour includes the Ice Explorer glacier tour and Glacier Skywalk above the Columbia Icefield, with lunch at the Glacier Discovery Centre
  • Day 10Day 10: Rocky Mountaineer departs Jasper through the Rocky Mountain Trench and passes Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies
  • Day 11Day 11: The train crosses Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world, en route to Whistler

Included

  • 12 hotel nights: Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Quesnel, Whistler (Vancouver and Banff each with multiple nights)
  • 5 days onboard Rocky Mountaineer, GoldLeaf Service
  • Guided half-day motorcoach tour into Yoho National Park (Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake, natural rock bridge)
  • Guided full-day Icefields Parkway sightseeing tour from Lake Louise to Jasper, with Ice Explorer glacier tour and Glacier Skywalk admission and lunch at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre included
  • Guided half-day Jasper National Park sightseeing tour (Patricia Lake, Jasper SkyTram, Pyramid Lake)
  • Admission to the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre (Whistler)
  • Onboard breakfasts and lunches on rail days
  • Luggage handling and rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff, Jasper, Quesnel and Whistler

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Rocky Mountaineer includes five days aboard GoldLeaf Service: Vancouver to Kamloops to Banff (First Passage to the West), then Jasper to Quesnel to Whistler via Pemberton (Rainforest to Gold Rush). Breakfasts and lunches are provided on all rail days.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
It is a mix. A guided half-day motorcoach tour covers Yoho National Park, a guided full-day tour covers the Icefields Parkway with glacier and skywalk access, and a guided half-day tour covers Jasper National Park. Days 1, 4, 5, 7, and 9 (morning) offer free time to explore independently.
What is included in the price?
The package includes 12 hotel nights across seven cities, five days aboard Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service, three guided coach tours, admission to the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, the Ice Explorer glacier tour and Glacier Skywalk admission, lunch at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, onboard breakfasts and lunches on rail days, and luggage handling and rail station transfers at all stops.
Which hotels are included?
The package includes hotels in Vancouver (2 nights), Kamloops (1 night, 3-star), Banff (3 nights), Lake Louise (2 nights), Jasper (2 nights), Quesnel (1 night, 3-star), and Whistler (1 night, 4-star).
How many days involve rail travel?
Five of the 13 days are spent aboard Rocky Mountaineer: Day 2 (Vancouver to Kamloops), Day 3 (Kamloops to Banff), Day 10 (Jasper to Quesnel), Day 11 (Quesnel to Whistler via Pemberton), and Day 12 (North Vancouver to downtown Vancouver).
What is the highest railway bridge crossed?
Deep Creek Bridge, crossed on Day 11 between Quesnel and Whistler, is one of the highest railway bridges in the world.

Similar journeys