Amtrak Vacations
Alaska with Glacier Bay onboard the Norwegian Encore® from Los Angeles
Amtrak train from Los Angeles to Seattle then a 7-day Alaska cruise
10 daysfrom $2,049
20% rail
No longer offered
Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. Live alternatives are under Similar journeys below.
Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour
Calgary Stampede, Canadian Rockies & Glacier
Ten-day rail journey from Chicago through Glacier and Canadian Rockies to Calgary Stampede
Vacations By Rail operates this 10-day escorted tour that departs Chicago and concludes in Calgary, combining rail travel with coach journeys through three North American national parks and culminating at the Calgary Stampede. The journey opens with an overnight aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder, carrying travelers west across the plains and the Missouri River into Montana. Upon arrival in Whitefish, a vintage Red Jammer bus takes the group through Glacier National Park along Going-to-the-Sun Road, passing Logan's Pass and multiple pristine valleys. The tour then crosses into Canada, with days spent in Kootenay and Banff national parks, including an Ice Explorer ride onto Athabasca Glacier and a visit to Lake Louise. Two final days in Calgary center on the Stampede, featuring rodeo events, chuckwagon races, and a special Clubhouse dinner. A Tour Manager accompanies throughout, and eight breakfasts and two dinners are included, alongside all transport and guided tours. This tour suits first-time rail travelers, families, and those seeking an escorted, all-arranged experience through western scenery.
What to know before you look closer
- The from-price covers the package; flights and airport transfers are not included and must be booked separately.
- The tour offers multiple accommodation options in Banff (Caribou Lodge, Ptarmigan Inn, or Hotel Canoe and Suites); your final hotel depends on availability.
- One night is spent in a coach seat aboard the train, not a sleeper cabin; meals aboard are purchasable in the dining car or cafe.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Overnight aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder
Departing Chicago on the Empire Builder
Meet the Tour Manager at Chicago's Union Station and board Amtrak's Empire Builder for an overnight westward journey toward Montana; meals purchasable in the dining car/café. Travelers may instead join from Seattle or points between, meeting the group in Whitefish, MT.
- Day 2railovernight: Whitefish, MT
Through the North Dakota plains to Big Sky Country
The train continues through North Dakota and into Montana, crossing the Gassman Coulee Trestle and following the Missouri River, arriving in Whitefish late this evening for a coach transfer to a lodge at the edge of Glacier National Park.
- Day 3overnight: Whitefish, MT
Through Glacier National Park by Red Jammer bus
A three-hour tour aboard a vintage Red Jammer bus along Going-to-the-Sun Road, taking in Logan's Pass, Lake McDonald Valley, St. Mary Valley and Swiftcurrent Valley.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4overnight: Banff
Across the border to Kootenay & Banff National Parks
Coach across the Canadian border via Cranbrook, BC and Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park, continuing on to Banff.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5overnight: Banff
The spectacular sights of Banff
A free day in downtown Banff and Banff National Park, followed by a ride on the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain and dinner together in the summit-top restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: Banff
Exploring Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefield
A sightseeing excursion to Lake Louise and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, then along the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto Athabasca Glacier.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7overnight: Calgary
To Calgary, home of the world-famous Calgary Stampede
A leisurely morning in Banff, then a drive to Calgary via Heritage Park, Canada's largest living history museum.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8overnight: Calgary
Discover Calgary and the Calgary Stampede
Free time in Calgary with an included Stampede ticket, then a special Clubhouse dinner at Stampede Park before the Chuckwagon Races and Grandstand Show.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9overnight: Calgary
The world-famous Calgary Stampede
A leisurely morning before heading to the Stampede grounds for an afternoon at the Stampede Rodeo, with traditional rodeo events and vendors.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 10
Traveling home
A group transfer to Calgary International Airport accommodates flights departing after 1:00 P.M.
Meals: Breakfast
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1Board Amtrak's Empire Builder at Chicago's Union Station for an overnight westward journey toward Montana.
- Day 2The train crosses the Gassman Coulee Trestle and follows the Missouri River into Whitefish, Montana.
- Day 3A three-hour tour aboard a vintage Red Jammer bus along Going-to-the-Sun Road passes Logan's Pass and four valleys within Glacier National Park.
- Day 6An Ice Explorer ride takes you onto Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield.
- Day 8Attend a special Clubhouse dinner at Stampede Park followed by the Chuckwagon Races and Grandstand Show.
Included
- Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
- 8 nights' 3-Star hotel accommodation
- 1 night in Coach Seat aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder
- Standard Class rail travel
- All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
- 8 breakfasts, 2 dinners
- 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 price includes one night in a coach seat aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder from Chicago to Whitefish, Montana, plus all other rail and coach travel throughout the tour.
- Is this tour escorted?
- Yes. Vacations By Rail assigns a Tour Manager who travels with the group from start to finish.
- Which hotels are used in Banff?
- The tour uses one of three hotels: Caribou Lodge, Ptarmigan Inn, or Hotel Canoe and Suites, each for two nights. The operator assigns your hotel based on availability.
- What meals are included?
- Eight breakfasts and two dinners are included. Meals aboard the Empire Builder are purchasable separately in the dining car or cafe.
- Does the price include Calgary Stampede tickets?
- Yes. An included Stampede ticket and a special Clubhouse dinner at Stampede Park are part of the tour.
- What is the activity level?
- The tour carries a Mobility Rating 3 and includes a three-hour Red Jammer bus tour and optional guided hiking and wildlife excursions in Banff.
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