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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Canadian Rockies and Lake Louise Explorer

Vancouver to Banff via Jasper and Lake Louise, overnight VIA Rail leg

Illustration of Canadian Rockies and Lake Louise Explorer

Railbookers operates this 9-day independent rail vacation through the Canadian Rockies, starting in Vancouver and finishing with a transfer to Calgary. The trip opens with two nights in Vancouver, explored using a hop-on hop-off pass that covers Stanley Park, Gastown, and Granville Island. On day 3, you board VIA Rail's The Canadian in Standard class for an overnight journey through the wilderness to Jasper, described in the evidence as passing waterfalls, lakes, glaciers, and forests. From Jasper, the Icefields Parkway tour to Lake Louise stops at the Athabasca Glacier by Ice Explorer and the Glacier Skywalk, followed by two nights in Lake Louise with an included sightseeing gondola ride. The final two nights in Banff bring a guided tour of the region's mountains, lakes, and waterfalls, a gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, and a cruise on Lake Minnewanka. With a single overnight in a Standard-class seat rather than a private cabin, this suits travelers who want the Rockies covered by guided touring more than an extended train journey.

What to know before you look closer

  • This trip books VIA Rail in Standard class rather than a private sleeper cabin, so the single overnight from Vancouver to Jasper is spent in a seat.
  • The operator lists 20 accommodation options across the trip's cities; the specific hotel booked depends on the tier you choose.
  • The evidence available does not list specific departure dates for this itinerary; confirm current availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Vancouver, BC

    Vancouver

    Your Canadian train journey begins in Vancouver!

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver, BC

    Vancouver

    Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour: Stanley Park, Gastown, Granville Island, Downtown, and the Vancouver Lookout.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Board VIA Rail for an overnight adventure through the Canadian wilderness to Jasper.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper, AB

    Jasper

    Arrive in Jasper, nestled in Jasper National Park's waterfalls, lakes, glaciers, and forests.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lake Louise, AB

    Jasper to Lake Louise

    Icefields Parkway tour, Ice Explorer vehicle to Athabasca Glacier, and the Glacier Skywalk; tour ends at Lake Louise.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lake Louise, AB

    Lake Louise

    Included Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola ride.

  7. Day 7overnight: Banff, AB

    Lake Louise to Banff

    Travel to Banff; tour of the region's mountains, lakes, and waterfalls.

  8. Day 8overnight: Banff, AB

    Banff

    Gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain and a cruise on Lake Minnewanka.

  9. Day 9

    Your Journey Ends in Calgary

    Check out and transfer from Banff to Calgary.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board VIA Rail for an overnight journey through the Canadian wilderness from Vancouver to Jasper.
  • Day 5The Icefields Parkway tour from Jasper to Lake Louise includes an Ice Explorer ride to the Athabasca Glacier and a visit to the Glacier Skywalk.
  • Day 6The Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola ride.
  • Day 8A gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain and a cruise on Lake Minnewanka in Banff.

Included

  • One-way overnight VIA Rail® from Vancouver to Jasper on the Canadian®
  • 7 nights hotel accommodation; 1 night onboard VIA Rail
  • Tour transfer from Jasper to Lake Louise and shuttle transfer from Banff to Calgary
  • 2 meals (2 lunches)

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. A one-way overnight VIA Rail journey from Vancouver to Jasper on The Canadian is included, in Standard class.
Is there a private sleeper cabin on the train?
No. This itinerary books Standard class on VIA Rail, so the overnight from Vancouver to Jasper is spent in a seat rather than a private cabin.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It combines both. Vancouver is explored with a hop-on hop-off pass, while Jasper to Lake Louise and the Banff sightseeing are covered by included guided tours.
What is included in the price?
The overnight VIA Rail journey to Jasper, 7 nights' hotel accommodation, the Icefields Parkway tour with an Ice Explorer and Glacier Skywalk, the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola, a Banff mountains, lakes and waterfalls tour, and 2 lunches.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers lists 20 accommodation options across Vancouver, Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff; the specific hotel booked depends on the tier chosen.
When does this trip run?
The available materials do not list specific departure dates. Confirm current availability with Railbookers before booking.

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