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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Canadian Rockies and Lake Louise Explorer with Rocky Mountaineer

Vancouver to Lake Louise and Banff by Rocky Mountaineer's SilverLeaf class

Illustration of Canadian Rockies and Lake Louise Explorer with Rocky Mountaineer

Railbookers operates this 8-day independent rail vacation through western Canada, starting in Vancouver and ending with a shuttle 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 the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Class for a two-day rail journey through the Fraser Valley, the Coast and Cascade Mountains, and the Canadian Rockies, with an overnight stop in Kamloops before disembarking at Lake Louise for two nights, including the included sightseeing gondola ride. The route continues by road rather than train: day 6 travels to Banff for a guided tour of the region's mountains, lakes, and waterfalls plus time for shopping and dining, and the two nights in Banff include a gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain and a cruise on Lake Minnewanka. Five meals are included along the way. The mix of scenic rail and guided touring suits travelers who want the Canadian Rockies covered without arranging transport themselves.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Rocky Mountaineer covers Vancouver to Lake Louise only; the Lake Louise to Banff leg on day 6 and the final transfer to Calgary are by road, not train.
  • The operator lists 14 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, BC

    Your Canadian train journey begins in Vancouver!

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver, BC

    Vancouver, BC

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

  3. Day 3overnight: Kamloops, BC

    Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Kamloops

    Board the Rocky Mountaineer, SilverLeaf Class, through Fraser Valley and the Coast and Cascade Mountains.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lake Louise, AB

    Rocky Mountaineer from Kamloops to Lake Louise

    Continue on the Rocky Mountaineer; disembark at Lake Louise for a two-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lake Louise, AB

    Lake Louise, AB

    Included Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola ride.

  6. Day 6overnight: Banff, AB

    Lake Louise to Banff

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

  7. Day 7overnight: Banff, AB

    Banff, AB

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

  8. Day 8

    Your Journey Ends in Calgary

    Check out and transfer from Banff to Calgary.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Class through the Fraser Valley and the Coast and Cascade Mountains toward Kamloops.
  • Day 4The Rocky Mountaineer continues from Kamloops, disembarking at Lake Louise for a two-night stay.
  • Day 5The Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola ride.
  • Day 7A gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain and a cruise on Lake Minnewanka in Banff.

Included

  • Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Lake Louise in SilverLeaf class
  • 2 nights' hotel stay in Vancouver
  • 1 night hotel stay in Kamloops
  • 2 nights' hotel stay in Lake Louise
  • 2 nights' hotel stay in Banff
  • Tour transfer from Lake Louise to Banff and shuttle transfer from Banff to Calgary
  • 5 meals (2 breakfasts, and 3 lunches)
  • Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour in Vancouver
  • Admission to the Vancouver Lookout
  • Sightseeing gondola ride in Lake Louise
  • Mountains, lakes and waterfalls tour in Banff
  • Banff gondola ride and lake cruise

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. Rocky Mountaineer travel in SilverLeaf Class from Vancouver to Lake Louise is included, covering the Fraser Valley, the Coast and Cascade Mountains, and the Canadian Rockies over two days.
Does the train continue all the way to Banff?
No. The Rocky Mountaineer ends at Lake Louise on day 4. The Lake Louise to Banff leg on day 6 and the final transfer to Calgary are by road.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It combines both. Vancouver is explored with a hop-on hop-off pass, while the Banff mountains, lakes and waterfalls tour and Lake Louise's sightseeing gondola are guided inclusions.
What is included in the price?
Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf travel from Vancouver to Lake Louise, two nights each in Vancouver, Lake Louise, and Banff, one night in Kamloops, 5 meals, the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola, a Banff mountains, lakes and waterfalls tour, and a Banff gondola ride with lake cruise.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers lists 14 accommodation options across Vancouver, Kamloops, 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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