Great Rail Journeys · Independent

Canadian Rocky Rail Adventure

10-day independent Rockies trip on Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail

Canadian Rocky Rail Adventure, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Great Rail Journeys runs this 10-day independent trip through the Canadian Rockies, starting and ending in Vancouver. Two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, in a choice of Silverleaf or Goldleaf service, carry you from Vancouver to Kamloops and on to Banff, passing Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885. A guided tour of Banff visits the Cave and Basin historic site, followed by free time at Lake Louise and a stop at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier on the way to Jasper. From Jasper, VIA Rail's Canadian carries you overnight back to Vancouver in Sleeper Plus accommodation, with a three-course dinner and local wines served in the dining car. It suits travellers who want two distinct scenic train rides through the Rockies, some rail history, and free time in mountain towns, without a full tour escort.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are offered as options in several cities (for example the Rimrock Resort or the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff), so the exact hotel depends on which option you choose.
  • The Rocky Mountaineer is offered in a choice of Silverleaf or Goldleaf service, and VIA Rail's Canadian offers a choice of semi-private berths or a private cabin; the evidence does not specify which is the base option.
  • The trip includes overnight flights both ways, London to Vancouver at the start and Vancouver to London at the end, in addition to the rail journeys.

Day by day

  1. Day 0overnight: Flight

    Outbound Travel – Getting to Vancouver

    Your adventure begins today when you take your flight from London to Vancouver.

  2. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    On arrival in Vancouver today you'll be transferred to your hotel in the centre of the city. Take some time to explore this coastal gem and do some shopping, and check out the local food scene in one of the many restaurants in town. If you want to explore further afield, catch a ferry over to Granville Island, where there's a pretty harbour for a stroll along, or go shopping in the sprawling shopping district. Alternatively, take it easy at the city's aquarium, or simply relax with a coffee and watch the world go by.

  3. Day 2railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer

    This morning you'll board the Rocky Mountaineer train and enjoy your first lavish breakfast onboard. Choose either the Silverleaf Service or the Goldleaf service. Enjoy complimentary drinks and local knowledge from an onboard storyteller. Meals are served at your seat with Silverleaf or in the dining room with Goldleaf. Travel through the Coastal Mountains to the Fraser River, enjoy a three-course lunch as you pass Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the Thompson River. Arrive at Kamloops this evening and transfer to your hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  4. Day 3overnight: Banff

    Rocky Mountaineer

    Your journey continues early this morning when you board the Rocky Mountaineer once more and travel through the Canadian Rockies. See Craigellachie (where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railways was driven in 1885), the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, and Roger's Pass. Arrive in the alpine resort town of Banff tonight and transfer to your hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 4overnight: Banff

    Banff

    This morning you'll enjoy a guided tour of Banff, visiting the Cave and Basin (historic site where Canada's National Park System began in 1885), Tunnel Mountain Drive, and the Hoodoos. The afternoon is free time to discover more of Banff on your own or add an optional excursion such as a helicopter tour over Mount Assiniboine or an evening wildlife safari.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 5overnight: Lake Louise

    Lake Louise

    Today you'll enjoy a transfer through picturesque landscapes from Banff to Lake Louise. On arrival in the alpine hamlet of Lake Louise you'll be transferred to your hotel and have free time to explore. Take a walk around the glacier-fed lake and admire the beautiful landscapes, or cosy up with a hot chocolate by a fire and admire the views.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Icefields Parkway to Jasper

    Travel from Lake Louise to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway, stopping at the Columbia Icefield where you'll ride an Ice Explorer onto the impressive Athabasca Glacier. Arrive in Jasper in the afternoon with free time to explore this stunning alpine town, including the local food scene.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 7railovernight: On train (The Canadian)

    VIA Rail's The Canadian

    Today you'll make your way to the station and board VIA Rail's Canadian. Get comfortable in your Sleeper Plus accommodation with the option to reserve a private cabin. Enjoy fine dining from the three-course menu in the dining car, plus a selection of local wines and beers. Dietary requirements are accommodated. Dinner is served onboard as you head overnight towards Vancouver.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 8overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    On arrival in Vancouver, make your way to your hotel and spend free time exploring the city. Walk along the ocean side pathways and the seawall around Stanley Park, explore the food scene, enjoy shopping, or add an optional excursion such as Flyover Canada or the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 9overnight: Flight

    Vancouver to the UK (Overnight Flight)

    Your adventure comes to its close today when you are transferred to Vancouver airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.

  11. Day 10

    Arrive back in the UK

    You'll arrive back into the UK today, having made new memories and new friends on your epic trip.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The Rocky Mountaineer passes Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885, on the way to Banff.
  • Day 4A guided tour of Banff visits the Cave and Basin, the historic site where Canada's National Park System began in 1885.
  • Day 6An Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier breaks up the drive along the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper.
  • Day 7Aboard VIA Rail's Canadian, dinner is a three-course menu with local wines and beers as the train heads overnight to Vancouver.

Included

  • Hotel accommodation for 7 nights
  • 2 days of scenic rail travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer (Silverleaf or Goldleaf service)
  • Rail travel on VIA Rail Canada (1 night on train, Sleeper Plus accommodation)
  • Return flights from London to Vancouver
  • Airport transfers in Vancouver
  • 8 meals
  • Guided tour of Banff (Cave and Basin, Tunnel Mountain Drive, Hoodoos)
  • Transfer from Banff to Lake Louise
  • Transfer along Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes 2 days of scenic rail travel on the Rocky Mountaineer (Silverleaf or Goldleaf) and 1 night aboard VIA Rail's Canadian in Sleeper Plus accommodation.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's an independent trip, with free time built in, for example an afternoon on your own in Banff.
Which trains are used?
The Rocky Mountaineer (Vancouver to Banff via Kamloops) and VIA Rail's The Canadian (Jasper to Vancouver).
What hotels are used?
Hotels vary by city, with choices such as the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre or Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, and the Rimrock Resort or Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff.
How much walking is involved?
There is a walk around Lake Louise and along the Stanley Park seawall in Vancouver, plus a guided tour of Banff; no strenuous hikes are described.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance.

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