Canadian Rockies Trains · Independent rail vacation

Circle the Rockies Extended Getaway

9-day Vancouver rail loop with two Rocky Mountaineer journeys via the Rockies

Circle the Rockies Extended Getaway, a rail journey with Canadian Rockies Trains

Canadian Rockies Trains runs this 9-day, 8-night independent rail vacation in a loop from Vancouver, with two separate Rocky Mountaineer journeys totaling four days on the train. The first two days run from Vancouver to Jasper via Kamloops, passing the Fraser Valley, Hell's Gate, Pyramid Falls, and Mount Robson. Two nights in Jasper include a choice of a sightseeing tour or the Jasper Skytram, followed by a full-day Icefields Parkway tour to Banff and two nights there with a choice of a gondola and cruise tour or an e-bike tour. The second Rocky Mountaineer journey then runs from Banff back to Vancouver via Kamloops, passing Craigellachie and the Spiral Tunnels. The Classic tier uses 3 to 3.5-star hotels with SilverLeaf service; the Premium tier upgrades to 4 to 4.5-star hotels, including the Fairmont Banff Springs, with GoldLeaf service. This suits travelers who want to see the Rockies from the train twice rather than once.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Classic tier uses 3 to 3.5-star hotels (including the Banff Ptarmigan Inn) with SilverLeaf Rocky Mountaineer service, while the Premium tier uses 4 to 4.5-star hotels (including the Fairmont Banff Springs) with GoldLeaf service, so the specific hotel depends on the tier booked.
  • The evidence pack does not list current departure dates or a full season; confirm scheduling directly with the operator.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Arrive in Vancouver

    Welcome to Vancouver! This west coast city on the mainland of British Columbia is surrounded by stunning scenery, towering mountains, temperate rainforest, and the Pacific Ocean.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer Train - Vancouver to Kamloops

    Bright and early this morning, board the Rocky Mountaineer in Vancouver and begin your journey north. Travel through the lush Fraser Valley, then pass the Coast Mountains, the powerful Fraser River and Hell's Gate. The landscape becomes more arid as you approach British Columbia's interior and the city of Kamloops.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Jasper

    Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops to Jasper

    Your second day onboard Rocky Mountaineer begins! Follow the North Thompson River, cross the Continental Divide, and climb over Yellowhead Pass to reach Jasper National Park. Dramatic scenery is all around you on this journey, with highlights including Pyramid Falls, a stunning three-tiered waterfall, and Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Discover Jasper National Park

    Explore the untamed wilderness and wildlife of Jasper National Park, the largest park in the Canadian Rockies. You have 2 options to choose from today: Jasper Sightseeing Tour, Jasper Skytram Experience with Shuttle.

  5. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Jasper to Banff

    Today's full-day tour takes you along the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff. Enjoy endless views of mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, and forests.

  6. Day 6overnight: Banff

    Explore Banff National Park

    Discover the spectacular highlights of Banff, Canada's oldest national park and part of the Canadian Rockies UNESCO World Heritage Site, on your choice of tour today. In the evening, stroll through the lively townsite, browse the small gift shops and dine at one of the excellent restaurants. You have 2 options to choose from today: Banff Sightseeing Tour with Gondola and Cruise, Banff Townsite Explorer E-Bike Tour.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer Train - Banff to Kamloops

    Your second Rocky Mountaineer journey begins today! Travel between the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies, past sparkling lakes and rushing rivers, as you head to the ranchlands of British Columbia's interior. Discover the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway, pass Craigellachie, where the last spike was driven, and go through the remarkable Spiral Tunnels, an engineering marvel.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Vancouver

    Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops to Vancouver

    Re-board the Rocky Mountaineer this morning. Travel through the semi-arid landscape of British Columbia's interior, see the powerful waters of Hell's Gate, and pass by the beautiful Coast Mountains. There are dramatic changes in scenery today, ending with the lush farmland of the Fraser Valley and arrival in Vancouver.

  9. Day 9rail

    Depart from Vancouver

    Your Canadian Rockies train vacation ends today as you depart from Vancouver. Return home with amazing memories of your time in Canada.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Rocky Mountaineer's first day out of Vancouver follows the Fraser Valley, the Coast Mountains, the Fraser River, and Hell's Gate.
  • Day 3The second Rocky Mountaineer day crosses the Continental Divide and Yellowhead Pass, passing Pyramid Falls and Mount Robson into Jasper National Park.
  • Day 7A second Rocky Mountaineer journey from Banff passes Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, and through the Spiral Tunnels.

Included

  • Rocky Mountaineer daylight train journey
  • Gratuities for Rocky Mountaineer
  • Meals onboard the train
  • Hotel accommodation
  • Sightseeing tours in the Rockies
  • Train station transfers
  • Electronic travel documentation package

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, four days total: the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Jasper and from Banff back to Vancouver, both via Kamloops, in SilverLeaf (Classic) or GoldLeaf (Premium) service.
Is it escorted or independent?
Independent; Canadian Rockies Trains lists this as an "Independent rail vacation," with a choice of sightseeing tours in Jasper and Banff.
Which train is used?
The Rocky Mountaineer, on a circular route from Vancouver to Jasper and Banff back to Vancouver, via Kamloops.
What hotels are included?
The Classic tier uses 3 to 3.5-star hotels and the Premium tier uses 4 to 4.5-star hotels; named properties include the Banff Ptarmigan Inn, the Fairmont Banff Springs, and the Pan Pacific Vancouver.
When does it run?
The evidence pack does not list specific departure dates.

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