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Rocky Mountaineer · Rail vacation package

First Passage to the West Classic Banff - 5-nights

Two-day Rocky Mountaineer rail journey from Vancouver to Banff with hotel stays.

Illustration of First Passage to the West Classic Banff - 5-nights

The First Passage to the West Classic Banff is a 6-day, 5-night package operated by Rocky Mountaineer that combines a two-day scenic rail journey with hotel stays and free time to explore. The trip starts in Vancouver, where you have two full days to discover the coastal city on your own before boarding Rocky Mountaineer early on Day 3. The train travels eastward through the Fraser Canyon, passing Hell's Gate and following the Thompson River toward the Canadian Rockies. On Day 4, you continue through Craigellachie (site of the final spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway), Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, and the Spiral Tunnels, arriving in Banff by evening. You stay in moderate 3-star hotels in Kamloops and receive accommodations in Vancouver and Banff; the operator does not specify exact hotel names. Meals onboard consist of two breakfasts and two lunches. This package suits first-time rail travellers seeking a short, scenic introduction, repeat rail enthusiasts familiar with the Rocky Mountaineer experience, and independent explorers who value free time to plan their own activities in major cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package price from CAD 4084 is per guest with double occupancy; the final price and hotel tier are confirmed once a date is selected.
  • Only two meals are included onboard the train (two breakfasts and two lunches); other meals are not covered.
  • Two days in the itinerary (Days 1 and 2 in Vancouver, Day 5 in Banff) are completely free with no guided activities or provided arrangements.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic coastal city on your own - Stanley Park, a small ferry to Granville Island, or much more.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver (free day)

    Free time to relax or book your own activities at leisure - historic Gastown, Yaletown dining, or the Stanley Park Seawall.

  3. Day 3overnight: Kamloops

    Vancouver to Kamloops

    Depart early morning aboard Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Kamloops. Highlights include Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the Thompson River.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Banff

    Kamloops to Banff

    Continue eastward to the Canadian Rockies. Highlights include Craigellachie, Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon and the Spiral Tunnels. The rail journey ends this evening in Banff.

  5. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Banff (free day)

    Free time to relax or book activities at leisure - the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, the Banff hot springs, or outdoor wildlife adventures.

  6. Day 6

    Depart Banff

    Journey ends upon checkout from your Banff hotel.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Rocky Mountaineer departs Vancouver early morning and passes Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and follows the Thompson River eastward.
  • Day 4Day 4: The train reaches Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, then climbs through Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, and the Spiral Tunnels before arriving in Banff.

Included

  • 5 hotel nights: Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff
  • 2 days onboard Rocky Mountaineer, SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service
  • 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches onboard the train
  • Luggage handling and rail station transfers in Kamloops

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes two days aboard Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service, with luggage handling and transfers in Kamloops also covered.
What meals are provided?
Two breakfasts and two lunches are included onboard the train during the two rail days. Other meals are not included.
Is this an escorted tour?
No. The itinerary includes two free days in Vancouver and two free days in Banff where you arrange your own activities. You travel independently between hotels except for the two scheduled train days.
How many nights do you spend on the train?
None. You stay in hotels each night: two nights in Vancouver, one in Kamloops, and two in Banff. The train journey is daytime travel only.
What are the route highlights?
Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon, the Thompson River, Craigellachie (where the final spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven), Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, and the Spiral Tunnels.
When does this package operate?
The operator publishes no seasonal dates or departures in the current listing. Confirm availability and operating months directly with Rocky Mountaineer before booking.

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