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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Grand Canadian Rockies Discovery Eastbound

Independent Canadian Rockies rail vacation from Vancouver to Calgary

Illustration of Grand Canadian Rockies Discovery Eastbound

Railbookers runs this nine-day, eight-night independent rail vacation from Vancouver to Calgary through the Canadian Rockies. The first three nights are in Vancouver, where day 2 brings a sightseeing tour of the Waterfront, Chinatown, and Gastown with a guided walking tour of Stanley Park, and day 3 is a day trip to Victoria's Inner Harbour and the Butchart Gardens. On day 4, travelers board an overnight VIA Rail train, the Canadian, eastbound to Jasper, waking on day 5 to views of the Canadian Rockies. Day 6 continues along the Icefields Parkway to Banff, stopping at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk. Two nights in Banff include a Banff Gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain on day 7 and a tour of Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon on day 8. The trip ends on day 9 with a shuttle transfer to Calgary Airport, suiting independent travelers who want a compact look at the Rockies without arranging trains or tours themselves.

What to know before you look closer

  • The overnight VIA Rail segment is Economy accommodations, not a private cabin; a private sleeping cabin upgrade with meals included is available as an optional extra.
  • Only two meals (two lunches) are included across the 9-day trip; other meals are on your own.
  • The listed hotels are a set of 20 accommodation options across price tiers and cities; the specific hotel depends on the tier and city choice, not a single fixed stay.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Your Journey Begins in Vancouver

    Check in at your hotel for a two-night stay and start exploring this nature lover's paradise.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

    Sightseeing tour taking in the Waterfront, Chinatown, Gastown, followed by a guided walking tour of Stanley Park.

  3. Day 3overnight: Vancouver

    Day Trip to Victoria and The Butchart Gardens

    Scenic ride to Victoria, exploring the Inner Harbour and visiting the famous Butchart Gardens. Return to Vancouver in the evening.

  4. Day 4railovernight: VIA Rail

    Overnight Onboard VIA Rail

    Board the Canadian train eastbound to Jasper. Head to the observation car for the scenery.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Jasper, AB

    Wake up in the Canadian Rockies, take in views of Pyramid Falls, and arrive in Jasper to travel on your own to your hotel.

  6. Day 6overnight: Banff

    Icefields Parkway and Columbia Icefields Tour to Banff

    Depart Jasper for Banff along the Icefields Parkway, visiting the Columbia Icefield, riding the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk.

    Meals: L

  7. Day 7overnight: Banff

    Banff, AB

    Stroll through the mountain town of Banff. Ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain.

  8. Day 8overnight: Banff

    Mountains, Lake Louise, and Waterfalls Tour

    Explore Lake Louise and tour Johnston Canyon. Hot buffet lunch included at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Return to Banff in the evening.

    Meals: L

  9. Day 9

    Your Journey Ends in Calgary

    Check out of your hotel and meet your transfer driver for a short ride to Calgary Airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A day trip to Victoria explores the Inner Harbour and the Butchart Gardens.
  • Day 4Travelers board an overnight VIA Rail train, the Canadian, eastbound to Jasper.
  • Day 6Travel along the Icefields Parkway to Banff includes an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk.
  • Day 7The Banff Gondola rides to the summit of Sulphur Mountain.
  • Day 8A tour visits Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon, with a hot buffet lunch at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. One-way overnight VIA Rail travel from Vancouver to Jasper on the Canadian is included in Economy accommodations.
Is the overnight train a private sleeper cabin?
No, the included fare is Economy accommodations. A private sleeping cabin upgrade with meals is available as an optional extra.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Day 5 in Jasper involves traveling on your own to the hotel, alongside guided tours such as Victoria and the Icefields Parkway.
Which hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 20 accommodation options across the trip's stops and price tiers, including hotels such as the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver and The Crimson Jasper in Jasper; the exact hotel depends on the tier and city option chosen.
What is included besides the trains and hotels?
A Vancouver sightseeing tour and Stanley Park walking tour, a day trip to Victoria and the Butchart Gardens, the Icefields Parkway and Columbia Icefield tour with an Ice Explorer ride and Glacier Skywalk, the Banff Gondola, and a Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon tour with a hot buffet lunch.
Where does the trip end?
The itinerary ends with a hotel checkout in Banff and a shuttle transfer to Calgary Airport.

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