Railbookers · Independent rail package

Grand Circle of the Canadian Rockies

Independent Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail circle through the Canadian Rockies

Railbookers operates Grand Circle of the Canadian Rockies, a 9-day, 8-night independent rail package that both starts and ends in Vancouver, British Columbia, forming a loop through Western Canada. The package combines two named rail journeys, Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail, and travelers set their own pace at each stop rather than following a guided group schedule. From Vancouver the route follows the Fraser River and Fraser Canyon by rail to Kamloops, through terrain the operator describes as accessible only by train. The circle then continues to Banff and Lake Louise, where travelers spend time near emerald-colored lakes and waterfalls, before a road journey along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. From Jasper, rail travel returns travelers to Vancouver to close the loop. This trip suits travelers who want two distinct scenic rail experiences bundled into one independent circle, alongside mountain and river scenery, without a guide leading each day.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator's description does not include a day-by-day itinerary; confirm the exact schedule and hotel stops with Railbookers before booking.
  • Part of this circle, between the Banff and Lake Louise area and Jasper, travels by road along the Icefields Parkway rather than by train.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in this trip?
Yes. The package includes travel aboard Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail through the Canadian Rockies.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail package. Railbookers arranges the Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail travel while travelers explore each stop on their own.
Which places does the trip visit?
The route runs from Vancouver, BC, to Kamloops, BC, Banff, AB, Lake Louise, AB, and Jasper, AB, before returning to Vancouver.
Is the whole route by train?
No. The segment between the Banff and Lake Louise area and Jasper travels along the Icefields Parkway by road, while Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail cover the rest.
How much does it cost?
Prices start at 3,499 USD for the 9-day, 8-night package, about 389 USD per day.

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