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Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Highlights of the Canadian Rockies

Rocky Mountaineer scenic rail journey through Canadian Rockies, Vancouver to Calgary

Illustration of Highlights of the Canadian Rockies

Marvellous Escapes operates this 13-day tailor-made rail holiday through Canada's western mountains and valleys. You depart the UK and arrive in Vancouver, where you have three days to explore the city's waterfront and Stanley Park via Hop-On Hop-Off bus, and take a full-day excursion to Victoria and the Butchart Gardens. On day 4, you board the Rocky Mountaineer, a luxury daytime train with panoramic viewing carriages, for a two-day journey from Vancouver through river canyons and dramatic mountain passes to Kamloops and then Jasper. From Jasper, you continue by coach and guided activities through some of the Canadian Rockies' most celebrated terrain: the Icefields Parkway with its glacier-fed rivers and the Columbia Icefield, Lake Louise with its turquoise water and chairlift views, and Banff National Park, including Moraine Lake and Takakkaw Falls. A final coach transfer takes you to Calgary for your return overnight flight. The itinerary mixes structured rail travel and guided excursions with leisure time in mountain towns and resort areas.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a tailor-made tour; confirm current departure dates and exact included hotel chains with Marvellous Escapes before booking.
  • Only two days are spent aboard the Rocky Mountaineer; the remainder uses coach, sightseeing lift, and hotel-based exploration.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Depart the UK and arrive in Vancouver. Transfer to your hotel, settle in, and enjoy your evening exploring the city’s waterfront, or relax after your flight.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Enjoy a 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour to discover the best of Vancouver, from Stanley Park and Granville Island to Gastown’s charming cobbled streets.

  3. Day 3overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Today you take a full-day tour to Victoria, renowned for its colonial architecture and harbourfront, and the famous Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre floral display, before returning to Vancouver.

  4. Day 4overnight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer - Vancouver to Kamloops

    Board the legendary Rocky Mountaineer for your first day of daylight travel through river valleys and dramatic canyons.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Rocky Mountaineer - Kamloops to Jasper

    Continue your journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Kamloops to Jasper, winding through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Canadian Rockies.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Jasper

    Today you'll explore the natural beauty of Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on a guided wildlife discovery tour with local driver-guides.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lake Louise

    Lake Louise

    Today enjoy the spectacular Icefields Parkway Discovery Tour, including the Columbia Icefield Adventure, Glacier Skywalk, and lunch.

  8. Day 8overnight: Lake Louise

    Lake Louise

    Take in the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies from an open chairlift or gondola, with panoramic views of glaciers, alpine valleys and tranquil crystal lakes, and a chance to spot grizzly bears.

  9. Day 9overnight: Banff

    Banff

    Explore the most treasured spots in the Canadian Rockies on a scenic excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks, including Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the Spiral Tunnels and Takakkaw Falls, with a hot lunch at Emerald Lake Lodge.

  10. Day 10overnight: Banff

    Banff

    Today ascend the Banff Gondola for spectacular panoramic views over Banff National Park, the surrounding mountains and the Bow Valley.

  11. Day 11overnight: Calgary

    Calgary

    This morning, enjoy a comfortable Brewster shuttle transfer from Banff to Calgary, taking in the final glimpses of the Rockies, with the remainder of the day at leisure.

  12. Day 12

    Return home

    Transfer to Calgary Airport for your return overnight flight to the UK.

  13. Day 13

    Return home

    Transfer to Calgary Airport for your return overnight flight to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Full-day tour to Victoria, including the Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre floral display.
  • Day 4Day 4: Board the Rocky Mountaineer for daylight travel from Vancouver through river valleys and dramatic canyons to Kamloops.
  • Day 5Day 5: Continue aboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Kamloops through the Canadian Rockies to Jasper.
  • Day 7Day 7: Icefields Parkway Discovery Tour, including the Columbia Icefield Adventure and Glacier Skywalk with lunch.
  • Day 9Day 9: Scenic excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks visiting Moraine Lake, Spiral Tunnels, and Takakkaw Falls, with lunch at Emerald Lake Lodge.

Included

  • 3-nights hotel accommodation in Vancouver
  • Overnight hotel accommodation in Kamloops and Calgary
  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise
  • Flights from UK to Vancouver and return from Calgary
  • Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver to Jasper
  • Hop-on, hop-off bus tour in Vancouver
  • Icefields Parkway Discovery Tour
  • Lake Louise Sightseeing Lift
  • Wildlife Discovery Tour

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The price includes return flights from the UK, two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer (Vancouver to Jasper), and all listed tours and transfers.
Which train is used?
The Rocky Mountaineer, operating Vancouver to Kamloops and Kamloops to Jasper, with daylight-only travel and panoramic viewing carriages.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
A mix of both. The Rocky Mountaineer journey and most excursions (wildlife tour, Icefields Parkway, chairlifts) are guided or included activities. Some time in Vancouver and Calgary is at leisure.
What hotels are included?
Three nights in Vancouver, one each in Kamloops and Calgary, and two each in Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff. Marvellous Escapes specifies these as a tailor-made tour; exact hotel names depend on your booking preferences.
How much walking is involved?
City walking in Vancouver and Victoria, chairlift rides, and guided tours with moderate walking. No strenuous hikes are mentioned.
When does this tour run?
Marvellous Escapes does not publish fixed departure dates. Contact them to confirm availability for your desired travel dates.

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