Search

Rocky Mountaineer · Rail route (multiple package options built on it)

Rainforest to Gold Rush

Vancouver to Jasper on Rocky Mountaineer through rainforest and gold rush country

Illustration of Rainforest to Gold Rush

Rocky Mountaineer's Rainforest to Gold Rush journey carries you from Vancouver to Jasper across three days on a premium rail service through British Columbia's most dramatic landscapes. The train departs North Vancouver and follows Horseshoe Bay and Howe Sound's scenic fjords before entering the Coast Mountains toward Whistler, your first overnight stop. On Day 2, you travel north through the Fraser River Valley, passing gold-flecked canyons where prospectors once worked, with onboard chefs preparing three-course lunches. The final day carries you through Northern British Columbia's wilderness of lakes and waterfalls toward Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Throughout, onboard Hosts narrate the journey and share regional stories. Breakfast and lunch are served each day, along with all beverages. You'll have independent time to explore Whistler and Quesnel. This journey suits repeat rail travellers, history lovers drawn to the gold rush era, and photographers seeking dramatic mountain and river scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package includes overnight accommodation in Whistler and Quesnel, but the operator does not specify hotel names or standards in the published information; confirm specific properties when booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Whistler

    Vancouver to Whistler

    Departing from North Vancouver, you'll wind your way along Horseshoe Bay and the scenic fjords of Howe Sound. Start the day taking in stunning views of the surrounding mountains and sea before being served breakfast onboard. As you pass Squamish you'll leave the ocean behind and find yourself amid the majestic Coast Mountains, Whistler-bound, with views of The Chief. You'll pull into the Pemberton station, leaving time to unwind in Whistler: walk through the village and its shops and restaurants, or take the Peak-2-Peak Gondola.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Quesnel

    Whistler to Quesnel

    Continuing north from Whistler, you'll follow the Fraser River Valley through some of the most contrasting landscapes in Western Canada, where rushing rivers meet arid expanses, through gold-flecked canyons once travelled by gold prospectors. Enjoy breakfast and coffee in the morning and a three-course lunch prepared by onboard chefs, with Hosts sharing stories about the region. As the train ascends you'll be surrounded by vast lakes and mountains. You'll receive a warm welcome pulling into Quesnel, where you can cross the historic Fraser River Footbridge.

  3. Day 3

    Quesnel to Jasper

    Departing Quesnel, you'll continue your Jasper-bound journey through the wilds of Northern BC, passing serene lakes, rushing waterfalls, and increasingly mountainous terrain. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a gourmet lunch inspired by the diverse flavours and local ingredients of Western Canada. Your Hosts will point out the most prominent peaks, including Mount Robson, the highest in the Canadian Rockies, as you make your way east towards Jasper, where the journey ends.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Depart North Vancouver and wind along Horseshoe Bay through the scenic fjords of Howe Sound before entering the Coast Mountains toward Whistler, with views of The Chief.
  • Day 2Day 2: Follow the Fraser River Valley through gold-flecked canyons once travelled by gold prospectors, ascending through contrasting landscapes of rushing rivers and arid expanses.
  • Day 3Day 3: Pass serene lakes and waterfalls in Northern British Columbia while approaching Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

Included

  • Breakfast and lunch onboard each day (regionally-inspired flavours and local ingredients)
  • Tea, coffee, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages onboard

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price covers all rail travel on the Rocky Mountaineer, breakfast and lunch onboard each day, and beverages including tea, coffee, and alcohol.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is a hybrid. Onboard Hosts narrate the train journey and share regional stories. Time in Whistler and Quesnel is independent and self-guided.
How long is the journey?
Three days and two nights, departing Vancouver and arriving in Jasper, with overnight stops in Whistler and Quesnel.
What are the train class options?
Rocky Mountaineer offers GoldLeaf and SilverLeaf service classes on this route.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and lunch onboard each day, prepared by onboard chefs and inspired by regional and local ingredients. All beverages are included.
Can I travel westbound as well as eastbound?
Yes. The route operates eastbound from Vancouver to Jasper and westbound from Jasper to Vancouver, with different starting prices for each direction.

Similar journeys