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Rocky Mountaineer · Rail vacation package

Rainforest to Gold Rush Classic

Seven-day rail journey from Vancouver to Jasper through Canadian wilderness

Illustration of Rainforest to Gold Rush Classic

Rocky Mountaineer's Rainforest to Gold Rush Classic is a seven-day, six-night rail vacation from Vancouver to Jasper that combines independent exploration with three days aboard the GoldLeaf train. You begin with two unguided days in Vancouver, free to visit Stanley Park, Granville Island, or the seawall. On Day 3, Rocky Mountaineer departs Vancouver and travels through the Sea to Sky Corridor to Whistler, passing Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains. Day 4 takes you from Whistler via motorcoach to Pemberton station, then by train through river canyons and farmland to Quesnel. On Day 5, the train follows the Fraser River through northern British Columbia's forests toward Jasper, entering the Rocky Mountain Trench with views of Mount Robson. Accommodation includes Fairmont properties in Vancouver and Jasper, with single nights in Whistler and Quesnel. The trip suits luxury seekers drawn to five-star hotels and dome-car rail travel, repeat rail travellers, independent explorers who value free time in cities, and photographers seeking mountain and river scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • Days 1 and 2 in Vancouver are unguided; Rocky Mountaineer does not arrange activities or transportation on those days.
  • The itinerary shows hotels listed as 'Whistler Accommodation' and 'Quesnel Accommodation' without specific names or ratings; confirm final properties with the operator.
  • The package price excludes flights to and from Canada.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver at leisure

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

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver at leisure

    Enjoy the day with free time to relax or book your own activities at your leisure. Vancouver has activities for all interests, including visiting historic Gastown, dining in lively Yaletown, or enjoying a walk on the Stanley Park Seawall. No matter what you choose to do, the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean surround you.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Whistler

    Rail: Vancouver to Whistler

    Departing early in the morning, you'll be taken on a breathtaking rail journey through the stunning scenery of the Sea to Sky Corridor. Travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to the resort town of Whistler, renowned for outstanding skiing and mountain biking, an array of culinary delights and year-round outdoor activities. Highlights include spectacular views of Howe Sound, the Coast Mountains, Brandywine Falls, Mount Garibaldi and the impressive Cheakamus Canyon. You'll arrive in the early afternoon and the remainder of the day is at your own leisure. Activities: Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre (admission included).

  4. Day 4railovernight: Quesnel

    Rail: Whistler to Quesnel

    A pre-arranged motorcoach will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and take you to the Pemberton train station (approximately a 35-minute drive), where you will board the Rocky Mountaineer train and travel to the charming rural town of Quesnel, the gateway to the North Cariboo. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley, through the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, to rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau. Highlights include the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacier-fed Seton Lake, sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon, and the crossing of Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world. Your day concludes as the train follows the banks of the Fraser River into Quesnel.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Jasper

    Rail: Quesnel to Jasper

    Early in the morning, your journey continues eastward to the majestic Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park. From Quesnel, you will follow the Fraser River north to the town of Prince George, then travel east through the forests of northern British Columbia, home to plentiful wildlife, including a large population of moose, caribou and bears. Upon entering the Rocky Mountain Trench, you are surrounded by the steeply rising Rocky Mountains to the north and the Cariboo Mountains to the south. You'll continue climbing past Mount Robson, at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet), the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, through Yellowhead Pass into the province of Alberta. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Jasper in the evening.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrive in Vancouver and explore at your own pace, discovering Stanley Park, Granville Island by ferry, historic Gastown, or the Stanley Park Seawall.
  • Day 3Board Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver and travel through the Sea to Sky Corridor to Whistler, with views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains.
  • Day 4A motorcoach from Whistler takes you to Pemberton station, then Rocky Mountaineer travels through river canyons and the Pemberton Valley to Quesnel.
  • Day 5The train follows the Fraser River north toward Prince George, then travels east through forests of northern British Columbia to Jasper and the Rocky Mountain Trench, with views of Mount Robson.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the package price?
Yes. The price from GBP 4,418 includes three days aboard Rocky Mountaineer's GoldLeaf service from Vancouver to Whistler, Whistler to Quesnel, and Quesnel to Jasper.
Which hotels are included?
The package includes stays at Fairmont Pacific Rim or Fairmont Hotel Vancouver in Vancouver (2 nights), Whistler Accommodation (1 night), Quesnel Accommodation (1 night), and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The specific Whistler and Quesnel properties depend on availability.
Is the trip guided or independent?
The first two days in Vancouver are entirely independent. Days 3 to 5 involve travel aboard Rocky Mountaineer. A motorcoach transfers you from your Whistler hotel to Pemberton station on Day 4. No guide accompanies you; you explore at your own pace.
What is the physical demand?
The evidence pack does not detail walking distances or activity intensity, so we cannot describe the physical level. Confirm the specific demands with Rocky Mountaineer before booking.
When does this trip run?
Rocky Mountaineer publishes no departure calendar in the available information. Contact the operator directly to confirm dates and availability.

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