Canada Rail (canadarail.ca) · Independent Tour

Rockies Circle Essentials

Rocky Mountaineer circle tour from Vancouver through Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff

Rockies Circle Essentials, a rail journey with Canada Rail (canadarail.ca)

Canada Rail operates this 9-day, 8-night independent rail and coach circle tour through the Canadian Rockies, starting and ending in Vancouver. After a day exploring Vancouver's Stanley Park, Granville Island and Gastown, the Rocky Mountaineer carries travelers east along the Fraser River and through the Rocky Mountain Trench to Jasper, with Mount Robson coming into view. A tour along the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise stops at the Columbia Icefield, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier, with an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier, and travelers spend a night at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. A guided tour crosses the Continental Divide into Yoho National Park en route to two nights in Banff, where a gondola ride climbs Sulphur Mountain. The Rocky Mountaineer then returns travelers to Vancouver over two more days, passing the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon and Rogers Pass. With four full days aboard the train and guided sightseeing between them, this trip suits travelers who want the most rail time of Canada Rail's Rockies circle tours.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence pack's route summary lists Banff as the endpoint, but the day-by-day itinerary and the named Rocky Mountaineer route both show the trip returning to Vancouver on day 8, ending there on day 9.
  • The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is named for 1 night; the evidence does not name the hotels used in Vancouver, Kamloops, Jasper, or Banff.
  • The complimentary Vancouver city tour is only included if you add a second night in Vancouver to the package; the base itinerary has just one Vancouver night at each end of the trip.
  • The from-price excludes transportation to and from the Vancouver airport, meals other than onboard the Rocky Mountaineer, gratuities for hotel and transfer staff, and Canada's 5% sales tax.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Vancouver

    Vancouver Arrival

    Start your trip by arriving in Vancouver, Canada’s third largest city. Due to its cultural diversity and bustling arts scene, this West Coast gem is home to several unique attractions. After a day of exploring popular destinations like Stanley Park, Granville Island and Gastown, you’ll soon realize why Vancouver is often called one of the most beautiful cities in the world. When you add a second night in Vancouver to your vacation package, you will receive a complimentary Vancouver city tour through Canada Rail Vacations! Spend tonight in your hotel in downtown Vancouver.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Vancouver to Kamloops

    Board the Rocky Mountaineer train in the morning and say goodbye to the coast! Your journey begins through the lush mountainsides of the Fraser Valley where you will travel alongside the mighty, salmon-filled waters of the Fraser River. This essential tour includes four full days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train, famous for its exquisite quality, excellent service and spectacular vistas in all directions. Travel through river canyons carved into some of Canada’s most glorious mountain ranges. Passing by geographic attractions like Hell’s Gate and through distinct ecological environments, you’ll eventually reach the drier habitat of the interior plateau. Spend tonight in your Kamloops hotel room.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Jasper

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops to Jasper

    Depart from Kamloops in the morning and travel along the shore of the North Thompson River. Passing through charming farming communities, you’ll eventually reach the Rocky Mountain Trench, sometimes called the Valley of a Thousand Peaks. There will be plenty of chances to spot wildlife and you’ll get an exclusive view of Pyramid Falls. Before your approach to Jasper, Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies, will be there to greet you. Spend tonight in your Jasper hotel room.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lake Louise

    Sightseeing Tour from Jasper to Lake Louise including Columbia Icefield Excursion

    Today you’re riding along the most beautiful highway in Canada, the Icefields Parkway. Highlights include stops at the powerful Athabasca Falls, the Columbia Icefield, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier. Pose for your new profile picture at one of these breathtaking locations. The highlight of the day will be at the Athabasca Glacier where you will climb aboard the Ice Explorer, a specialized bus that travels directly on to the glacier. Relax and listen as your guide explains all about its natural wonders. Tonight, you’ll be sleeping in style in your room at the picturesque Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

  5. Day 5overnight: Banff

    Lake Louise to Banff: Mountains, Lakes, and Waterfalls Tour

    Your motorcoach leaves in the morning and offers you a guided tour of the area between Lake Louise and Banff. Cross the Continental Divide, and pass through Yoho National Park, with sights such as Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Pass, Emerald Lake and the Natural Rock Bridge that spans across the Kicking Horse River. You will spend the next two nights in your hotel in the famously friendly mountain resort town of Banff.

  6. Day 6overnight: Banff

    Banff Sightseeing Tour including Gondola

    Today you’ll be on a 5-hour guided tour through the towering Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade and Norquay Mountains. Learn about the wind-shaped hoodoos and experience Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive. Take a gentle gondola ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for fantastic views, interpretive boardwalks and photo opportunities. The rest of the afternoon in Banff is yours to spend walking some local trails, playing golf or relaxing as you choose.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Banff to Kamloops

    Toast to being back aboard the Rocky Mountaineer! Once again, you’ll be passing by the snow-peaked mountains and crystal-clear waters that our country is famous for. This time highlights include; the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon and Rogers Pass. A dramatic change of scenery will take place as you approach the ranchlands of the interior plateau. You’ll spend another night in your Kamloops hotel room.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Vancouver

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Kamloops to Vancouver

    You’re on your way back to the coast today. Dine on locally sourced, gourmet meals as you wind through the changing scenery and take in that fresh mountain air. You’ll have spent four full days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train and we hope this last day is as magical as the rest have been. When you add a second night in Vancouver to your vacation package, you will receive a complimentary Vancouver city tour through Canada Rail Vacations! Arrive in Vancouver and spend the night in your downtown hotel room.

  9. Day 9rail

    Vancouver Departure

    Your vacation with us is complete upon checking out of your hotel room. The airport is a short taxi ride away. Thank you for travelling with Canada Rail Vacations, we hope to see you again.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Rocky Mountaineer follows the Fraser River through the Fraser Valley on the first of four days aboard the train.
  • Day 4The Icefields Parkway tour stops at Athabasca Falls, the Columbia Icefield, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier, with an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.
  • Day 5A guided tour crosses the Continental Divide into Yoho National Park, with stops at Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Pass, Emerald Lake and the Natural Rock Bridge.
  • Day 6A gondola ride climbs Sulphur Mountain above Banff after a guided tour past the Rundle, Tunnel, Cascade and Norquay Mountains.
  • Day 7The Rocky Mountaineer's return leg from Banff to Kamloops passes the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon and Rogers Pass.

Included

  • 4-day Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service
  • 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches onboard the train
  • 8 nights hotel accommodation
  • Icefields Parkway Tour, including Ice Explorer (Scenic transfer from late-October to early-May)
  • Yoho Park Tour from Lake Louise to Banff (Scenic transfer from late-October to early-May)
  • Explore Banff tour including Gondola
  • Complimentary Vancouver tour provided when an additional night in Vancouver is added to your vacation package (pre or post-tour)
  • Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Jasper, Kamloops, and Banff
  • Gratuities/tip for onboard train staff

Not included

  • Transportation to/from Vancouver airport (available, please ask for details)
  • Meals, other than onboard the Rocky Mountaineer
  • Gratuities/tip for hotel and transfer staff
  • Canadian 5% sales tax

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price of this trip?
Yes. Canada Rail includes four days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service, a round trip from Vancouver to Kamloops, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Kamloops and back to Vancouver, with 4 breakfasts and 4 lunches served onboard.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is sold as an independent tour, but most days include a guided sightseeing tour: the Icefields Parkway, Yoho National Park, and Banff, with free time in Vancouver and Banff.
Which train is used on this trip?
The Rocky Mountaineer, in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service, for four days of the nine-day trip.
What hotels are included?
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for 1 night. Other hotels used in Vancouver, Kamloops, Jasper, and Banff are not named in the evidence.
What is included in the price?
4 days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, 4 breakfasts and 4 lunches onboard, 8 nights of hotel accommodation, the Icefields Parkway tour with Ice Explorer, the Yoho Park tour from Lake Louise to Banff, and the Banff tour with gondola.
When does this trip run?
Canada Rail lists 90 departures, running from April through October in both 2026 and 2027.

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