Canada Rail (canadarail.ca) · Independent Tour

Rockies Glaciers & Gardens: Westbound

13-day Banff-to-Victoria tour combining the Rocky Mountaineer and Butchart Gardens

Rockies Glaciers & Gardens: Westbound, a rail journey with Canada Rail (canadarail.ca)

Canada Rail Vacations runs this 13-day independent tour westbound from Banff to Victoria, opening with two nights in Banff that include a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain. A guided tour then crosses into Yoho National Park en route to two nights at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, with a free day built in to canoe or hike independently. From Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway day rides the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier before two nights in Jasper, where a guided walk covers Maligne Canyon, described as 10,000 years of erosion forming the deepest canyon in the Rockies. Three days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service then run from Jasper through Quesnel and Whistler to Vancouver. The trip closes on Vancouver Island, with a ferry crossing past the Gulf Islands, an afternoon at Butchart Gardens, and a 3.5-hour whale-watching trip. It suits travelers who want a full mountain rail crossing and coastal sightseeing in a single booking, ending rather than starting on the coast.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one hotel is named in the evidence, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for two nights; the hotels used in Banff, Jasper, Quesnel, Whistler, Vancouver and Victoria are not specified.
  • Transportation from the Victoria hotel to the Victoria airport is listed as not included, along with gratuities for hotel and transfer staff and Canada's 5% sales tax.
  • The CAD 9,361 (about USD 6,591) from-price is the lowest of 24 listed departures, which run only April through September 2026; other dates cost up to CAD 12,234.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Banff

    Scenic transfer from Calgary to Banff

    Arrive in Calgary and take a two hour transfer to Banff, located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day enjoying walking trails, a trip to the natural hot springs or a round of golf at the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course. Spend the next two nights in your Banff hotel room.

  2. Day 2overnight: 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.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lake Louise

    Banff to Lake Louise: Mountains, Lakes and Waterfalls Tour

    Your bus leaves in the morning and offers you a guided tour of the area between Banff and Lake Louise. Cross the Continental Divide and pass through Yoho National Park, which offers scenic sights such as Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Pass, Emerald Lake and the Natural Rock Bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. You will spend the next two nights at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This world-famous lake is known as the Jewel of the Canadian Rockies and is one of the most photographed locations in the world.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lake Louise

    Free Day in Lake Louise

    Choose how you want to spend the day! Spend the day canoeing or hiking a scenic mountain trail or hang back, relax and take some pictures. Your vacation planner can give recommendations and help you arrange whatever kind of activity you choose.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Sightseeing Tour from Lake Louise to Jasper including Columbia Icefields Excursion

    Today, you’ll be touring the most beautiful highway in Canada, the Icefields Parkway. Highlights include stops at Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, the Columbia Icefield, and the powerful Athabasca Falls. While at the Athabasca Glacier, climb aboard the Ice Explorer, a specialized bus that travels directly onto the glacier. Listen as your guide explains all about its natural wonders. This is the day to pose for your new profile picture. Spend the next two nights in your Jasper hotel room.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jasper

    Jasper Sightseeing Tour

    Spend the first half of the day getting to know Jasper! First stop, Maligne Canyon, where 10,000 years of erosion have created the deepest canyon in the Rockies. Start with a short and easy walk, admiring the Maligne River and its many waterfalls. After that, it’s over to the disappearing Medicine Lake, followed by the fairy tale-like Maligne Lake. The afternoon and evening in Jasper will be free time to enjoy the town at your leisure.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Quesnel

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Jasper to Quesnel

    Mount Robson– the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies– greets you as you depart from Jasper National Park. Keep an eye out for wildlife through the Valley of a Thousand Peaks and view the dramatic Mount Terry Fox. The rolling mountains on your way to Quesnel are accentuated by the salmon-rich waters of the Fraser River. Spend the night in your Quesnel hotel room.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Whistler

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Quesnel to Whistler

    Today is another day spent aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Ginseng orchards grace the hilltops above tiny farming communities, and you’ll pass over one of the highest railway bridges in the world. Mount Currie looms over the rich Pemberton Valley, and you’ll be tempted to touch the crystal-clear waters of the passing lakes. Later, you’ll arrive in Whistler and be transferred to your hotel room, where you will spend the night. This unique resort town is known for its fine dining, nightlife and outdoor activities.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Vancouver

    Rocky Mountaineer Train from Whistler to Vancouver

    You have the morning to enjoy and explore Whistler. In the afternoon, travel along the Sea to Sky corridor by train, with the Coast Mountains on your left and the sparkling waters of an ocean inlet to your right. Enjoy a locally-sourced gourmet lunch as you relax and take in your surroundings. The mountain air will turn to ocean air as you approach Vancouver, where you will spend the next two nights in your downtown hotel room.

  10. Day 10overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver City Tour

    Today you will have a tour of Vancouver and it’s highlights. Embark on a journey through Vancouver’s contemporary urban landscapes, and visit iconic landmarks in Gastown, Chinatown, Granville Island, and the majestic Stanley Park. After a day in Vancouver, you’ll soon realize why Vancouver is often called one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Spend the night in your downtown Vancouver hotel room.

  11. Day 11overnight: Victoria

    Ferry to Victoria and the Butchart Gardens

    Board a ferry and relax to the gentle sway and sound of the ocean as you journey from Vancouver to Victoria. You’ll be able to see the Gulf Islands, mountain vistas, and sea life all from the outdoor deck. In the afternoon, you will transfer to Butchart Gardens. These famous gardens are one of the most spectacular floral displays in the world and home to hundreds of thousands of flowers. There are many different gardens to stroll through, including the Sunken Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Mediterranean Garden, to name a few. This is one of the most beloved tourist attractions in Canada and is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip. Later, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Spend the next two nights in your downtown Victoria hotel room.

  12. Day 12overnight: Victoria

    Whale Watching and Victoria Bus Tour

    Embark on a 3.5-hour whale-watching tour guided by a certified marine biologist. This exhilarating round trip will have you cruising out on the open waters of the Pacific Ocean and searching for wildlife. Playful dolphins poke their heads out of the water, and cuddly-looking sea otters float by as they snack on shellfish. If you are especially lucky, you may catch a glimpse of an Orca, Killer Whale, or Humpback Whale. Seeing one of these majestic creatures is a truly humbling and unforgettable experience. Afterwards, explore the city of Victoria on your included city tour. This tour will take you to several stops, including the Historical Craigdarroch Castle, the Parliament Building, and the pedestrian-friendly Cook Street Village, known for its café patios and boutiques.

  13. Day 13

    Victoria Departure

    Your tour with us ends upon checking out of your hotel in the afternoon. We hope you enjoyed your tour, and thank you for travelling with us!

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Banff Gondola climbs Sulphur Mountain past wind-shaped hoodoos and Surprise Corner along Tunnel Mountain Drive.
  • Day 3A Yoho National Park tour visits Takakkaw Falls, Kicking Horse Pass, Emerald Lake and the Natural Rock Bridge on the way to Lake Louise.
  • Day 5The Ice Explorer drives directly onto the Athabasca Glacier on the Icefields Parkway tour, which also passes Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake.
  • Day 6A guided walk through Maligne Canyon in Jasper, described as 10,000 years of erosion forming the deepest canyon in the Rockies, followed by Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake.
  • Day 11A ferry crossing to Victoria passes the Gulf Islands and mountain vistas, followed by an afternoon at Butchart Gardens, home to hundreds of thousands of flowers.

Included

  • 3-day Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service
  • 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches onboard the train
  • 12 nights hotel accommodation
  • Victoria City Tour including Butchart Gardens
  • Whale-watching tour in Victoria
  • Coach and ferry transfer to Victoria
  • Vancouver City Tour
  • Jasper Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake tour with gentle guided walk
  • Icefields Parkway Tour, including Ice Explorer (Scenic transfer from late-October to early-May)
  • Banff Tour including Banff Gondola
  • Yoho National Park Tour from Banff to Lake Louise (Scenic transfer from late-October to early-May)
  • Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops and Banff
  • Scenic transfer to Calgary
  • Gratuities/tip for onboard train staff

Not included

  • Transportation from Victoria hotel to Victoria 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 the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes 3 days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service, covering Jasper to Quesnel, Quesnel to Whistler and Whistler to Vancouver.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is listed as an Independent Tour, though most days include a scheduled guided tour (Banff, the Icefields Parkway, Jasper, Vancouver, Victoria and Butchart Gardens, whale watching), with one free day at Lake Louise.
Which train is used?
The Rocky Mountaineer, in GoldLeaf Service.
What hotels are included?
The evidence names one hotel, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, for two nights; the other city hotels are not specified.
When does it run?
24 departures are listed from April through September 2026, priced from CAD 9,361 to CAD 12,234.
What is not included?
Transportation from the Victoria hotel to the airport, meals other than onboard the Rocky Mountaineer, gratuities for hotel and transfer staff, and Canada's 5% sales tax.

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