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First Class Holidays · Independent Tour

Rockies Rail Extravaganza

Rocky Mountaineer through British Columbia and Canadian Rockies, 14 days

Illustration of Rockies Rail Extravaganza

First Class Holidays operates this 14-day independent tour combining two Rocky Mountaineer rail journeys through British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies. You depart from the UK, spend the first night in Vancouver, then board the Rainforest to Goldrush train for three days heading northeast through river canyons and mountain passes to Jasper. After two days in Jasper with choice-based excursions, a guided tour along the Icefields Parkway includes a walk on Athabasca Glacier and a visit to the Glacier Skywalk. You travel to Lake Louise and Banff with a full day touring Moraine Lake, the Valley of the Ten Peaks, and waterfalls across two national parks. From Banff, you rejoin the Rocky Mountaineer for the First Passage to the West, heading south and west through the Spiral Tunnels and Glacier National Park back to Vancouver, with a final free day before flying home. The itinerary balances train time with hotel stays long enough to settle into mountain towns and choose your own activities, making it suited to repeat rail travellers and independent explorers who appreciate a mix of structured train experiences and personal exploration.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour includes two separate non-refundable deposits for the Rocky Mountaineer portions, beyond the standard tour deposit.
  • Moraine Lake and Takakkaw Falls do not open until mid-May and mid-June respectively; alternate stops will be substituted on earlier departures.
  • Some meals are included on the trains and during excursions, but meals not listed in the itinerary are not covered.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    UK - Vancouver

    On arrival into Vancouver airport make your way to your downtown hotel. The rest of the day is free.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Whistler

    Vancouver to Whistler, Rocky Mountaineer

    Today Rocky Mountaineer takes you on a breathtaking rail journey through the stunning scenery of the Sea to Sky Corridor. Highlights include spectacular views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains, Brandywine Falls, Mount Garibaldi and the impressive Cheakamus Canyon. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

  3. Day 3overnight: Quesnel

    Whistler to Quesnel, Rocky Mountaineer

    Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer to the charming rural town of Quesnel, 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 ranch lands of the Cariboo Plateau.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Jasper

    Quesnel to Jasper, Rocky Mountaineer

    This morning, re-board the Rocky Mountaineer Train for your continuing journey to Jasper, following the famous Fraser River past the historic settlements of McBride and Tete Jaune Cache, over the Yellowhead Pass, and past Mount Robson (3,954 metres), the Rockies' highest peak. Arrive in the peaceful alpine town of Jasper by late afternoon.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Jasper - Freedom of Choice

    Personalise your day by choosing one of: Option 1 - a nature tour to Maligne Lake with a 90-minute interpretative boat cruise to Spirit Island (or a 75-minute guided shoreline walk); or Option 2 - a Wildlife Discovery Tour with friendly local driver guides.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lake Louise

    Jasper to Lake Louise

    Your sightseeing tour today will encompass the ultimate glacier exploration as you travel along the spectacular Icefields Parkway, including an Ice Explorer ride and the Glacier Skywalk (both included).

  7. Day 7overnight: Lake Louise

    Lake Louise - Mountain Lakes and Waterfalls Tour

    Visit the most treasured spots in the Canadian Rockies on this excursion through Banff and Yoho National Parks. Highlights include Moraine Lake, Valley of the Ten Peaks, Spiral Tunnels, Takakkaw Falls, and a hot lunch at Emerald Lake Lodge. Moraine Lake does not open until mid-May and Takakkaw Falls does not open until mid-June; alternate stops will be organized during that time.

  8. Day 8overnight: Banff

    Lake Louise to Banff

    This morning is at leisure to explore Lake Louise before a mid-day transfer to Banff via the scenic Bow Valley highway, arriving mid-afternoon.

  9. Day 9overnight: Banff

    Banff - Freedom of Choice

    Personalise your day by choosing one of: Option 1 - Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour plus the Banff Gondola; or Option 2 - Cowboy Horseback Cookout BBQ Lunch, riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the Rocky Mountain terrain.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Kamloops

    Banff to Kamloops, Rocky Mountaineer

    All aboard Rocky Mountaineer for the scenic rail journey to Kamloops, crossing the Continental Divide through the Spiral Tunnels in Yoho National Park and continuing through Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, passing Craigellachie where the last spike completing the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885.

  11. Day 11overnight: Vancouver

    Kamloops to Vancouver, Rocky Mountaineer

    Re-board the Rocky Mountaineer and follow the Thompson River through Ashcroft, one of Canada's driest towns, and Rainbow Canyon, before continuing through the Fraser Canyon to Hell's Gate and the Fraser Valley, arriving in Vancouver late afternoon.

  12. Day 12overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver free day

    Canada's third-largest metropolitan centre, Vancouver has a thriving multicultural ambiance. Explore neighbourhoods like the beachside West End area, Gastown's hip streets and uber-hip Yaletown.

  13. Day 13

    Vancouver Departure - Arrive UK

    Make your way to the airport in plenty of time to check in for your homeward flight.

  14. Day 14

    Vancouver Departure - Arrive UK

    Make your way to the airport in plenty of time to check in for your homeward flight.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Rocky Mountaineer passes Howe Sound, the Coast Mountains, Brandywine Falls, Mount Garibaldi, and Cheakamus Canyon on the journey to Whistler.
  • Day 4Day 4: The train follows the Fraser River past Mount Robson, the Rockies' highest peak at 3,954 metres, before arriving in Jasper.
  • Day 6Day 6: An Ice Explorer ride takes you onto Athabasca Glacier, and you visit the Glacier Skywalk along the Icefields Parkway.
  • Day 7Day 7: A guided tour visits Moraine Lake, the Valley of the Ten Peaks, Spiral Tunnels, and Takakkaw Falls in Banff and Yoho National Parks.
  • Day 10Day 10: Rocky Mountaineer crosses the Continental Divide through the Spiral Tunnels and Rogers Pass, passing Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885.

Included

  • Return flights from the UK to Canada
  • 12 nights accommodation
  • Rocky Mountaineer Rainforest to Goldrush Vancouver - Jasper in GoldLeaf service
  • Rocky Mountaineer First Passage to the West Banff - Vancouver in SilverLeaf service
  • Meals as per itinerary
  • Transfers between hotels and train stations
  • Full day tour between Jasper and Lake Louise with picnic lunch, Ice Explorer ride onto Athabasca Glacier + Glacier Skywalk
  • Mountain Lakes and Waterfalls Full Day Tour
  • Choice of excursions in Jasper and Banff
  • Scheduled coach transfer between Lake Louise and Banff hotels

Not included

  • Meals, sightseeing and attractions not shown as included
  • Gratuities

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Rocky Mountaineer Rainforest to Goldrush (Vancouver to Jasper in GoldLeaf service) and Rocky Mountaineer First Passage to the West (Banff to Vancouver in SilverLeaf service). Separate non-refundable deposits are required for the Rocky Mountaineer portions.
Is this a guided or independent tour?
Independent. Local driver guides lead optional excursions in Jasper and Banff, but you have unguided time in each town. Between guided segments you explore at your own pace.
What is included?
Return UK flights, 12 nights accommodation, both Rocky Mountaineer train services, meals as per itinerary, transfers between hotels and stations, the full day tour from Jasper to Lake Louise with Ice Explorer and Glacier Skywalk, the Mountain Lakes and Waterfalls tour, and choice of excursions in Jasper and Banff.
What is not included?
Meals, sightseeing and attractions not listed in the itinerary, and gratuities.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. Activities include an Ice Explorer ride onto Athabasca Glacier, interpretative boat cruises or guided shoreline walks, optional horseback riding, and walking tours in national parks and towns.
What are the accommodation standards?
The pack does not describe the specific hotels or their star ratings. Confirm accommodation details with First Class Holidays before booking.

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