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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Rocky Mountaineer: First Passage to the West

Ten-day Canadian Rockies rail journey from Calgary to Vancouver aboard Rocky Mountaineer

Illustration of Rocky Mountaineer: First Passage to the West

Tailor Made Rail's First Passage to the West is a 10-day rail and flight package that departs London in Economy Class and arrives in Calgary to begin a journey through the Canadian Rockies. The itinerary balances guided transfers with free time: you stay one night in Calgary (home of the famous Stampede), then two nights each in Banff and Lake Louise, with included boat and motorcoach excursions to Lake Minnewanka, Yoho National Park and Emerald Lake. The centrepiece is a two-day journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, one of the world's premier scenic trains, from Lake Louise through glacier-lined passes, mountain tunnels and river canyons to Vancouver. Meals and all drinks on board are included. The trip ends with two full days in Vancouver to explore the city before your evening flight home. This suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking a mix of structure and freedom, and those wanting to experience the Rockies by train without the rigour of daily relocations.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price is for Silver Leaf class; Gold Leaf upgrade costs an additional £850 per person.
  • Hotel options are listed with 'or similar', meaning the final property may differ from those named.
  • The Kamloops overnight is described as moderate standard, a step down from the other hotels on the itinerary.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Calgary

    London to Calgary

    Fly into Calgary and meet a transfer driver to the Hotel Arts (or similar) for an overnight stay. Calgary sits at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers; admission to the Calgary Tower is included for city views.

  2. Day 2overnight: Banff

    Calgary to Banff

    A full-day transfer to Banff by motorcoach. On arrival, a boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka, passing Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the hoodoo rock formations. Check in at the Elk + Avenue Hotel (or similar) for a 2-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Banff

    Banff

    A free day to relax or book activities at leisure, from the Sulphur Mountain gondola to the Banff hot springs, exploring the town, or wildlife adventures.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lake Louise

    Banff to Lake Louise

    A free morning in Banff, then after lunch a motorcoach onward to Lake Louise via Yoho National Park, taking in the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a rock bridge over the Kicking Horse River. Check in at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (or similar) for a 2-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lake Louise

    Lake Louise

    A free day to relax or book activities at leisure - learn about local wildlife, paddle the lake by canoe, or simply relax amongst the scenery.

  6. Day 6overnight: Kamloops

    Lake Louise to Kamloops aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

    Board the Rocky Mountaineer shortly before 8am, travelling through glacier and snow-capped peaks, mountain passes and tunnels, past the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Canyon. Breakfast and lunch are served on board. Overnight accommodation in Kamloops is assigned closer to departure and is of a moderate standard.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Vancouver

    Kamloops to Vancouver aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

    Re-board the train around 7:30am, winding through river canyons and remote forests to the Coast and Cascade Mountains and the Fraser Valley, passing the Thompson River rock sheds and Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Breakfast and lunch are served on board; arrival in Vancouver is between 6:00pm and 7:30pm Pacific Time. Check in for a 2-night stay.

  8. Day 8overnight: Vancouver

    Vancouver

    A full day to explore Vancouver, the largest city in British Columbia, enveloped by mountains and water, with a mix of cuisine, culture and bohemian sophistication.

  9. Day 9

    Vancouver to London

    Another full day to continue exploring Vancouver and pick up souvenirs, before boarding an evening flight to London. The tour can also be taken in reverse starting in Vancouver, or extended in British Columbia, including an optional Alaskan cruise.

  10. Day 10

    Arrival in London

    Arrive back in London on the overnight flight from Vancouver.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Boat cruise on Lake Minnewanka viewing Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and hoodoo rock formations in Banff National Park.
  • Day 4Motorcoach drive through Yoho National Park viewing the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and the rock bridge over the Kicking Horse River before arriving at Lake Louise.
  • Day 6Board the Rocky Mountaineer before 8am and travel through glacier and snow-capped peaks, mountain passes, tunnels, the Continental Divide and Kicking Horse Canyon, with breakfast and lunch on board.
  • Day 7Continue aboard the Rocky Mountaineer through the Thompson River rock sheds and Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon, arriving in Vancouver between 6pm and 7:30pm Pacific Time.

Included

  • Return flights London to Calgary and Vancouver to London in Economy Class
  • Transfers from airport to hotel in Calgary and Vancouver
  • Travel by Motorcoach between Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise
  • Travel on the Rocky Mountaineer Train from Lake Louise to Vancouver in Silver Leaf Class
  • 8 nights' hotel accommodation
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The Rocky Mountaineer from Lake Louise to Vancouver in Silver Leaf class is included. All meals and drinks on the train are included. Gold Leaf Service is available as an upgrade.
What flights are included?
Return flights London to Calgary and Vancouver to London in Economy Class are included.
Which trains are used?
The Rocky Mountaineer operates two days: Lake Louise to Kamloops (Day 6) and Kamloops to Vancouver (Day 7). Travel between Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise is by motorcoach.
How many hotels and where?
Eight nights across five locations: Calgary (1 night), Banff (2 nights), Lake Louise (2 nights), Kamloops (1 night) and Vancouver (2 nights).
When does the tour run?
Departures run from July to October 2026, with 30 scheduled dates.
Can I do this tour in reverse?
Yes, the tour can be taken in reverse starting in Vancouver. An Alaskan cruise extension from Vancouver is also available on request.

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