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Great Rail Journeys · Independent

Rocky Mountaineer: Jasper & Banff

Ten-day Rocky Mountaineer journey from Vancouver through Jasper and Banff to Calgary

Illustration of Rocky Mountaineer: Jasper & Banff

Great Rail Journeys operates this 10-day independent journey through western Canada, departing from London with flights to Vancouver and returning from Calgary. The trip spans five nights in two major cities and mountain towns, with two full days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train traveling through the Canadian Rockies. Days one and two are free exploration of Vancouver's districts, shops, and waterfront. Days three and four belong to the train, with meals served onboard as the route winds through river canyons and mountain ranges toward Jasper. Day five includes a half-day tour of Jasper National Park with its aerial tramway, leaving the morning and evening free. Day six is a coach journey along the Icefields Parkway with a stop at the Athabasca Glacier. Days seven through nine take in Banff, with one full free day and guided tours featuring Bow Falls and the Banff Gondola ride. This tour suits independent travellers who enjoy a mix of guided highlights and unstructured time, as well as first-time rail passengers drawn to the Rocky Mountaineer's reputation for daylight-only scenic routes and panoramic viewing.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and Glacier Skywalk are included only on departures from mid-May onwards; earlier spring departures visit the Icefield without glacier access
  • This is an independent tour; sightseeing is guided on certain days (Jasper half-day and Banff full-day tours), but you have two free days in Vancouver and one in Banff to explore on your own
  • Hotels vary by tier and location; final choice depends on the accommodation tier selected, as multiple options are available in each city

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    London to Vancouver

    Your Canadian Rockies holiday begins today with a flight from London Heathrow to Vancouver. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel to check in. Vancouver enjoys a stunning location with the Pacific Ocean to the west and the North Shore mountain range to the north. Explore the city at your own pace – visit Stanley Park, Yaletown, and enjoy fresh west coast seafood.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Discovering the sights of Vancouver

    After breakfast at your hotel, the day is free to continue discovering the sights of Vancouver. Visit historic Gastown, the antique-style steam clock, Granville Island's indoor market, and Canada's largest Chinatown.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Kamloops

    Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops

    An early start as you board the Rocky Mountaineer. The route follows the Fraser River eastward through the Fraser Valley, winds through forests and river canyons, passes Hell's Gate and Fraser Canyon, then follows the Thompson River to Kamloops. Breakfast and lunch served onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  4. Day 4overnight: Jasper

    Kamloops to Jasper on the Rocky Mountaineer

    Continue northeast into the Canadian Rockies aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Follow the North Thompson River through the Clearwater region, pass the Monashee and Caribou mountain ranges, view Pyramid Falls, and approach Jasper with views of Mount Robson. Breakfast and lunch served onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Exploring Jasper National Park

    The morning is free to wander Jasper's charming streets or optionally take a cruise on Maligne Lake. In the afternoon, a half-day sightseeing tour of Jasper National Park includes Patricia Lake, Pyramid Lake, and the Jasper SkyTram – the highest and longest aerial tramway in Canada. The evening is free; Jasper is the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Banff

    Along the Icefields Parkway to Banff

    Coach journey along the world-famous Icefields Parkway. From mid-May departures onwards, stop at the Columbia Icefield for an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and entry to the Glacier Skywalk. A brief stop at Bow Lake before arriving in Banff.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Banff

    A free day in beautiful Banff

    Enjoy a free day in Banff. Browse eateries and boutique shops, visit the Cascade of Time Garden, relax in natural hot springs with views of Mount Rundle, or hike through Johnston Canyon to cascading waterfalls and azure pools.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Calgary

    Banff sightseeing and onwards to Calgary

    Full-day transfer concluding in Calgary, beginning with a sightseeing tour of Banff National Park including Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, and the Banff Hoodoos. Then enjoy an included trip on the Banff Gondola to the summit of Mount Sulphur (~7,500 feet). Afterwards, transfer to Calgary.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9

    Homeward bound

    Check out of your hotel in Calgary and transfer to the airport for your flight back to London Heathrow.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 11

    Landing in London

    Landing in London today, your epic Rocky Mountains holiday comes to a close and you are free to continue your onward travel home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board the Rocky Mountaineer and travel eastward along the Fraser River through Hell's Gate and Fraser Canyon, with breakfast and lunch served onboard
  • Day 4Continue northeast into the Canadian Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer, passing the Monashee and Caribou mountain ranges and approaching Jasper with views of Mount Robson
  • Day 5Take a half-day sightseeing tour of Jasper National Park including Patricia Lake, Pyramid Lake, and a ride on the Jasper SkyTram, Canada's highest and longest aerial tramway
  • Day 6Coach journey along the Icefields Parkway includes a stop at the Columbia Icefield to ride an Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier and visit the Glacier Skywalk (from mid-May departures only)
  • Day 8Sightseeing tour of Banff National Park includes Bow Falls and the Banff Gondola, which ascends to the summit of Mount Sulphur at approximately 7,500 feet

Included

  • 8 nights in hotel accommodation on a Bed & Breakfast basis
  • 2 days on board the Rocky Mountaineer train in Silverleaf class
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Vancouver and Calgary to London Heathrow
  • Half-day sightseeing tour of Jasper National Park
  • Sightseeing tour of Banff including Banff Gondola
  • Icefield Parkway journey including Ice Explorer onto the Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk (operates on departures from mid-May onwards only)

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in Silverleaf class, from Vancouver through Kamloops to Jasper. Gold Leaf class is available as a supplementary upgrade.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is independent. You have free time in Vancouver (two days) and Banff (one day) to explore at your own pace. Some days include guided sightseeing tours: a half-day in Jasper National Park and a full day in Banff.
What is included in the price?
Great Rail Journeys includes eight nights in hotel accommodation with breakfast, flights from London Heathrow to Vancouver and from Calgary to London, two days on the Rocky Mountaineer train, a half-day sightseeing tour of Jasper National Park, a sightseeing tour of Banff with Banff Gondola access, and a coach journey along the Icefields Parkway with Ice Explorer and Glacier Skywalk (from mid-May departures only).
What hotels are available?
Vancouver options include the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre and the four-star Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Jasper hotels are the Chateau Jasper Hotel and the three-star Forest Park Hotel. Banff offers the three-star Elk and Avenue Hotel, The Rimrock Resort, and the five-star Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Calgary has the Delta Calgary Downtown and the Fairmont Palliser.
How much walking is involved?
There is moderate walking. Guided sightseeing tours include city exploration and walks to viewpoints. A half-day Jasper tour includes an aerial tramway ride. Hikes in Johnston Canyon and visits to natural hot springs in Banff are optional activities at your own expense.
What is not included?
Not included are cancellation and travel insurance. Optional activities at additional cost include upgrading from Silverleaf to Gold Leaf class on the train, a Maligne Lake cruise in Jasper, natural hot springs access in Banff, and hiking Johnston Canyon.

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