Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) · Independent tailor-made rail vacation

Scenic Highlights of the Rockies

7-day Rocky Mountaineer round trip through Banff, Kamloops and Jasper

Scenic Highlights of the Rockies, a rail journey with Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada)

Canadian Train Vacations, operated through Fresh Tracks Canada, runs this 7-day, 6-night independent rail vacation on a route described as available for 2026 only. There is no fixed group schedule; local experts, described as Canadian Insiders, plan, coordinate and support the trip throughout. After two nights in Banff, the trip boards the Rocky Mountaineer for two days of daylight travel to Jasper, passing the Spiral Tunnels, Craigellachie, and the Continental Divide at Yellowhead Pass. Two nights in Jasper National Park follow, in valleys the operator describes as inviting to a variety of wildlife, before the Icefields Parkway carries the trip back to Banff, with an optional guided hike on the Athabasca Glacier along the way. Hotel and Rocky Mountaineer service vary by tier, from Comfort Level's 3 to 3.5-star hotels and SilverLeaf service up to Deluxe Level's 5-star hotels and GoldLeaf. It suits travellers who want a short, independently arranged Rockies loop built around two days of scenic daylight rail.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotel and train tier vary together: three Banff hotel options are listed, the Elk + Avenue Hotel, Rimrock Resort Hotel, and Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, alongside SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Rocky Mountaineer service; the specific hotel and train class depend on the Comfort, Superior or Deluxe tier chosen.
  • Only 2 of the 7 days are spent aboard the Rocky Mountaineer itself; the rest of the trip is by coach transfer or on foot in Banff and Jasper.
  • This route is described as available for 2026 only, and the evidence does not list specific departure dates.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Banff

    Arrive in Calgary and travel to Banff

    Transfer through the rolling foothills of the Canadian Rockies to the mountain town of Banff.

  2. Day 2overnight: Banff

    Explore Banff National Park

    Fill your lungs with cool, fresh Rocky Mountain air and head out to explore Banff National Park.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer Train - Banff to Kamloops

    All aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train, with a day of spectacular scenery. Highlights include the Spiral Tunnels and Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Jasper

    Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops to Jasper

    Follow the banks of the North Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo mountains before crossing the Continental Divide. Highlights include Pyramid Falls, Mount Robson, and the climb over Yellowhead Pass into Jasper National Park.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Explore Jasper National Park

    Jasper's wide-open valleys are enticing to a variety of wildlife and are incredibly breathtaking. Spend the day exploring Jasper National Park on your style of tour.

  6. Day 6overnight: Banff

    Icefields Parkway - Jasper to Banff

    An all-day trip down the spine of the Canadian Rockies, on one of the most spectacular roads in the world, with lots to do along the way.

  7. Day 7

    Depart from Calgary

    Your dream week in the Canadian Rockies comes to an end as you travel to Calgary.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The Rocky Mountaineer passes through the Spiral Tunnels and Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885.
  • Day 4The train follows the North Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo mountains, past Pyramid Falls and Mount Robson, and climbs Yellowhead Pass into Jasper National Park.
  • Day 5Jasper National Park's wide-open valleys are described as inviting to a variety of wildlife.
  • Day 6The Icefields Parkway offers an optional guided hike on the Athabasca Glacier on the way back to Banff.

Included

  • Hotel accommodation
  • Rocky Mountaineer daylight train journey
  • Meals onboard the train
  • Choice of unique guided activities
  • Transportation to and from airports, timed with your flights
  • Train station transfers
  • Feature dining experience at one of our favorite local restaurants
  • Electronic travel documentation package
  • Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Day 3 (Banff to Kamloops) and day 4 (Kamloops to Jasper) are spent aboard the Rocky Mountaineer daylight train, with meals onboard.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is independent, with no fixed group schedule; local experts, described as Canadian Insiders, plan, coordinate and support the trip throughout.
Which hotels are used?
In Banff, the Elk + Avenue Hotel, Rimrock Resort Hotel, or Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel depending on tier, plus the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper.
What are the price tiers?
Comfort Level (3 to 3.5-star hotels, Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf, from CAD 7,670), Superior Level (4 to 4.5-star, SilverLeaf, from CAD 9,230), and Deluxe Level (5-star hotels, GoldLeaf, from CAD 12,670).
How much walking or activity is involved?
Highlights mention an optional guided hike on the Athabasca Glacier along the Icefields Parkway, and optional extras include e-biking and canoe paddling.
When does this route run?
The evidence describes it as a special route available for 2026 only and does not list specific departure dates.

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