Which trains are included?

Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Kamloops and Kamloops to Banff (daylight service), and VIA Rail The Canadian from Jasper to Toronto in a private cabin for three nights.

Is this trip guided or independent?

It is a tailor-made independent journey between hotel stops, with included guided day tours in Vancouver (48-hour hop-on hop-off), Banff, the Icefields Parkway, and Niagara Falls. Marvellous Escapes provides 24/7 on-trip support.

What is included in the price?

Hotels in Vancouver (2 nights), Kamloops, Banff (2 nights), Lake Louise, Jasper, and Toronto (2 nights); three nights aboard VIA Rail; flights from the UK to Vancouver and return from Toronto; the two Rocky Mountaineer segments; and the four guided tours listed above.

What is the physical demand?

The 7-hour Banff tour includes a Gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain summit and a lake cruise. The Icefields Parkway tour includes the Glacier Skywalk. Standard city walking is involved in Vancouver, Toronto, and Niagara Falls.

Are there overnights aboard a train?

Yes, three nights in a private cabin aboard VIA Rail The Canadian between Jasper and Toronto, with onboard dining included.

What does the itinerary look like?

Days 1-2 in Vancouver with guided sightseeing. Days 3-4 aboard Rocky Mountaineer (overnight in Kamloops between legs). Days 5-7 in the Banff area with guided tours. Days 8-10 aboard The Canadian sleeper train. Days 11-12 in Toronto, including the Niagara Falls day trip. Day 13 is the return flight.

Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

The Rockies & Beyond By Rail

Cross-Canada rail holiday via Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail sleeper

The Rockies & Beyond By Rail is a 13-day cross-Canada journey operated by Marvellous Escapes, beginning in Vancouver and ending at Niagara Falls. The trip combines two of Canada's celebrated rail services: the Rocky Mountaineer, which carries passengers by daylight through river canyons and the Canadian Rockies, and VIA Rail The Canadian, a classic sleeper train that traverses the country from west to east in a private cabin. Days begin in coastal Vancouver with a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour, move into the mountain region for guided explorations of Banff (including a Gondola ascent of Sulphur Mountain and a Lake Minnewanka cruise) and the Icefields Parkway (with the Columbia Icefield Adventure and Glacier Skywalk), then shift to the multi-day sleeper experience aboard The Canadian, where rolling prairies and forests unfold beyond the viewing car. The journey concludes in Toronto with a full-day excursion to Niagara Falls. Marvellous Escapes includes hotels, flights, both rail segments, and all guided tours, with 24/7 on-trip support throughout. It suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking romantic scenery, and photographers drawn to Canada's mountain and waterfall landmarks.

What to know before you look closer

The journey includes a round-trip transatlantic flight, which Marvellous Escapes includes in the from-price.
Day 1 is primarily travel to Vancouver; Day 13 is the return flight, so active time is concentrated in days 2-12.
Some transfers between rail destinations are by shuttle coach rather than train.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver
Depart the UK and arrive in Vancouver. Transfer to your hotel, settle in, and enjoy your evening exploring the city's waterfront, or relax after your flight.
Day 2overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver
Enjoy a 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour to discover the best of Vancouver, from Stanley Park and Granville Island to Gastown's charming cobbled streets.
Day 3overnight: Kamloops
Rocky Mountaineer - Vancouver to Kamloops
Board the legendary Rocky Mountaineer for your first day of daylight travel through river valleys and dramatic canyons.
Day 4overnight: Banff
Rocky Mountaineer - Kamloops to Banff
Continue by Rocky Mountaineer into the Canadian Rockies, passing glacier-fed lakes and towering peaks. Package transfer to your Banff hotel.
Day 5overnight: Banff
Banff
Today you'll enjoy a full 7-hour guided Explore Banff tour, including the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain and a scenic cruise on Lake Minnewanka.
Day 6overnight: Lake Louise
Lake Louise
Travel by shuttle transfer to the peaceful Lake Louise.
Day 7overnight: Jasper
Jasper
Today enjoy the spectacular Icefields Parkway Discovery Tour, including the Columbia Icefield Adventure, Glacier Skywalk, and lunch.
Day 8railovernight: Onboard VIA Rail
Jasper to Toronto
Board The Canadian for your cross-country sleeper journey. Relax in your private cabin and enjoy onboard dining.
Day 9overnight: Onboard VIA Rail
Jasper to Toronto
Watch the scenery shift to rolling prairies and wide-open landscapes.
Day 10overnight: Onboard VIA Rail
Toronto
Continue travelling east across forests and lakes, enjoying time in the viewing car or lounge.
Day 11overnight: Toronto
Toronto
Disembark in Toronto and transfer to your hotel.
Day 12overnight: Toronto
Toronto
Enjoy a full-day tour to the iconic Niagara Falls, with free time to explore.
Day 13
Return home
Transfer to Toronto Airport for your return overnight flight to the UK, marking the end of your incredible coast-to-coast journey.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3Board the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver and travel through river valleys and dramatic canyons as the train climbs toward the Canadian Rockies.
Day 5Ride the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain and take a scenic cruise on Lake Minnewanka.
Day 7Experience the Icefields Parkway Discovery Tour, including the Columbia Icefield Adventure and Glacier Skywalk.
Day 8Board VIA Rail The Canadian in Jasper for a three-night cross-country sleeper journey toward Toronto in a private cabin.
Day 12Visit Niagara Falls for a full-day tour with free time to explore one of the world's greatest natural wonders.

Included

2 nights' hotel accommodation in Vancouver, Banff and Toronto
Overnight hotel accommodation in Kamloops, Lake Louise & Jasper
3 nights' accommodation aboard VIA Rail
Flights from UK to Vancouver and return from Toronto
Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver to Kamloops and Kamloops to Banff
VIA Rail The Canadian from Jasper to Toronto
Hop-on, hop-off bus tour in Vancouver
Explore Banff Tour with Gondola
Cruise Discovery Tour Lake Louise to Jasper
Day trip to Niagara Falls

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?: Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Kamloops and Kamloops to Banff (daylight service), and VIA Rail The Canadian from Jasper to Toronto in a private cabin for three nights.
Is this trip guided or independent?: It is a tailor-made independent journey between hotel stops, with included guided day tours in Vancouver (48-hour hop-on hop-off), Banff, the Icefields Parkway, and Niagara Falls. Marvellous Escapes provides 24/7 on-trip support.
What is included in the price?: Hotels in Vancouver (2 nights), Kamloops, Banff (2 nights), Lake Louise, Jasper, and Toronto (2 nights); three nights aboard VIA Rail; flights from the UK to Vancouver and return from Toronto; the two Rocky Mountaineer segments; and the four guided tours listed above.
What is the physical demand?: The 7-hour Banff tour includes a Gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain summit and a lake cruise. The Icefields Parkway tour includes the Glacier Skywalk. Standard city walking is involved in Vancouver, Toronto, and Niagara Falls.
Are there overnights aboard a train?: Yes, three nights in a private cabin aboard VIA Rail The Canadian between Jasper and Toronto, with onboard dining included.
What does the itinerary look like?: Days 1-2 in Vancouver with guided sightseeing. Days 3-4 aboard Rocky Mountaineer (overnight in Kamloops between legs). Days 5-7 in the Banff area with guided tours. Days 8-10 aboard The Canadian sleeper train. Days 11-12 in Toronto, including the Niagara Falls day trip. Day 13 is the return flight.