Search

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

Ultimate Canadian Rockies by Train

Vancouver to Jasper and Banff on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer, 10 days

Illustration of Ultimate Canadian Rockies by Train

Canadian Train Vacations (operating as Fresh Tracks Canada) offers this 10-day independent rail vacation that combines two celebrated trains across the Canadian Rockies. Starting in Vancouver, you board VIA Rail's The Canadian for an overnight sleeper journey to Jasper, where you spend a full day exploring Canada's largest Rocky Mountain park. A scenic coach crossing of the Icefields Parkway brings you to Banff for two nights of independent exploration. You then rejoin the rails for a two-day journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, traveling in daylight past the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, and Hell's Gate before returning to Vancouver. Local experts coordinate flights, transfers, activities, and dining; you set the pace. This structure suits couples, repeat rail travellers, and independent explorers who want the comfort of planned logistics without a fixed group schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotel names listed (Moose Hotel and Suites, Fairmont Banff Springs) are examples; the final hotel depends on which comfort tier you choose.
  • Three nights in Vancouver are distributed across your arrival and final days; only one full day (Day 2) is devoted to city exploration.
  • The price shown is for Comfort Level (3- to 3.5-star hotels with Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf); Superior and Deluxe tiers cost more and offer higher-rated accommodation and GoldLeaf service.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vancouver

    Arrive in Vancouver

    Welcome to Vancouver, one of the world's most beautiful cities, surrounded by towering mountains and the sparkling ocean.

  2. Day 2overnight: Vancouver

    Explore Vancouver

    A coastal city on the mainland of British Columbia, with modern high-rise buildings between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard train

    VIA Rail - Depart Vancouver

    Board The Canadian train in Vancouver. Settle into your private cabin and watch the ever-changing scenery through beautiful British Columbia.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Jasper

    VIA Rail - Arrive in Jasper

    Awake to see the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies, including Mount Robson. Step off the train in the charming mountain town of Jasper.

  5. Day 5overnight: Jasper

    Explore Jasper National Park

    Jasper National Park, the largest park in the Canadian Rockies, is one of our favourite destinations.

  6. Day 6overnight: Banff

    Icefields Parkway - Jasper to Banff

    Travel along the spine of the Rockies on one of the most beautiful routes in the world, the Icefields Parkway. Watch for cascading waterfalls, dramatic peaks, mountain goats, elk, and bears.

  7. Day 7overnight: Banff

    Explore Banff National Park

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

  8. Day 8railovernight: Kamloops

    Rocky Mountaineer Train - Banff to Kamloops

    Board the Rocky Mountaineer train for the second part of your rail adventure, with highlights including the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, and Craigellachie.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Vancouver

    Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops to Vancouver

    See dramatic changes in scenery, including Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the Thompson River. Arrive in Vancouver this evening.

  10. Day 10rail

    Your Canadian train vacation ends

    Leave the fresh air and mountains of Canada behind you as you journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board The Canadian in Vancouver and settle into your private cabin on VIA Rail's sleeper train.
  • Day 4Awake to views of Mount Robson and the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies as you arrive in Jasper.
  • Day 6Travel the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff, watching for cascading waterfalls, dramatic peaks, and wildlife including mountain goats, elk, and bears.
  • Day 8Board the Rocky Mountaineer from Banff, passing the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, and Craigellachie on the way to Kamloops.
  • Day 9Ride the Rocky Mountaineer back to Vancouver, viewing Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the Thompson River.

Included

  • Hotel accommodation
  • Sleeper train experience in a private cabin
  • 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 in the price?
Yes. Both VIA Rail's The Canadian (private sleeper cabin from Vancouver to Jasper) and the Rocky Mountaineer (Banff to Kamloops to Vancouver) are included.
What trains are on this trip?
VIA Rail's The Canadian (Vancouver to Jasper, Sleeper Plus Class) and the Rocky Mountaineer (Banff to Kamloops to Vancouver, with SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf depending on tier).
Is this an escorted group tour or independent travel?
Independent tailor-made travel. There is no fixed group schedule. Canadian Train Vacations (Fresh Tracks Canada) employs local experts called Canadian Insiders to plan, coordinate, and support your trip throughout.
What is included in the package?
Hotel accommodation, sleeper train cabin, rocky Mountaineer daylight journey, meals onboard trains, a feature restaurant dinner, choice of guided activities, airport and train station transfers, and personalized customer service. Optional extras (Whistler tour, Maligne Lake cruise, e-bike tour, etc.) cost extra.
How many nights do you spend in each location?
Vancouver: 3 nights (arrival plus two full days). Jasper: 1 night. Banff: 2 nights. Kamloops: 1 night. One night is spent onboard The Canadian.
How much walking and activity is involved?
You explore Banff and Jasper National Parks at your chosen pace. The Icefields Parkway journey involves coach travel with stops for wildlife watching and sightseeing. Train travel itself requires minimal walking beyond boarding.

Similar journeys