Best of the Rockies

With culture, natural beauty and stunning mountain locations ahead, your vacation begins today in coastal Vancouver. As you arrive, make your own way to your hotel to check in for the night, and then you are free to get to know this captivating city.

You may wish to shop along Robson Street, visit Stanley Park - famous for its totem poles, or wander the exhibits at the Vancouver Aquarium. Get a taste of the city's vibrant culinary scene at any of the local restaurants, or ferry over to Granville Island, known for its incredible options. Heading a little further out of the city, you could visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, where suspended bridges swing among the treetops.

Alternatively, you can opt to add a 24-hour Hop-on/Hop-off bus pass to sightsee your way through the city's most impressive landmarks. There is so much to see and do in this coastal city; should you wish to extend your stay, speak with one of our Rail Specialists about adding additional nights. Overnight Vancouver.

The morning is yours to continue soaking up the ambiance of Vancouver at your own pace. You might like to stroll along the Stanley Park Seawall, which frames the Pacific and provides access to some of Vancouver's top attractions, including its beaches. You could also spend a couple of hours at Van Dusen Botanical Garden before making your own way to the train station around midday to board the Canadian for its eastbound journey.

Stepping aboard the train, settle into your Sleeper Plus Berth and get acquainted with the onboard amenities as the Canadian gets underway. All of your meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included during your time on the Canadian, and as a Sleeper Plus traveler, you also enjoy use of the Skyline Car, whose upper-level Sightseer Lounge is the perfect place to soak up the vistas. Overnight train.

• Dinner

Waking on the Canadian this morning, the scenery is vastly different than when you retired for the night. Look out your window to see lush forests and towering mountains peaking over the tree line. The train continues its journey into the Canadian Rockies, weaving past rivers and vividly hued lakes.

Breakfast is served onboard before arriving at the station in Jasper, a resort town located within Jasper National Park. Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel to check in for two nights, and then you are free to explore these UNESCO-protected lands.

You might like to venture into the town's center, where historic buildings line the street, and there are plenty of shops and galleries to peruse. There is an old firehouse and train station, as well as the famous Two Brothers totem pole that you can admire. This 43-foot pole tells the story of two brothers traveling from Haida Gwaii to mainland Canada using traditional indigenous artwork. For dinner, Jasper has an array of restaurants serving everything from hearty casual fare to upscale cuisine. Overnight Jasper.

• Breakfast

With a full free day spanning ahead of you in Jasper, there is no shortage of ways to absorb your surroundings. Jasper National Park is the largest park within the Canadian Rockies and is brimming with spectacular lookouts, sparkling lakes and opportunities for adventure.

You might like to start your day at the Jasper Park Information Centre, getting local insight about your options in the region or even just picking up a map to assist you in your exploring. There are several gentle walking paths accessible from Downtown Jasper, including one with views of the Athabasca River. Staying in Jasper, you could wander through the streets in search of the town's beautiful murals or check out the local craft brewing scene. For a more structured day, you could add an optional excursion in the Jasper region. Overnight Jasper.

Optional Excursions

Explore Jasper Tour - Get to know of the diverse attractions of Jasper's townsite before discovering the legends surrounding Medicine Lake and beautiful Maligne Lake. A hot lunch and light snacks are included between scenic stops, and departures after June 1 will also cruise Maligne Lake. In addition to seeking out the park's best views, you may be lucky enough to spot wildlife on this full-day guided excursion.

Jasper Wildlife Discovery Tour - Enjoy a guided introduction to Jasper National Park's most impressive landscapes and best wildlife-viewing areas on a half-day tour. A local driver guide picks you up from your hotel and takes you on a route hand-selected for its seasonal features and attractions. As you explore, listen to stories about the local history, geology and ecology, and enjoy photo stops to capture the beauty.

Jasper SkyTram - With included round-trip shuttle service, uncover the beauty of Jasper National Park from above on the Jasper SkyTram. Ride aboard Canada's longest and highest aerial tramway to uncover views of six mountain ranges, glacial lakes and the Athabasca River while climbing to the summit of Whistlers Mountain. At the top, follow the Summit Trail or dine in the mountaintop restaurant before your return journey.

A deeper look at the Rockies' scenery lies ahead today as a scenic coach transfer takes you to Banff. Your transfer doubles as a sightseeing excursion and passes some of the most stunning views in the region as you travel along the Icefields Parkway.

Soak up mountain scenes and glimpses of Athabasca Falls before arriving at the Columbia Icefield's Glacier Discovery Centre. Here, enjoy a chance to travel onto the impressive Athabasca Glacier aboard a giant Ice Explorer vehicle. You can also walk along the Glacier Skywalk overlooking the Sunwapta Valley before returning to your coach to continue to Banff, seeing the Weeping Wall, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Lake Louise en route. A picnic lunch is provided to enjoy as you explore.

Banff is the most popular resort town in the Rockies, offering something for everyone with abundant nature, incredible restaurants, and fantastic shops, art galleries and museums. With the rest of the day at leisure in Banff, you can get to know its offerings at your own pace. Overnight Banff.

• Lunch

Some of the most awe-inspiring sights in the Rockies lie ahead today as you set out on a guided tour of Banff National Park this morning. With a guide, uncover truly inspiring views while visiting Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and Two Jack Viewpoint. In addition to reveling in all these views from the ground, you also have included admission to the Banff Gondola, which takes you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic scenes of the Bow Valley. For departures after May 16, this tour also includes a cruise on Lake Minnewanka, surrounded by dramatic peaks.

After the tour, you can continue your day at leisure, either in town, enjoying the variety of shops and restaurants, or while exploring the nature that surrounds you. Alternatively, you can opt to book the optional evening tour. Overnight Banff.

Optional Excursion

Evening Wildlife Safari - Spend two hours searching for Banff National Park's most impressive inhabitants on an evening expedition. This tour ventures to some of the park's best wildlife-spotting destinations, with animals seen on approximately 95% of tours. Admire the stunning scenery while looking for bears, elk, bighorn sheep and more while learning about the ecology of the Canadian Rockies.

• Lunch

While you have experienced several perspectives of the Canadian Rockies during your stays in Jasper and Banff, today brings even more breathtaking views as you are transferred to the station to board the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer for an all-daylight journey toward Kamloops.

Settle into your SilverLeaf seat, surrounded by panoramic windows and 180-degree views, or speak with one of our Rail Specialists about upgrading to GoldLeaf Service, which includes upper-level domed seating and meals in the lower-level dining car.

Delight in commentary from your onboard attendants and breakfast as the hidden views unfold. Look upon Castle Mountain, and pass Morant's Curve before crossing the Continental Divide. Rocky Mountaineer twists through a marvel of engineering, the Spiral Tunnels, climbs Kicking Horse Pass and weaves along Shuswap Lake - said to house a legendary inhabitant, Shuswaggi. The South Thompson River area provides the final lush scenes before Kamloops' arid landscapes come into view.

Disembarking Rocky Mountaineer early this evening, enjoy an included transfer to your hotel and a free evening to find dinner locally or relax. Overnight Kamloops.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Transferring back to the Kamloops train station early this morning, your journey onboard Rocky Mountaineer continues toward Vancouver. With another day of impeccable service by your onboard hosts and breakfast and lunch served at your seat, you can sit back and marvel at the beautiful sights.

The train continues following the Thompson River, and the scenery changes again, becoming lush once more. Keep your eyes open for native Canadian wildlife and the rugged features of Fraser Canyon. A highlight of today's route comes as Rocky Mountaineer passes the rushing waters of Hell's Gate. From here, continue along the Fraser River past fields and through deep forests, with the imposing peaks of the Coast Mountains closing in.

Your time on Canada's railways comes to an end this evening in Vancouver. A transfer to your hotel for the night is included, and upon checking in for your final night in Canada, you are free to get reacquainted with this cultural city. Overnight Vancouver.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Complete with two iconic train rides on Canada's railways and three beloved locations, this rail vacation seamlessly presented the best of Western Canada. After staying in coastal Vancouver, the mountains and forests of the Canadian Rockies set a tranquil backdrop as you explored.

From Jasper National Park to the Icefields Parkway and the legendary sights of Banff National Park, each turn revealed something astonishing before you returned to the coast aboard Rocky Mountaineer.

Your time in Canada comes to a close this morning as you check out of your hotel and begin your travels home independently. Should you wish to extend your stay here, speak with one of our Rail Specialists about adding additional nights in Vancouver.