This 6 day rail tour offers an experience of a lifetime through the majestic Rocky Mountains, including 2 helicopter sightseeing tours! Book by May 31, 2012 and receive a 3% discount.
Tour Summary
This rail vacation through the Rockies traces a part of the historic transcontinental rail line that unites Canada's East and West, traversing a tapestry of landscape and historical sights unparalleled in western North America.
From the lush coastal climate of Vancouver, you will follow the Fraser River on to the arid and vast landscapes of the Caribou region. We pass by Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, and then wind through the engineering marvel of the Spiral Tunnels. The snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and their pristine wilderness now come into view. Mountains, waterfalls, rivers and deep forests dominate the land. Keep your eyes peeled and camera at the ready for wildlife!
During your rail vacation you’ll travel during the day, enabling you to take in all the spectacular scenery along our route. This tour also includes 2 helicopter tours, and a visit to a Ranch for a BBQ lunch.
The best way to see the Rockies in less than a week! Travel with RedLeaf, SilverLeaf, or GoldLeaf Service. Click here for more information regarding these services.
- Duration
- 6 days, 5 nights
- Departs
-
Vancouver, BC
- Arrives
-
Calgary, AB
- Activity Level
- Very Easy
- Accommodation
- 5-nights hotel accommodation
- Transport
- 2-day-Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf®, SilverLeaf® or GoldLeaf Service®, 2 helicopter rides and sightseeing in deluxe coaches.
- Meals
- 2 breakfasts and 3 lunches
Included
- Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf®, SilverLeaf® or GoldLeaf Service®
- 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches
- 5 nights hotel accommodation
- Vancouver Lookout
- Banff to Lake Louise Tour, including Glacier Helicopter Tour and ranch visit
- Lake Louise to Calgary Tour, including Banff Gondola
- Summit Helicopter Flightseeing
- Calgary Tower
- Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops and Banff
- Luggage handling and National Park Pass
Not Included
- Transportation from Vancouver airport
- Transportation to Calgary airport
- Meals, other than specified
- Activities, other than specified
- Gratuities for rail, hotel and transfer staff
- Fuel surcharges
- GST /HST
Optional Activities
- Book this rail passage in combination with a Midnight Sun Travel tour and receive a 10% discount on the second tour.
Orcas and Grizzlies: Book now and receive $ 159.50 off the regular tour price!
Secrets of the Inside Passage: Book now and receive $334.00 off the regular tour price! Please contact us for availability.
- Upgrade to Fairmont Deluxe and Goldleaf Service and receive the most luxurious hotel experience complete with majestic views of your surroundings-please inquire at time of booking
- Upgrade your RedLeaf experience with onboard GoldLeaf Rocky Mountaineer service for just $880.00. Please inform us at time of booking
Canadian Rockies Highlights Itinerary
Day 1. Vancouver
Arrive in Vancouver and explore this beautiful city on your own.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Vancouver at the Holiday Inn Downtown (RedLeaf and SilverLeaf), or at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel’s Fairmont Room (GoldLeaf).
Optional Activities: None
Day 2. Kamloops
Your first day on the Rocky Mountaineer takes you from the Coastal Range of BC’s lower mainland to Kamloops (pop. 87,000), known or for its warm, arid climate and wild west history that includes the fur trade, the gold rush and cattle ranching.
After departing Vancouver you will head north into the Fraser Valley, passing though bedroom communities before the land opens up and broadens into lush vegetable and dairy farms. As the Coastal Mountains approach, you begin your ascent into the Fraser Canyon, winding along river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade mountains. Wildlife here includes black bear, deer, Big Horn Sheep and the elusive cougar. The mighty Fraser River snakes beneath you, a river that is the world’s largest supporter of spawning Sockeye salmon. Pass by the frothing waters of Hell’s Gate and its century old fish ladders before turning west to follow the Thompson River. Approaching the interior of the province, you see the landscape evolve into the ‘wide open spaces’ of ranch land and rolling hills. As the day winds down, you travel along the shores of Kamloops Lake into the Thompson River Valley, home to Kamloops.
Please note: As a RedLeaf Service guest, please pack a small overnight bag for your stay in Kamloops. Your main luggage will be checked through to your final destination and will not be available. Please be sure to carry any medication with you.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: RedLeaf + GoldLeaf guests stay in a moderate (2-3*) hotel in Kamloops. As RedLeaf guests luggage will be checked through to Banff, we recommend they pack an overnight bag for this night in Kamloops.
Optional Activities: Kamloops Evening Entertainment – ‘Rhythms on the Rails’
Day 3. Banff
You begin your day by following the Thompson River and then the winding shoreline of Shuswap lake before encountering Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1895. The rolling ranchlands and lakeshores gradually yield to the Monashee and Columbia Mountain ranges – harbingers of things to come.
Highlights on this day include the climb over Rogers Pass, the Kicking Horse Canyon and the legendary Spiral Tunnels, built by the CPR in 1909 to prevent runaway trains. Natural wonders also include Glacier and Yoho National Parks and, as we cross into Alberta, the Continental Divide. Along the way, the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies are omnipresent, offering startling views and inspiration with every turn in the track. Wildlife viewing opportunities expand to elk, caribou, mountain goats and moose. Your rail journey concludes in the resort town of Banff (pop. 8,700) this evening. Banff is situated in Banff National Park and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shopping and restaurants here are world class and the dress is “mountain casual.”
Meals. Breakfast and lunch.
Accommodation: Banff at the Ptarmigan Inn or Run of House (Redleaf and SilverLeaf) or at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel’s Fairmont Room (Goldleaf).
Optional Activities: none
Day 4. Lake Louise and Glacier Helicopter Tour.
Today experience one of Canada’s national treasures: the Icefield Parkway, located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Travelling west along the TransCanada Highway, we pass Vermillion Lakes and Castle Mountain before turning north onto the Icefield Parkway. Along the parkway we’ll see spectacular examples of mountain wilderness including Bow Lake, the Crowfoot Glacier and Mt. Chephran. At Saskatchewan Crossing we board our helicopter and are whisked to an altitude of 10,000 feet to view the 6 glaciers of Mount Resolute, Mount Cline and Whitegoat Peaks. You will also be amazed at a 270 metre (9000 feet) waterfall and beautiful alpine lakes. Your feet now firmly on the ground, you travel a little further down the road to a local ranch to take in a traditional Cowboy BBQ lunch with all the trimmings.
Our tour ends on arrival in Lake Louise (pop. 1,200) in the afternoon. With its blue-green water contrasting with the stark backdrop of Victoria Glacier, you’ll realize right away why Lake Louise is also referred to as Canada’s ‘Diamond in the Wilderness.”
Meals: Lunch
Accommodation: Lake Louise a the Fairmont Cheateau Lake Louise’s Fairmont Room (Redleaf and SilverLeaf), or at the Fairmont’s Lakeview Room (Goldleaf).
Optional Activities: Replace your included Glacier Helicopter Tour with a Yoho Park Tour and guided lakeshore stroll. $249 per person price reduction applies.
Day 5. Calgary and Summit Helicopter Tour.
Your sightseeing tour of the town of Banff includes Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. The included Banff Gondola, a fully enclosed gondola, takes you up Sulphur Mountain to an elevation of 2281 metres. From here you can witness panoramic views of six mountain ranges as well as a great bird’s eye view of the town of Banff. At the top of the terminal, relax in the restaurant, view the mountain peaks from inside the terminus or step out onto a one kilometer boardwalk trail along the Banff Skywalk. The Skywalk follows the summit’s ridge to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada and the historic Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Station.
Upon returning from the Gondola you continue on to Kananaskis Country. In 12 minutes, explore a different region of the Rockies by helicopter. Then it’s onto Calgary (pop. 1.3 million), also known as ‘Cowtown’, one of the fastest growing cities in Canada.
A price reduction of $119 will apply for the Summit Helicopter Tour in the event of inclement weather or if a guest chooses not to fly.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Calgary at the International Hotel and Suites (Redleaf and SilverLeaf) or the Fairmont Palliser’s Fairmont room (Goldleaf)
Optional Activities: None
Day 6. Calgary Departure
Your vacation ends once you check out from your Calgary hotel.
