The best of the Rockies by rail in just 8 days, including a spectacular helicopter flightseeing tour! Book by May 31, 2012 and receive a 3% discount.
Tour Summary
Here’s a hint about why this has been Rocky Mountaineer's® most popular vacation for over a decade: all of the must-see sights of the Canadian Rockies are included in this seven-night itinerary.
From the lush coastal climate of Vancouver, you will follow the Fraser River on to the arid and vast landscapes of the Caribou region. After, the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and their pristine wilderness now come into view, feast your eyes on Mt. Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies (3594 m). Mountains, waterfalls, rivers and deep forests dominate the land. Keep your eyes peeled and camera at the ready for wildlife!
Spend two days on board the Rocky Mountaineer® train. Along the way take a tour of Jasper’s highlights, the Icefield parkway, Yoho Park, and Banff. Also included is a flight-seeing tour on a Summit Helicopter. All of this in a convenient one week time frame!
Travel with RedLeaf®, GoldLeaf®, or Fairmont Deluxe and GoldLeaf® Service. Click here for more information regarding these services.
*Tour can be done in both directions
- Duration
- 8 days, 7 nights
- Departs
-
Vancouver, BC
- Arrives
-
Calgary, AB
- Activity Level
- Very Easy
- Accommodation
- 7 nights hotel accomodation
- Transport
- 2-day-Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf®, GoldLeaf® or Fairmont Deluxe and Goldleaf Service - please click for details, 1 helicopter ride and sightseeing in deluxe coaches, as well as exotic Ice Explorer. add link here?
- Meals
- 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches
Included
Package Includes:
- 2 day Rocky Mountaineer Fairmont Deluxe and Goldleaf®, Goldleaf® or Redleaf® Services
- 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches
- 7 nights hotel accommodation
- Vancouver Lookout
- Jasper Highlights Tour
- Icefields Parkway Tour, including Banff Gondola
- Summit Helicopter Flightseeing
- Calgary Tower
- Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops and Jasper
- Luggage handling and National Park Pass
Not Included
Not Included
- Transportation from Vancouver Airport
- Transportation to Calgary Airport
- Meals, other than specified
- Activities, other than specified
- Gratuities for tail, hotel and transfer staff
- Fuel Surcharges
- GST/HST as applicable
- Single supplement-please inquire at time of booking
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 your RedLeaf experience with onboard GoldLeaf Rocky Mountaineer service for just $880.00. Please inform us at time of booking
Western Explorer Itinerary
Day 1. Vancouver
Arrive in Vancouver and explore this beautiful city on your own.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Vancouver at the Holiday Inn Downtown (Red Leaf), or at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel’s Fairmont Room (Gold Leaf).
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 ranchland 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. Jasper
Your journey continues north and east to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again you will be surrounded by dramatic scenery as you follow the banks of the North Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains, climbing ever nearer to the high peaks of the Continental Divide. Today’s highlights include Mount Robson, at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet) the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Pyramid Falls, and the climb over the Yellowhead Pass into Jasper National Park. Your rail journey ends this evening on arrival in the resort town of Jasper.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Jasper at Marmot Lodge (RedLeaf) or the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Fairmont Room (GoldLeaf) or Deluxe Room (Fairmont Deluxe and GoldLeaf).
Day 4. Jasper Highlights Tour
Jasper National Park is a World Heritage Site and Canada’s largest National Park. Today you will enjoy a short scenic tour including the many natural attractions, rugged peaks, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of some of the many creatures that call this mountain park home, such as elk, deer, big horned sheep, eagles and more!
The remainder of the day is free for you to explore more of Jasper independently. Overnight in Jasper.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Jasper at Marmot Lodge (RedLeaf) or the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Fairmont Room (GoldLeaf) or Deluxe Room (Fairmont Deluxe and GoldLeaf).
Day 5. Lake Louise
Travel to Lake Louise via one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. A stop will be made at Athabasca Falls before arriving at the Columbia Icefield. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out some interesting geological features. Time will be available for lunch at the Icefield Centre. (not included). Afterwards, a brief stop will be made at Bow Lake before arriving in Lake Louise this afternoon. Overnight in Lake Louise.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Lake Louise at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Room (RedLeaf), Fairmont Lakeview Room (GoldLeaf) or Deluxe Lakeview Room (Fairmont Deluxe and GoldLeaf).
Day 6. Banff
This morning you are free to explore beautiful glacier-fed Lake Louise on your own. After lunch, a half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, built by the CPR in 1909 to prevent runaway trains, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to Banff (pop. 8,700). 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.”Overnight in Banff.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Banff at the Banff Caribou Lodge (RedLeaf) or at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel’s Fairmont Room (GoldLeaf) or Deluxe Room (Fairmont Deluxe and GoldLeaf).
Please note: While departure from The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will be approximately 2:00 p.m., scheduled checkout time is normally 12:00 p.m. Your luggage will be stored upon checkout and you are free to enjoy the amenities of the hotel before the tour departs.
Day 7. Calgary with Summit Helicopter Tour
Today you will enjoy a full-day tour concluding in Calgary. Begin the morning with a sightseeing tour of Banff. 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, which 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: Cline River, Abraham Lake and a cirque of mountain peaks all over 3,000 meters await your ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs”. 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) or the Fairmont Palliser’s Fairmont room (GoldLeaf) or Junior Suite (Fairmont Deluxe and GoldLeaf).
Day 8. Calgary Departure
Your vacation ends upon checkout from your Calgary hotel.
