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Railroading in the Rockies
Rail Journey through the Canadian Rockies
Credit Rocky Mountaineer
Two National Parks
Two Scenic Ferry Rides
Courtesy of Black Ball Ferry Line
The Butchart Gardens®
Victoria
Enjoy the splendor of the Canadian Rockies and Western Canada, featuring a luxurious rail journey and two iconic national parks. Begin with a picturesque drive along the Olympic Peninsula and a scenic ferry ride to Victoria, renowned for its rich British culture. Embark on a guided city tour to learn about historic sites and stroll through remarkable floral displays at The Butchart Gardens. Next, we take another scenic ferry ride to Vancouver to begin our rail journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer with award-winning service, gourmet meals, and spectacular views. Our train makes an overnight stop in the charming town of Kamloops before disembarking in Jasper, home to Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Rockies. Following an overnight in Jasper, we travel to the Columbia Icefield to get up close to the famous Athabasca Glacier. We continue on to the unique mountain town of Banff for a panoramic city tour, breathtaking gondola ride, and Mountie meet-and-greet. Our trip concludes in Calgary with a visit to Canada’s largest living history museum, Heritage Park.
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
Banff National Park
Spend the day in Canada’s first national park! Its stunning glacial lakes, majestic wildlife, and picture-perfect mountain town draw in tourists from all over. Meet a retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and revel in stories from their time in service. Take in aerial views on a gondola ride, then see the awe-inspiring beauty of Lake Louise. Watch for bears, cougars, elk, bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and more. Savor lunch at the grand Fairmont Banff Springs hotel with views of the valley and Mount Rundle before an afternoon to explore independently.
Rocky Mountaineer Train
Enjoy unbeatable comfort, world-class hospitality, and delightful cuisine during a journey through the stunning Canadian wilderness, much of which is only accessible by train. Choose from two onboard experiences, GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf Service. Both offer panoramic views of the breathtaking landscapes, fascinating stories from our hosts, an overnight hotel stay in Kamloops, as well as complimentary beverages and snacks.
Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure™
Explore interpretive exhibits in the Glacier Discovery Centre before boarding our Ice Explorer, a special all-terrain vehicle with six wheels, for a thrilling ride onto the famous Athabasca Glacier. Delight in up-close views of this geological wonder as our driver-guide shares the history of the icefields and how they contribute to nearby ecosystems. Then, step out onto the ice to feel its power beneath your feet as you take in its breathtaking beauty and sip fresh glacial water
Calgary Heritage Park
Travel back to days gone by to experience the pioneer spirit at this extraordinary living history museum, nestled within the foothills of Alberta on the Glenmore Reservoir. Become immersed in four distinct periods of Canadian history as you wander through authentically restored buildings, interact with costumed interpreters, take a vintage train ride, and explore the bustling town square, complete with a blacksmith shop, general store, and lively saloon.
- Day 1: Fly to SeattleUpon arrival, we check in to our accommodations for the evening.
- Day 2: Ferry to VictoriaAfter breakfast, we embark on a picturesque drive along the Olympic Peninsula before a ferry crossing takes us through the Strait of Juan de Fuca to beautiful Vancouver Island. We arrive in enchanting Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia, for two relaxing nights with shops, cafes, and interesting attractions just a stroll away. Tonight, we get to know fellow travelers over a delicious Welcome Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3: VictoriaOur day begins with a guided tour of this vibrant capital city. It began as an outpost for the Hudson Bay Company in 1843 and is now known for its rich British culture, magnificent architecture, and time-honored traditions. We view historic sites including Bastion Square, Chinatown, and the Parliament Building on the lovely Inner Harbor. After enjoying an included lunch together, we have the rest of the day at leisure to browse delightful shops or visit local attractions.
Meals Included: Lunch
- Day 4: The Butchart Gardens®This morning, we visit The Butchart Gardens®, one of the most highly acclaimed horticultural exhibitions in the world. Stroll along pathways through meticulously landscaped and themed gardens, enjoy the seasonal floral displays, and see Ross Fountain play its pattern of water displays every four minutes. Following an included lunch, we board a ferry for British Columbia's mainland. Upon arrival in Vancouver, Canada’s third-largest city, we check in to our overnight accommodations.
Meals Included: Lunch
- Day 5: Ride the RailsToday’s adventure is a comfortable rail journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer through the majestic Canadian Rockies, featuring a choice of GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf service. Enjoy a variety of viewing experiences along the route, including glass-dome cars and an outdoor observation platform. Delight in award-winning service with complimentary snacks and beverages as we soak up the spectacular views following the mighty Fraser River eastbound, passing through remote areas of untamed wilderness. Your taste buds will savor every bite of an included gourmet breakfast and lunch, prepared by onboard executive chefs using locally sourced foods. This evening, we disembark in the charming town of Kamloops and settle into our overnight accommodations.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 6: JasperWe wave goodbye to Kamloops this morning and board the Rocky Mountaineer for another incredible day of taking in awe-inspiring views. Today’s route ventures through the Shuswap region, providing brilliant lake views and an exclusive look at Pyramid Falls, a vantage point only accessible by rail. Have your camera ready to capture photos of the towering mountains that surround us, including Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies. We arrive in Jasper this evening and check in to our accommodations near Jasper National Park before enjoying dinner on our own.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 7: Icefields ParkwayWe kick off our morning in Jasper National Park with captivating scenery that borders our route along Icefields Parkway. This beautiful area is famous for the glacial blue waters of its many lakes nestled among the mountains. Upon reaching the Columbia Icefield, we board a giant Ice Explorer for an exciting ride atop Athabasca Glacier, a 10,000-year-old sheet of ice. Enjoy the unique experience of walking out onto this natural wonder and take a sip of fresh glacial water as we learn about its powerful history. Later, we have dinner together and settle into our hotel in Banff for the next two nights.
Meals Included: Dinner
- Day 8: BanffOur day in Banff National Park begins with an intriguing tour of the charming mountain town, known for its superlative natural beauty of surrounding lakes and mountains. We then enjoy lunch at the historic and grand Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, offering a savory meal and breathtaking views. Afterwards, relax on a gondola ride to a mountaintop for bird’s-eye views of the awe-inspiring vistas that surround us. The remainder of the day is yours to explore individual interests.
Meals Included: Lunch
- Day 9: Discover CalgaryAfter an included breakfast, we have the unique opportunity to visit a Mountie. This retired Canadian Mounted Police member shares intriguing stories of their years in service and teaches us about the “Red Serge” uniforms, an iconic symbol of Canada. We then board our motorcoach for a comfortable ride to Calgary, where we step back in time at Canada’s largest living history museum. Heritage Park isn’t a museum where history stays behind the glass; the interactive exhibits, costumed interpreters, historic buildings, and hundreds of working antiques are waiting for us to touch, smell, taste, hear, and see how the West once was. Later, we check in to our Calgary hotel for some relaxation before celebrating our travels with new friends over a Farewell Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 10: Fly HomeBid farewell to the beauty of Canada as we depart for the airport, forever remembering our incredible adventure through the Canadian Rockies and Western Canada.
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 1 night at DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport
- 2 nights in Victoria
- 1 night in Vancouver
- 1 night in Kamloops
- 1 night in Jasper
- 2 nights in Banff
- 1 night at The Westin Calgary
Attractions & Highlights
- Ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island
- Victoria guided tour
- The Butchart Gardens®
- Ferry to Vancouver, BC
- Scenic rail journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
- Banff & Jasper National Parks
- Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure™
- Banff Gondola Ride
- Calgary Heritage Park
- Mountie Meet & Greet by Banff Lake Louise Tourism
12 Excellent Meals
- Welcome Dinner in Victoria
- Gourmet meals aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
- Lunch at Fairmont Banff Springs hotel
- Farewell Dinner in Calgary
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
Birmingham - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport