Essential Rockies by Train
6 days / 5 nights
Trip Overview
This is an enduring favorite - the perfect getaway to the Rockies. Fly into Vancouver and out of Calgary (or vice versa), and experience the best of the Canadian Rockies on the famous Rocky Mountaineer. Spend time exploring the relaxing resort town of Banff and rejoicing in the inspiring beauty of Lake Louise.Map
1 night Vancouver
1 night Kamloops
2 nights Banff
1 night Lake Louise
Depart Calgary
*Can be done in reverse
Trip Images
Begin your Canada train journey relaxing in beautiful Vancouver
Then take the spectacular Rocky Mountaineer to the Rockies...
With gourmet food & outstanding service along the way of your Canada train trip
Rocky Mountaineer's spectacular Goldleaf dome car.
And options for world-famous hotels like the Banff Springs...
Detailed Itinerary
Please note, like most of our Canada rail packages & tours, this railway vacation can be customized to your needs - just ask one of our local experts when you call.Eastbound itinerary shown. Westbound follows the same itinerary in reverse.
Day 1 – Arrival Vancouver
Surrounded by mountains and ocean, Vancouver is where Greenpeace originally started. This is where bears occasionally roam into backyards and coyotes cross the golf course in Stanley Park...
Relax in a sidewalk café, or explore on foot or bicycle before starting your Canadian Rockies train trip.
Day 2 – On the Rocky Mountaineer – Vancouver to Kamloops
A lonesome wail sounds from the Canadian Rockies train whistle, and the smell of your breakfast wafts from the galley, as the Rocky Mountaineer leaves Vancouver on the first leg of its journey through the Canadian Rockies.
Over lunch you’ll climb the steep Fraser Canyon, past the thundering water of Hell’s Gate, and onto the high desert of British Columbia’s interior. Relax, chat, read - or stretch your legs on an outdoor viewing platform. In late afternoon the train arrives in Kamloops where you observe the lifestyle of locals in a small Canadian Rockies town.
Day 3 – On the Rocky Mountain train – into the Canadian Rockies
Over breakfast anticipation builds for your first sighting of the high peaks of the Canadian Rockies. As you travel you’ll learn about the history of the Canadian Rockies train and railroad, keep your eyes peeled for elk, bald eagles and bears. Finally you enter the famous Spiral Tunnels - ascending slowly, round and round through the darkness, until, blinking, you emerge to find yourself high in the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by mighty peaks topped with snow. Overnight in Banff.
Day 4 – In the Canadian Rockies – Explore Banff
Fill your lungs with cool, fresh Canadian Rockies air! Today enjoy a change of pace on your Rocky Mountain train trip. Explore the sleepy mountain town of Banff on with a small group and expert guide, and drink in the views of the surrounding national parks from the summit of Sulphur Mountain. The lofty peak is reached by a gondola swinging beneath the cable far above the valley floor and surrounded by jagged Canadian Rockies peaks, with the Bow River glistening in the distance (note that gondola only runs in peak season May-October). Overnight in Banff.
Day 5 – Deeper into the Rockies – Banff to Lake Louise
Today you’ll meander your way through the southern Canadian Rockies with a guide and small group, stopping along the way to explore hidden gems. Finally, see perhaps the most famous view of your entire Canadian Rockies train trip and in all of the Rockies - the turquoise water of Lake Louise, surrounded by glaciers tumbling down from the high peaks. This is a place to relax, stretch your legs on a stroll or a hike, go for a paddle in a canoe with mountain heritage guides, or indulge in gourmet afternoon tea. Overnight in Lake Louise.
Day 6 – Depart Calgary – your Canadian Rockies train vacation concludes
Filled with memories of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, today you transfer by private vehicle to Calgary airport and home as your Rocky Mountain train vacation draws to a close.
Westbound Itinerary
The trip follows the above Rocky Mountain train trip itinerary in reverse. Begin with your Canada train trip in Calgary and transfer directly to Lake Louise on Day 1 - consider adding a pre-night if you arrive late in the day.
Which part is most beautiful during the season you want to go?
Talk to a friendly local expert TOLL FREE now!
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United Kingdom 0800 917 5924 |
Australia 1800 159 634 |
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Accommodation Styles
Georgian Court Hotel
Comfort Level Hotel
The Georgian Court Hotel features 180 guestrooms in a 12-story brick building, in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Enjoy a comfortable sleep in your elegant room, surf the internet with the complimentary wireless, or enjoy a meal on the seasonal patio.
Rimrock Resort
Deluxe
The Rimrock Resort is one of Fresh Tracks favourite hotels! The hotel is built into the side of a mountain, when you enter the main lobby, you are actually on the 7th floor, and the views from the pamorama of windows over the Bow Valley are simply stunning. The hotel has an upscale yet understated feel, and the service is impeccable.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Deluxe
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is undoubtedly a beautiful and impressive hotel. Its amazing location overlooking beautiful Lake Louise and the distant mountains can not be compared. There are a variety of restaurant types, so you can do casual or fine dining as you choose. Strolling around the lake, renting a canoe, riding horses, or hiking up to the tea house are all great summer activities. In winter choose from snow shoeing, skating, skiing or taking a sleigh ride around the lake.
Moraine Lake Lodge
Luxury Mountain Lodge
Staying at the Moraine Lakelodge is an alpine experience unto itself. The log beam structures are elegantly rustic, and are graced with grand windows, providing breathtaking vistas of the snow-capped mountains and glacier-fed lake. Guests are steeped in a natural setting that offers canoeing, hiking, nature-watching, climbing and photography. Enjoy fine cuisine with fellow guests, sit next to a roaring fire in the library, or sip a glass of wine on the deck. Your stay includes complimentary canoeing, as well guided walking and evening programs on certain days of the week. Rooms are free of TVs and phones, to make your stay utterly tranquil. A complimentary market fresh breakfast is offered each morning.
Options & Upgrades
Canadian vacation customization and upgrade ideasHere are some ideas - but please ask your Fresh Tracks Canada expert for more ideas tailored to your needs when you call. All our Canada train trips can be customized to create your ideal vacation featuring some time on a railroad across all or part of Canada.
• Upgrade, or mix and match hotel and lodge accommodations
• Upgrade to GoldLeaf Service aboard the Rocky Mountaineer - Dome windows optimize your view of the great scenery, excellent food and an outdoor viewing platform allowing wonderful photographic opportunities make this option a must.
• Add a cruise to your trip, along Alaska’s Inside Passage
• Extend your stay in the Canadian Rockies to explore the nature trails with a naturalist guide, enjoy a gentle guided canoe paddle on Lake Louise, indulge in afternoon tea in the Fairview dining room, add a thrilling helicopter ride, or simply enjoy some quiet time to relax.
• Add a trip to Victoria, British Columbia’s quaint capital city on Vancouver Island to go whale watching, visit the Butchart Gardens, and experience the unique culture of the Pacific Northwest.
• Combine this trip with one of our other spectacular packages
Dates & Prices
Trip Start Dates - 2012Eastbound starting in Vancouver:
Apr 23, 30
May 3, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28, 31
Jun 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28
Jul 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22
Aug 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30
Sep 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 17, 20, 27
Oct 1
Westbound starting in Calgary
Apr 23, 30
May 3, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28, 31
Jun 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28
Jul 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22
Aug 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30
Sep 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 17, 20, 27
Oct 1
| Comfort Hotels & Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service | USD$ | |||
| Double | Single | SilverLeaf Upgrade | GoldLeaf Upgrade | |
| Apr 23 2012 | 2,270 | 3,491 | 540 | 915 |
| Apr 30 - May 28 2012 | 2,650 | 4,182 | ||
| May 31 - Sep 27 2012 | 3,016 | 4,661 | ||
| Oct 1 2012 | 2,724 | 4,079 | ||
| Deluxe Hotels & Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service | USD$ | |||
| Double | Single | SilverLeaf Upgrade | GoldLeaf Upgrade | |
| Apr 23 2012 | 2,690 | 4,250 | 540 | 915 |
| Apr 30 - May 28 2012 | 2,892 | 4,638 | ||
| May 31 - Sep 27 2012 | 3,353 | 5,307 | ||
| Oct 1 2012 | 3,060 | 4,715 | ||
| Deluxe Plus Hotels & Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service | USD$ | |
| Double | Single | |
| Apr 23 2012 | 4,407 | 6,649 |
| Apr 30 - May 28 2012 | 4,925 | 7,592 |
| May 31 - Sep 27 2012 | 5,420 | 8,341 |
| Oct 1 2012 | 4,716 | 6,933 |
| Mountain lodges & Rocky Mountaineer RedLeaf Service | USD$ | |||
| Double | Single | SilverLeaf Upgrade | GoldLeaf Upgrade | |
| May 28 - Jun 24 2012 | 3,199 | 5,117 | 540 | 915 |
| Jun 28 - Sep 20 2012 | 3,469 | 5,656 | ||
| Sep 27 2012 | 3,029 | 4,776 | ||
• Obsessive attention to detail
• Caring and creative people
• Intimate knowledge of Canada
• Unique, small group excursions
• The promise of seamless amazement
Canadian train vacation price notes
• Prices are per person
• Double means two people occupying a room
• Triple and child rates are available
Included on your Canadian train vacation
• 5 nights of hotel accommodation
• A personalized pick up from your arrival airport (Vancouver or Calgary)
• Small group sightseeing tour of Banff (3 hour)
• Banff Gondola Ride
• Small group sightseeing transfer
between Banff and Lake Louise (3 hour)
• 2 spectacular days on the Rocky Mountaineer train, between Vancouver and Banff
• 2 delicious breakfasts and lunches onboard the train
• Train station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops and Banff
• A personalized departure transfer, in time for your flight home
• Documentation package
• Friendly and dedicated Fresh Tracks Canada customer service
Not included on your Canadian train vacation
• Meals, other than those mentioned
• Airfare (but don’t hesitate to ask for help)
• Gratuities for rail, hotel, tour & transfer staff
• Trip Cancellation Insurance (highly recommended)
• Canadian Sales Taxes
Need help making the most of your time?
Call one of our friendly local experts TOLL FREE now!
| US & Canada 1 877 913 5264 |
United Kingdom 0800 917 5924 |
Australia 1800 159 634 |
Other Countries 1 604 737 8743 |
Contact Us » |