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Vacations By Rail Canadian Rockies
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CANADIAN ROCKIES BY RAIL



 Alaska By Rail and Sea

 Canadian Rockies by Rail

 Glacier National Park

 Grand Canyon

 Luxury Rail through Europe

 New England by Rail

 North America’s National Parks

 Springtime in Europe

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 The Best Vacations By Rail of 2010

 Winter Rail in Canada






The very best of British Columbia and Alberta—from Vancouver to the west and Calgary in the east and the Rockies in between including tours of Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and more.

Inside Track
CountryCanada
StateBritish Columbia, Alberta
Area1,450 km (901 miles)
Highest PointMount Robson - 12,972 ft
Lowest PointLiard River - 1,001 ft
CurrencyCanadian Dollar
Time ZonePacific & Mountain
Popular TrainsRocky Mountaineer, Royal Canadian Pacific, VIA Rail’s Canadian
Vacations By Rail
to Canadian Rockies
42
The majestic Canadian Rockies span more than 69,498 square miles from the Rocky Mountain Trench in the west to the Canadian Prairies in the east. Dotted with charming alpine towns, boasting five national parks, incredible scenery, and an assortment of activities, it is an exciting and beautiful destination for your next travel adventure.

A vacation to the Canadian Rockies is not complete without visits to Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise.

Banff Must-See’s
  • The 8-minute Banff gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain yields breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Minnewanka, the town of Banff, and the Bow Valley.


  • Named after the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, Lake Louise is known for its brilliant turquoise waters that draw its color from the glacial sediment that is suspended in its waters.


  • The Scottish baronial-style Banff Springs Hotel was designated a National Historic site in 1992.


  • Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park, has delightful lakeside trails and boat tours that discuss the history, folk lore, and geology of the area.


Jasper Must-See’s
  • Jasper National Park was established in 1907. With over 10,878 square kilometers of natural beauty, it holds the honor of being the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies.


  • The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest icefields in North America and resides in Jasper National Park. Visitors can even hike over the ice!



How to Get There
Many getaways to the Canadian Rockies begin or end in Vancouver. The Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is served by regional, national and international airlines from popular gateways around the globe. Calgary International Airport (YYC) is another popular arrival and departure gateway for trips to the Canadian Rockies.

Upon arrival, the best way to travel to the heart of the Canadian Rockies and visit its most popular destinations is by train. VIA Rail’s Canadian, the Rocky Mountaineer, and the Royal Canadian Pacific provide travelers with the unique opportunity to see the unspoiled natural beauty and amazing wildlife that make up this amazing part of North America. Vacations By Rail offers more than 40 rail vacations that include the Canadian Rockies.

Entrance Fees
Nominal entrance fees start at $9.80 CAD per person and are required to enter the Parks.

Entry Requirements
U.S. citizens require a valid passport to travel to and from Canada. Some destinations outside of the U.S. may require a visa in addition to a passport. The Canadian Border Services Agency or your country’s embassy can provide you with specific entry requirements.

When to Go
While any month is a good time to experience the Canadian Rockies by rail, there are two times of the year that are especially appealing to travelers: mid-June to late August when humidity is low and there are extended daylight hours, and the prime ski season between December and February, when the mountains are dressed in winter white.

Monthly Averages (in Fahrenheit)
Banff
High / Low
Jasper
High / Low
January23 / 5January21 / 3
February32 / 12February31 / 11
March39 / 18March39 / 18
April48 / 27April50 / 27
May58 / 35May59 / 35
June66 / 42June67 / 42
July72 / 45July72 / 46
August71 / 44August71 / 45
September61 / 37September61 / 37
October50 / 30October50 / 30
November33 / 17November32 / 16
December23 / 1December22 / 6

Taxes
The Canadian government levies a goods and services tax (GST) of 5% in most provinces. In addition, each—with the exception of Alberta—has their own provincial sales tax (PST). Many provinces have blended these taxes into one harmonized sales tax (HST) which will take effect on July 1, 2010.

Tipping
Gratuities are rarely included on restaurant bills unless they are accommodating a large group. A tip of 15% is customary. Tipping is expected for other services as well (baggage handling, valet service, taxis and private drivers), the percentage of which is at your discretion.

Trains of the Canadian Rockies
Train travel through the Canadian Rockies is the very best way to get up close and personal with this area’s amazing beauty, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking scenery. There are three popular train services that take you through this majestic mountain range: the Rocky Mountaineer, the Royal Canadian Pacific, and VIA Rail’s Canadian.

Rocky Mountaineer: The Rocky Mountaineer is the largest privately owned passenger train service in North America. This unique 2-day rail journey travels an historic route constructed over 100 years ago through Canada’s West and the Canadian Rockies. The entire train journey occurs during daylight hours to ensure travelers can take in as much of the breathtaking scenery as possible.

Royal Canadian Pacific: The historic Royal Canadian Pacific train carriages were built between 1916 and 1931 and have since been restored in their classic style to provide a luxurious rail journey through the Canadian Rockies that harkens on days gone by. Well-appointed private rooms on the train combine with world-class cuisine, impeccable onboard services, and extraordinary off-train sightseeing to create truly memorable luxury rail vacation.

VIA Rail’s Canadian: The sleek Canadian slices across Canada from Vancouver to Toronto, traveling through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Admire dense forests, glistening lakes, and prairies that stretch for miles as you enjoy top-notch service in Silver & Blue Class including superior accommodations, superb meals, and impeccable service.

Vacations By Rail & The Canadian Rockies
Vacations By Rail offers an assortment of rail vacations through the Canadian Rockies. Packages range from 2 to 17 days and start at $609 per person. Departures are available year-round. A selection of Canadian Rockies rail vacations includes the following:

Canada By Rail Trans Canada By Rail with Jasper - A 9-day adventure on VIA Rail’s Canadian from Toronto, through the Canadian Rockies, to Vancouver.

Canada By Rail with Rockies Trans Canada By Rail & the Rockies - 12-day tour from Toronto to Vancouver incorporating VIA Rail’s Canadian and unbelievable sightseeing in Vancouver, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, and Toronto.

Romantic Rockies by Rail Canadian Rockies by Rail – Combine train travel through the spectacular Canadian Rockies on VIA Rail’s Canadian, plentiful sightseeing, famed national parks, and luxurious hotels to make this memorable 7-day tour from Vancouver to Calgary.

Canadian Rockies Highlights – This 6-day package travels from Vancouver to Calgary and includes Rocky Mountaineer rail service from Vancouver to Banff. Highlights of the trip include Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels, a sightseeing tour of Banff, and a summit helicopter ride.

Northern Rockies at Leisure Northern Rockies at Leisure – Your 11-day vacation starts in Vancouver with an exciting trip on the Whistler Mountaineer to the resort town of Whistler. From Whistler, board the Rocky Mountaineer for an exciting journey to Quesnel, Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff. Continue on to Calgary where your vacation comes to a close. Tour highlights include the Icefields Parkway tour, Yoho Park tour, the Banff gondola, and more.

Best of The Rockies – This 8-day vacation combines two great rail journeys to explore the very best of the Canadian Rockies. Travel from Vancouver to Kamloops and Banff on the famed Rocky Mountaineer. Enjoy motorcoach sightseeing from Banff to Jasper before continuing your return journey from Jasper to Vancouver on VIA Rail’s Canadian service.

Canadian Rockies Experience Canadian Rockies Experience – Your luxurious 7-day tour begins in the Heart of the New West, Calgary, where you will board the elegant Royal Canadian Pacific and traverse the Canadian Rockies. In addition to this historic train itself, highlights of this unique journey include Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a lake cruise of the scenic Walton Lakes, a visit to the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, the Spiral Tunnels, and more.


Visitor Information
Greater Vancouver Convention and Visitors Bureau
http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/

Banff and Lake Louise
http://www.banfflakelouise.com/

Tourism Calgary
http://www.tourismcalgary.com/


Call 1-877-929-7245 today to book your Canadian Rockies by Rail Trip or
browse all Canadian Rockies trips.


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