Canadian Rockies Featuring Banff & Lake Louise

Your week-long vacation to the Canadian Rockies begins today as you arrive on Canada's West Coast in the cultural city of Vancouver. With a stunning location between the Pacific Ocean and the mountains, Vancouver makes an excellent starting point for incredible adventures.

As you arrive, make your own way to your hotel with the remainder of the day at your leisure. You can begin getting to know the city at your own pace, or opt to add a 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off bus tour to begin exploring the city known as the Gateway to the Rockies. See all the sights as you make a loop of the city, stopping at 30 of Vancouver's attractions, including Gastown, Granville Island, Stanley Park, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden, English Bay, and the shops and restaurants along Robson Street. Learn about the city and its popular sights and landmarks, hopping off to better explore the ones that pique your interest. Overnight Vancouver.

With a full free day in Vancouver, you can get to know the city and its surroundings your way. You might like to head to one of the museums, wander through Stanley Park to see its totem poles and scenic seawall, or continue utilizing your 48-hour Hop-on Hop-Off pass to travel to top attractions, if you have chosen to include one in your package.

Alternatively, you could take one of the following excursions, available at a supplement, to dive deeper into all this area has to offer. Options include:

• A comprehensive Vancouver City Tour featuring Stanley Park and Granville Island
• Granville Island Market Food Tour

Departures after May 1st also have access to:

• Full-day Victoria Trip including Butchart Gardens from Vancouver
• Half-day whale watching tour on a covered ocean cruiser with round-trip scenic floatplane transportation

Overnight Vancouver.

With an early start, enjoy an included transfer to Vancouver's station, where you board Canada's acclaimed Rocky Mountaineer. Settle into the comfortable, reclining seat of your SilverLeaf* car, surrounded by windows, and relax as your journey begins.

Breakfast is served as Rocky Mountaineer starts its path toward the Rockies. The train follows the Fraser Valley through the Coast Mountains, where you can see highlights like the serpentine Fraser River and a narrow point called Hell's Gate. Onboard hosts narrate the route, tell stories and point out scenic attractions, meaning you never miss a moment of the passing scenery. Enjoy lunch and ever-changing views as the terrain becomes arid and you near the town of Kamloops, where you stay for the night.

On arrival, an included transfer takes you to your hotel for the evening, and you are then free to find dinner locally in this city along the Thompson River. Overnight Kamloops.

*Please note: Upgrades are available to GoldLeaf Service on Rocky Mountaineer. Speak to a Rail Specialist for more information.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Back on board Rocky Mountaineer this morning, travel deeper into the stunning scenery of Western Canada. Today's route turns distinctly alpine once more after proceeding through the Shuswap region, enamored by lake views.

Savor a chef-prepared breakfast and coffee as the views unfold, looking forward to highlights like Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railroad was driven, and Rogers Pass. Weave through forests and enjoy increasingly impressive mountain views and lunch before arriving at your final destination, Lake Louise.

Pulling into the station, your time on Rocky Mountaineer comes to a close with an included transfer to your five-star hotel for the night, the remarkable Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This famous hotel sits on the shores of this turquoise lake and offers picturesque views and elegant amenities. You might like to have dinner in one of the restaurants or relax with room service after a long day of travel. Overnight Lake Louise.

• Breakfast, Lunch

With a leisurely start to the day, enjoy time to linger over breakfast or wander around the lake, soaking up spectacular views of the imposing Victoria Glacier overlooking Lake Louise. Later in the day, an included scenic transfer takes you through Banff National Park to downtown Banff. Check into your hotel for a two-night stay, and then you are free to get to know this resort town at your own pace.

The main shopping street, Banff Avenue, is lined with restaurant options and interesting shops to peruse. You could learn more about the Banff region at the Whyte Museum or set out on one of the local hiking trails to delve into the natural grandeur of the Rockies. Another possibility is to add an optional visit to the Banff Hot Springs, which offers panoramic views of the scenic mountain ranges, or an evening wildlife safari tour, which seeks Banff's wildlife in prime viewing locations. Overnight Banff.

Some of the most awe-inspiring sights in the Rockies lie ahead today as you set out on a guided tour of Banff National Park this morning. With a guide, uncover truly inspiring views while visiting Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and Two Jack Viewpoint. In addition to reveling in all these views from the ground, you also have included admission to the Banff Gondola, which takes you to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for panoramic scenes of the Bow Valley. For departures after May 11, this tour also includes a cruise on Lake Minnewanka. After the tour, continue your day at leisure or book one of the optional evening tours suggested on Day 5.

Alternatively, you can explore your way by switching to an alternative tour.

• On all departures, you can join a shorter version of the included tour - Discover Banff & Its Wildlife with Gondola.
• Departures between June 1 and September 27 have access to a full-day Discover Grizzly Bears tour, though this excursion does not allow for an evening tour, as well.

Overnight Banff.

Few experiences compare to riding into the Canadian Rockies aboard Rocky Mountaineer; however, after a day to explore the fascinating city of Vancouver, you had the opportunity to do just that. Panoramic views enveloped the journey, and the train's commitment to high-class service added a touch of elegance to a trip filled with rugged ambiance. Arriving in the Rockies, an overnight stay at the luxurious Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise preceded a two-night stay in Banff, during which you had the opportunity to explore the surrounding national park on included and optional tours.

Your journey through the Canadian Rockies ends today with an included transfer to the Calgary airport for your return flight home. The transfer accommodates flights departing after 11:00 a.m.

Or, if you are not ready for your time in the Rockies to end, speak to a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights in Banff or Calgary.