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North America

Best of the Rockies

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9 days From $6,855 $6,555 per person
4.1 stars(34 reviews)
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Marvel at the wonders of the Canadian landscape on this 9-day rail tour, which both begins and ends in Vancouver.

Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary
Save up to $300

Offer Ends May 22nd: Save up to $300 per person on Independent Canada vacations.

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2025 Tour code: PR-BORR-25

About the tour

The majesty of the Canadian Rockies awaits on this round-trip tour through western Canada. Begin in the coastal city of Vancouver before you board the first train of your tour, Rocky Mountaineer, early the next morning for the journey to Kamloops. After an overnight, take in more Rocky Mountain scenery on the way to the famed resort town of Banff, where you enjoy both guided touring and free time to explore.

From Banff, enjoy a scenic transfer to the hamlet of Lake Louise, where the juxtaposition of the clear, turquoise waters of this famous lake and the looming Victoria Glacier is nothing short of striking. Next, journey along the Icefield Parkway to Jasper, stopping en route to explore the glaciers at the Columbia Icefield. Spend time sightseeing on your own in Jasper before boarding VIA Rail's Canadian for the overnight rail journey back to Vancouver, where your vacation comes to an end.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Banff
Banff
Explore the mountain town of Banff.
Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer
Experience the best of both worlds with a classic overnight rail experience and two days of all-daylight train travel.
Columbia Icefield
Columbia Icefield
Visit the Columbia Icefield and take a ride on an Ice Explorer.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Vancouver

Arrive in the coastal city of Vancouver today. Your hotel is ideally located in the heart of Vancouver, close to many popular attractions, shops, and restaurants. Make the most of your day in the city. You may wish to shop along Robson Street, visit Stanley Park or the Vancouver Aquarium. For those looking for adventure, get an aerial view of the city from Grouse Mountain or swing from the trees at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Get a taste of the city's vibrant culinary scene and ferry over to Granville Island, or dine in Gastown. Overnight Vancouver.

Day 2 - Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops

Board the Rocky Mountaineer this morning for your 7:30 am departure. Admire the breathtaking scenery as you're whisked east through the Coastal Mountains to the Fraser River, which will be your path to tonight's destination. Your onboard attendants will be able to share detailed commentary on the region through which you're traveling. Enjoy delicious meals as you're awed by the beauty of British Columbia. Scenic highlights of today's journey include the rushing waters of Hell's Gate deep in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes leading into the Thompson River. Arrive in Kamloops this evening and stroll the quaint town at leisure. Overnight Kamloops. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 - Kamloops to Banff onboard Rocky Mountaineer

Rise and shine! The Rocky Mountaineer departs Kamloops early this morning to continue its journey through the Canadian Rockies. Highlights of today's trip include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, and the Spiral Tunnels. Just when you think the scenery can't be any more stunning, it is. Cross the Continental Divide and arrive in Banff this evening. Overnight Banff. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 - Banff Sightseeing

This morning, embark on a sightseeing tour of Banff to discover the town's natural surroundings and see where it all began. Your tour will take you to the hoodoos, Tunnel Mountain Drive, and the Cave & Basin, a National Historic Site that commemorates the birthplace of Canada's National Park System, which started in Banff in 1885. This afternoon is yours to explore Banff on your own. Go for a hike, add a visit the Banff Upper Hot Springs, explore Banff National Park, or take an evening wildlife excursion. Overnight Banff.

Day 5 - Banff to Lake Louise

Enjoy a scenic transfer to the alpine hamlet of Lake Louise. The remainder of the day is yours to stroll around the glacier-fed lake or discover the history behind the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Overnight Lake Louise.

Day 6 - Lake Louise to Jasper

Today, travel along the scenic Icefield Parkway to Jasper. A highlight of the journey is a stop at the Columbia Icefield. Here, venture by Ice Explorer onto the massive Athabasca Glacier. Continue to Jasper with the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight Jasper.

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 7 - Depart Jasper aboard VIA Rail's Canadian

After breakfast on your own, transfer to the train station to board VIA Rail's Canadian. Settle into your onboard accommodations and prepare for your overnight journey west to Vancouver. Overnight train. 

Includes
  • Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Vancouver

Arrive this morning in Vancouver and transfer to your hotel. Spend the day enjoying all this beautiful city has to offer.  Opt to be surrounded by nature by adding on admission to the Capilano Suspension Bridge & Park. Atlernatively, add admission to FlyOver Canada, a thrilling multisensory journey across Canada aboard the latest in flight ride technology. Discover the country's most famous sights without leaving your seat. Overnight Vancouver.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 9 - Conclusion

Your tour comes to a close this morning. You may wish to extend your stay for additional time in Vancouver or transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Additional information

Pricing Plans

Superior
• Hotels include the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center, Rimrock Resort, Post Hotel, The Crimson, or similar; subject to availability at the time of confirmation. Kamloops hotel is included and will be confirmed upon check-in for the Rocky Mountaineer.
• Rocky Mountaineer accommodations are in SilverLeaf Service. Seats are in a single level dome car with oversized windows. VIA Rail accommodations are in Sleeper Plus Class in a private cabin featuring two comfortable sofa chairs during the day that are replaced by an upper and lower bed at night, with en suite washroom and access to shower facilities.
• Gourmet meals are included and served to you at your seat on the Rocky Mountaineer. Meals are included onboard the Canadian in the dining car. You will have evening access to the Park Car on the Canadian.

Deluxe
• Hotels include the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, or similar; subject to availability at the time of confirmation. Kamloops hotel is included and will be confirmed upon check-in for the Rocky Mountaineer.
• Rocky Mountaineer accommodations are in GoldLeaf Service. You will be traveling in a bi-level dome car with your seats being on the upper level of the car. You will have exclusive access to an outdoor viewing platform. VIA Rail accommodations are in Sleeper Plus Class in a private cabin featuring two comfortable sofa chairs during the day that are replaced by an upper and lower bed at night, with en suite washroom and access to shower facilities.
• Gourmet meal service is included and served on the lower level of the car on the Rocky Mountaineer. Meals are included onboard the Canadian in the dining car. You will have evening access to the Park Car on the Canadian.

Prestige
• Hotels include the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, or similar; subject to availability at the time of confirmation. Kamloops hotel is included and will be confirmed upon check-in for the Rocky Mountaineer.
• Rocky Mountaineer accommodations are in GoldLeaf Service. You will be traveling in a bi-level dome car with your seats being on the upper level of the car. You will have exclusive access to an outdoor viewing platform. VIA Rail accommodations on the Canadian are in Prestige Class in a private cabin featuring a large, comfortable leather couch, fold-down double bed, private washroom with shower, flat-screen TV with video selection, fully stocked minibar, and personalized service by the Prestige Concierge.
• Gourmet meal service is included on the lower level of the car on the Rocky Mountaineer. Meals are included onboard the Canadian, with priority access to dining car reservations. Prestige Class passengers also enjoy access to the Prestige Park Car for spectacular views.

Please Note

Cabins purchased on VIA rail for a single traveler are Cabins for 1. For upgrade options, ask your rail specialist for details.

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Trains

Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer's First Passage to the West
VIA Rail's Canadian
VIA Rail's Canadian Prestige Class

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Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 34 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (16)
  2. 4 stars
    (13)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (4)

Keith Gilroy

5 stars

Submitted 24 May 2024

The scenery was fabulous and the Gold Leaf Package was perfect. Great Food and Great Hotels in Banff and Lake Louise. The Rocky Mountaineer train was excellent but the return trip from Jasper on Canadian VIA Rail was only OK. The food and accommodation were a step down and we had a number of rail delays due to freight trains which have priority. Arrived back in Vancouver 5 hours late.

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CHERYL MARIE CAVIGLIA

5 stars

Submitted 11 Oct 2023

It was a great trip with beautiful scenery. Loved the Fairmount hotels.

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LISA PESCIO-RUZYCKI

5 stars

Submitted 22 Sep 2023

This was an awesome trip! Absolutely first class.

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CONSTANCE VANDERGRIFF

5 stars

Submitted 18 Aug 2023

We loved the whole experience! The views from the train were breathtaking. The meals were excellent, tasty, and varied. We became friends with a couple from Brighton near London, England, and this made the trip even more enjoyable. The Brewster tours were well organized. All the hotels, except in Kamloops, were lovely and had gorgeous views. The overnight train back to Vancouver was relaxing. This was a dream come true vacation.

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CONSTANCE VANDERGRIFF
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ROBERTA GDOWIK

5 stars

Submitted 23 Sep 2022

Our Best of the Rockies Canada trip was fantastic. All our hotel and side trip arrangements were exactly as scheduled, there were no surprises. We are very happy we chose Vacations by Rail as our travel agent and the arrangements they made for us to enjoy all the wonderful sights of the Canadian Rockies.

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Mike

5 stars

Submitted 10 Sep 2022

This trip exceeded our exspectations! The view of the mountains, the rivers and the perfect weather made our trip enjoyable. The speed of the train allowed us to enjoy the narration by Michelle, our car captain. You have to take the trip to really understand the value and beauty of this trip

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