Calgary Stampede, Canadian Rockies & Glacier

Your vacation featuring stunning national parklands and grand traditions begins today at Chicago's Union Station. As you arrive, meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers, and together, board Amtrak's Empire Builder for an overnight rail journey toward "Big Sky Country."

Step aboard and settle into your onboard accommodations as the train begins its westward route. As Chicago's skyline fades into the backdrop, you might like to find a seat in the observation car to watch the changing scenery. This iconic route follows in the footsteps of early pioneers, venturing through Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota before arriving in Montana tomorrow. You can purchase meals in the dining car or light offerings from the café as the route unfolds this evening. Overnight train.

Note: Travelers may elect to travel from Seattle or points in between and meet the group in Whitefish, MT.

 Waking on the train, you can sit back and relax as another day of picturesque scenery lies ahead. Our route proceeds through North Dakota this morning, passing through cities like Fargo and vast stretches of prairie. The Empire Builder crosses the 1,792-foot-long Gassman Coulee Trestle and follows the shores of the Missouri River before entering Montana, where the views become increasingly dramatic.

Today provides another fantastic opportunity to admire the views from the train's Sightseer Lounge Car. Here, large panoramic windows provide the perfect lookout over the natural undulations in the land and, eventually, the towering mountains.

The train pulls into the station in Whitefish late this evening, at which time a coach transfer takes us to our hotel to check in for the first of two nights. Overnight Whitefish.

 Our day begins with breakfast at the hotel before heading into Glacier National Park to Lake McDonald Lodge. One of the most iconic ways to explore Glacier National Park is from vintage Red Jammer buses, and ours awaits at the lodge for a three-hour tour.

These "Rubies of the Rockies" were built in the 1930s and feature iconic red paint and roll-back convertible tops that allow for unobstructed views from all angles. We make our way along Going-to-the-Sun Road, learning about the wildlife, geology and history of the park en route. Lean your head back and gaze up at the imposing mountain peaks and big blue skies while enjoying the peaceful ambiance accompanying vast meadows, plunging valleys and rugged mountain scenes. Highlights of our tour include the Crown of the Continent at Logan's Pass, Lake McDonald Valley, St. Mary Valley and Swiftcurrent Valley.

We return to Lake McDonald Lodge with time to continue exploring the park at leisure and then return to Whitefish with a free evening. Whitefish has a diverse range of eateries for dinner tonight - some overlooking beautiful Whitefish Lake. Overnight Whitefish.

• Breakfast

 Leaving Montana this morning by coach, we make our way across the Canadian border toward Banff in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. We can gaze upon the Kootenay and Purcell Mountains from our seats before arriving in Cranbrook, BC, where we are free through lunch.

Back on the road, we continue north through the Columbia Valley to Radium Hot Springs, a town with natural hot springs that have been attracting travelers since the 1840s. Radium Hot Springs is located within Kootenay National Park, and we have some time here to enjoy its offerings and remarkable views of the Canadian Rockies before continuing to Banff this afternoon.

Enjoy scenic stops and spectacular viewpoints as our route weaves through the national parklands toward our hotel, set within walking distance of all downtown's offerings. We check in with the remainder of the evening to find dinner locally. Overnight Banff.

• Breakfast

Spend the day enjoying downtown Banff and Banff National Park at your own pace. Surrounded by views of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade, downtown Banff is brimming with stunning views and laid-back ambiance. You may like to spend some time meandering through the shops, restaurants and galleries; the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies is a favorite with visitors, as is Banff Park Museum.

If you desire adventure, there are over 1,000 miles of well-maintained hiking trails throughout the park and plenty of guided excursions (payable locally), including those that seek out Banff's wildlife.

Later this afternoon, we reconvene to ride the Banff Gondola above the treetops to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. The ride takes less than 10 minutes, and at the top, you can peruse the Banff Interpretive Center, enjoy views over six mountain ranges from the rooftop deck (weather permitting), or cross the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to reach Sanson's Peak. After some time to explore, we have dinner together in the summit-top restaurant. Overnight Banff.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Today's sightseeing adventure takes us deeper into Banff National Park to some of its most awe-inspiring locations, beginning with Lake Louise. We set out after breakfast at the hotel and enjoy expansive views of the park's untamed landscapes en route. A visit to Lake Louise is a highlight of any Banff vacation, with its turquoise-colored waters, surrounding mountain and glacier scenery, and romantic lodge on its shores. As we arrive at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, enjoy some free time to soak in the vistas.

Next, we travel along Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies. We have a unique chance to get up close to the frozen scenery here, as on arrival, we board an Ice Explorer vehicle for an unforgettable journey out onto Athabasca Glacier.

We return to downtown Banff this evening, where you can relax after a day of adventure or head out to enjoy Banff's culinary offerings. Overnight Banff.

• Breakfast

 Savor a leisurely morning to have a slow breakfast or wrap up any hiking or sightseeing you might like to accomplish in Banff National Park. Leaving Banff after lunch, we can watch the dramatic scenery of Alberta change from mountains to city as we drive toward Calgary.

Our drive takes us out of the front range of the Rockies and through unique little hills known as drumlins. We then cross over Scott Lake Hill before arriving on flatter land, where the cities come into view, and small rock formations signify the last remnants of the Canadian Rockies.

Entering Calgary's city limits, we head to Heritage Park, Canada's largest living history museum, where you can immerse yourself in yesteryear by speaking with costumed interpreters and visiting interactive displays showcasing Western Canada's development. Following our visit, we continue to our Calgary hotel, where the evening is at leisure to get acquainted with the city. Overnight Calgary.

• Breakfast

 Today, enjoy a free morning and afternoon in Calgary. Work your way through the landmarks and hotspots of the city. A favorite of visitors is the Glenbow Museum, where local arts and history are presented through interesting displays. Seeing the city's architecture and the surrounding scenery from the Calgary Tower is an experience not to miss. Of course, you could also use your included ticket to spend the day at the Calgary Stampede.

Meeting at our hotel later this afternoon, we head to Stampede Park for a special dinner in the Clubhouse on the fourth level of the Grandstand before the main event: the Chuckwagon Races and Grandstand Show. Feel the excitement build over each of the nine heats as sounds of horse hooves pounding the earth fill the air. When the winner crosses the finish line, the Grandstand Show begins. Acrobats, musicians, dancers and other talented performers entertain us all night before the evening concludes with a colorful fireworks display. Overnight Calgary.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Enjoy a leisurely morning to continue your explorations of Calgary, perhaps heading to Prince's Island Park or taking a calm stroll along the Riverwalk. We reconvene at the hotel later this morning and make our way by coach to the Stampede Grounds for an afternoon at the Stampede Rodeo.

Take in the sights and sounds of the rodeo, shop at the many vendors, and experience the amazing events for which this world-class event is known. Traditional rodeo events - bareback bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc, steer wrestling and tie-down roping - keep the excitement going throughout the day and into the evening. Of course, food stalls are abundant throughout the Stampede Grounds, offering everything from mini doughnuts and poutine to unique dishes created specifically for the event. Overnight Calgary. 

• Breakfast

 A showcase of stunning parklands, towering mountains and Canadian culture, this adventure has offered a bit of everything. Our journey began with a classic overnight rail adventure to Whitefish, Montana, and continued on the ground, soaking in the sights of Glacier and Banff National Parks. Traveling to Calgary, we were treated to a feast for the senses at the Calgary Stampede - a highly anticipated annual event where each day offers a new way to soak up cowboy culture.

Your Calgary Stampede vacation comes to a close after breakfast this morning. A group transfer to Calgary International Airport accommodates flights departing after 1:00 p.m.

• Breakfast