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Rainforest to Gold Rush Explorer - Vancouver to Calgary

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4.8 stars(4 reviews)
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Make your way through the peaks and valleys of the Canadian Rockies aboard the famed lines of the Rocky Mountaineer.

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
9 days Not yet on sale
Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary

2023 Tour code: RV-RGEE-23

About the tour

As one of the most popular vacation packages through the Canadian Rockies, this 9-day rail journey is filled with adventure. Begin your time in Vancouver, where you are free to explore the most popular sites on your own before boarding the Rocky Mountaineer for a daylight-only trip to Whistler. Enjoy all the amenities this resort town has to offer before we reboard the train the next morning enjoying the views along the winding banks of the Fraser River to Quesnel.

Some of the most spectacular scenery of the journey awaits as the train climbs through the mountains and makes its way to Jasper National Park. Between the abundant wildlife roaming the grounds, the rugged mountains looming in the background and the wide-open space, the park has so much to offer; take it all in with a full day of touring.

From Jasper, your vacation continues by motorcoach, with stops in some of the most enticing cities of the Rockies, including Lake Louise and Banff. You continue on to Calgary where your journey comes to a close.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Vancouver

Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this city on your own. Overnight in Vancouver.

Day 2 - Vancouver to Whistler

 

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to the resort town of Whistler, renowned for outstanding skiing and year-round outdoor activities. Following your check-in at and motorcoach transfer from your downtown Vancouver hotel, the Rocky Mountaineer takes you on a breathtaking rail journey through the stunning scenery of the Sea to Sky Corridor. Highlights of the trip include spectacular views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains, Brandywine Falls, Mount Garibaldi, and the impressive Cheakamus Canyon. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Whistler.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 3 - Whistler to Quesnel

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer to the charming rural town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo. Enjoy the breathtaking and varied scenery, from the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley, through the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, to rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau. Highlights include the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacier-fed Seton Lake, sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon, and the crossing of Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer follows the banks of the Fraser River into Quesnel. Overnight in Quesnel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 - Quesnel to Jasper

Your journey continues eastwards today to the majestic Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park. From Quesnel, the Rocky Mountaineer follows the Fraser River north to the town of Prince George, then travels east through the forests of northern British Columbia, home to plentiful wildlife, including a large population of moose. Entering the Rocky Mountain Trench you are surrounded by the steeply rising Rocky Mountains to the north and the Cariboo Mountains to the south. Continue climbing past Mount Robson, at 3,954 meters (12,972 feet) the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, through Yellowhead Pass into the province of Alberta. Your rail journey ends today on arrival in Jasper. Overnight in Jasper.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 - Jasper

Jasper National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Canadian Rockies' largest national park. Today you will enjoy a scenic full-day tour of some of the park's natural attractions and rugged peaks, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the wildlife that calls this region home. Highlights include lunch and a lake cruise at historic Maligne Lake. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore more of Jasper independently. Overnight in Jasper.

Note: In the event the lake cruise is not operating, interpretive experiences will be offered on First Nations history, foods and culture.

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 6 - Jasper to Lake Louise

Travel to Lake Louise via one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield, Glacier Skywalk and Athabasca Falls. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and one of the most accessible icefields in North America. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Lunch is included at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Afterwards, a brief stop will be made at Bow Lake before arriving in Lake Louise this afternoon. Overnight in Lake Louise.

Includes
  • Lunch
Day 7 - Lake Louise to Banff

This morning you are free to explore beautiful Lake Louise on your own. After lunch, a half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to Banff. Overnight in Banff.

Please note: While departure from The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will be approximately 2:00 p.m., scheduled checkout time is normally 12:00 p.m. Your luggage will be stored upon checkout and you are free to enjoy the amenities of the hotel before the tour departs.

Day 8 - Banff to Calgary

Today you will enjoy a full-day tour concluding in Calgary. Begin the morning with a sightseeing tour of Banff. Among the points of interest are Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Banff Gondola included. Overnight in Calgary

Day 9 - Calgary

Your vacation ends upon checkout from your Calgary hotel.

Additional information

Pricing Plans

SilverLeaf Service & Hotel
Hotels include the Hampton Inn, The Crimson Jasper, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Banff Caribou Lodge, and Delta Calgary Downtown.

GoldLeaf Service & Hotel
Hotels include the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Banff Springs, and Hôtel Le Germain Calgary. Spoil yourself by making your Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf rail journey through the Canadian Rockies a deluxe one. Enjoy all of the same luxurious onboard amenities in GoldLeaf Service plus deluxe hotel accommodations.

GoldLeaf Service & Hotel
Upgrade Hotels include the Deluxe Harbour Room at the Pan Pacific Vancouver, the Deluxe Room at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and the Fairmont Banff Springs, the Deluxe Lakeview Room at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and the Junior Suite at the Fairmont Palliser. Discover why travelers rave about Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service. A custom-designed bi-level dome coach puts you right in the middle of the awe-inspiring scenery of the Canadian Rockies as you enjoy gourmet meals prepared by talented onboard chefs.

Please note

Prices are in USD based on a given exchange rate from 3/17/2020. Taxes are not included for the Rocky Mountaineer portion of this vacation. Taxes can be up to 5% on the rail portion only. Please note that all accommodations in Quesnel are of moderate standard.

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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. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

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Reviews

4.8 stars4.8 / 5 · 4 reviews

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

Mack & Dona

5 stars

Submitted 14 Aug 2019

It is the experience of a lifetime if you like great mountain scenery and riding on the train through rugged areas unspoiled by roads and developement,

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Barbara B, Farmington, CT

4 stars

Submitted 25 Dec 2017

Hosts on train were excellent, patient and upbeat all the time. A big thank you for whomever arranged a lake view room at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Helicopter ride was a highlight.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Bob O, Anderson, SC

5 stars

Submitted 01 Feb 2017

The staff of the Rocky Mountaineer were super and they offered us a high level of service that I have not seen in quite awhile.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

Billy B, Southlake, TX

5 stars

Submitted 01 Feb 2017

Great service on the train, good hotels, and excellent food.

Collected by Vacations By Rail

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