Coastal Passage and Golden Circle by Rail

Arrive in Vancouver from your home city and transfer on your own to your downtown hotel. Surrounded by the Coastal Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is often considered to be the most beautiful city in the world. Its sandy beaches, green spaces and mountain backdrop provide a playground for all ages. With glorious summers and mild winters the locals like to say that you can golf in the morning and ski in the afternoon. And, it just so happens, that it’s true.

Overnight in Vancouver.
Silverleaf: Sheraton Wall Centre, traditional room
Goldleaf: Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver, deluxe room
Goldleaf Deluxe: Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver, deluxe harbour room

Explore the Canadian Rockies by rail. Experience three train routes that carry you off on a sightseeing sojourn from alpine-inspired Whistler, the Caribou Gold Rush country, the wildlife-rich stomping grounds of Jasper and Banff and back to the Pacific Ocean’s stunning coastal city of Vancouver.

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.

Transfer back to the train station and re-board the Rocky Mountaineer for your onward travel to the charming rural town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo. Highlights include the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacialfed Seton Lake, sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon and the crossing of Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world.  Quesnel’s history dates back to the Cariboo Gold Rush of the 1850s and 1860s, when it was fondly known as Gold Pan City, and is rich with stories of fortune seekers. Surrounded by a dry, rolling pastoral landscape and the glacier-created Interior Plateau, it’s also a place where the Fraser and Quesnel Rivers join. This creates a rich fishing site that hosts some of the most important salmon runs in the world. A transfer from the train station to the hotel is provided.
Overnight in Quesnel.

You will be transferred back to the train station and continue your journey eastwards today to the majestic Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park. Highlights include the Fraser River, the Rocky Mountain Trench, Mount Robson (the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies), and the Yellowhead Pass. Jasper National Park was established in 1907 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The largest of Canada’s mountain parks, it is a living example of a protected mountain eco-system. Enjoy it’s solitude, wildlife, heritage sites and unlimited outdoor recreation. You will be transferred from the station to your hotel for overnight in Jasper.

Silverleaf: Lobstick Lodge, standard room
Goldleaf: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont room
Goldleaf Deluxe: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, deluxe room

Today you will enjoy a short scenic tour including the many natural attractions, rugged peaks, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of some of the many creatures that call this mountain park home. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore more of Jasper independently.
Second overnight in Jasper.

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.

Enjoy a free day in Lake Louise. Local activities include canoeing, hiking in the mountains or simply relaxing and taking in the magnificent views. Overnight in Lake Louise.

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.

The day is free for you to spend at your leisure in Banff. Overnight in Banff.

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain town of Banff to Kamloops, in the heart of the British Columbia interior. Your journey takes you through a spectacular array of scenery as you travel between the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, over mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels, along rocky lakeshores and across the ranchlands of the Interior. Today’s highlights include the Continental Divide, the Spiral Tunnels, Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass and Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven. Overnight in Kamloops.

Your journey continues west towards the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. On today’s journey you will again see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the Interior, through winding river canyons and pristine forests, to the Coast and Cascade Mountains and the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley. Highlights include the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Vancouver this evening. Overnight in Vancouver.

Your journey ends upon checkout from your Vancouver hotel.

There is the option to add extra time in Vancouver pre/post rail tour. Extensions are also available to Vancouver Island or Haida Gwaii. Please discuss your interests with us and we can personalize a program for you.

SilverLeaf 
Unwind in a classic rail experience in custom-designed, single-level dome cars with roomy, reclining seats.  Don’t miss a minute of action through the oversized, domed windows and from the outdoor, viewing platform located between coaches.  Enjoy a selection of delicious hot entrées, plated to your preference and served in the comfort of your seat.  Relax with on-board complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and gourmet snacks.  Two hosts plus a culinary team and full commentary will ensure your experience has a silver lining!  The hotel accommodation with SilverLeaf Service is in comfortable hotels with restaurants on the property or within walking distance.

GoldLeaf 
Sit back, relax and soak in the unparalleled panoramic views from our custom-designed bi-level GoldLeaf Dome Coach.  The GoldLeaf coaches feature full domed windows with panoramic views upstairs and a private dining room on the lower level with large picture windows. There is also a large, exclusive open-air vestibule for added viewing and photography opportunities.  Indulge in delectable gourmet à la carte meals served in the dining room.  Relax with on-board complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and gourmet snacks.  Three to four hosts plus a full culinary team and full commentary will ensure you have a golden experience from beginning to end!  The hotel accommodation with GoldLeaf Service is in luxurious hotels with premium room category and restaurants on property except in Kamloops and Quesnel where all accommodation is charming but of moderate standard and cannot be upgraded.

Upgraded Gold Leaf
Gold Leaf Deluxe consists of all of the features of Gold Leaf service on-board the Rocky Mountaineer, plus upgraded hotel accommodation to deluxe hotels with superior views and/or larger rooms, except in Kamloops and Quesnel where all accommodation is charming but of moderate standard and cannot be upgraded.

Optional add-ons:

• Vancouver extension; add on an extra hotel night for more time to explore this amazing city
• Sightseeing tours; add on an optional sightseeing tour (touring options will be provided for your tour dates at the time of your reservation)
• Dining; opportunity to add a meal plan at your hotel
• Cruising; add on a cruise before or after your rail journey
• Airport transfers; arrive at your hotel in style with a private pick-up from the airport