Rocky Mountaineer: Jasper & Banff Loop

Your Canadian journey begins in the scenic coastal city of Vancouver. After settling in to your hotel, you can get acquainted with the city independently. For a taste of Vancouver's old-world charm, visit Gastown, the city's original downtown, where redbrick Victorian buildings dot the tree-lined streets. You might like to visit leafy Stanley Park, where you can find colourful totem poles celebrating Native American history, or stop by the largest Chinatown in Canada, where you can relish the sights and sounds of the lively streets.

Vancouver has a varied food scene, and for dinner, you might like to try western Canada's top-class seafood, like salmon, oysters and Dungeness crab.

Today brings one of the trip's highlights: the first of two spectacular daylight journeys on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer. Boarding in Vancouver, travel through the lush green forests and dramatic valleys of British Columbia, enjoying panoramic views from glass-domed cars. Relax in your spacious seat and enjoy the award-winning service provided by dedicated hosts who announce wildlife sightings, tell stories and serve delicious meals. Look out for the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River.

Your day ends in the evening as the train glides along the shores of Kamloops Lake into Kamloops, a picturesque mountain town on the glacial Thompson River.

Early in the morning, board Rocky Mountaineer for your second scenic daylight journey. Today, the train continues north and east to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Enjoy the ever-changing scenery as you follow the banks of the North Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. For a closer look at the ranch lands, rocky lakeshores and high mountain passes, you can step out onto your outdoor viewing platform.

Today's highlights include Mount Robson at 12,972 feet, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, followed by Pyramid Falls and the climb over the Yellowhead Pass into Jasper National Park. Your rail journey ends this evening on arrival in the resort town of Jasper, a traditional mountain town.

Established in 1813, Jasper began as a fur trade outpost, evolving into a railway town and finally a tourist destination. Despite being one of the most important towns for miles, it retains a calm, small-town feel. Explore the area independently this morning. You might stop by Two Brothers Totem Pole, a towering 44-feet-high cultural icon on the main road. Watch out for statues of Jasper the Bear, the town's friendly mascot.

In the afternoon, experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Jasper National Park on a half-day sightseeing tour. In this UNESCO World Heritage site, you can enjoy breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, glacial rivers and expansive forests. Admire the Maligne Canyon, a deep limestone gorge, and Maligne Lake, the largest glacier-fed body of water in the region. If you're lucky, you may spot some of the park's wildlife. Jasper is home to a wide range of species, including grey wolves, hoary marmot, caribou and moose.

Leaving Jasper this morning by coach, enjoy a trip along the famous Icefields Parkway, a 144-mile road between Jasper and Banff that passes through breathtaking scenery. On departures from mid-May onwards, at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, enjoy an included excursion on the giant, all-terrain bus known as the Ice Explorer. On this iconic Canadian Rockies experience, ride across the ice field to the otherworldly Athabasca Glacier, disembarking and stepping onto the ancient ice, before taking a shuttle to the glass-floored Columbia Icefield Skywalk.

Afterwards, we make a brief stop at the stunning Bow Lake before arriving in Lake Louise, a small, scenic hamlet near the famous glacial waters.

Enjoy a free morning to relax or book your own activities at your leisure in Lake Louise. In the heart of Banff National Park, the lake has long been a destination for visitors seeking spectacular views of the vivid turquoise waters and soaring peaks. You might like to learn about the local wildlife, paddle across the lake in an iconic red canoe, or soak up views from the shore.

In the afternoon, a coach takes you to the mountain resort town of Banff, where the rest of the day is yours to explore. You may like to soak in the charms of the Main Street, a row of half-timbered independent shops and a variety of restaurants. In the evening, you could enjoy a relaxing visit to Banff's hot springs, where you can soak in the steaming water with views of the surrounding jagged peaks of Rundle and Cascade mountains. Dining independently tonight, choose from among the town's award-winning restaurants, steakhouses and a variety of international spots offering everything from pizza to sushi.

Departing early in the morning, travel on Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain resort town of Banff to Kamloops, in the heart of the British Columbia Interior. Your journey takes you through ever-changing scenery as you travel between the iconic glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies over mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels, along rocky lakeshores and across the ranch lands 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. You will arrive back in Kamloops in the evening.

Early in the morning, 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 Cascade and Coast 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.

Landing in London today, your holiday comes to a close and you are free to continue your onward travel home.