Canadian Rockies by Rail

Your Canadian journey begins today on arrival in the coastal city of Vancouver. As your plane touches down, transfer independently to your centrally located hotel to check in for one night. From this point, the remainder of the evening is yours to relax and enjoy the amenities of your accommodations or to begin getting to know your new surroundings.

Vancouver has a thriving cultural scene, with fascinating neighborhoods to explore, including historic Gastown and Chinatown. Perhaps make your way to Granville Island to explore the famous market or to Stanley Park, whose leafy surroundings offer a scenic introduction to Vancouver. You can also opt to add a 24-hour Hop-on/Hop-off bus pass or admission to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park to make the most of your night in Vancouver.

There is so much to see and do in this coastal city; should you wish to extend your stay, speak to a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights and sightseeing experiences in Vancouver, with options including a city tour, whale watching or a day trip to Whistler. Overnight Vancouver.

Vancouver boasts a thriving cultural scene and fascinating districts. With a free morning here, Gastown and other neighborhoods in the area offer a range of breakfast options and coffee shops to explore. The morning is also a fantastic time to walk along the famous seawall.

In the afternoon, make your own way to the train station, where VIA Rail's beloved overnight train, the Canadian, awaits. Arrive at the rail station approximately one hour before boarding, and head to the priority check-in area for Sleeper Plus passengers.

Settle into your Berth*, with couch-style seating by day and curtained upper and lower beds by night, and enjoy the use of the Skyline Car as your route toward Jasper begins. Furthermore, the Park Car's facilities are available during specified hours. As a Sleeper Plus passenger, all of your meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included during your time on the Canadian. Enjoy dinner in the Dining Car this evening as the natural scenery of Western Canada comes into view. Overnight train.

*Please note: Upgrades to Sleeper Plus or Prestige Class Cabins are available.

• Dinner

Waking on the Canadian, the views are markedly different than those of last night. Look out over towering peaks, thick evergreen forests and brilliantly hued bodies of water that so define the Canadian Rockies. You could admire these wonders from your window or enjoy the changing scenery from the Dining Car while having breakfast.

The train follows winding mountain tracks through tunnels and across bridges, with amazing vistas awaiting around each bend. The Canadian arrives in your destination, Jasper, around midday, at which time you can transfer independently to your hotel for check-in.

The remainder of the day is then yours to explore this mountain town at your own pace. Jasper's townsite has shops, art galleries and restaurants to explore, while the surrounding parklands are brimming with scenic viewpoints. Overnight Jasper.

• Breakfast

The untamed beauty of the Canadian Rockies is at your fingertips today as you explore with an entire day at leisure in Jasper National Park. There are more than 660 miles of hiking trails within the park - some of which are easily accessible from downtown Jasper. There are even some gentle pathways overlooking the Athabasca River.

While downtown, you could also visit the Two Brothers Totem Pole, a 43-foot totem pole that tells the story of two brothers traveling from the islands of Haida Gwaii to the mainland, or the Old Fire House, dating to the 1930s. Downtown is filled with local shops selling everything from outdoor gear to souvenirs, and there are three statues of the local mascot, Jasper the Bear, that you can search for. Should you desire a more structured day, you could instead add an optional excursion. Overnight Jasper.

Optional Excursions

Jasper SkyTram - With included round-trip shuttle service from the closest pick-up location, uncover the beauty of Jasper National Park from above on the Jasper SkyTram. Ride aboard Canada's longest and highest aerial tramway to uncover views of six mountain ranges, glacial lakes and the Athabasca River while climbing to the summit of Whistlers Mountain. At the top, follow the Summit Trail or dine in the mountaintop restaurant before your return journey.

Scenic Float Trip on the Athabasca River - For departures after May 9th, relax on this relaxing 2 1/2-mile float along the Athabasca River, following the pathway used by fur-traders in the 1800s. Your guide does all the paddling while sharing stories about the region's history, presenting facts about nature and offering expert insights on your surroundings - including pointing out animals. This is an unforgettable perspective on Jasper.

Jasper Guided Tour - Explore the attractions of Jasper's townsite and the natural beauty of Jasper National Park alongside a local guide. Discover the legends surrounding Medicine Lake, and after June 1st, the excursion also features a scenic cruise on Maligne Lake. In addition to seeking out the park's best views and attractions, you may be lucky enough to spot wildlife as you explore. Lunch is included with this excursion.

A deeper look at the Rockies' scenery lies ahead today as a scenic coach transfer takes you to Banff. Your transfer doubles as a sightseeing excursion and passes some of the most stunning vistas in the region as you travel along the Icefields Parkway.

Soak up mountain scenes and views of Athabasca Falls before arriving at the Columbia Icefield's Glacier Discovery Centre. Here, enjoy a chance to travel onto the impressive Athabasca Glacier aboard a giant Ice Explorer vehicle. You can also walk along the Glacier Skywalk overlooking the Sunwapta Valley before returning to your coach to continue to Banff, seeing the Weeping Wall, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Lake Louise en route. A picnic lunch is provided to enjoy as you explore.

Banff is the most popular resort town in the Rockies, offering something for everyone with abundant nature, incredible restaurants, and fantastic shops, art galleries and museums. With the rest of the day at leisure in Banff, you can get to know its offerings at your own pace. Overnight Banff.

Get a taste of the sights and history that make Banff such an impressive destination during this morning's Open Top guided tour. Join a vintage-inspired drop-top vehicle in cruising through the mountain town. The roof opens fully to offer the best views both around and above you, ensuring you do not miss a moment of grandeur as your guide takes you past attractions like Surprise Corner, Tunnel Mountain and the Mount Norquay Viewpoint.

For a more in-depth look at Banff, you can instead upgrade to an alternate tour (additional charges may apply).

After your activity, you have the rest of the day at leisure. You are welcome to explore more on your own or take advantage of your hotel's amenities. Instead, you might add an optional evening excursion. Overnight Banff.

Alternative Tour

Explore Banff Including Gondola - Spend seven hours immersed in Banff National Park's natural beauty on this guided tour. Alongside a knowledgeable guide, visit sites throughout Banff's townsite, as well as beloved attractions such as Surprise Corner and Two Jack Viewpoint. A light lunch is served during this excursion, and admission to the Banff Gondola on Sulphur Mountain is also included. Departures after mid-May will feature extended touring time with an included lake cruise.

Optional Evening Excursion

Evening Wildlife Safari - Spend two hours searching for Banff National Park's most impressive inhabitants on an evening expedition. This tour ventures to some of the park's most prolific wildlife-spotting destinations, with animals seen on approximately 95% of tours. Admire the stunning scenery while looking for bears, elk, bighorn sheep and more while learning about the ecology of the Canadian Rockies.

The Canadian Rockies are one of Canada's most popular vacation destinations, and this remarkable vacation made it easy to see why. Your first look came by train, venturing through little-seen stretches onboard VIA Rail's Canadian. On arrival in the mountains, stays in three resort towns and immersive touring options provided you with the best perspective on the beauty preserved in this part of the world.

Your journey through the Canadian Rockies comes to a close this morning with an included transfer to the Calgary Airport for your flight home, accommodating flights departing after 11:00 a.m. Or, if you are not ready for your Rockies exploration to end, speak to a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights in Banff or Calgary.