Canadian Rockies & Northern Lights

With spectacular winter experiences ahead, your vacation begins today as your plane touches down at Calgary International Airport. On arrival, join your included transfer for the drive into the Canadian Rockies and the resort town of Banff.

Sit back and relax as urban scenery fades into the backdrop and nature begins to overtake the scenery. Though it is located less than two hours outside Calgary, Banff's alpine beauty is otherworldly, with its lush conifer forests, vibrant glacier-fed lakes and towering mountain peaks. Cloaked in snow and ice, these sights set the perfect tone for the wintertime adventures ahead. Check into your hotel on arrival, and then you are free to spend the remainder of the day getting to know your new surroundings. In addition to its stunning natural surroundings, Banff's vibrant downtown is filled with shops and diverse restaurants. Overnight Banff.

Experience the beauty of Banff from a bird's-eye perspective today with included admission to the Banff Gondola. Your open voucher allows you to visit at leisure, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace.

After making your own way to the Banff Gondola, you can enjoy a fresh perspective on the surroundings as the glass-enclosed carriages climb to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in eight short minutes. Each of those minutes provides panoramic vistas of six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley. At the top, the views are even more astounding. Take them in from the Summit Building's 360-degree viewing platform or follow the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk to Sanson's Peak to experience more.

Outside of your Banff Gondola visit, you might like to spend some time getting to know the history of the Rockies at the Whyte Museum or discovering why Banff is one of Canada's best culinary destinations while visiting local restaurants. Overnight Banff.

The vastness of the Canadian Rockies unfolds before your eyes today as you travel from Banff to Jasper National Park. There is no better route between the two destinations than the Icefields Parkway, one of the most acclaimed scenic byways in North America.

Following a free morning to continue soaking up the splendors of Banff, a coach collects you from your hotel for the beautiful journey* between parks in the afternoon. Each moment is wrapped in unspoiled natural beauty, with snow clinging to the mountain peaks and glacial lakes frozen over for the season. You may even be lucky enough to spot the Rockies' winter wildlife roaming amid the snowy valleys.

On arrival in Jasper this evening, check into your hotel for two nights, and then you are welcome to head into town to find dinner in one of the local restaurants. Overnight Jasper.

*Please note: Early fall departures will include a tour of the Icefields Parkway that includes lunch en route to Jasper.

Jasper National Park is the largest in the Canadian Rockies, with more than 4,200 square miles of pristine lakes, forests and mountain landscapes. The area's wildlife further punctuates the park's untamed feel, and this is precisely the focus of this morning's excursion.

Alongside a knowledgeable guide, head to some of the park's most beautiful destinations in search of winter animals. Look for creatures like moose, elk, deer, lynx, big-horned sheep, wolves and foxes. Your tour guide offers fascinating facts about Jasper's history and ecology as you travel, immersing you in this enchanting natural world from every angle.

Following your excursion, you can continue exploring the town of Jasper at leisure. If you are looking for a more structured day, speak to your hotel about additional winter activities bookable based on the weather and seasonal availability (payable locally). Overnight Jasper.

One of Canada's most beloved rail journeys awaits today as you make your own way from your hotel to Jasper's train station. Here, step aboard VIA Rail's Canadian for an overnight train journey toward the West Coast to Vancouver.

Settle into your Sleeper Plus berth* and watch as gorgeous stretches of the country - many of which are not accessible by car and that you certainly would not see from a plane - pass by your window. Wind past mountain peaks and alongside waterways as the Canadian leaves the Rockies, and then continue through wide-open prairies. The train's domed-glass observation cars are the perfect place to watch over the ever-changing vistas unfold before the sun sinks beneath the horizon.

As a Sleeper Plus traveler, all of your meals are included during your time on the train, and you can enjoy dinner in the Dining Car this evening. Overnight train.

*Please note: Upgrades to a Sleeper Plus Cabin or a Prestige Class Cabin are available by speaking with a Rail Specialist.

• Lunch, Dinner

The final miles of your journey present themselves this morning as the Canadian approaches Vancouver. Scenes of the North Shore Mountains and coastal rainforests become increasingly more metropolitan, and then the varied skyline of Vancouver comes into sight. On arrival, transfer on your own to your downtown hotel for check-in, then enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure in the city.

Vancouver is a treasure trove awaiting your discovery. Stanley Park is magical in the winter, as is Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. You may wish to wander through one of the city's diverse neighborhoods, including Gastown or Chinatown, or visit one of the fascinating museums, such as the Museum of Anthropology or the Vancouver Aquarium. Grouse Mountain and all its activities are just outside the city if you crave even more outdoor adventures. Overnight Vancouver.

• Breakfast

The next leg of your Canadian expedition begins today as you transfer independently to Vancouver's airport. Your scheduled flight takes you deep into Canada's remote Northern Territories to Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon. Upon arrival, an included transfer takes you to Southern Lakes Resort. Because the resort is far away from cities and light pollution, it is the perfect place to search the skies for the Northern Lights.

Your three nights here are spent in a private lakefront cabin, and once you have settled in, grab your included winter clothing rentals* to keep you warm during your adventures. Daylight hours are brief at this time of year, and as darkness overtakes the sky and the conditions align, you may catch your first glimpse of the Aurora Borealis. Your cabin has sizable panoramic windows to ensure your viewing experience is as cozy as it is exciting. Dinner is included at the on-site restaurant during your stay. Overnight Whitehorse.

*Please note: The winter clothing package is only included during the winter months.

• Dinner

One of the most traditional ways to get around during the winter months, snowshoeing is a memorable way to explore nature. After breakfast this morning, enjoy a self-guided snowshoe expedition through the secluded resort property to uncover breathtaking views of boreal forests, endless frozen landscapes and imposing mountain peaks. The resort provides snowshoes, instruction on how to use them properly and recommendations on the best trails for your abilities.

Upon returning from your trek, fill your day with as much excitement or relaxation as you please. You might like to have your Rail Specialist pre-book an optional snowmobiling or dog sledding excursion, available at a supplement. There is also a comfortable lounge with lovely views of the frozen lake and snowy land where you can unwind. Enjoy dinner in the restaurant, and then tonight holds another chance to capture the colors of the Aurora from your cabin or the property. Overnight Whitehorse.

• Breakfast, Dinner

With a full day at leisure at Southern Lakes Resort, you can continue soaking up the wild beauty of the Yukon after breakfast. You might like to head back out on the trails by snowshoe, try skiing, or join a pre-booked optional excursion, such as snowmobiling or dog sledding.

There are plenty of beautiful places where you can admire views of frozen Tagish Lake and the surrounding boreal forest and cozy spaces throughout the property for relaxing. Of course, you could also spend the day resting in your cabin, as tonight is your final chance to view the phantom colors of the Northern Lights in this spectacular winter wonderland. Dinner is served in the restaurant tonight, and as the skies go dark, you might like to set out to seek the Aurora. Overnight Whitehorse.

• Breakfast, Dinner

From the jaw-dropping scenery of the Canadian Rockies to the picturesque views of the Northern Territories, this independent vacation has presented the best of natural Canada. Your itinerary offered chances to experience Banff and Jasper National Parks before an overnight journey toward the West Coast on VIA Rail's Canadian. The trip took a wild turn from Vancouver, as you flew north into the Yukon to Southern Lakes Resort, where you spent three nights in search of the Northern Lights.

After breakfast at the resort this morning, enjoy an included transfer to Whitehorse's airport for your return flight to Vancouver. You are free to return home from Vancouver at your leisure; however, if you wish to see more of this cultural city, speak with a Rail Specialist about extending your stay.

• Breakfast