Iconic Parks of the Canadian Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer

Your Canadian rail adventure 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 is called the "City of Glass" for its stunning skyline, and its architecture is a joy to discover on foot. The city also has a thriving cultural scene, with fascinating neighborhoods to explore, including Gastown and Chinatown. You might like to make your way to Granville Island to explore the famous market or to Stanley Park, whose leafy surroundings and pathway along the seawall offer a scenic introduction to 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. Some options include a city tour, whale watching or a day trip to Whistler. Overnight Vancouver.

With some of Western Canada's most impressive views ahead, the day begins with an early morning transfer to board the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer for an all-daylight journey toward Kamloops. Settle into your SilverLeaf seat, surrounded by panoramic windows and 180-degree views. For an even more incredible perspective, upgrade to GoldLeaf Service, which includes upper-level seating and meals in the lower-level Dining Car.

Delight in commentary from your onboard attendants and enjoy breakfast as the beauty of British Columbia unfolds. Rocky Mountaineer winds through deep forests and fields along the Fraser River before the imposing peaks of the Coast Mountains close in. Passing the rushing waters of Hell's Gate, you can admire Fraser Canyon and keep your eyes open for native Canadian wildlife.

After Lytton, the train follows the Thompson River and the scenery changes once again, becoming an almost desert-like environment. A three-course lunch is served at your seat as breathtaking views pass by, and we disembark upon arriving in Kamloops early this evening. Upon checking into your hotel, you are free to find dinner locally or relax. Overnight Kamloops.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Transferring back to the Kamloops train station early this morning, your journey onboard Rocky Mountaineer continues toward the Canadian Rockies. With another day of impeccable service by your onboard hosts and breakfast and lunch served at your seat, you can sit back and marvel at the beautiful sights.

Travel along the North Thompson River through the Clearwater region, and enjoy a view of Pyramid Falls that is only visible by train. The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as the train climbs, with beautiful mountain peaks framing the backdrop. As Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Rockies, comes into view, the final miles to Jasper lie ahead.

On arrival, a transfer takes you to your hotel, which puts you in an excellent position to explore the townsite or the jaw-dropping nature that surrounds you in Jasper National Park. The remainder of the day is yours to get acquainted with your surroundings and find dinner locally. Overnight Jasper.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park is a natural wonderland awaiting discovery. Today, you uncover its many natural attractions, rugged peaks and sparkling lakes on a guided tour.

Explore the attractions of Jasper's townsite before discovering the legends surrounding Medicine Lake. Lunch is included between scenic stops, and after June 1, 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.

The tour concludes later this afternoon, and from this point, you are free for the remainder of the day. This is an excellent chance to peruse the shops and galleries in Jasper or unwind at your hotel. Overnight Jasper.

• Lunch

Leaving Jasper behind, your day begins with a coach journey along the world-famous Icefields Parkway. This byway is renowned as one of the world's most scenic, with stunning mountains, lakes and glaciers framing both sides as it connects Jasper and Banff National Parks.

Your destination today is one of Banff National Park's most famous destinations, Lake Louise. During the drive, marvel at the changing scenery as your driver takes you past park highlights which may include Athabasca Falls, Petyo Lake and other beautiful locations, based on your driver's discretion. You also enjoy a stop at the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest expanses of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle.

During your time here, an Ice Explorer takes you out onto the Athabasca Glacier, and you have an opportunity to look out over the Sunwapta Valley from the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. A buffet lunch is also included at the Glacier Discovery Centre before the journey toward Lake Louise continues. Arriving later this afternoon, check into your hotel with a free evening to relax. Overnight Lake Louise.

• Lunch

Another day of breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery beckons today as you set out on a sightseeing tour, bound for Banff. The route varies slightly by season, yet remains a testament to the beauty of these protected lands. Soak up the sheer majesty of nature as your coach travels through Banff National Park, highlighting scenic hotspots during the drive, and then ventures into Yoho National Park, crossing the Continental Divide as you explore.

Enjoy lunch at Emerald Lake Lodge, and road conditions permitting, marvel at views of Takakkaw Falls and the Yoho Valley* before continuing to your Banff hotel to check in for two nights. With a free evening in this charming town, you could head to Banff Avenue, Banff's main shopping street, where you can find an array of stores and restaurants. This resort town is one of Canada's emerging culinary destinations, and with restaurants serving everything from international fare to game, it is easy to see why. Overnight Banff.

*Please note: The tour instead follows Bow Valley Parkway when Takakkaw Falls Road is closed for the season.

• Lunch

With a full free day spanning ahead in Banff, enjoy time to have a leisurely breakfast at a local restaurant, or grab your meal to go and enjoy a peaceful morning alongside the Bow River in Central Park. There are hiking trails easily accessible from Downtown Banff, as well as many others that venture deeper into the wilds of Banff National Park.

Staying in town, you could learn more about the Banff region at the Whyte Museum. Another possibility is to add an optional sightseeing tour that explores even more of the Rockies, visiting Surprise Corner and other attractions while following the scenic Tunnel Mountain Drive. The excursion also includes admission to the Banff Gondola and, after May 16, a cruise on Lake Minnewanka.

You can also opt to add an evening wildlife safari tour that seeks Banff's wildlife in prime viewing locations. Overnight Banff.

The beauty of nature framed every moment of this fantastic journey through Western Canada. Traveling from Vancouver to Jasper by daylight only in glass-domed carriages on Rocky Mountaineer provided an unforgettable perspective on views that cannot be seen from any other form of transportation. Later, exploring Jasper, Yoho and Banff National Parks with expert guides put even more picturesque scenery within reach.

Having explored from bases in Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff, your journey comes to a close this morning. Enjoy a scheduled transfer to Calgary's airport that accommodates flights after 11:00 a.m., or, if you are not ready for your journey to end, speak to a Rail Specialist about adding additional nights in Banff or Calgary.