Exterior of train on the Canadian Rockies Getaway Circle journey
Stewardess standing by seats on the Canadian Rockies Getaway Circle journey
Woman admiring views on the Trans-Canada Rail Adventure: Vancouver-Toronto journey
Serving guests food on the Canadian Rockies Getaway Circle journey

Rocky Mountaineer: Canadian Rockies Getaway Circle

North America
9-day Independent Tour
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Overview

The Highlights

  • Four full days traveling on the Rocky Mountaineer through the breathtaking scenery of British Columbia and Alberta
  • Spectacular views from the train’s dome car and open-air observation platform (GoldLeaf service)
  • Traveling the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most scenic drives, with a stop at the Columbia Icefield
  • Breathtaking Lake Louise
  • Half-day tour of Yoho National Park, including Emerald Lake and the Spiral Tunnels
  • Tasty meals in the lovely diner of the Rocky Mountaineer (GoldLeaf service)
  • Sightseeing in Banff including the Banff Gondola for fabulous views

The Tour

This itinerary includes four full days on the fabulous Rocky Mountaineer. This fantastic circular route starts and ends in Vancouver. In between, visit Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff.

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Enjoy gourmet meals on board while spotting Canadian wildlife from your seat. A host of knowledgeable and friendly attendants will keep you engaged with stories and facts about what you see outside your windows. They’ll also make sure that you never go thirsty with around-the-clock beverage service.

Experience the engineering feat of the Spiral Tunnels and the beauty of Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the stunning glacial-fed aquamarine lakes of Lake Louise and the majesty of the natural bridge over Kicking Horse River. Get an incredible view of Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 13,000 feet, as you cross the Continental Divide.

Ride the the Banff Gondola and tour the Athabasca Glacier on an Ice Explorer (one of the largest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle).

Society of IRT Added Value: Get two complimentary private sedan transfer (U.S. dollar value +$100 each) to/from Vancouver airport when you book this Rocky Mountaineer trip with The Society of International Railway Travelers.

Rocky Mountaineer: Canadian Rockies Getaway Circle map

Countries Visited

  • Canada

Itinerary

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Day 1: Vancouver Arrival

Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your own. Overnight in Vancouver.

Special IRT perk: Complimentary airport transfer included when booking this tour.

Day 2: Vancouver to Kamloops

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. On today’s journey you will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser River valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade mountains, to the desert-like environment of the interior.

Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake and into Kamloops. Overnight in Kamloops. (B, L)

Day 3: Kamloops to Jasper

Your journey continues aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, traveling north and east to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again you will be surrounded by dramatic scenery as you follow the banks of the North Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains, climbing ever nearer to the high peaks of the Continental Divide.

Today’s highlights include Mount Robson — at 3,954 meters (12,972 feet) the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies — Pyramid Falls, and the climb over the Yellowhead Pass into Jasper National Park. Your rail journey ends on arrival in the resort town of Jasper this evening. Overnight in Jasper. (B, L)

Day 4: Jasper to Lake Louise

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.

Day 5: Lake Louise to Banff

A free morning at Lake Louise. Included is a one-hour guided lakeshore stroll. This afternoon, 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.

Day 6: Banff Sightseeing

This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff and Banff National Park. Among the highlights are visits to Bow Falls, the Banff Gondola (admission included), a lake cruise on Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Lunch is included. Overnight in Banff.

Day 7: Banff to Kamloops

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain town of Banff to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s 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, the Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass and Craigellachie – where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven. Overnight in Kamloops. (B, L)

Day 8: Kamloops to Vancouver

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 River 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. (B, L)

Day 9: Vancouver Departure

Your vacation ends with check-out from your Vancouver hotel.

Special IRT perk: Complimentary airport transfer included when booking this tour.

Dates & Prices

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Check out this video to get a sense of what life is like on board Rocky Mountaineer.