Rocky Mountaineer | Grand Adventure Circle

Day 1-2

Vancouver

Fly from the UK and arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your own. Visit Gastown, take a small ferry to Granville Island, explore Stanley Park or do some shopping on Robson Street.

2 nights in Vancouver.

Day 3

Vancouver to Whistler

Head north to the four-season resort of Whistler. Your rail journey will take you through the stunning scenery of the Sea to Sky Corridor. Highlights of the trip include spectacular views of Howe Sound, the Coast Mountains, Brandywine Falls, Mount Garibaldi and the impressive Cheakamus Canyon. You will arrive in the afternoon and the remainder of the day is at your own leisure.

1 night in Whistler.

Day 4

Whistler to Quesnel

A coach will take you from your hotel in the morning to the Pemberton train station (approximately a 35-minute drive), where you will board the Rocky Mountaineer train and travel to the charming rural town of Quesnel, the gateway to the North Cariboo. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley, through the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, to rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau. Highlights include the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacier-fed Seton Lake, amazing views of the Fraser Canyon, and the crossing of Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world. Your day ends as the train heads into Quesnel. All accommodation in Quesnel is of moderate standard.

1 night in Quesnel.

Day 5

Quesnel to Jasper

Today your journey continues eastward to the Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park. From Quesnel, your train follows the Fraser River north to the town of Prince George, then travels east through the forests of northern British Columbia, home to plentiful wildlife, including a large population of moose, caribou and bears. Then heading further east you will be surrounded by the steeply rising Rocky Mountains to the north and the Cariboo Mountains to the south. You’ll continue climbing past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, through Yellowhead Pass into the province of Alberta. Your rail journey ends on arrival in Jasper.

2 nights in Jasper.

Day 6

Jasper

Enjoy the day on your own maybe exploring some of the park’s natural attractions and rugged peaks, or perhaps catch a glimpse of the wildlife that calls this region home. Ask us for extra day tours.

Day 7

Jasper to Lake Louise

Travel from Jasper to Lake Louise via one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield, Glacier Skywalk, and Athabasca Falls are among the day’s highlights. At the Columbia Icefields, ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier and head out on the glass Skywalk. Lunch is provided at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Afterwards, a brief stop will be made at Bow Lake before arriving in Lake Louise this afternoon.

2 nights in Lake Louise.

Day 8

Lake Louise

Enjoy a free day in Lake Louise. Local activities include canoeing, hiking in the mountains or simply relaxing and taking in the magnificent views.

Day 9

Lake Louise to Banff

This morning you are free to explore beautiful Lake Louise on your own. In the 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.

2 nights in Banff.

Days 10

Banff

An entire day to spend exploring Banff National Park on your own. Optional activities include soaking in the mineral pools at Upper Hot Springs, enjoying a nature walk on nearby mountain trails, visiting Banff’s historic museums, cruising on Lake Minnewanka or playing a round of golf at The Fairmont Banff Springs. Ask us for day tours.

Day 11

Banff to Kamloops

Travel onboard 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 ranchlands 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. Please note that all accommodation in Kamloops is of moderate standard.

1 night in Kamloops.

Day 12

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 B.C. 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.

2 nights in Vancouver.

Day 13

Vancouver

Explore the wonderful city of Vancouver at your own pace.  Ask us for day tours such as heading to Capilano Suspension bridge and Grouse Mountain.

Day 14

Vancouver

Check out from your Vancouver hotel.  If you would like to spend longer in this beautiful city please speak to us and we can extend your holiday.  Alternatively we can arrange your return flight home.