RM18 Morants1 Train Exterior

Essential Rockies by Train

4.9
22 reviews

Length

6 days / 5 nights

Time on train

2 days

Train type

Where it goes

When to go

April – October

Price from

Your itinerary is personalized to suit your dreams and needs:

  • Decide your desired budget
  • Choose your own activities and experiences
  • Have all the details of your trip arranged for you
Start Planning

The perfect short Rocky Mountaineer train trip

Your chance to experience the best of the Canadian Rockies! Take the famous Rocky Mountaineer train, and have plenty of time to explore the town of Banff and the beauty of Lake Louise.

Highlights of your trip

Rocky Mountaineer rail journey from Vancouver to Lake Louise

Unique small group tours in Banff National Park

See glaciers, waterfalls, forests, and wildlife

Stop over at beautiful Lake Louise

Top experiences and features

Rocky Mountaineer train going around a curve in the track

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer Train

A spectacular train journey takes you through the mountain ranges of British Columbia and Alberta.

Your Questions Answered

Find out what is included in your trip and have all your questions answered. We are here to help.

What’s Included

Hotel accommodation
Rocky Mountaineer daylight train journey
Meals whilst onboard the train
Choice of unique guided activities
Transportation to and from airports, timed with your flights
Train station transfers
Feature dining experience at one of our favorite local restaurants
Electronic travel documentation package
Personalized Fresh Tracks Canada customer service support

Frequently Asked Questions

Our vacations are not typically ‘escorted.’ You are not tied into a specific group, or a rigid daily itinerary but rather have the freedom of ‘independent’ travel.

This allows you, with the help of our Canadian Insiders, to personalize your trip to suit your occasion, interests, timeframe and budget. We’ll guide you through the process and provide the reassurance of seamless connections, customer service support, and scheduled activities tailored to your taste.

Your trip can be as rich as you’d like, and completely arranged around your interests and needs. The greatest benefit of working with us is our local knowledge. You can customize your trip and decide what you’d like to see and do.

If your trip is a special occasion, we’ll make sure it is unforgettable. Or if you’re traveling with a group, we’ll take care of the logistics so you can share time together stress-free.

Absolutely! We personalize all our clients’ trips to fit their exact tastes and needs. You can add days at locations that you’d like to explore and spend more time at. Or leave out certain areas that don’t interest you as much. Discuss your travel goals with our Vacation Advisors who make sure that your trip fits your needs and budget.

We partner with many hotels across the country that offer a variety of service levels and unique experiences. Choosing a hotel is based on local availability and personal preference, and our Insiders will help you find the perfect place to rest your head so that you can have the best experience possible.

On some of our trips, you’ll see that we categorize our hotel rooms by Comfort, Superior and Deluxe class, which generally translates into the traditional 3-, 4- or 5-star designation (equivalent to Best Western, Sheraton and Fairmont). However, sometimes we use the same hotel for more than one category and distinguish the room by size, floor level or view.

Our Comfort Level hotels include our favorite 3 star hotels, in great locations and with excellent service.

Our Superior Level hotels provide amazing value for clients wanting something more upscale but not at the price of a top-end 5 star resort. Superior level hotels are some of our favorites because of the character and unique charm that you won't find at the average chain hotel.

In Deluxe Level hotels, it's likely you'll be staying at one of the iconic Canadian Fairmont Hotels in a room with a view. Built for the Canadian Pacific Railway in the early 20th century, these hotels are luxurious and full of history – ensuring an experience you'll never forget.

All our trips are personalized to fit our clients’ schedule and budget. The price of your trip generally depends on the travel season, train service, accommodations, and the sightseeing tours you take. When you request a quote you’ll be provided with the detailed information you need

Most of our trips include stops to get off the train to explore Canada’s beautiful locations, national parks and unique cities. However, if you’re keen to maximize your time onboard, we’ll pair you up with the perfect train experience.

Rocky Mountaineer operates daylight touring trains, which travel along three of the most spectacular routes in Western Canada. You’ll enjoy onboard commentary, award winning service, and incredible food.

There are a few differences between SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf service.

In SilverLeaf, you travel in a single-level dome car with oversized windows and are served meals at your seat. In GoldLeaf, you travel in a bi-level dome car, which features comfortable seating on the upper level and a dining area on the lower level. GoldLeaf coaches are taller, so you can see above the treeline.

GoldLeaf also includes access to an exclusive outdoor viewing platform. In SilverLeaf, there is a small viewing area between train cars.

A range of activities and excursions are available in Banff National Park, so you can choose how you spend your time there. You could ride the Banff Gondola, discover the area’s iconic sights on a small-group tour, enjoy a helicopter flight over the mountains, or explore the beautiful Icefields Parkway.

For more details on activity and tour options, please see the trip itinerary or speak to one of our local travel experts.

Sample Itinerary

Speak to one of our Canadian Insiders about personalizing this trip. Some of our trips can be done in the reverse direction.
Indicates featured inclusions
Arrive in Vancouver
Day 01

Arrive in Vancouver

Welcome to our hometown — a famously lovely west coast city, surrounded by mountains and ocean.

  • Private Transfer from Vancouver Airport

    Bypass the crowds and start making the most of your vacation. A friendly driver welcomes you to the city. 

  • Dinner in Vancouver

    Dine at one of our favourite harbourside restaurants. Watch seaplanes land and enjoy views of the North Shore Mountains.

Rocky Mountaineer Train - Vancouver to Kamloops
Day 02

Rocky Mountaineer Train - Vancouver to Kamloops

All aboard! Settle in while the smell of breakfast wafts from the galley. A small jolt announces you are on your way — look forward to a day of spectacular scenery. 

  • Motorcoach Transfer to Train Station
  • Rocky Mountaineer Train Service

    Rocky Mountaineer daylight trains feature glass-dome cars with oversized windows, gourmet meals, and friendly, attentive staff. Ask your Vacation Advisor about the differences between SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf. 

Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops to Lake Louise
Day 03

Rocky Mountaineer Train - Kamloops to Lake Louise

Another day of your train journey begins as you re-board the Rocky Mountaineer. Soon you'll be traveling past the glittering lakes and glaciers of the Canadian Rockies. Arrive in Lake Louise this evening.  

  • Motorcoach Transfer from Train Station to Hotel
Enjoying Lake Louise and Transfer to Banff
Day 04

Enjoying Lake Louise and Transfer to Banff

For a good vacation — as for a good story — a varied pace is important, and today you set the cadence. Relax, stroll around the lake, go to the spa — or ask us about getting out for an adventure like canoeing, horseback riding, hiking or climbing. 

  • Lake Louise to Banff Sightseeing Transfer
Explore Banff National Park
Day 05

Explore Banff National Park

Fill your lungs with cool, fresh Rocky Mountain air, and explore Banff National Park at your chosen pace.

    You have 3 options to choose from today:
  • Banff Sightseeing Tour and Gondola Ride

    Discover Banff’s folklore and natural history on a small group tour, then ride the gondola up to the summit of Sulphur Mountain.  

  • Three Sisters Peaks Helicopter Tour

    Get close to the world-famous Three Sisters on this exhilarating 20-minute helicopter flight. You'll also discover Spray Valley and the extraordinary hues of the Spray Lakes.

  • Icefields Parkway Tour from Banff

    On this full-day sightseeing tour, journey through a landscape carved by glaciers and opened by pioneers. Travel along the Icefields Parkway, explore the Athabasca Glacier on an Ice Explorer vehicle, and walk across the glass-floored Columbia Icefield Skywalk. 

Depart from Calgary
Day 06

Depart from Calgary

Today, your dream week in the Canadian Rockies comes to an end. The fresh air and colourful sights of the Rockies transform into the open skies of the Albertan plains as you travel to Calgary.

  • Transfer to Calgary Airport

    On this two-hour journey, watch the landscape change from towering mountains to rolling prairie.

Prices

Get your personalized quote as prices vary by departure date, train-service level and hotel class. Prices shown are our lowest rates per person, based on double occupancy, and exclude taxes
Comfort Level
Hotel Accommodation
Rocky Mountaineer Train Service
Airport Transfer Calgary <> Banff
Scheduled bus
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View full itinerary

Like this trip? Get more details with a sample itinerary:

  • Day-tour options and descriptions;
  • Departure dates;
  • Suggestions for personalizing your trip.
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Accommodations

These are examples of the places you can stay on this trip. Please get in touch to discuss your options and to check availability.
Elk and Avenue Hotel in Banff in the summer with mountains behind

Elk + Avenue Hotel

Example of a Comfort hotel in Banff

Conveniently located in downtown Banff, the Elk and Avenue Hotel combines Banff’s alpine history with a sleek modern design. After a day of exploring, unwind in the hotel’s jacuzzi or dry sauna, then enjoy fresh Canadian cuisine at the on-site restaurant.

Personalize This Itinerary

Here are some of the most popular ways to personalize this journey.

Celebrate an occasion

Celebrate an occasion

Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or the fulfillment of a lifelong goal, our team is ready to make it a celebration to remember. From arranging a bottle of champagne to putting together a helicopter picnic for two on top of a mountain at sunset, we're ready to make your dreams a reality.

What Our Customers Say

Excellent overall rating based on 22 reviews

It was a great trip

It was a great trip. All of the hotels arranged by Fresh Tracks were top notch and the dinner in Vancouver was wonderful. We also loved the gondola trip to Sulphur Mountain, the si... 

Bill, Chantale and Wesley review of their [object Object] trip

Bill, Chantale and Wesley

NC, USA

Insider Tips

From the snow capped mountain peaks to the vibrant lakes, dense forest, and alpine meadows you will not find a more diverse landscape with so much to offer! Skiing and hiking are just a couple of my favorite things; there is no other place I would rather call home.

Ashley M

Ashley

Canadian Insider

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