Discover Whistler and the Canadian Rockies by Rail
Rated 5 / 5 based on 1 customer reviews10 days from $3,306 per person
The ‘Bear’ Essentials
Peaks, valleys, and lakes of emerald green fill your eye as you travel on this Canadian Rockies train route. From the time you depart Vancouver, explore Whistler, and are in the Canadian Rockies, the memory card in your camera is full. Be sure to save some space for that perfect shot in front of Lake Louise! This is how Canadian rail tours are meant to be taken.
What we love about this trip• Two and a half day Rocky Mountaineer rail journey• Icefields Parkway Scenic transfer • Walk on glaciers, millions of years old • Spend time in Jasper and Banff National Parks • Unique, small group tours in the Rockies
ItineraryPlease note, like most of our Canada rail packages & tours, this railway vacation can be customized to your needs - just ask one of our local experts when you call.Eastbound itinerary shown. Westbound follows the same itinerary in reverse. Day 1 – Begin your Canadian Rockies Train Vacation – Arrival in Vancouver You’ll begin to unwind as soon as you arrive - the west coast Canadian city of Vancouver has that effect on everyone! Surrounded by mountains and ocean, the air is fresh, the ambiance laid back, and the residents are friendly. This is the city where Greenpeace started, where bears wander into backyards, and where coyotes sometimes stroll across the Stanley Park mini-golf course. Explore the city on your own, stopping perhaps at a sidewalk café to watch the world go by, or hiring bicycles to ride the seawall - or let us arrange private tours or a special dinner to start your vacation. Overnight in Vancouver (as usual, with your choice of 3, 4 or 5-star accommodations - see pricing options.) Day 2 – Whistler Sea to Sky Climb train journey Step aboard the Whistler Mountaineer train - Canada’s newest passenger train and sister to the famous Canadian Rockies train, the Rocky Mountaineer - for the start of a three-day train journey to the Canadian Rockies. Today you’ll travel from ‘sea to sky’ on a half-day train journey from Vancouver to the Olympic village of Whistler, for a relaxing afternoon and overnight stay amid the beauty of BC’s Coastal Mountains. Along the way, the Whistler Mountaineer train winds along the shores of Howe Sound, a deep fjord surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Then slowly it chugs into the mountains, besides the rushing waters of the Cheakamus River, with waterfalls cascading down from the glaciers above. Overnight in Whistler. Day 3 - Enjoy Whistler Spend the day exploring Whistler. Enjoy a peak to peak Gondola pass, to whisk you up to the alpine. Stroll meadows full of wildflowers, and admire vast mountain valleys as far as the eye can see. Overnight in Whistler. Day 4 – Onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train – Whistler to Quesnel The Rocky Mountaineer’s whistle sounds and the smell of breakfast wafts from the galley as you pull out of Whistler heading north. Over coffee you may chat with your fellow passengers or simply gaze out of the window at some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. In a single day you will travel through the majestic Fraser Canyon, by the winding shores of Anderson and Seton Lakes, and into the ‘cowboy country’ of the high-desert Cariboo Plateau. In the canyon you may wonder - not for the last time - at the feat of engineering this railroad represents. As you gaze down from your window, thousands of feet to the rushing waters of the Fraser River below, spare a thought for the chutzpah of the 19th century railroad barons who conceived the project - and the skill and hard work of the engineers, surveyors and migrant workers who built it. Overnight in a hotel in the small town of Quesnel. Day 5 – Onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train – Quesnel to Jasper This morning return to your home on the rails – the Rocky Mountaineer train. This is the day you’ve been waiting for – the day your train reaches the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies at last. Moose, bald eagle & bear are plentiful up here, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled! Seeing the high peaks of the Canadian Rockies for the first time is a thrilling moment and as you step off the train in the quaint mountain town of Jasper the smell of pristine mountain air fills your lungs. Everyday cares are far behind as you look forward to 4 more days exploring the wonderful Canadian Rockies. Overnight in Jasper. Day 6 – In The Canadian Rockies - Maligne Lake Tour & Cruise, Near Jasper You first full day in the Canadian Rockies - and a guided tour through one of Jasper National Park’s most spectacular areas. Maligne Canyon will leave you in awe at the power of erosion, where 10,000 years have created a gorge so deep that it looks almost bottomless. You will learn how Medicine Lake is “mysteriously” disappearing before boarding a lake cruise bound for the serenity of Spirit Island. Looking around at the dark green of the trees, the earth’s history told in the surrounding cliffs, and the rippling water below, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the majesty of our world. Overnight in Jasper. Day 7 - In The Canadian Rockies -The Icefields Parkway To Lake Louise Today you’ll head south with on a small group tour, along one of the most scenic roads in the world - the Icefields Parkway. The road runs south down the spine of the Canadian Rockies, and your driver-guide will give an expert commentary so you don’t miss a thing. Near the highest point of your journey, a highlight is one of the optional ‘Ice Explorer’ tours onto the Athabasca Glacier itself - where you can walk a little and get a sense of the glacier’s movement and crevasses. Finally you arrive in Lake Louise for a wonderful overnight stay. Day 8 – In The Canadian Rockies - Lake Louise to Banff This morning you wake up in what must surely be one of the most beautiful places on the planet - Lake Louise. Whether the sun is shimmering on the water or a mist hangs over the surrounding peaks and glaciers, the magic of this place is unmistakable. The water is often turquoise in color, and so pure-looking that you want to jump right in - but renting a canoe and going for a paddle will be the warmer option! Later, travel from Lake Louise to end in the little mountain town of Banff. Day 9 – In the Canadian Rockies – Exploring Around Banff Today’s the day to get outside, explore, and see why the population of Banff doubles in the summer months. A guided tour lets you relax in comfort as you visit four local mountains and learn how natural phenomena have made Banff into the outdoor playground it is today. A gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain gives you a panoramic view of Bow Valley - the best of the Canadian Rockies surround you on all sides and you gaze upon the pristine wilderness below, with the Bow River glistening in the distance. Now you understand the sense of peace that keeps people returning to Banff year after year. Overnight in Banff. Day 10 - Leaving The Canadian Rockies – From Banff To Calgary Much too soon, you leave the clean air and breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies behind. Your vacation concludes as you travel through the foothills of the Canadian Rockies by coach to Calgary Airport for your flight home. Yet you take with you memories to revisit and treasure for a lifetime. Bon voyage!
Interested? Contact us to start customizing this trip today! |
What's IncludedHere are just a few of the things to look forward to on this trip...  Whistler Peak to Peak gondola ride  Gourmet meals aboard the train  Glacier ride on the Ice Explorer  Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain  Cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island
Customize this trip a little... or a lotThink of this itinerary as just a starting point. Work with us to personalize this trip by adding some amazing side trips & activities, like...  Cruising Inside Passage to Alaska  Renting a car and exploring the area  Golfing at world-famous Banff Springs  Whalewatching in the Salish Sea  Fly fishing Bow River in the Rockies |
Accommodation Options
Below you'll find examples of this trip's accommodation options. Please call us for the full list or advice on how to customize your experience.
Delta Whistler Village Suites
An example of our Comfort accommodations
Located in the heart of the village and surrounded by Whistler's exciting buzz, the Delta Whistler Village Suites offers the comfort of suite accommodations, the convenience of a full service hotel and genuine care from all its staff. Services include health club, outdoor heated pool, two restaurants, in Resort shuttle service, ski storage and ski rental shop.
Rimrock Resort
An example of our Superior accommodations
The Rimrock Resort is one of Fresh Tracks favourite hotels! The hotel is built into the side of a mountain, when you enter the main lobby, you are actually on the 7th floor, and the views from the pamorama of windows over the Bow Valley are simply stunning. The hotel has an upscale yet understated feel, and the service is impeccable.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
An example of our Deluxe accommodations
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is undoubtedly a beautiful and impressive hotel. Its amazing location overlooking beautiful Lake Louise and the distant mountains can not be compared. There are a variety of restaurant types, so you can do casual or fine dining as you choose. Strolling around the lake, renting a canoe, riding horses, or hiking up to the tea house are all great summer activities. In winter choose from snow shoeing, skating, skiing or taking a sleigh ride around the lake.
Moraine Lake Lodge
An example of our Luxury Mountain Lodge accommodations
Ask our vacation planners about customizing your trip, to stay in some of our more secluded, intimate, and unique wilderness lodges. First class service, gourmet cuisine, and luxurious accommodations are combined with rustic ambiance in a stunning setting. Step out of your doorway for a morning hike, then relax on your patio sipping wine, gazing at the reflection of snow capped peaks on pristine mountain lakes. Here, the only noise is the whispering of pines and the calls of alpine birds.
Interested? Contact us to start customizing this trip today!
Prices & Dates
2013 Dates Starting in VancouverMay 17 24 31
June 7 14 21 28
July 5 12 19 26
August 9 16 23 30
September 6 13 20
2013 Dates Starting in Calgary
May 10 17 24 31
June 7 14 21 28
July 5 12 19 26
Aug 9 16 23 30
Sept 6 13
Below you’ll find the prices for this trip. Make sure to give us a call to chat about your options.
• Prices are per person, and double means two people sharing a room. Please give us a call for single, triple, or child rates.
• RedLeaf and GoldLeaf refer to the type of train service, between Vancouver and Jasper
• Comfort and Superior guests may upgrade to GoldLeaf service for $1221 USD per person
| RedLeaf Train Service & Comfort Hotels | USD$ | |
| Double | ||
| May 10 - May 24, 2013 | 3,306 | |
| May 31 - Sep 20, 2013 | 4,002 | |
| RedLeaf Train Service & Superior Hotels | USD$ | |
| Double | ||
| May 10 - May 24, 2013 | 3,595 | |
| May 31 - Sep 20, 2013 | 4,235 | |
| GoldLeaf Train Service & Deluxe Hotels | USD$ | |
| Double | ||
| May 10 - May 24, 2013 | 5,911 | |
| May 31 - Sep 20, 2013 | 6,998 | |
| GoldLeaf Train Service & Deluxe Plus Hotels | USD$ | |
| Double | ||
| May 10 - May 24, 2013 | 8,533 | |
| May 31 - Jun 21, 2013 | 9,452 | |
| Jun 28 - Sep 20, 2013 | 9,701 | |
Interested? Contact us to start customizing this trip today!
Customer Reviews & Testimonials
The best holiday we have ever had
“ Just a quick note to you to let you know how much we loved every part of our holiday. It would be very difficult to say which bit we liked best, as all of it was good and we couldn't have been luckier with the great weather. The scenery in the Canadian Rockies is amazing and we met some really lovely people on our travels. We loved the white water rafting and the ziplining and the trip to Spirit Island was fantastic. We loved the Rocky Mountaineer and the service on board was brilliant! Each of the hotels were excellent and all of the activities and transfers were brilliant. We hope this is just one of many visits to Canada! We can't thank you enough for this holiday - we all agreed it was the best holiday we have ever had! ”
Cathy, Joseph and Chris MacIntyre
Interested? Contact us to start customizing this trip today!
Trip Map & Outline
1 night Vancouver
2 nights Whistler
1 night Quesnel
2 nights Jasper
1 night Lake Louise
2 nights Banff
Depart Calgary
*can be done in reverse
What Clients Say
The best holiday we have ever had
“ Just a quick note to you to let you know how much we loved every part of our holiday. It would be very difficult to say which bit we liked best, as all of it was good and we couldn't have been luckier with the great weather. The scenery in the Canadian Rockies is amazing and we met some really lovely people on our travels. We loved the white water rafting and the ziplining and the trip to Spirit Island was fantastic. We loved the Rocky Mountaineer and the service on board was brilliant! Each of the hotels were excellent and all of the activities and transfers were brilliant. We hope this is just one of many visits to Canada! We can't thank you enough for this holiday - we all agreed it was the best holiday we have ever had! ”
Cathy, Joseph and Chris MacIntyre
Why Book With Us?
What makes booking with Fresh Tracks Canada different?
- Our commitment to making your trip an unforgettable experience
- 20 years of experience in travel
- Intimate knowledge of Canada
- Attention to every detail
- Caring and creative people
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