Rockies, Islands and Gardens by Rail 12 Days / 11 Nights
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Your Canadian Train vacation beginsYour Canadian train vacation starts with your arrival in the famous “Stampede City”, where our representative awaits your arrival. Soon you’ll be relaxing in comfort, as you are whisked through the foothills into Banff National Park. Here mountains tower around you and forests stretch endlessly. Overnight in little mountain hamlet of Banff.
Day 2 – Into the Canadian Rockies – Touring Banff
Wake bright and early to the sound of swaying pines in the mountain breeze. Soon a Fresh Tracks Canada guide will take you on an intimate tour of Banff and its surrounding areas. The mystery and beauty of Johnstone Canyon, Sulphur Mountain, and Lake Minnewanka are intensified as you lean their secrets. Ask as many questions as you like, our tours are kept small to give you the best chance for discovery. Overnight in Banff.
Day 3 – Further Into the Canadian Rockies – Travel to Lake Louise
After a leisurely morning in Banff, our guide takes you to the ‘jewel of the Canadian Rockies’. Wind your way slowly along mountain roads, as your driver reveals hidden gems only accessible in a small touring vehicle. The grand finale of the tour is a lakeshore stroll at Lake Louise. Here, glaciers tumble off mountainsides into turquoise waters, and white mountain peaks soar into the sky. Ask your vacation planner to pre-arrange a gentle canoe paddle with a Mountain Heritage guide, or a sitting in the Fairview dining room for afternoon tea. Overnight at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Day 4 – From Lake Louise to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway
Shadowed by the towering peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, your Icefields Parkway tour holds many wonders in store and you will have the best chance to experience them with our small group tour. The most exciting of these is a visit to the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest and most accessible icefields south of the Arctic Circle. Step out of the Ice Explorer and set your feet on ice millions of years old. Keep an eye out for one of our four legged ambassadors – elk, moose, mountain goats and even bears like to make an appearance for our guests. After nearly a full day touring and a delicious picnic lunch, you arrive in Jasper. Enjoy your evening!
Day 5 – Sightseeing Tour – Enjoy Jasper National Park
Today is your opportunity to discover Jasper National Park. Your guide knows that Maligne Valley is the best place to see wildlife, so don’t be surprise to see antlers peeking through branches of a spruce tree as you meander along. After a visit to eerie Maligne Canyon, a highlight of your day will be a cruise on Maligne Lake, deep green in color, framed by wildflowers, and alive with the sound of mountain waterfowl. This day of your Canadian train vacation is bound to be a memorable one.
Day 6 – On the Rocky Mountaineer Train – Jasper to Kamloops
The scent of hot coffee wafts through your train car as you find your place and settle into the spectacular Rocky Mountaineer train. The gentle pull moving out of the railway station begins your Canadian Rockies train adventure. Travel west before heading south along the river valleys of the Monashee and Cariboo mountains. The sights of Canada out your large picture window are ever-changing from the high peaks of Mount Robson to the crashing waters of Pyramid Falls. Enjoy some downtime from the railroad journey as you pull in to Kamloops.
Day 7 – On the Rocky Mountaineer – Kamloops to Vancouver
Continue westbound today onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train toward the coastal city of Vancouver. As you travel across Canada’s west coast, watch the dry interior become rushing rivers, lush forests and steep slopes of the coastal mountains. The sounds of the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate are so loud they reach your train car and you can almost feel the mist of the waters while on the observation deck. Passengers are known to spot all kinds of Canadian wildlife --be sure to have your camera ready throughout your whole vacation!
This evening the Rocky Mountaineer train arrives in the picturesque city of Vancouver. Bordered by mountains, forest and ocean, the city views are some of the best across Canada.
Day 8 - Canadian train journey continues up to Whistler
Board the Whistler mountaineer this morning, and see how different the scenery looks along the Sea to Sky Corridor. Misty inlet views, rushing canyons, and cedar forests are all part of the backdrop today. Arrive in Whistler at lunch time, and enjoy a thrilling experience as you use your Peak to Peak gondola pass. Take time to stroll beautiful wildflower meadows in the Alpine. Overnight in Whistler.
Day 9 - Soar from Whistler to Victoria
See if you can spot the Whistler Mountaineer train from the sky today, as you fly from Whistler to Victoria via float plane. Arrive in Victoria on Vancouver Island, and spend the day strolling this most charming harbor front.
Day 10 - Victoria Whale Watching
A visit to Victoria wouldn’t be complete without a chance to see some of Victoria’s resident Orca pods. Feel the thrill as a whale breaches before you, leaving a mist of Pacific Sea water in it’s wake. Overnight in Victoria.
Day 11 - Victoria’s Butchart Gardens, and on to Vancouver
A guided tour through charming Victoria, and a visit to the Butchart Gardens are the perfect end to your stay on Vancouver Island. Enjoy a ferry ride back to the mainland, and check into your Vancouver hotel.
Day 12 - Canadian train vacation ends
Filled with memories of the Canadian Rockies and Pacific Northwest, meet your driver and depart from Vancouver’s airport.
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