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Majestic Rockies by Rail and Road

from £2545 excluding flights

  • 6 nights
  • May-Oct
Home Destinations Americas Canada Majestic Rockies by Rail and Road
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Highlights

Wing mirror view of the Icefields Parkway

See lakes, glaciers and mountains along the Icefields Parkway

Spirit Island and Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park

Enjoy the many attractions of Jasper National Park

Rocky Mountaineer and Castle Mountain

Sit back and relax on the Rocky Mountaineer

canada alberta athabasca glacier ice truck ctc

Explore the Athabasca Glacier on an Ice Explorer

Banff and Cascade Mountain

Discover the town of Banff and its scenic surrounds

Glacier Skywalk

Step out onto the Glacier Skywalk for breathtaking views

Why this trip...

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How you travel

This holiday features transport that is an integral part of the overall experience

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Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

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Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

Overview

This compact itinerary incorporates the main highlights of the Canadian Rockies in a memorable week’s adventure. Travel on the renowned Rocky Mountaineer train and drive along the awe-inspiring Icefields Parkway, often said to be one of the most scenic drives in the world.

The Rocky Mountaineer offers a world-renowned rail journey between Vancouver and Jasper, travelling through some of Canada’s most spectacular mountain scenery. The 2-day journey includes an overnight stay in a hotel in Kamloops, before continuing on to Jasper in the heart of the national park where your self-drive adventure begins.

Your itinerary includes 2-night stays in both Jasper and Banff, where you can pick your personal choice of included excursions to make the most of your Rockies experience. Choose a scenic lake cruise, canoe trip or gondola ride; you can be as active or relaxed as you like but the backdrop will be stunning whatever you choose! You’ll also drive the iconic Icefields Parkway via Lake Louise, and take a trip onto the Columbia Icefield with the chance to stand on an ancient river of ice.

Itinerary

Board the Rocky Mountaineer train at Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station. Pass through the rich fields of the Fraser River Valley and the towering peaks of the Coastal Mountains before entering the Fraser Canyon. Follow the Thompson River through spectacular landscapes to historic Kamloops, gateway to the interior of British Columbia. Breakfast and lunch included.

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Vancouver skyline

Back on board the Rocky Mountaineer follow the Thompson River through rolling plateaus to the snowy peaks of the Monashee Mountains. View Pyramid Falls and the expansive glaciers of the Albreda Icefields. Pass by Mount Robson, at 3954 metres (12,972 feet), which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Upon arrival into Jasper collect your rental car. The rest of the day is free to explore and relax at your leisure. Breakfast and lunch included.

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Today you can enjoy your choice of included excursion from the following options:

Maligne Lake Cruise – enjoy a scenic boat trip on one of Canada’s most spectacular lakes, home to the much-photographed Spirit Island.

Jasper River Raft Float – take a gentle raft trip on the Athabasca River for a unique perspective of Jasper National Park.

Jasper Nature Walk – this guided walk offers spectacular views of jagged peaks, forests, meadows, marshes, streams, and stunning glacial lakes.

Maligne Lake Cruise
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Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park

This morning depart on the scenic drive that takes you through the spine of the Canadian Rockies. You’ll discover a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged peaks, over one hundred glaciers and pristine emerald-coloured lakes. Included today is the opportunity to brave the Glacier Skywalk, a glass platform suspended almost 1000 feet high over the valley, and to set foot on ancient ice with an Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier itself. As you continue your drive to Lake Louise you can also take in views of Sarbach Glacier, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Bow Glacier, and Crowfoot Glacier. (Please note: mountain lakes in this region will be frozen through to mid June).

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Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefields
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Take the short drive from Lake Louise to Banff today, travelling along the Bow Valley Parkway. This runs beside the Bow River with an option for you to take a stop at Johnston Canyon and walk along the paved footway to either the lower or upper waterfalls before continuing to Banff.

Today you can enjoy your choice of included excursion from the following options:

Banff Gondola – enjoy impressive views over Banff National Park with a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain.

Lake Minnewanka Cruise – take a scenic cruise across the turquoise-hued Lake Minnewanka to Devil’s Gap.

River Explorer Canoe Tour – pick up a paddle for a gentle exploration on the Bow River.

Bow River Horseback Adventure – saddle up for a horse ride along the shores of Bow River.

Lake Minnewanka
Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park
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Leave behind the fresh mountain air and majestic sights of the Rockies as you make your way to Calgary today.

This itinerary is also available in reverse, from Calgary to Vancouver.

Accommodation Options

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists.

Prices and Departures

Price from £2545 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £550 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
  • Rocky Mountaineer train journey from Vancouver to Jasper
  • 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches on board Rocky Mountaineer
  • Car rental from Jasper to Calgary
  • Choice of excursion in Jasper: Maligne Lake Cruise / River Raft Float / Jasper Nature Walk
  • Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier
  • Glacier Skywalk
  • Choice of excursion in Banff: Banff Gondola / Lake Minnewanka Cruise / River Explorer Canoe tour / Bow River Horseride
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

Prices

This itinerary starts from £2,545 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, with SilverLeaf service on the Rocky Mountaineer and rental of an intermediate vehicle. Prices may vary depending on departure date. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, to upgrade to GoldLeaf on the train, or to tailor this itinerary. Please note a one way car hire fee may apply, to be advised at time of quotation.

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Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

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Travelling sustainably

We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.