Experience the beauty of the Canadian Rockies during winter on a memorable journey by rail and road from Vancouver to Calgary. Stay in the resort towns of Jasper and Banff and enjoy guided excursions each day combined with time at leisure for independent exploration. This carefully designed itinerary showcases the Canadian winter.
Your adventure begins with an overnight rail journey from Vancouver arriving in Jasper, in the heart of the Rockies, in the afternoon of your second day having travelled through some stunning scenery passing Pyramid Falls, the Albreda Icefields and Mount Robson. A full day in Jasper includes a visit to Maligne Canyon – an impressive 165 foot gorge that has withstood 10,000 years of erosion. In the evenings, enjoy a spot of stargazing should conditions allow, with the possibility of seeing the northern lights.
Travel by scheduled coach along the spectacular Icefields Parkway to the laid-back town of Banff for three nights. Included during your stay is a guided tour of Banff and its wildlife, a sleigh ride through picturesque snow-covered scenery and visit to Lake Louise where you can try snowshoeing or ice skating on the frozen lake.
How you travel
Whilst you will not be travelling as part of a group, you will meet other travellers during your rail and coach journeys, and during the included fully-guided excursions.
Itinerary
This afternoon check-in at the Pacific Central Station and board VIA Rail’s “Canadian” for the iconic train journey to the majestic Canadian Rockies. The original stainless steel ‘streamliner’ railcars are fully refurbished with air conditioning, a café car, lounge car, and access to the viewing dome car. By day, sit back in comfortable armchairs; at night attendants will transform your quarters into cosy bunks or bedroom.
By the time you awake in the morning the train will have just departed Kamloops heading towards the Canadian Rockies and Jasper. Enjoy breakfast surrounded by dramatic scenery as you follow the banks of the North Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Around lunch time the train begins its passage into the Rockies with views of snow-capped peaks. Arrive in Jasper in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore this unique mountain community.
Today you can enjoy your choice of one included excursion from the following options:
Maligne Canyon Ice Walk – certified guides lead you along the frozen canyon floor and ice-clad limestone walls of this 165 foot gorge.
Discover Jasper and its Wildlife Tour – travel through the Athabasca Valley seeking out the park’s most iconic creatures.
Jasper Dark Sky Planetarium and Telescope Experience – enjoy an evening of cosmic exploration both inside the domed theatre and outside with the largest telescope in the Rockies.
Dog Sledding Tour (upgrade additional cost) – travel by dog sled along 22 km (13 mi) of pristine winter scenery and enjoy lunch cooked over an open campfire.
Travel southward along the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise. This spectacular drive through glacier country features massive snow covered mountains, frozen waterfalls and broad-reaching valleys. Included this evening is a wonderful 40 minute sleigh ride that takes place beside the lake.
Lake Louise transforms into a real-life snow globe in the winter that has to be seen to be believed. To make the most of your stay, rent a pair of ice skates and head onto the frozen lake or snowshoes and explore the many trails, wander the shoreline and take in the iconic views – both are authentic Canadian experience. For skiing or snowboarding visit Lake Louise Ski Resort, known for it’s spectacular scenery and versatile terrain. With over 4,200 acres spread across four mountain faces.
Depart Lake Louise mid-morning for a short drive to Banff via the scenic Bow Valley.
Today you can enjoy your choice of one included excursion from the following options:
Discover Banff & Its Wildlife Tour – keep your eyes peeled for deer, elk, and bighorn sheep on this morning tour of Banff. Scenic highlights include Fairmont Banff Springs, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, the Hoodoos Viewpoint & Lake Minnewanka.
Snowshoeing at Paint Pots – an afternoon snowshoe tour on an easy trail winding through a forest of pine trees to the Paint Pots with its ochre colours mineral pools.
Johnston Canyon Icewalk – an unforgettable experience that will introduce you to stunning frozen waterfalls and amazing views within the canyon.
Today you will leave behind the fresh mountain air and colourful sights of the Rockies for Calgary where your tour ends.
Prices & departures
What's Included
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Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
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1 night aboard Via Rail - upper / lower semi-private sleeper berth
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Breakfast & dinner onboard Via Rail
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Scheduled express coach between Jasper & Lake Louise
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Scheduled express coach between Lake Louise & Banff
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Scheduled express coach between Banff & Calgary
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Choice of excursion in Jasper: Maligne Canyon Ice Walk / Discover Jasper & it's Wildlife Tour / Jasper Dark Sky Experience / Dog Sledding Tour upgrade
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Sleigh Ride in Lake Louise
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Choice of excursion in Banff: Discover Banff & it's Wildlife Tour / Snowshoeing at Paint Pots Tour/ Johnson Canyon Icewalk
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National park fees
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Transfer from railway station to hotel in Jasper
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £1418 Excluding Flights
7 Nights
Jan-Apr & Dec
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.
Our holiday prices exclude flights. Why? Because we want to offer you the best value, tailored to your needs. Flight prices and offers change daily, so when you’re ready to book, we’ll provide a bespoke quote based on the best options from your local airport. This way, you’ll always get the best prices and the flexibility to choose what works best for you.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Doug
30
Grizzlies seen in the wild
11
Species of whale seen
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
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Gary
Travel Specialist
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Jenna
Travel Specialist
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Ben
Travel Specialist
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Doug
Travel Specialist
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Lauren
Travel Specialist
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Freya
Travel Specialist
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Rosie
Travel Specialist
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Samantha
Travel Specialist
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Jo
Travel Specialist
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Darren
Travel Specialist
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