Vancouver & the Rockies by Rocky Mountaineer

Arrive in Vancouver Location Information Description

Vancouver, Canada

Your tour begins: 6:00 PM at the Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver. A transfer is included upon arrival from the Vancouver Airport to the Fairmont Waterfront. One of the most beautifully sited cities in North America, cosmopolitan Vancouver dazzles the eye wherever you look with views of the water, the mountains, and a glittering skyline. Your hotel is perfectly located to enjoy it all.

Join the group for a welcome reception followed by dinner.

Dinner

Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

Discovering Vancouver by Land & Air Location Information Description

Vancouver, Canada

Home to an active cultural scene and abundant natural resources, Vancouver is a city steeped in pleasures. This morning, a floatplane ride from Coal Harbour takes you flightseeing for a completely different perspective on this city by the sea – and it's just as scenic from the air.

Continue on to Stanley Park, a stunning green oasis in the midst of the city, and enjoy lunch on your own at your choice of Granville Island's tempting eateries.

On a sightseeing tour this afternoon, enjoy a docent-led tour of the Bill Reid Gallery, a showcase for contemporary Aboriginal art of the Northwest Coast. One of Canada's greatest artists, Bill Reid was an acclaimed Haida master goldsmith, carver, sculptor and writer, whose work is on display here. Enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

Breakfast, Dinner

Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

All onboard Rocky Mountaineer Location Information Description

Vancouver, Canada

Your awe-inspiring journey to the Canadian Rockies begins! Travel to the railway station for an earlymorning send-off onboard Rocky Mountaineer. Relaxing in your GoldLeaf Service glass-dome coach, you will witness dramatic changes in scenery from the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to British Columbia's desert-like interior.

Location Information Description

Hell's Gate, Canada

One highlight of this leg of your trip is Hell's Gate – rushing waters squeezing through an abrupt narrowing of the mighty Fraser River. In 1808, the explorer Simon Fraser described this whitewater chute as "a place where no human being should venture."

Location Information Description

Kamloops, Canada

Your train rolls on to another highlight – and it's quite a contrast: the landscape of steep slopes, rock sheds, and arid bluffs along the Thompson River. At the end of the day, Rocky Mountaineer glides along the shores of Kamloops Lake into Kamloops.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Kamloops

By rail over the Continental Divide Location Information Description

Canadian Rockies, Canada

Your journey onboard Rocky Mountaineer continues to the breathtaking Canadian Rockies in Alberta. Prepare to be surrounded by dramatic scenery as your train follows the North Thompson River through the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains, climbing ever nearer to the high peaks of the Continental Divide. Take in Mount Robson, at 12,972 feet (3,954 m.) the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. See Pyramid Falls and climb over Yellowhead Pass.

Location Information Description

Jasper, Canada

Your rail trip ends in the town of Jasper. Travel to Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, your resort in the heart of the Jasper National Park, for a two night stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

A free day in Jasper National Park Location Information Description

Jasper, Canada

Wake up on the shore of Lac Beauvert in the remote wilderness of Jasper National Park, where you have the whole day to enjoy the activities and amenities offered at your lodge resort. You can go kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking... take a wildlife tour, play a round of golf, or relax in the spa (some activities are at additional cost).

Breakfast, Dinner

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

The Spectacular Icefields Parkway Location Information Description

Icefields Parkway, Canada

The Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise is among North America's most stunning drives. Travel this roadway as it winds through snow-domed peaks past hanging glaciers – and make sure to keep watch for wandering elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and bears.

Location Information Description

Athabasca Glacier, Canada

At the Athabasca Glacier, board a specially designed Ice Explorer for a smooth, slow ride up this 7,200-ft.-high part of the Columbia Icefield.

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Lake Louise, Canada

Your final destination today is Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, set on the lake within Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; you'll stay in a lake-view room tonight. Set your alarm to be sure to catch the sunrise from your window tomorrow morning!

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

A morning at Lake Louise, as you please Location Information Description

Lake Louise, Canada

Watching the sun rise over the mountains and Lake Louise is truly a sight to behold – and an inspiring way to begin the day. The color of the lake is a turquoise blue that hardly seems real; the water contains light rock flour, made by the grinding of glaciers, which reflects the sunlight creating a color so beautiful you won't want to look away. Spend the morning at leisure exploring your resort and the area's walking and hiking trails. Canoeing is available (at an extra cost).

Location Information Description

Banff, Canada

This afternoon, enjoy a change of scenery and pace when you travel to your next accommodations, another historic Canadian Pacific Railway Hotel in Banff National Park; known as Canada's "Castle in the Rockies," Fairmont Banff Springs is a grand resort built in the style of a Scottish castle. Set on the Bow River, this landmark has welcomed nature lovers in style for 125+ years.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fairmont Banff Springs

A Bow River float trip & Banff National Park Location Information Description

Banff, Canada

Begin the day with a morning float trip* along the Bow River, a perfect way to take in the grandeur of the Rockies. Then spend the rest of the day as you wish. You can go into the town of Banff and discover that the town itself is filled with unique galleries to explore. For some amazing views, ride up into the mountains aboard the Banff Gondola. Your resort offers many activities (some available at additional cost); take a guided nature walk, book a treatment at the Willow Stream Spa, go horseback riding, play a round of golf, and more. Join us for a farewell reception and dinner tonight.

Breakfast, Dinner

Fairmont Banff Springs

Journey Home Location Information Description

Calgary, Canada

Travel through the Canadian Rockies to Calgary International Airport this morning (approx. 80 miles) for your journey home. Fly home anytime after 12:00 noon. Direct flights to the US will clear US customs in Calgary. Allow two hours for flight check-in at the airport.

Breakfast