Rocky Mountaineer - Grand Rail Circle

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Vancouver

Holiday Inn Downtown (Standard)

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont room

Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city independently.

Day 2: Vancouver

Holiday Inn Downtown (Standard)

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont room (Superior)

Enjoy a six-hour sightseeing tour of Vancouver’s spectacular North Shore. Travel across the Lions Gate Bridge and into the Coast Mountains. Experience the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Treetops Adventure, discovering the coastal temperate rainforest and British Columbia’s First Nations heritage. Next, visit Grouse Mountain (gondola admission included), the Peak of Vancouver, and take in breathtaking views of the city, ocean, and surrounding mountains.

Day 3: Vancouver to Kamloops

Overnight in Kamloops

Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops, in the heart of British Columbia’s interior. On today’s journey you will see 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 the desert-like environment of the BC Interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer travels along the shores of Kamloops Lake into Kamloops.

Day 4: Kamloops to Banff

Banff Ptarmigan Inn (Standard)

Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont room (Superior)

Your journey continues eastwards to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Once again you will see a spectacular array of scenery as you travel across ranchlands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the remarkable tunnels that form part of the rich rail history of the Canadian Rockies. Today’s highlights include Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, the climb over Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, the Spiral Tunnels and, of course, the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Your rail journey ends this evening in the resort town of Banff.

Day 5: Banff Sightseeing with Summit Helicopter Tour

Banff Ptarmigan Inn (Standard)

Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont room (Superior)

Today you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff. Among the highlights are visits to Bow Falls, the Banff Gondola (admission included), Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Continue on to Kananaskis for the highlight of today’s adventure, a 12-minute Summit Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Rockies. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure in Banff.

Day 6: Banff to Lake Louise

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont room (Standard)

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Lakeview room (Superior)

A half-day tour takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River. The tour ends in Lake Louise where the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy this magnificent location.

Please note: While arrival at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise will be approximately 1:00 p.m., scheduled check-in time is not until 4:00 p.m. In the event that your room is not ready, your luggage will be stored and you are free to enjoy the amenities of the hotel.

Day 7: Lake Louise to Jasper

Lobstick Lodge (Standard)

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont room (Superior)

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Banff and Jasper national parks via the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Falls. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and one of the most accessible icefields in North America. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn more about its geological features. Time will be available for lunch (not included). Arrive in Jasper late this afternoon.

Day 8: Jasper to Quesnel

Overnight in Quesnel

Travel onboard from the mountain resort of Jasper to the charming rural town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo. Pass through the Rocky Mountain Trench, with the steep Rocky and Cariboo Mountains either side, and on to the rolling hills and vast forests of British Columbia’s Northern Interior. Highlights include Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Yellowhead Pass and Moose Lake. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer passes through the town of Prince George and follows the Fraser River into Quesnel.

Day 9: Quesnel to Whistler

Delta Whistler Village Suites (Standard)

Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Fairmont room (Superior)

Your journey continues south today to the four-season resort of Whistler. Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, through the rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau, to the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley. Highlights include sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon, the crossing of Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world, and the shorelines of glacial-fed Seton Lake and Anderson Lake. Your rail journey ends today on arrival in the resort town of Whistler, host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games alpine events.

Day 10: Whistler

Enjoy a free day exploring the picturesque mountain resort of Whistler on your own. Overnight in Whistler.

Day 11: Whistler to Vancouver

The morning is free to explore Whistler Village at your leisure. This afternoon return to Vancouver onboard the Rocky Mountaineer through the stunning scenery of the Sea to Sky Corridor. An afternoon meal is served onboard. On arrival in Vancouver you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Day 12: Vancouver

Your vacation ends upon checkout from your Vancouver hotel.