Arrive in Calgary and transfer to Kananaskis, where you'll check in. Gather with your fellow travelers this evening for a delightful dinner, followed by time to relax and enjoy the serene surroundings of Kananaskis Provincial Park.
Travel the Icefields Parkway, a 232-kilometer route through the Canadian Rockies, recognized as one of the world’s most scenic drives. Pass turquoise lakes, sheer cliffs and the Columbia Icefield, North America’s largest south of the Arctic. Feeding rivers that flow to three oceans, this glacial remnant is a geological marvel. Arriving in Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Dark Sky Preserve, spend your afternoon exploring pristine wilderness or admiring alpine serenity.
Begin your day with a scenic cruise on Maligne Lake (seasonal), soaking in views of Spirit Island. In the afternoon, join an optional float trip along the serene Athabasca River. Spend the evening at leisure, relaxing or exploring Jasper’s charming town center.
Today, you'll visit Athabasca Falls, a breathtaking natural wonder renowned for its powerful and mesmerizing beauty, before departing Jasper for the Columbia Icefield. A warm welcome greets you at the country’s first and only glacier-view resort over a champagne reception and nibbles. Before dinner, take advantage of the long daylight hours and set out for an after-hours visit to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a glass-floored walkway above the Sunwapta Valley featuring waterfalls and wildlife. After your Skywalk visit, indulge in a delicious, Canadian-inspired, locally sourced dinner, sip cocktails and marvel at the spectacular glacier views that wrap the restaurant. After dinner, step out onto the viewing deck and marvel at the evening sky, relax with a drink in the library or hang out inside Moraine Lounge. The perfect way to end any night.
Begin your day with before-hours access to the Columbia Icefield Adventure, experiencing the natural wonder before the crowds arrive. Step onto the vast ice mass to enjoy early access to this breathtaking natural wonder, setting the stage for a truly memorable day. Then explore Yoho National Park, known for its stunning waterfalls and dramatic landscapes. See the Lower Spiral Tunnels - an early 20th-century engineering solution to a dangerously steep railway grade. Then view Takakkaw Falls (seasonal), plunging 373 m (1,224 ft) in one of Canada's highest cascades. The name, from Cree, means "it's significant," an apt description for this thundering spectacle set amid glacier-fed peaks. Arrive at the Fairmont Banff Springs for a relaxing evening, with time to unwind or explore Banff National Park at your leisure.
This morning, make your way to Moraine Lake (seasonal)–the largest glacially fed lake in Canada–for a photo stop before a decadent lunch at Chateau Lake Louise. Marvel as you're surrounded by soaring peaks and the majesty of the Victoria Glacier. Capture a photo or two of the turquoise Lake Louise and rugged backdrop of one of the most famous mountain vistas in the world. This afternoon enjoying a scenic drive through Banff National Park, visiting the hoodoos and Surprise Corner. After opt for a ride on the Banff Gondola before returning to the hotel for a relaxing evening.
Connect with the land on a guided walk through the boreal forest with an Indigenous Local Specialist. Learn how First Nations communities have traditionally used local plants for medicinal purposes and how animals like the beaver and raven feature in both ecological systems and oral storytelling traditions. Explore Banff with your choice. Visit The Whyte Museum where you'll discover the history and culture of the Rocky Mountains of Canada through 28,000 artifacts and artworks. With the mission of cultivating the exchange of knowledge, the museum engages you with the evolving history, peoples, culture, environment and ideas of mountain culture. Or, join a hotel ambassador to explore the history of the Fairmont Banff Springs, which opened in 1888 and has hosted figures such as King George VI and Marilyn Monroe. This evening, toast the end of your journey with your Travel Director and fellow travelers over dinner to celebrate the insights experienced along the way.
In the morning you will be transferred to Banff Train Station to board the Rocky Mountaineer. Your journey starts Westward through the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. With more than three decades of fine tuning, Rocky Mountaineer has perfected the art of comfort and service. Whether you choose SilverLeaf Service or GoldLeaf Service, prepare for spectacular views and flavorful food—a celebration for the senses. Aboard Rocky Mountaineer, every element is carefully choreographed to create an effortless, unforgettable experience. 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. Overnight in Kamloops.
Depart Kamloops this morning and continue your journey on the Rocky Mountaineer to the coastal city of Vancouver, in the heart of British Columbia's interior. As you travel along you will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the desert-like environment of the British Columbia interior, the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley, and forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. On arrival in Vancouver you will bid farewell to this incredible experience and make your way to the airport independently for your flight home, or alternatively choose to extend your stay in this exciting city. Onward Travel Note: The Rocky Mountaineer is expected to arrive in Vancouver at 20:30, though delays can occur as it travels on tracks shared with freight trains. We recommend booking post-tour accommodation in the city to ensure a relaxed end to your trip. If you’re flying out the same day, we suggest choosing a departure after midnight.
