Vancouver to Banff by Rail
Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We fly to Vancouver and transfer to our First Class hotel located in the heart of downtown. The rest of the day is at leisure.
A spectacular drive on the “Sea to Sky Highway” takes us to beautiful Shannon Falls (where we stop for photos) and then to Whistler. This quaint alpine village is North America’s most popular mountain resort. We will board Whistler’s “Peak to Peak Gondola” and ride from the peak of Whistler Mountain to the peak of Blackcomb Mountain, and experience the spectacular panoramic views of the Whistler area and surrounding Coast Mountains. There will be free time to enjoy the fresh mountain air while strolling in the village with its quaint shops before returning to Vancouver. Tonight we enjoy our Welcome Dinner. Note: Should the Peak-to-Peak Gondola not be available in late September due to closure, you will instead visit the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre.
Our city tour includes Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown and much more. A highlight of the day will be crossing the Lions Gate Bridge to visit the popular Capilano Suspension Bridge - an opportunity to walk across the 230 foot high bridge perched above the Capilano Canyon. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Vancouver - annually voted one of the world’s favourite cities.
Today we begin our journey aboard "The Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World". Breakfast and lunch are served onboard. On today’s full-day rail tour we will pass through the fertile Fraser Valley and enjoy the natural beauty of the scenic Fraser Canyon. One of the canyon's highlights is Hell's Gate, where millions of gallons of water rush through the narrowest point of the canyon every minute. Then, following the Thompson River, we cross into Canada's arid interior, arrive in the city of Kamloops and transfer to our hotel for our overnight.
“All Aboard” as the Rocky Mountaineer continues eastward through the Shuswap region to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the resort town of Banff. Among today’s highlights will be Craigellachie - where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven - the climb over Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon and the Spiral Tunnels. Another memorable landmark between Lake Louise and Banff is Castle Mountain, named for its imposing appearance, which early explorers compared to that of a medieval castle. Breakfast and lunch are again served onboard. This evening we arrive into Banff and transfer to our hotel – accommodations will be in either Banff or Canmore.
This morning we take a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain for breathtaking views of the town and Rocky Mountains. In the afternoon we will enjoy a leisurely float trip along the Bow River, admiring the views of the snow-capped Rockies along the way.
Today we will enjoy a day of sightseeing in and around Banff including many scenic wonders of Banff National Park such as Lake Louise, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake. Dinner is included tonight.
This morning, we will enjoy a cruise on Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff National Park. Known to the Stoney Nakoda First Nations people as “Lake of the Spirits,” we will experience breathtaking views while learning about the native folklore and geology of the area. We then transfer to Calgary, where we will enjoy our Farewell Dinner tonight.
Air Canada takes us home.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
