First Passage to the West At Great Leisure - 7 nights
This Vancouver to Calgary one way eastbound itinerary gives you extra time in Banff and Lake Louise to explore Banff National Park. Included are two nights in a handpicked hotel in Banff, followed by two nights in the luxurious Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel, overlooking breathtaking Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier.
This package includes the luxury of 2 days onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train in SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf service from Vancouver to Banff, and sightseeing by motorcoach from Banff and Lake Louise, through to Calgary. Disembarking the train in Banff, rather than Lake Louise, gives you additional time onboard to enjoy the scenery of Banff National Park, which includes Morant's Curve (pictured above).
This itinerary is available in reverse, starting in Calgary on Tuesdays, Fridays and some Saturdays.
This itinerary does not include Jasper. If you would like to include Jasper, within a similar time frame, consider the 7 night Journey Through The Clouds Great Explorer vacation. This package includes the Rocky Mountaineer train to Jasper from Vancouver and sightseeing by motorcoach from Jasper to Calgary, with overnights in Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff.
First Passage to the West At Great Leisure, Eastbound
Route Map
Itinerary Summary
First Passage to the West At Great Leisure, Eastbound
Day |
Activities |
Overnight |
Sunday |
Check in to your Vancouver hotel |
Vancouver |
Monday |
Rocky Mountaineer Train to Kamloops |
Kamloops |
Tuesday |
Rocky Mountaineer Train to Banff |
Banff |
Wednesday |
Free Day in Banff |
Banff |
Thursday |
Yoho National Park. Transfer to Lake Louise |
Lake Louise |
Friday |
Icefields Parkway Tour |
Lake Louise |
Saturday |
Banff Tour with Banff Gondola. Transfer to Calgary |
Calgary |
Sunday |
Check out of your Calgary hotel |
|
Rocky Mountaineer Train Quote
What is Included?
Package Includes:
- 2 days Rocky Mountaineer Train (GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf Service)
- 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches (onboard trains)
- 7 nights hotel accommodation (as specified in quote)
- Yoho National Park, Banff to Lake Louise
- Icefields Parkway Tour, including Ice Explorer
- Banff Tour with Banff Gondola. Transfer to Calgary
- Rocky Mountaineer onboard train host gratuities
- Rail station transfers in Vancouver, Kamloops and Banff
Our quotes do not include (unless specified):
- Transportation from Vancouver airport
- Transportation to Calgary airport
- Meals, other than specified
- Activities, other than specified
- Gratuities for hotel and transfer staff
Note: For your convenience, our quoted rates include all tax.
Rocky Mountaineer Train Quote
Detailed Itinerary
SUN - Vancouver Arrival
Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your own.
Overnight in Vancouver.
MON - Vancouver to Kamloops - Rocky Mountaineer Train
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.
Overnight in Kamloops. B, L.
TUE - Kamloops to Banff - Rocky Mountaineer Train
Your journey continues eastward 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.
Overnight in Banff. B, L.
WED - Free Day in Banff
Today you will have an entire day to spend exploring Banff National Park on your own. Optional activities include soaking in the mineral pools at Upper Hot Springs, enjoying a nature walk on nearby mountain trails, visiting Banff’s historic museums, cruising on Lake Minnewanka (seasonal) or playing a round of golf at The Fairmont Banff Springs (seasonal).
Overnight in Banff.
THU - Banff to Lake Louise
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.
Overnight in Lake Louise.
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.
FRI - Icefields and Glaciers Experience
Today, enjoy a full day tour along one of the most scenic highways in the world as you travel to Jasper National Park along the Icefields Parkway. Among the highlights are Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield and the Glacier Skywalk. 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. Lunch is included at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Afterwards, brief stops will be made at Bow Lake before arriving back in Lake Louise this afternoon.
Overnight in Lake Louise. L.
SAT - Banff Tour with Banff Gondola. Transfer to Calgary
Begin the morning with a sightseeing tour of Banff. Among the points of interest are Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. The included Banff Gondola will take you up to Sulphur Mountain summit for breathtaking views of six stunning mountain ranges and spectacular views of the Bow Valley. Transfer to Calgary in the afternoon.
Overnight in Calgary.
SUN - Calgary Departure
Your journey ends upon checkout from your Calgary hotel.
Rocky Mountaineer Train Quote
Departure Dates: 2025 and 2026
This package starts in Vancouver on Sundays, Thursdays and some Mondays from mid April through until early October.
In 2025 the earliest start date is 13th April, 2025, and the latest is 9th October, 2025
In 2026 the earliest start date is 12th April, 2026, and the latest is 8th October, 2026
Prices: 2025 and 2026
For package rates in 2025, please contact us for more information. You can also view the rail only pricing online.
For package rates in 2026, please contact us for more information. You can also view the rail only pricing online.
Prices depend on the time of year you travel, the hotels you stay in and the level of service you choose onboard the Rocky Mountaineer train (SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf service).
Let our Rocky Mountaineer specialist make the best choices for you, based on your preferences, to ensure you are not paying more than you need to for your Rocky Mountain train vacation.
Promotional bonus offers are added automatically to your quote from us (if applicable).
If you would like a full quote for this package, be sure to include the package
name in your quote request.