Explore the wonders of the West on a luxurious train journey into the Rocky Mountains. You'll roll out from Vancouver and into Calgary a week later, spending days in Banff and Lake Louise along the way.
This itinerary is great for self-described romantics, glampers and anyone who believes the journey truly is the destination.
At a glance
- 9 day itinerary
- 1670 km (1038 mi) total distance
- 35 hrs 28 mins drive time
- Your starting point is in Vancouver
Train ride to Kamloops
Glass-domed coaches provide panoramic views as you journey from the lush fields of the Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons, and beneath the Coast and Cascade Mountains. While on board, savour West Coast cuisine, from Fraser River salmon to Okanagan wines. Stay overnight in Kamloops.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
No sleeper cars here — you'll stay in gorgeous hotels at each stop on this trip.
Train ride to Banff
Today you'll pass across ranch lands, along rocky lakeshores, over high mountain passes and through the remarkable tunnels unique to rail routes into the Canadian Rockies. Want to learn more? Your hosts are ready and willing to share stories, history and local lore. Stay overnight in the town of Banff.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Rocky Mountaineer offers two levels of service: SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf. Decide which one is right for you.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
The thermal springs at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site have been a sacred place for Indigenous peoples for over ten thousand years. The 1883 re-discovery of the springs led to the creation of Canada's first national park. Today, you can enjoy conservation exhibits and seasonal activities.
Via Ferrata at Mt. Norquay
Craving an adrenaline rush? Climb a steep rock face along fixed ladders, bridges and cables, led by certified guides. Try the Explorer route to learn about the sport's history, tackle a few pitches and traverse the suspension bridge. All equipment included, and no previous climbing experience required.
Banff Trail Riders
Get a fresh perspective on the natural wonders of Banff — on horseback. With 300 horses and 15 routes to choose from, Banff Trail Riders has the perfect ride for you. Try the Spray River Ride for a close encounter with a waterfall, or the Bow Valley Loop to get up close and personal with local wildlife.
Alberta Food Tours – Eat the Castle
Greet your guide at STOCK Food and Drink inside the lobby of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Discover the timeless Rundle Bar, then progress into the heart of the hotel for French brasserie fare at the Vermillion Room. Nestle into the 1888 Chop House for a sample of local produce and a light dessert.
Evening Wildlife Safari (Discover Banff Tours)
Dusk is the ideal time for spotting wildlife in the Canadian Rockies. Join the Evening Wildlife Safari for a chance to see some of Banff national park's most elusive residents—like elk, bears, deer and bighorn sheep. You’ll also learn about the area's ecology and history on this two-hour guided tour.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
For over a century, visitors have been journeying to the Banff Upper Hot Springs to "take the waters", which are purported to have therapeutic and healing properties. Locals love them, too. Complete your evening with a relaxing soak in the mineral pools before spending the night in Banff.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
The hot springs are open between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. You can enter the water anytime before 9:30 p.m.
Yoho National Park
Spend the morning scouting out the awe-inspiring natural attractions of Yoho National Park — from the Spiral Tunnels to Emerald Lake, and from the Burgess Shale fossils to a natural rock bridge spanning the Kicking Horse River. Your tour ends in Lake Louise in time for lunch.
Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola
Soar to an elevation of 2,088 m (6,850 ft) and experience some of the best grizzly sighting opportunities in the Rockies. At the top, investigate Mount Whitehorn's network of hiking trails at the Wildlife Interpretative Centre — explore on your own or join the Trail of the Great Bear, a 45-minute guided walk
Lake Louise
End your evening with a visit to iconic Lake Louise. Late in the day, as the sun drops behind Mount Victoria, the sight of the emerald water surrounded by rugged peaks and brilliant glaciers might just take your breath away. Wander the lakeside path before spending the night in Lake Louise.
Glacier Skywalk (Pursuit Collection)
Step onto the glass-floored Glacier SkyWalk, suspended 280 m (919 ft) over the Sunwapta Valley, for stunning aerial views of glittering glaciers and rugged mountain peaks. Open May to October, this one-hour tour begins at the Icefield Information Centre, 80 minutes northwest of Lake Louise.
Rockies Heli Canada – Icefields Adventure Base
Grab lunch at one of two glacier's-edge restaurants, then launch yourself into the sky with Rockies Heli Canada. Choose a 20-, 30- or 60-minute flight over untouched glaciers, peaks and alpine lakes and meadows. Or book a heli-hiking tour and explore the pristine backcountry with a certified guide.
Fairmont Château Lake Louise
Relax with fondue and a facial at the Fairmont Château Lake Louise. The waterfront hotel offers world-class dining (including the renowned Walliser Stube restaurant), an award-winning spa and an endless array of recreational activities — from wellness classes to canoeing.
Moraine Lake
If you're craving an evening adventure, shuttle 14 km (8.7 mi) south to Moraine Lake. Set in the craggy Valley of the Ten Peaks, vivid turquoise water mirrors the surrounding mountains, rock piles and waterfalls. Sit lakeside and absorb the pure mountain air or take a short hike. Stay overnight in Lake Louise.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
The road to Moraine Lake isn't accessible to private vehicles. Book a shuttle from Lake Louise.
Bow Glacier Falls
At the base of Bow Glacier Falls, amid the water's spray and roar, you can witness the birth of a river. The Bow River, part of western Canada's largest watershed, begins as meltwater tumbling down from the Wapta Icefield and off a sheer 150-m (492-ft) cliff.
Surprise Corner
There's no sign leading to this perfect spot on Tunnel Mountain Road where the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel comes into view. While the image may be familiar from postcards and coffee table books, this is your chance to enjoy the breathtaking sight for yourself before stealing a personal photo op.
Banff Gondola
Soar to the top of the recently re-imagined Banff Gondola to see a whole new side of Sulphur Mountain and the Canadian Rockies. From new restaurants and interactive exhibits to a multi-sensory theatre and a breathtaking 360-degree rooftop observation deck, the Banff Gondola heightens every sense.
Hoodoo Viewpoint
At your last stop in Banff National Park, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of Banff’s playful and mysterious hoodoo rock formations on Tunnel Mountain. Formed as a result of thousands of years of erosion, the hoodoos will leave you struck with a sense of the area’s turbulent geological history.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Take a relaxing evening stroll in Calgary to stretch your legs and reorient yourself to the big city.
Glenbow Museum
Art lovers, history buffs and pop culture fanatics can all be inspired at Glenbow. The collection boasts over a million artifacts and 30,000 Indigenous artworks. While the main building is currently closed for renovations, visitors can enjoy free exhibitions at Glenbow at the Edison.
National Music Centre (aka Studio Bell)
Pay homage to your favourite artists in the Canadian Music Halls of Fame, enjoy five floors of interactive exhibits and memorabilia, and discover new vibrations being created by the current artists in residence. You might even catch a glimpse of the historic Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Studio.
WinSport Canada Olympic Park
Get your adrenaline pumping at this year-round attraction. Legacy infrastructure from the 1988 Winter Olympics, the park is operated by a proud not-for-profit dedicated to activating human potential through sport. Enjoy activities from mountain biking to ziplining and try out the world’s longest luge track.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Studio Bell is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Heritage Park Historical Village
See the country’s largest living history museum, where costumed interpreters populate streets and buildings depicting life in Western Canada between 1850 and 1950. Set up a tipi, take a spin on Big Eli, a Ferris wheel from 1893, or try your hand at the milk bottle toss.
Alberta Food Tours - Calgary
Indulge in some of the city's top eateries on a self-guided, three-hour walking tour of Calgary’s hip Kensington neighbourhood. Explore landmarks of history, art and culture. Learn about Alberta food production. Meet with local chefs. Discover hidden culinary gems. And leave plenty of time to try everything!
Calgary Tower
Enjoy scintillating views of the Calgary skyline and Canadian Rocky Mountains standing 191 m (627 ft) aboveground on the glass floor of the world’s highest 360-degree observation deck. An informative and inspiring multi-media tour is available for free and accessible from your mobile device.
Option 1: Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site that preserves and interprets over 6,000 years of Plains Buffalo culture. Open your senses and allow its vast landscapes, exhibits and diverse programming teach you about the significance of this cliff and surrounding valley.
Option 2: Dinosaur Provincial Park
Here, you'll find yourself in an otherworldly landscape of high stone cliffs, deep windswept grooves, towering hoodoos — and some of the most important fossil discoveries ever made. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site on a guided fossil hunt or bus tour, or by hiking one of the rocky trails.
Option 3: Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park
The site of the signing of Treaty 7, Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park is a designated National Historic Site dedicated to the preservation of the Siksika Nation's language and traditions. Learn how Siksika culture developed through interactive exhibits and savour Indigenous dishes at the restaurant.
Option 4: Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
Drive just under two hours northeast to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, one of the world's finest dinosaur museums, featuring skeletons and other fossils from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Bring your hiking boots and explore the museum’s interpretive trail through Midlands Provincial Park.
Option 5: Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
Head northwest to the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary for an experiential tour. You’ll observe wolfdog behaviour firsthand and learn about what it takes to care for these mysterious animals—not quite domesticated, not quite wild. Kids aged six and older are welcome (some tours have a higher age restriction).
Option 6: Painted Warriors Ranch
Just over an hour north of Calgary lies the Painted Warriors Ranch. Experience the traditional and contemporary lifestyle of the Cree and Saulteaux people — including skills such as animal tracking and snowshoeing, horse riding and archery — on 82 acres (33 hectares) of pristine forest land.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Not ready for your trip to be over? Book a night in one of the Painted Warriors Ranch's authentic Métis trapper tents.
Discover more road trips & itineraries
