Are you more of a history buff, or a wildlife watcher? Do you yearn to follow the route of gold-seeking pioneers of the 1860s, or is spotting a soaring eagle or a handsome bear top of your list? Do snow-capped peaks tickle your fancy ? Luxury train company Rocky Mountaineer offers three distinctive rail journeys that explore the Canadian Rocky Mountains connecting the Pacific city of Vancouver with the Canadian Rocky Mountains. No matter which you choose, as you sink into your roomy reclining seat with a glass of wine, you’ll enjoy an inspiring mix of nature’s greatest hits, storytelling that brings your surroundings to life, and Rocky Mountaineer’s legendary service. The two-day First Passage to the West route chugs along the historic tracks of the country’s first coast-to-coast railway between Vancouver and Banff or Lake Louise, with an overnight stay in Kamloops. Pass by the snarling rapids of Hell’s Gate—named for explorer Simon Fraser’s assertion that “surely these are the gates of Hell”—and the twin rail bridges of Cisco Crossing. Between Kamloops and Banff, you’ll witness the site of the “last spike” driven into the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885 at Craigellachie and experience the engineering marvel of the Spiral Tunnels. Experience the Extraordinary on board Rocky Mountaineer
and Jasper, the train passes the glacier-fed, three-tiered Pyramid Falls; Mount Albreda; and Mount Robson—the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 metres (12,972 feet). Mount Robson is so big that it often forms its own weather patterns, with clouds enveloping the peak while the rest of the sky is blue. Jasper National Park is a Dark Sky Preserve known for stargazing, wildlife around every corner and some of the best outdoor adventures in the Canadian Rockies. For those that want to delve further into Western Canada’s history and diverse landscapes—and spend more time on the train—the three-day Rainforest to Gold Rush route takes a northerly path between Vancouver and Jasper, uncovering the stories of those early prospectors seeking to make their fortune. This rail route also boasts the most trestle bridges, making it a favourite with train fans. With overnights in Whistler and Quesnel, on this journey you’ll climb through rainforest into the alpine alongside the southern fjord of Howe Sound, pass the deep turquoise waters of Seton and Anderson lakes, travel along the desert like Cariboo Plateau, cross the historic Cottonwood River Bridge, and take in Mount Robson. With two of Western Canada’s best outdoor adventure hubs on this train journey, Whistler and Jasper, this rail route is the perfect fit if you love exploring nature. All rail routes are available in both directions: starting in the west and travelling east into the Rockies, or vice versa, which means that you have the choice to kick off your holiday with big city sightseeing and dining at the hottest restaurants, or with fresh air outdoor adventures and touring the national parks. Every Rocky Mountaineer rail journey travels only during daylight hours so you can be sure you’re not missing a moment of those picture-postcard views you’ve come to see. And whether you’re travelling in SilverLeaf Service or GoldLeaf Service you’ll enjoy freshly prepared cuisine paired with a glass of wine or a local craft beer, as your on board Hosts bring the scenery to life, and you swap stories with your new lifelong friends.
As you travel through Banff National Park be awed by views of towering Castle Mountain and Mount Rundle.
Also, two days long, Journey through the Clouds travels between Vancouver and Jasper, traversing some of the most remote landscapes in Canada, with scenery and wildlife largely untouched by humans. Like First Passage to the West, the rail route passes the rushing Hell’s Gate and Cisco Crossing, travelling along both the Fraser and Thompson rivers. Between Kamloops
Can’t decide which route is for you? Get in touch today and let us help you talior your journey of a lifetime.
Choose between SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf Service
SilverLeaf Service
GoldLeaf Service
• Custom-designed single-level dome • Oversized glass-dome windows • Regionally-inspired meals served in the comfort of your seat • Reclining, comfortable seating with ample leg room • Attended by up to three hosts • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages • Gourmet sweet and savoury snacks • Engaging hosts with stories about historic sites, scenery, and wildlife
• Bi-level dome with seating above and dining below • Full glass-dome windows • Gourmet à la carte meals in the lower-level dining room • Reclining, comfortable seating with ample leg room • Attended by four hosts and full culinary team
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages • Gourmet sweet and savoury snacks • Large, exclusive outdoor viewing platform • Engaging hosts with stories about historic sites, scenery, and wildlife
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