Grand Rail Circle

Three scenic Rocky Mountaineer train routes, unique sightseeing, and delightful towns come together to create the perfect circle tour as you travel to—and through—the heart of the Canadian Rockies on this 11-day rail adventure. Beginning in Vancouver, board the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb bound for the resort town of Whistler, where you will spend two nights before boarding the Rocky Mountaineer for Quesnel. From Quesnel, travel to Jasper where you will enjoy scenic motorcoach transfers to the alpine towns of Lake Louise and Banff. From Banff, board the Rocky Mountaineer for your return trip to Vancouver by way of Kamloops. The perfect rail holiday through the Canadian Rockies!

Tour Inclusions & Scenic Highlights

• 4 days of scenic rail travel aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in your choice of RedLeaf or GoldLeaf service
• One-way transportation aboard the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb from Vancouver to Whistler
• Select meals
• Hotel accommodations for 10 nights
• Exclusive attractions pass
• Icefields Parkway tour including Ice Explorer and scenic transfer from Jasper to Lake Louise
• Guided lakeshore stroll at Lake Louise
• Yoho National Park tour and scenic transfer from Lake Louise to Banff
• Transfers in Vancouver, Whistler, Quesnel, Jasper, Banff, and Kamloops
• National Parks pass
• Luggage handling

• Vancouver
• Howe Sound
• Shannon Falls
• Cheakamus Canyon
• Whistler
• Pemberton Valley
• Cariboo Plateau
• Seton Lake
• Jasper National Park
• Columbia Icefields
• Bow Lake
• Lake Louise
• Spiral Tunnels
• Kicking Horse River
• Lake Minnewanka
• Craigellachie
• Rogers Pass

Tour Map

Itinerary

Day 1 –Vancouver at your Leisure
Arrive in Vancouver and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore this cosmopolitan city on your own. Your centrally-located hotel puts you steps away from many of the city’s most popular attractions, fashionable shops, and gourmet restaurants. Overnight Fairmont Hotel Vancouver or Holiday Inn Downtown.

Day 2 - Vancouver to Whistler
Board the Whistler Sea to Sky Climb and prepare for your 8:00 journey from the coastal city of Vancouver to the mountain resort town of Whistler, renowned for outstanding skiing and year-round outdoor activities. The 3 ½-hour train excursion offers spectacular views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains, Shannon Falls, Mount Garibaldi and the impressive Cheakamus Canyon. Upon arrival at the Whistler train station, you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Overnight Fairmont Chateau Whistler or Delta Whistler Village Suites. (B)

Day 3 - Whistler at Your Leisure
Enjoy a free day exploring the picturesque mountain resort of Whistler on your own. Hike well-maintained trails, play a round of golf on one of four championship courses, bike in one of the best mountain bike parks, treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment, or visit one of the hundreds of shops and restaurants in this pedestrian-only town. Overnight Fairmont Chateau Whistler or Delta Whistler Village Suites.

Day 4 - Whistler to Quesnel
The Rocky Mountaineer departs at 7:00 today with the charming town of Quesnel, gateway to the North Cariboo, as its destination. You’ll be surrounded by breathtaking scenery throughout the entire journey, from the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley to the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon to rolling hills and vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau. Highlights include the shorelines of Anderson Lake and glacial-fed Seton Lake, sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon and the crossing of Deep Creek Bridge, one of the highest railway bridges in the world. Your day concludes as the Rocky Mountaineer follows the banks of the Fraser River, arriving in Quesnel at 19:30. Overnight Quesnel. (B, L)

Day 5 – Quesnel to Jasper
Your journey eastward continues at 7:00 as the Rocky Mountaineer makes its way to the majestic Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park. From Quesnel the Rocky Mountaineer follows the Fraser River north to the town of Prince George, then travels east through the forests of northern British Columbia. Entering the Rocky Mountain Trench you are surrounded to the north by the steeply rising Rocky Mountains and to the south by the Cariboo Mountains. Continue climbing past Mount Robson, at 3,953 metres the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and through the Yellowhead Pass into the province of Alberta. You’ll arrive in Jasper at 20:30. Overnight Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge or Lobstick Lodge. (B, L)

Day 6 – Jasper to Lake Louise
Today travel to Lake Louise via one of the most scenic highways in the world, the Icefields Parkway. A stop will be made at Athabasca Falls before arriving at the Columbia Icefield. Here you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn how glaciers are formed. Time will be available for lunch on your own. Afterward, a brief stop will be made at Bow Lake before arriving in Lake Louise this afternoon, where you will be treated to a one-hour guided lakeshore stroll. Overnight Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Day 7 – Lake Louise to Banff
Your morning is free to enjoy your beautiful surroundings. This afternoon’s half-day tour departs Lake Louise a little before 14:30 and takes you into Yoho National Park. Highlights of your tour include the Spiral Tunnels, Emerald Lake and a natural rock bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to Banff. Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs or Banff Ptarmigan Inn.

Day 8 – Banff Tour with Summit Helicopter Tour
Today’s five-hour motorcoach tour takes you to Banff’s most popular attractions, including Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Enjoy lunch on your own before continuing on to Kananaskis for the highlight of today's journey, a 15-minute Summit Helicopter Tour over the remarkable landscape of the Canadian Rockies. Overnight Fairmont Banff Springs or Banff Ptarmigan Inn.

Day 9 – Banff to Kamloops
Travel onboard the Rocky Mountaineer from the mountain town of Banff to Kamloops, located in the heart of British Columbia's interior. Your journey begins at 8:20 and takes you through a spectacular array of scenery as you travel between the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, over mountain passes and through remarkable tunnels. Highlights of today’s journey includes the Spiral Tunnels, the Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers Pass and Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven. You will arrive in Kamloops just before 19:30. Overnight Kamloops. (B, L)

Day 10 – Kamloops to Vancouver
The last leg of your rail journey begins today as you board the Rocky Mountaineer and prepare for your 7:30 departure bound for the Pacific Ocean and the coastal city of Vancouver. Highlights of today’s journey include some of the most stunning scenery including the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River and the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Your rail journey ends upon arrival in Vancouver a little after 17:30. Overnight Fairmont Hotel Vancouver or Holiday Inn Downtown. (B, L)

Day 11 – Vancouver
Your Grand Rail Circle holiday comes to a close with check-out from your Vancouver hotel this morning. You may wish to extend your stay in Vancouver to better explore this exciting coastal city and its surrounding destinations.

Itinerary is available in reverse.

1. Dates & Pricing
2. Trains & Transportation
3. Accommodations

Transportation

The Rocky Mountaineer is a scenic touring train that travels only during daylight hours along an historic train route through Canada’s West and the Canadian Rockies. Travellers will be awed by the breathtaking scenery along four distinct train routes.

Panoramic views from full-length, dome windows Reclining dome-level seats that rotate to accommodate groups of four Full galley kitchen 36 dining room seats with picture windows (four guests per table) Temperature-controlled comfort Spiral staircase and ADA elevator to dome level Overnight in hotel accommodation in Kamloops or Quesnel with luggage delivered to your hotel Enjoy transfers to and from the train on your package tour

Classic rail experience featuring roomy reclining seats that can rotate to accommodate groups of four Don't miss a minute of the action through the large picture windows Savour a selection of chilled breakfasts and lunches served at your seat, and a glass of complimentary wine at lunch Relax with onboard complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks while being entertained by commentary from your Rocky Mountaineer Host Access the exclusive RedLeaf Lounge Car while travelling on the Rainforest to Gold Rush route Overnight in hotel accommodation in Kamloops or Quesnel Transfers to and from the train on your package tour

The Goldleaf Fairmont package is the Gold Service carriage with a room at a Fairmont Hotel.