Alberta/British Columbia
The Best of the Rockies by Rail: Western Canada's Splendor
Program No. 3748RJ
Journey to the heart of the Canadian Rockies by train — and glass-enclosed gondola! — discovering ancient glaciers, unique wildlife, isolated towns and stunning alpine views.
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800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Jul 14 - Jul 25, 2024
Starting at
8,449Jul 28 - Aug 8, 2024
Starting at
8,999Aug 15 - Aug 26, 2024
Starting at
7,699Aug 18 - Aug 29, 2024
Starting at
8,999Sep 15 - Sep 26, 2024
Starting at
8,499Sep 19 - Sep 30, 2024
Starting at
8,999Sep 29 - Oct 10, 2024
Starting at
7,699DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Jul 14 - Jul 25, 2024
Starting at
10,419Jul 28 - Aug 8, 2024
Starting at
10,979Aug 15 - Aug 26, 2024
Starting at
9,419Aug 18 - Aug 29, 2024
Starting at
10,979Sep 15 - Sep 26, 2024
Starting at
10,469Sep 19 - Sep 30, 2024
Starting at
10,979Sep 29 - Oct 10, 2024
Starting at
9,439Not seeing the date you're looking for?
To be notified if dates of this program become available, click the button below.
12 days
11 nights
26 meals
11B 8L 7D
1
Arrive Calgary, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Calgary, Alberta
2
Calgary History, Explore Calgary, Transfer to Banff
Banff, Alberta
3
Banff Geology, Cave & Basin, Sulphur Mountain Gondola
Banff, Alberta
4
Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake
Banff, Alberta
5
Whyte Museum, Moore Home, Afternoon Tea, Free Time
Banff, Alberta
6
Icefields Parkway
Jasper, Alberta
7
Jasper National Park, Pyramid Lake, Maligne Canyon
Jasper, Alberta
8
Rocky Mountaineer Train to Kamloops
Kamloops, British Columbia
9
Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia
10
History of Vancouver, Museum of Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia
11
Vancouver Walking Field Trip, Free Time, Farewell Dinner
Vancouver, British Columbia
12
Program Concludes
Vancouver, British Columbia
At a Glance
Experience the wonder of the rugged, beautiful Canadian Rockies in Alberta and British Columbia. Journey through green valleys, past sapphire rivers and wide, jade lakes as you head into the heart of the mountains. Visit the soaring resort town of Banff, where you can explore the hot springs that have made this place famous. See Lake Louise’s famed emerald waters, born of the glaciers that overlook it. Complete your adventure with three nights in the cosmopolitan coastal city of Vancouver.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles daily over varied terrain. Elevations of 4,500-8,041 feet.
What You'll Learn
- Enjoy some of the world’s most magnificent stretches of railway aboard Rocky Mountaineer.
- Ride a glass-enclosed gondola to the peak of Sulphur Mountain for 360-degree views of the Canadian Rockies.
- Journey along the famed Icefields Parkway through the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
General Notes
Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or less. Due to hotel staffing constraints, the hotel in Kamloops will not be known until 3-7 days prior to arrival.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Kirsten Schmitten
Kirsten Schmitten has spent over 30 years exploring, researching, writing and working in the Canadian Rockies. From her career as a park naturalist to her adventures with her warden husband, Kirsten’s love and knowledge of the natural and cultural history of Jasper makes her a captivating and sought after speaker. She is the owner of All Things Wild, a company specializing in connecting people to the natural and cultural history of Jasper National Park.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Kirsten Schmitten
View biography
Kirsten Schmitten has spent over 30 years exploring, researching, writing and working in the Canadian Rockies. From her career as a park naturalist to her adventures with her warden husband, Kirsten’s love and knowledge of the natural and cultural history of Jasper makes her a captivating and sought after speaker. She is the owner of All Things Wild, a company specializing in connecting people to the natural and cultural history of Jasper National Park.
Cory Gross
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Cory grew up in the Calgary area, living both in the city and on the ranches where his father worked. In 2005 he received a bachelor’s in Museum and Heritage Studies from the University of Calgary and currently works as an educator at the Glenbow Museum. Cory is also a volunteer with the Western Art Gallery at the Calgary Stampede and with several other heritage organizations throughout the city.
Brent MacDonald
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Brent Macdonald has been a resident of the Canadian Rockies for almost 30 years. As a geology expert, he provides a wealth of knowledge about geography and geomorphology. Brent has had a diverse career as a freelance natural history interpreter, also working as a consultant for a geotechnical engineering company. He has shared his knowledge of geology and natural history as an interpreter and guest lecturer. Brent is also a certified mountain leader and ski instructor.
Andrea McPherson
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Originally from Ontario, Andrea has settled into Calgary. Her love of travel has taken her around Canada and around the world. Andrea loves introducing visitors to the wonders of her home country of Canada and the vast range of experiences it has to offer. She is just as happy in the heart of a downtown metropolis as she is in the middle of the wild. From whale-watching to dog-sledding, from walks in downtown metropolises to the Rockies, Andreas has done it all.
Greg Allemang
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Growing up in the military has brought Greg across Canada and given him a real taste of everything the country has to offer. Finally settled now in the Calgary area, Greg has followed his passions for his country to study travel management and become a certified hiking instructor. Greg also enjoys climbing and enjoying the beautiful wilderness that surrounds his home. His love of nature has fueled his passion for connecting people to their environment and showing off his country to visitors.
John Atkin
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John Atkin is an author, historian and heritage advocate who has been fascinated with Vancouver since moving to the city over 30 years ago. He is the co-founder of the Heritage Vancouver Society, has contributed to a documentary on the city, and has appeared regularly on television and radio, including CBC Television and CTV’s Canada AM. John is the author of four books on Vancouver, including “Strathcona: Vancouver’s First Neighborhood,” and is an editor for the B.C. Historical Federation.
Andrea Sawchuck
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Andrea Sawchuk was born and raised in Alberta and was bitten by the travel bug very early in her life. She’s done everything from swimming in the Dead Sea, to seeing two volcanoes erupt, and even met and stayed with a shaman in the Amazon. Andrea has led groups internationally since 2008, as well as having worked with the military and in media marketing. Andrea loves to share her passion for the outdoors and her experiences at her favorite spots in Canada.
Ileana Nielsen
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Ileana was born and raised in the beautiful city of Montréal. She stayed in Montréal to attend McGill University where she studied nursing. Ileana’s career led her to Ottawa where she married and had two boys, and eventually led her family to Calgary where she currently lives. Ileana fit right into the outdoor lifestyle of the Canadian Rockies with her love of skiing, hiking and photography. Two years ago Ileana made the transition into the travel industry and loves introducing Canada to visitors.
Jacob Johnson
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Jacob Johnson has spent the better part of his life in the mountains, from growing up in Fernie, B.C. to his current home in Canmore, Alberta. His love for being in the mountains has taken him rock climbing in Thailand, mountain biking in Italy and skiing and mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies. Now retired from a career in engineering, you will often find Jacob with a camera in his hand as he’s also a professional photographer, constantly seeking to capture the beauty of the environment.
Routes Adventures Mobile Phone
View biography
Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.
Suggested Reading List
(16 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Best of the Rockies by Rail: Western Canada's Splendor
Program Number: 3748
Moon Handbook Canadian Rockies
GUIDEBOOK, 2010, PAPERBACK, 347 PAGES
Canada resident and avid outdoorsman Andrew Hempstead knows the best way to experience the Canadian Rockies, from rafting on the Bow River and hiking Lake O'Hara to staying in a remote log cabin. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Canadian Rockies has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. With must-see sights, maps, aadvice on planning and itineraries -- and an essential dose of humor. (CND231, $17.95)
Bear Tales from the Canadian Rockies
Bears hold an honored place in the mythology of the Canadian Rockies. This collection of stories draws on the adventures of hunters and trappers, native legends and traditional tall tales to create a portrait of the animal that has captured the wild imagination of the region.
Raven's End
A young raven, with no memory of his past, arrives to the beautiful and dangerous landscape of Yamnuska, Banff. A book that looks at the complex world of ravens.
Rocky Mountain Nature Guide
This guide includes information on mammals, fish, birds, trees, shrubs, wildflowers, insects and reptiles from the entire span of the Rockies - Alaska to New Mexico. Featuring over 300 exact full-color illustrations.
Northern Rocky Mountain Wildflowers, Including Glacier, Waterton Lakes, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke, and Yoho
Compiled by a former forest service ecologist and botany teacher at Yellowstone Institute, this handy guide features 300 species, expertly photographed, explained and organized by color and family for quick identification.
The West Beyond the West, A History of British Columbia
A fascinating history of the Canadian province from the 18th century to the mid-1990s. The author weaves portraits of major personalities and events into a readable overview of the cultural and social influences that have shaped the region.
Rocky Mountain Natural History, Grand Teton to Jasper, A Trailside Reference
A comprehensive field guide and handbook covering the plants, animals, insects, geology and history of the region. With 480 color photographs and 11 line drawings.
Handbook of the Canadian Rockies
Geology, plants, animals, history and recreation from Waterton/Glacier to the Yukon.
Scats and Tracks of the Rocky Mountains
An essential pocket guide to tracks, scats and signs of not just the mammals of the region, but also of the reptiles, amphibians and birds. Each of 70 species gets a double-page spread, with line drawings of the animal, scat and track, range map and description.
Switchbacks, True Stories from the Canadian Rockies
A native Albertan and park warden in the Canadian Rockies, Marty relates colorful anecdotes from friends, colleagues and his own youth in this collection of tales, which includes A Horse Named Candy.
A Traveller's History of Canada
A readable and admirably concise march through Canadian history from prehistory to today, including a timeline.
Vancouver Then and Now
This installment in the Then and Now series takes stock of Vancouver’s evolution by placing antique photographs side-by-side with contemporary ones. It peels back the years so that readers can see city fixtures as they once were.
After the Ice Age: The Return of Life to Glaciated North America
Eighteen thousand years ago, an immense sheet of ice covered all of present day Canada and northernmost U.S. This story tells of how a harsh terrain was transformed into the environment we know today.
The Great Rocky Mountain Nature Factbook
Ewing's family-friendly guide, with black-and-white drawings throughout, answers the curiosity of engaged visitors about the plants, animals and natural features of the Rockies.
Field Guide to Banff National Park
This fold-up, laminated card features 133 color drawings and short descriptions of commonly encountered wildlife and a map.
Moon Handbook British Columbia including the Canadian Rockies
GUIDEBOOK,2008, PAPERBACK, 480 PAGES
This comprehensive practical guide in the Moon series published in the Pacific Northwest stakes out the best food, transportation, accommodation, and sights throughout British Columbia. The guide nicely balances practical detail and a good overview of the region and its attractions. Seventh edition. (CND132, $21.95).
Call Longitude in New York at 1-800-342-2164 or go to reading.longitudebooks.com/RL22281.