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A Rocky Mountaineer train travels along the turquoise shores of a lake through the Canadian Rockies in Alberta and British Columbia.

Alberta/British Columbia

The Best of the Rockies by Rail: Western Canada's Splendor

Program No. 3748RJ

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Discover the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies on an immersive journey through Banff and Jasper national parks, where glacier-carved valleys, turquoise lakes, and soaring peaks define the landscape. Begin in Calgary with expert insights into the region’s geology, wildlife, and human history, then venture along the famed Icefields Parkway into the heart of the Rockies. Visit iconic alpine settings including Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Pyramid Lake, and Maligne Canyon, and ascend Sulphur Mountain by glass-enclosed gondola for panoramic views across the Bow Valley. Then, begin a once-in-a-lifetime journey aboard the legendary Rocky Mountaineer, taking in breathtaking vistas from its glass-domed cars of the dramatic mountain passes and river canyons. Your adventure concludes with two nights in Vancouver, where you’ll explore the city’s iconic neighborhoods like Stanely Park, Chinatown, Gastown, and False Creek.

Best of all, you'll...

Board the iconic Rocky Mountaineer, enjoying panoramic views from glass-domed railcars as you travel through mountain passes and river valleys toward the Pacific coast.
Ascend Sulphur Mountain by glass-enclosed gondola, taking in sweeping views of Banff, the Bow Valley, and the surrounding Rocky Mountain ranges.
Journey along the spectacular Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park, exploring Pyramid Lake and Maligne Canyon while learning about glaciers, wildlife, and alpine ecosystems.

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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 Experts

Kirsten Schmitten

Kirsten Schmitten has more than 30 years under her belt as a researcher, writer, and guide in the Canadian Rockies. She has worked as a professional park interpreter and lived in remote wilderness stations with her warden husband. Kirsten was awarded a Master Level Interpretive certification by the guiding community. She is a co-owner of All Things Wild, a company dedicated to connecting people to the stories unfolding in Jasper National Park.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

Please Note:

These experts may not be available for every date of the program

Kirsten Schmitten

Cory Gross

Cory Gross 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

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.

Greg Allemang

Greg Allemang is an Alberta-based outdoor guide and educator with a global perspective. A lifelong adventurer, he has explored five continents and lived across Canada and in South Korea. Greg is certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, the Interpretive Guides Association, and the Outdoor Council of Canada, with advanced wilderness first aid training. Since 2012, he has led hiking, backpacking, and snowshoeing trips in the Canadian Rockies, and has been a group leader with Road Scholar since 2014.

Patricia Thomson

Patricia Thomson not only loves nature, she’s made it her life’s calling. Having had a broad environmental education career including working for Parks Canada, B.C. Parks, and the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Patricia enjoys passing her passion on to others. Since 2004, she has been the executive director of Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES), leading a team of 12 conservation biologists and educators.

Routes Adventures Mobile Phone

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.

Alasdair Butcher

Alasdair Butcher is a Vancouver-born and based local expert, community organizer, and educator. He has a B.A.H. in human geography from the University of British Columbia and a master's in urban studies from Simon Fraser University. In 2008, he founded Vancouver DeTours with the aim of reclaiming travel as an act of educational empowerment. Since then, he has taken more than 100,000 guests on explorations of Vancouver's social history, architecture, urban planning, public art, and contemporary topics through an approach he calls "pedestrian pedagogy."

Liesl Lafferty

Liesl Lafferty is a scriptwriter, facilitator and Jessie award-winning director, focusing on creating new material. She also likes to work outside. In May 2019, Liesl graduated from the University of British Columbia with an MFA in creative writing and theatre. She happily lives with her husband at English Bay Beach, and they think of Stanley Park as their backyard.

Marie-Pierre Flipo-Bergeron

Marie-Pierre Flipo-Bergeron moved to Jasper from a French community in Quebec in 2007, and fully embraced the mountain lifestyle. She has worked as a boater, naturalist, hiking expert, and ski instructor for the last 17 years. Marie has an education in protection and exploitation of wildlife territories, as well as training in outdoor leadership. A talented musician, Marie performs at local venues as a singer and guitarist. Marie has two children who love nature as much as she does.

Isabelle Maheux

Isabelle Maxeux has two decades of experience in the travel industry. Her skills and personality have given Isabelle the opportunity to lead participants around the world. Originally from Québec, she now calls Vancouver Island home. Fluent in French and English, she enjoys languages and is currently learning Spanish. When Isabelle is not traveling, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family and teaching them about local flora and fauna.

Wesley Wenhardt

Wesley Wenhardt is a storyteller and explorer whose career has taken him around the world, planning, opening, and revitalizing cultural attractions. Bilingual in French and English, he now calls Vancouver, British Columbia home. He loves getting outdoors rain or shine, in the mountains, hiking, skiing, cycling, and flyfishing.

Ian McDonald

Ian McDonald was born in Santa Monica, California to English and Canadian parents, later settling in Vancouver. Before his career in travel, he worked in radio, community policing, higher education, casino surveillance, and as a museum interpreter and bus driver. He is a storyteller first, weaving tales of historical figures and the places visited. When not traveling, Ian can be found at home with his wife and sons at their home near Vancouver. He is an avid photographer, fishkeeper, nature lover, and podcaster.

Linda Craig

Linda Craig was born in Vancouver and grew up in Calgary. She worked for 17 years with WestJet Airlines, gaining invaluable experience in customer service. She more recently worked as a concierge and valet team manager at two prestigious Calgary hotels. Linda loves to explore the outdoors, whether in her kayak or on her Harley.

Jordan Ede Mahikan

Jordan is a proud member of the Victoire Callihou Cree Clan in Alberta. An experienced storyteller, Jordan embraces traditional knowledge, plant medicine, and the natural beauty of the land. He is a certified wilderness first aid instructor, and is also trained as a firefighter, paramedic, and police officer. His background as a cave guide, boat captain, and Indigenous interpreter provides him with lived varied experience and practical knowledge. Jordan brings a deep love for the outdoors, traditional crafts, and community connection.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking up to 2 miles per day at a moderate pace of 2 mph over varied terrain including pavement, sidewalks and boardwalks; several sets of stairs. Standing between 4 to 6 hours per day. Program will require approximately 9 miles of walking over 12 days. Getting on/off a motorcoach and train. Up to 5 hours on a motorcoach; extended time on train. Elevations over 8,000 feet. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.

Suggested Books and Resources

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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!

Call 800-454-5768

Helpful Links

Trip Protection

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Enroll with Confidence

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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