Grand Tour of the Rockies

Your independent discovery of the Canadian Rockies begins with a flight from London Heathrow to Vancouver. Arriving the same day, you can check in to your hotel and get to know this attractive city better. Located on the Pacific coast, Vancouver is regularly regarded as one of the world's most desirable places to live, thanks to its charming atmosphere amid the incredible setting of mountains and sheltered bays and harbours.

Vancouver's original downtown, Gastown, is the city's most historic area. Redbrick Victorian buildings dot the tree-lined streets surrounding pretty Maple Tree Square. In leafy Stanley Park, you can view colourful totem poles celebrating the native history of the region's indigenous Coast Salish people or you may prefer to seek out the appetising food markets of Granville Island.

Waking in Vancouver, you transfer early this morning to the train station where you board the iconic Rocky Mountaineer train for a breathtaking rail journey.

Experiencing the stunning scenery of the Sea to Sky Corridor as you travel, savour excellent onboard service while soaking up the landscapes of western Canada. As the route leaves the coastal city of Vancouver, highlights include spectacular views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains. Climbing towards its destination, look out for the rushing Brandywine Falls, towering Mount Garibaldi and the impressive Cheakamus Canyon.

Arriving in the renowned resort town of Whistler this afternoon, the remainder of the day is at leisure. As the location for many events during the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler is renowned for outstanding skiing and mountain biking, while there is also an array of culinary delights and year-round outdoor activities for both leisure and adventure travellers.

Overnight will be in a 4 star hotel in Whistler.

A pre-arranged coach picks you up from your hotel in the morning and takes you along the Sea to Sky Highway to Pemberton train station, where you board Rocky Mountaineer for today's journey.

Enjoy breathtaking and varied scenery, from the river canyons and lush farmland of the Pemberton Valley, through the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon, to rolling hills and vast ranch lands of the Cariboo Plateau. Highlights of this route include Anderson Lake and glacier-fed Seton Lake, sweeping views of the Fraser Canyon and the crossing of Deep Creek trestle bridge, standing more than 300 feet tall.

Your scenic journey concludes as Rocky Mountaineer follows the banks of the Fraser River into the charming rural town of Quesnel, the gateway to the North Cariboo.

Overnight will be in a 3 star hotel in Quesnel

Hopping back aboard Rocky Mountaineer today, Canada's iconic scenery becomes even more incredible as you approach the mountains.

Following the Fraser River north to the town of Prince George, the route then heads east through forests that are home to plentiful wildlife, including moose, caribou and bears. You'll continue climbing past Mount Robson - at 12,972 feet, this rugged peak is often called the 'King of the Rockies', and its seemingly vertical southern face dominates views from miles around. The varied stratum of rock gives the impression of a road twisting around the mountain - a fact noticed by the indigenous Texqa'kallt people who call it the 'Mountain of the Spiral Road'.

Your destination is Jasper, a popular tourist destination that retains its small-town feel. Interesting shops and restaurants line its streets. After checking in to our hotel, you are free to explore this picture-perfect town this evening.

This morning is free to soak up the charm of Jasper, a picturesque town surrounded by one of Canada's most beautiful national parks.

In this UNESCO World Heritage site, you can enjoy breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains, glacial rivers and expansive forests. You might also choose to explore downtown Jasper, a lovely area with a small community and a laid-back atmosphere.

In the afternoon, experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Jasper National Park on a half-day sightseeing tour. Highlights include Patricia Lake, Pyramid Lake and the Jasper SkyTram - the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada. Rising nearly 3,500ft in seven minutes, the SkyTram travels near to the summit of Whistlers Mountain at a height of 7,425ft, providing exquisite views of the Rockies laid out in front of you.

A journey along the famous Icefields Parkway awaits today, viewing beautiful natural landmarks such as the Athabasca Falls. This 144-mile road framed by astonishing mountain scenery is recognised as one of the most scenic drives in the world, with more than 100 glaciers visible enroute. 

The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic Circle and one of the most accessible icefields in North America. From mid-May departures onwards, you will stop here to ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to learn about its geological features and can also step on to the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk to admire panoramic views. Afterwards you continue along the Icefields Parkway, making a brief stop to soak up the views at Bow Lake.

Arriving at Lake Louise, you check in to the iconic Fairmont Château Lake Louise hotel and have time to admire the picture-perfect vistas.

With a full day at leisure in Lake Louise, you can soak up nature's majesty while exploring or relax in this spellbinding landscape.

Lake Louise is surrounded by hiking trails catering to all activity levels, including the Lake Louise Lakefront Trail, which offers fantastic views from every angle. You can stay on this trail for a short journey or connect to the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail for an even more impressive hike. During the summer months, you can even get out on the lake, with canoe rentals available at Chateau Lake Louise's Boathouse.

There are many other excursions you could book independently, such as a summertime gondola journey to a height of 6,893 feet, savour afternoon tea at the Fairmont Château Lake Louise or even enjoy a bird's eye view during a helicopter trip.

This morning, you are free to explore beautiful Lake Louise on your own and bask in the spellbinding beauty for the final time. You might like to set out on another hiking trail or grab some pastries and a coffee from the restaurant and have breakfast overlooking the lake as the sun peeks over the mountains.

After lunch, a half-day transfer takes you into Yoho National Park to view some of its natural wonders. Among the attractions are the Spiral Tunnels, designed in 1908 so trains could ascend or descend Kicking Horse Pass. You also stop to admire Emerald Lake, so-called due to its remarkable colour. The first non-indigenous person to record seeing the lake was Tom Wilson in 1882, who was pursuing horses that had bolted. On encountering the lake, Wilson stopped to enjoy its beauty. 

Continuing your journey, you arrive in the popular mountain town of Banff and check in to your hotel for two nights.

Please note: while departure from the Fairmont Château Lake Louise will be approximately 2pm, scheduled checkout time is normally 12noon. Your luggage will be stored upon checkout, and you are free to enjoy the amenities of the hotel before the tour departs.

With a day at leisure, you can explore the mountain resort town of Banff at your own pace.

Founded in 1883 near a planned railway tunnel, Banff is surrounded by wonderful wilderness and spectacular scenery. As Canada's premier year-round destination, there are various excursions you could book today. Ascend to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola to enjoy breathtaking views across the Bow River Valley or you could opt to take part in excursions that take you close to the region's wildlife.

If you'd prefer to stay in Banff, you might like to unwind in the town's hot springs or experience the charms of the Main Street, a row of half-timbered independent shops and a variety of restaurants.

Back onboard Rocky Mountaineer today, you enjoy a daylight journey to Kamloops, following in the footsteps of the pioneers who forged this First Passage to the West route. As you relax in spacious seats, savour the award-winning service provided by dedicated hosts who tell stories about passing landmarks and announce wildlife sightings.

The train winds through the spectacular Banff National Park, with its towering peaks, pristine lakes and renowned Morant's Curve, before crossing the Continental Divide near the Spiral Tunnels. In 1881, surveyor AB Rogers set out to locate an accessible route through the mountains. His name is remembered by the Rogers Pass under which the five-mile Connaught Tunnel runs. Near Craigellachie, look out for the 'last spike' that was driven into the track here in 1885, connecting nearly 3,000 miles of trans-Canadian railway.

Along the shore of sprawling Shuswap Lake, look out for the mythical Shuswaggi, an eight-foot lake monster bearing a remarkable resemblance to Scotland's Nessie. In Kamloops, you disembark for an overnight stay.

Your luxurious Rocky Mountaineer journey concludes today along one of the most dramatic stretches of the line. Along the Thompson and Fraser canyons, admire green forests and dramatic valleys, home to an abundance of Canadian wildlife. Look out for the rushing waters of Hell's Gate, where the Fraser River narrows to just 115 feet, creating thundering passage of white-water rapids.

Arriving back in Vancouver, you check in to your hotel for your final night in Canada. With time at leisure, you can head out to try some of western Canada's finest cuisine, including top-class seafood like salmon, oysters and Dungeness crab, or delicious local versions of Asian and Mexican dishes.

Your Rocky Mountain round-trip has taken you through breathtaking scenery from the Coastal Mountains to the national parks of Jasper and Banff. Towering mountains including Mount Robson have lined this sensational route, while excursions including to the Columbia Icefield have unveiled the epic majesty of Canada's Rocky Mountains.

Today, you check out of your hotel and are transferred to the airport, where you board your flight back to London Heathrow.

Your unforgettable independent journey ends today as you land at London Heathrow.