Rocky Mountaineer: Jasper & Banff

Your Canadian Rockies holiday begins today with a flight from London Heathrow to Vancouver. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel to check in.

This charming coastal city enjoys a stunning location, with the Pacific Ocean stretching out to the west and the North Shore mountain range overlooking the city to the north. Vancouver is commonly regarded as one of the world's most desirable cities to live in and you have time to explore this celebrated city at your own pace today.

Head to Stanley Park, covering more than 400 hectares in the centre of the city, to stroll along the waterfront, relax at one of the beaches, view First Nations totem poles or spot native wildlife. Yaletown offers fantastic dining options and a vibrant atmosphere - try some fresh west coast seafood while you watch the city buzz around you from a restaurant patio.

After breakfast at your hotel, the day is free to continue discovering the sights of Vancouver. This city has something for everyone, offering a diverse culture and history, thriving art scene and outstanding natural beauty.

Visit historic Gastown, Vancouver's original downtown district, to wander along streets lined with Victorian redbrick buildings, boutiques and art galleries. The antique-style steam clock in the centre is a popular sight - this unique clock is run by steam from underground pipes and whistles and shoots steam at regular intervals.

You might also take a quick ferry to Granville Island to browse the indoor market or experience the thriving arts and theatre scene. Vancouver is also home to Canada's largest Chinatown, where you can sample delicious food or stroll through the classical Chinese garden, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city. >

An early start brings an incredible journey today, as you head to the dedicated Rocky Mountaineer station to board this iconic train.

Departing Vancouver, the route follows the Fraser River eastward into the lush farmlands of the Fraser Valley, which pass by the panoramic windows as you enjoy breakfast served onboard. Rocky Mountaineer winds through forests and river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains. The train slows so you can appreciate the rushing waters of Hell's Gate and admire the steep forested slopes of Fraser Canyon - look out for native wildlife such as bears, elk and moose.

While you enjoy lunch onboard, the lush forests lining the Fraser River turn to sparse sagebrush covered hills as the route follows the Thompson River on the approach to Kamloops. Travelling alongside the vast Kamloops Lake, the deep blue of the water contrasts beautifully with the arid and desert-like surroundings. Your journey ends this evening as the Rocky Mountaineer pulls into Kamloops, where you can check in to your hotel for the night.

This morning, you leave Kamloops for another journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, continuing northeast into the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta.

Following the banks of the North Thompson River through the scenic Clearwater region, the scenery becomes greener again. Enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard again, as you travel through dense evergreen forests flanking the shimmering river. The Monashee and Caribou mountain ranges rise around you, as you climb ever nearer to the high peaks of the Continental Divide. Rocky Mountaineer continues past the striking Pyramid Falls, allowing you to see it from a vantage point only accessible by rail - the rushing water cascades over a wide, triangular outcrop, creating a unique sight.

Approaching Jasper, enjoy magnificent views of the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson. This imposing mountain rises high above the surrounding scenery, its snowcapped peak reaching into the clouds. Upon arrival in Jasper this evening, you can check into your hotel with time to explore and find dinner in this charming mountain town.

Nestled in the heart of Jasper National Park, Jasper is a fantastic base for exploring the Rockies, but also offers warm, small-town hospitality and a great selection of restaurants. This morning is free - you could wander the charming streets of Jasper and find lunch in a local restaurant while you take in the beautiful surroundings. Alternatively, take a cruise on Maligne Lake, a glacier-fed lake that features clear turquoise waters and an amazing backdrop, with soaring mountain peaks, glaciers and lush forests encircling it.

In the afternoon, experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Jasper National Park on a half-day sightseeing tour. Admire Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake, where the serene clear water reflects the imposing Pyramid Lake in the mirrored surface. Take an enchanting ride on the Jasper SkyTram, the highest and longest aerial tramway in Canada, for panoramic views of the Rockies from above.

After your tour, the evening is free in Jasper. As the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve, this area provides incredible views of the night sky and boasts a brilliant Planetarium.

Leaving Jasper behind, your day begins with a coach journey along the world-famous Icefields Parkway. This byway is renowned as one of the world's most scenic, with stunning vistas of mountains, lakes and glaciers framing both sides as it connects Jasper and Banff national parks

On the way, from mid-May departures onwards, you will stop at the Columbia Icefield for a tour of this incredible sparkling expanse. Here, you will ride on an Ice Explorer to the middle of the Athabasca Glacier to see this vast sheet of ancient ice up close and learn about its geological features. You will also have entry to the Glacier Skywalk for panoramic views of glacial valleys and rugged peaks. Displays lining the Skywalk also provide information on the geology and indigenous history of the region.

Continuing to Banff, a brief stop will be made at Bow Lake to view this stunning glacier-fed lake, before arriving in Banff this afternoon.

Today you will enjoy a full-day transfer concluding in Calgary, beginning the morning with a sightseeing tour of Banff National Park. During your tour of this amazing area, you will visit Bow Falls - a wide, rushing waterfall famously featured in River of No Return, starring Marilyn Monroe. Other points of interest are Surprise Corner, a viewpoint named for its panoramic vistas over the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, and the Banff Hoodoos, towering spire-like rock formations created by erosion.

After your tour, enjoy an included trip on the Banff Gondola. This cable car takes you to the summit of Mount Sulphur, nearly 7,500 feet above sea level. Each gondola car is completely enclosed in glass, providing a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains as it rises above the breathtaking, glacial Bow Valley.

On leaving Banff, you are transferred to Calgary, soaking up stunning views as the scenery transforms from rugged peaks and lush forests to the cosmopolitan landscape of one of Canada's largest cities.